20 - Department of Correctional Services
20 - Department of Correctional Services
20 - Department of Correctional Services
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i n s i d e<br />
Adopt a new<br />
work ethos;<br />
Minister<br />
DCS in<br />
Youth<br />
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
mourning over<br />
Month Cel-<br />
fallen hero<br />
ebrations<br />
3 8<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
10<br />
<strong>20</strong>10<br />
World Cup<br />
<strong>20</strong><br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong>10<br />
Commissioner<br />
Moyane sets<br />
the tone for<br />
service<br />
excellence<br />
By Molatelo Mokumo and Estelle Coetzee<br />
The New National<br />
Commissioner <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>, Mr Tom Moyane is a<br />
man on a mission and has a<br />
vision and a clearly outlined<br />
plan to make corrections a<br />
societal responsibility.<br />
Continued on page 4
SA Corrections Today is the national<br />
internal newsletter <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Department</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Republic <strong>of</strong><br />
South Africa<br />
Patron: Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>, Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong><br />
Editor in Chief: Bheki Manzini<br />
News Editor: Molatelo Mokumo<br />
Layout Editor: Nathan van den Bergh<br />
Published by the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Private Bag<br />
X136, Pretoria 0001.<br />
Tel: (012) 307 2296 Fax: (012) 323 4942<br />
Repro and printing facilitated by the<br />
Government Printing Works, Pretoria.<br />
The opinions expressed in SA<br />
Corrections Today are those <strong>of</strong><br />
the authors and do not necessarily<br />
represent those <strong>of</strong> the editor or the<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>.<br />
The editor reserves the right to alter any<br />
contribution or not to publish it.<br />
Letters to the editor that are published<br />
in this newsletter represent the personal<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the writers and do not reflect the<br />
views <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>. The editor reserves the right<br />
to amend or reject letters. Letters should<br />
be sent to The Editor, SA Corrections<br />
Today, Private Bag X136, Pretoria<br />
0001 and must be clearly marked “For<br />
publication in SA Corrections Today”.<br />
It can also be e-mailed to:<br />
Molatelo.Mokumo@dcs.gov.za<br />
Copyright is reserved on all material in<br />
this publication. Permission has to be<br />
sought in writing.<br />
2 SA Corrections Today<br />
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
DCS congratulate its own pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Ms Hlengiwe Buhle<br />
Mkhize has been appointed as an Honorary Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in the<br />
Psychology <strong>Department</strong>, at the University <strong>of</strong> South Africa<br />
(UNISA).<br />
The appointment is in recognition<br />
<strong>of</strong> her lifelong contribution in the<br />
fields <strong>of</strong> psychology, politics, human<br />
rights, community development and the<br />
diplomatic corporations.<br />
The appointment is effective from 1<br />
June.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mkhize is an active member<br />
<strong>of</strong> the African National Congress where<br />
she served in various capacities.<br />
As a Commissioner in the Truth and<br />
Reconciliation Commission, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Mkhize<br />
chaired the Reparations Committee. She<br />
later travelled the world sharing her experiences<br />
and lessons learnt to other<br />
countries facing similar challenges.<br />
She has served in various high level<br />
committees such Chairperson <strong>of</strong> Transparency<br />
International S.A.; the Goldstone<br />
Commission Committee; and as<br />
Vice President <strong>of</strong> the Member States at<br />
the International Criminal Court.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Mkhize has contributed extensively<br />
in the field <strong>of</strong> mental health as a<br />
practicing clinical psychologist and academically<br />
as a lecturer in the field.<br />
She has participated internationally at<br />
conferences and seminars in programs<br />
addressing issues such as human rights,<br />
the effects <strong>of</strong> torture on victims, children<br />
in armed conflict, mental health <strong>of</strong> women<br />
political repatriates, the use <strong>of</strong> drugs<br />
among adolescents and the challenge <strong>of</strong><br />
child mental health.<br />
As Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> she continues to focus her<br />
energies on women and children in our<br />
correctional centers with the same zeal<br />
