Correspondent
A convicted murderer who has been behind bars for 10 years has graduated as a lawyer with eight distinctions, it has been reported.

Benjamin Baloyi

Benjamin Baloyi, 37, is serving a life sentence for murder at the Johannesburg Prison.

Yesterday, he achieved his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer when he was conferred with an LLB degree at a graduation ceremony held at the Pretoria Correctional Centre.

Baloyi, from Limpopo, completed his degree with Unisa with eight distinctions. He told Sowetan that he dropped out of school when he was in grade 11 at Tabodi High School.

He dropped out for "no particular reason but pure mischief" and decided to become a taxi driver. This is the occupation that "landed me behind bars".

"Today I am a fully fledged lawyer and I am so proud. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I would not have achieved this dream had I not been in prison," he said.

Sadly, Baloyi did not have any family member present at the ceremony to share the joy of his achievement. Additional reporting Sowetan