that has become the hallmark <strong>of</strong> both her<br />
work and personal life.<br />
Before she was appointed Deputy<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>.<br />
Mkhize served the country as the Ambassador<br />
to Netherlands.<br />
Minister celebrates Freedom Day<br />
with KZN <strong>of</strong>ficials By Nokuthula Zikhali<br />
Officials from the KwaZulu Natal Region’s seven management<br />
areas celebrated the provincial leg <strong>of</strong> the Freedom Day on 30<br />
April with Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and also witnessed<br />
as she <strong>of</strong>ficially unveiled new Parole Board and Dog Unit <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
Ms Mapisa-Nqakula was accompanied<br />
by the CDC for Development<br />
and Care Ms Subashnee Moodley,<br />
Eastern Cape Regional Commissioner Ms<br />
Nontsikelelo Jolingana to an event that was<br />
attended by Mr Mnikelwa Nxele (RC KZN),<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders from Kokstad Management Area,<br />
Minister Nosiviwe<br />
Mapisa-Nqakula<br />
and KZN Regional<br />
Commissioner<br />
Mnikelwa Nxele<br />
getting to know her<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials in KwaZulu<br />
Natal during the<br />
celebrations <strong>of</strong><br />
Freedom Day.<br />
local stakeholders and sister government departments.<br />
In her address the, minister called on everyone<br />
to recall the mixture <strong>of</strong> sadness and<br />
fondness witnessed on the day Nelson Mandela<br />
walked out <strong>of</strong> the then Victor Verster<br />
Prison on 0 February 990. She also sent<br />
We serve with pride! The Amathole Management Area Commissioner, Ms Noziphiwo<br />
Dumbela, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Commissioner, Mr Tom Moyane<br />
share a delightful moment with the Head <strong>of</strong> Middledrift <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre, Marius Palvie<br />
who had just received a 30 year service award.<br />
Adopt a new work ethos; Minister<br />
By: Zama Feni<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials who have just joined the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> should adopt a new work ethos that will<br />
help to push the department’s vision forward.<br />
This was a message from the Minister<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Nosiviwe<br />
Mapisa-Nqakula during the graduation<br />
ceremony <strong>of</strong> more than 500 learners at two<br />
separate ceremonies held at the St Albans<br />
and East London <strong>Correctional</strong> Centres on 07<br />
and 08 June.<br />
The St Albans certificates awards ceremony<br />
had a total <strong>of</strong> 2 9 learners who are currently<br />
stationed at the Sada, Kirkwood and St Albans<br />
Management Areas while the East London<br />
ceremony had 4 graduates who are<br />
stationed at the Mthatha, Amathole and East<br />
London Management Areas.<br />
In her welcoming address, Regional Com-<br />
everyone back the memory lane at the historical<br />
moment <strong>of</strong> the 27th <strong>of</strong> April 994,<br />
when he (Mr Nelson Mandela) was sworn as<br />
the first democratically elected President <strong>of</strong><br />
the country, with pride and fond memories.<br />
“I am reflecting on this rich path that all <strong>of</strong><br />
us travelled to attain our democracy. On occasions<br />
such as this one, we should always<br />
quote from some <strong>of</strong> the most inspiring words<br />
<strong>of</strong> his speech on that day, to remind ourselves<br />
what this freedom means to each one <strong>of</strong> us”,<br />
said the Minister .<br />
The Minister also directed her message to<br />
the <strong>of</strong>fenders who were attending the event<br />
and said that the nature <strong>of</strong> the crimes they<br />
missioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana said, “Our<br />
organisation is plagued by a lot <strong>of</strong> negativity,<br />
which I believe it’s incumbent on everyone<br />
<strong>of</strong> us to uproot it from its deepest roots. If<br />
we continue to fuel negative energy, we will<br />
walk the talk and remain negative. But if we<br />
strive for excellence, we shall achieve the<br />
desired outcome. We are what we repeatedly<br />
do.”<br />
At both the ceremonies, Ms Mapisa-Nqakula<br />
told the new graduates that “you have a<br />
huge challenge to help change human behaviour,<br />
a task that is not very easy. This is a task<br />
that will demand diligence and commitment<br />
at all times.”<br />
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula giving an<br />
interview to the SABC at the opening <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Parole Board <strong>of</strong>fice in KwaZulu Natal<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
She added that the department expects an<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficial who will never abuse inmates and do<br />
all sorts <strong>of</strong> illegal practices. She said that she<br />
expects that the graduates will adhere to the<br />
code <strong>of</strong> conduct at all times.<br />
She called for programmes to ensure that<br />
the use <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fender labour is intensified and<br />
that young <strong>of</strong>fenders should be encouraged<br />
to study.<br />
“We cannot have a situation where <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
watch TV and bask in the sun the whole<br />
day – at some time in your lives, you will<br />
leave the correctional centres and it will be<br />
better for you to leave with something in<br />
your hand,” she said.<br />
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula<br />
congratulating Ms Johanna Classen,the<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> Kirkwood Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence<br />
for her 30 years <strong>of</strong> service with the<br />
department.<br />
On the other hand, the National Commissioner<br />
Tom Moyane called on the graduates<br />
to work smarter, be accountable and ensure<br />
sustainability <strong>of</strong> rehabilitation programmes<br />
for the <strong>of</strong>fenders.<br />
Commissioner Moyane said the department<br />
cannot allow its image to be tainted by<br />
a few corrupt individuals. He said he would<br />
encourage inter-regional sessions where regions<br />
will be copy best practices from the<br />
each other.<br />
He said in a few months time, he would<br />
like to meet all the Area Commissioners, Regional<br />
Heads, Heads <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> Centres<br />
to discuss issues <strong>of</strong> concern.<br />
have committed, does not have to mean the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> their lives. She said that all <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
have got a second chance <strong>of</strong>fered through<br />
various rehabilitation programmes. “No human<br />
being was born, as a rule <strong>of</strong> nature, to<br />
lead a criminal life, to be a gangster and to<br />
have no inkling <strong>of</strong> compassion for the other<br />
human beings,” emphasizes the Minister.<br />
In conclusion, the Minister said freedom<br />
should be a platform to renew our call for<br />
an end to domestic violence and the abuse <strong>of</strong><br />
women and children where we should all reserve<br />
our pr<strong>of</strong>ound intolerance for those, who<br />
in order to satisfy their sick desires, harm and<br />
destroy the innocence <strong>of</strong> our children.
Continued from front page<br />
Commissioner Moyane<br />
sets the tone for service<br />
excellence<br />
He adopts a correctional service<br />
department that has overcrowded<br />
prisons, corrupt <strong>of</strong>ficials colluding<br />
with <strong>of</strong>fenders during escapes, qualified<br />
financial reports, low staff morale, active<br />
moratorium and is exercising belt tightening<br />
measures among other challenges.<br />
The global recession looks more real at<br />
correctional services to a point that you<br />
can see, touch and feel at all corners <strong>of</strong><br />
DCS be it at centre-based or not.<br />
Though a strategic level, his obvious<br />
assignments would among others be to;<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Root out corruption among <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
Bring to an end the status quo <strong>of</strong><br />
getting qualified reports every financial<br />
year<br />
Put public safety first (It is against<br />
this that the department’s performance<br />
is measured)<br />
Push for the review <strong>of</strong> the entire<br />
criminal justice system to support<br />
the department’s means <strong>of</strong> managing<br />
overcrowding<br />
Tighten security and put an end to<br />
escapes<br />
Render a human based service that<br />
looks at treatment as a priority<br />
Invest in skills development and<br />
education for both <strong>of</strong>ficials and <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
Facilitate a review <strong>of</strong> the strategic<br />
plan.<br />
He speaks with conviction and his ac-<br />
tions are just as assuring as his spoken<br />
words. With less than three months in <strong>of</strong>fice,<br />
Commissioner Moyane, as expected,<br />
has already taken the front row seat<br />
to drive the service delivery vehicle <strong>of</strong> the<br />
department as it remains on course to be<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the best service providers in the<br />
world by delivering correctional services<br />
with integrity and commitment to excellence.<br />
The Commissioner kicked <strong>of</strong>f his new<br />
correctional aspirations by addressing<br />
the Head Office staff on his fist day at<br />
work on 17 May to set the pace and inform<br />
the <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> personnel<br />
he wanted in his arsenal.<br />
He said in his first <strong>of</strong>ficial address,<br />
“This day marks the beginning <strong>of</strong> a new<br />
chapter in a long journey to effectively<br />
transform our department as a collective,<br />
into a department that is responsive<br />
and capable to execute its mandate with<br />
integrity, commitment and excellence.<br />
The latter three pillars are possible only<br />
4 SA Corrections Today<br />
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
if we can inculcate a culture <strong>of</strong> accountability<br />
in all the relevant disciplines <strong>of</strong> our<br />
work environment. The products we are<br />
charged to transform and help integrate<br />
back into the society after incarceration,<br />
are fellow human beings who have deviant<br />
behaviour.”<br />
Eight days after his welcome, Minister<br />
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula introduced<br />
the national commissioner to his strategic<br />
partners in government at the Portfolio<br />
Committee in Parliament (on 25 May).<br />
He briefly addressed the committee<br />
wherein he said he had been learning<br />
about the department and had engaged<br />
with counterparts in the Criminal Justice<br />
Cluster to encourage a relationship <strong>of</strong><br />
mutuality.<br />
He committed himself that he would<br />
approach the minister on matters such<br />
as staffing shortfalls, among other issues,<br />
and keep the committee informed<br />
on progress made. He said that he saw<br />
the role <strong>of</strong> the Portfolio Committee as not<br />
just mandatory one, but as a partner.<br />
“We need to work together to<br />
increase the number <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
participating in rehabilitation<br />
programmes.”<br />
- Mr Tom Moyane<br />
The Chairperson <strong>of</strong> the Portfolio Committee<br />
on Corrections Mr Vincent Smith<br />
gave the new leadership <strong>of</strong> correctional<br />
services the thumbs and said he is hopeful<br />
the new leadership team would be<br />
more effective.<br />
With the appointment <strong>of</strong> Commissioner<br />
Moyane among others, the minister also<br />
pronounced at that meeting that the DCS<br />
now had a committed leadership, and<br />
that there would be a transfer <strong>of</strong> senior<br />
managers to close leadership gabs<br />
in the department, and because others<br />
have been long in comfort zones. She<br />
remarked that the DCS now had committed<br />
leadership in the national commissioner<br />
and the Chief Financial Officer (Mr<br />
Sphiwe Sokhela).<br />
Seventeen days later (on 2 June), the<br />
commissioner was beginning to win the<br />
hearts <strong>of</strong> correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials when he<br />
held a historic teleconference with the<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials across the country using 198 listening<br />
stations to get everyone on board.<br />
The teleconference was mainly held for<br />
the commissioner to introduce himself to<br />
the entire staff members and to communicate<br />
his vision. From his address he<br />
continued from his welcome address<br />
with Head Office <strong>of</strong>ficials on 17 May,<br />
wherein he emphasized three pillars he<br />
regards should be the cornerstones <strong>of</strong><br />
service delivery, namely integrity, commitment<br />
and excellence. He told <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
that he was not bringing a magic wand to<br />
the department but would take a cue from<br />
President Jacob Zuma’s book and work<br />
smart to achieve the desired results.<br />
He said, “Building trust among ourselves<br />
is a qualitative approach <strong>of</strong> solving<br />
the challenges our department is<br />
faced with. Our fore bearers have laid a<br />
solid foundation that includes the White<br />
Paper for us to expand on. We must not<br />
allow a few rotten <strong>of</strong>ficials to destabilise<br />
our rhythm.” His timing <strong>of</strong> joining the<br />
department couldn’t have been more<br />
wrong. He came in while the department<br />
had just experienced one <strong>of</strong> the highest<br />
escapes in the current democratic dispensations.<br />
The 41 remand detainees<br />
had escaped at Harrismith <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
Centre. For that he said was not the kind<br />
<strong>of</strong> welcome he had wished for. Together<br />
with the minister they were called to act<br />
and they subsequently dismissed two<br />
senior <strong>of</strong>ficials summarily.<br />
He reached for staff participation, “We<br />
need to work together to increase the<br />
number <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders participating in rehabilitation<br />
programmes. We must also<br />
root out corruption among ourselves; reduce<br />
the public’s negative perceptions <strong>of</strong><br />
government and change people’s minds<br />
and attitudes about how they view us. We<br />
must always remember that the South<br />
African masses have invested over R15<br />
billion in us to deliver an improved service,”<br />
he said.<br />
His other intensions to move the department<br />
out <strong>of</strong> the bad books <strong>of</strong> the Auditor<br />
General where bussed to peak with the<br />
appointment <strong>of</strong> the Chief Financial Officer<br />
Mr Sokhela (CDC Finance). Commissioner<br />
Moyane described the department’s<br />
new CDC Finance, who also<br />
started duty with him on the same day,<br />
as a man with a no-nonsense approach<br />
to financial management, unquestionable<br />
experience and qualification bound<br />
to lead DCS to its goal <strong>of</strong> recording an<br />
unqualified audit opinion.<br />
“For us to achieve this vision we must<br />
quickly review our Strategic Plan to align<br />
it with the prescripts <strong>of</strong> the “White paper<br />
on Corrections in South Africa”. Management<br />
will quickly and urgently have<br />
to deal with these strategic imperatives.<br />
Most importantly though, is the fact that<br />
our success does not rest solely on management.<br />
Every <strong>of</strong>ficial has an important<br />
role to play,” concluded the commissioner<br />
further urging the need for every<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficial to push his own barrow within the<br />
organisation and to make it successful.<br />
Portfolio Committee pleased with<br />
major service delivery improvements<br />
By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the Portfolio Committee on Corrections ended their<br />
week long oversight visit to five correctional facilities in four<br />
regions with confidence that their efforts to see service delivery<br />
levels improving in correctional centres were yielding results.<br />
The Committee visited Leeuwkop, Pretoria,<br />
Rusternburg, New Kimberly and<br />
Durban Westville <strong>Correctional</strong> centres<br />
between the 2nd and the 6th <strong>of</strong> August <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
to assess the amount <strong>of</strong> work done since their<br />
earlier visit in May this year.<br />
National Commissioner Tom Moyane also<br />
took part in three <strong>of</strong> the five visits and drew<br />
solace upon hearing positive commendations<br />
from the committee Chairperson Mr Vincent<br />
Smith when he said that things were improving<br />
in the department.<br />
Commissioner Moyane was quick to point<br />
out that the department will act decisively to<br />
correct a number <strong>of</strong> challenges raised by the<br />
Portfolio Committees during their visit. He<br />
assured the committed that the era <strong>of</strong> “skop<br />
en donner is no longer with us. The incarceration<br />
<strong>of</strong> those that committed serious crimes,<br />
does not give us permission to double their<br />
punishment.”<br />
He committed the <strong>Department</strong> to address<br />
leadership weaknesses, victimisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
who speak out, <strong>of</strong>ficials who lie to<br />
members <strong>of</strong> Parliament and to prioritise the<br />
reclassification <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders. He told the <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
that, “the Portfolio Committee are not<br />
our enemy or adversaries, they are here to<br />
identify blind spots for us to see key service<br />
delivery improvements areas which may not<br />
be obvious to us. We should refrain from lying<br />
or misleading them. It is unacceptable to<br />
give the Portfolio Committee sugar-coated<br />
reports.”<br />
When Portfolio Committee visited in May,<br />
they held both <strong>Department</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> and Public Works accountable for<br />
lack <strong>of</strong> service witnessed at the time. They<br />
insisted to see improvements in strategic<br />
areas such as; administration; facilities; inmate<br />
labour and privileges; Development<br />
and Care; Social Reintegration as well addressing<br />
overcrowding through among others,<br />
Awaiting Trial Detainees programme and<br />
bail protocol.<br />
Speaking at a debriefing at the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
oversight visit in Durban, the committee<br />
Chairperson Mr Smith said, “We overall happy<br />
with what has been achieved in improving<br />
correctional facilities since our previous visit<br />
in May <strong>20</strong> 0.” The committee recommended<br />
that the New Kimberly facility, be used to accommodate<br />
juveniles and/or <strong>of</strong>fenders who<br />
commands a positive attitude in life and not<br />
hardened criminals serving long sentences.<br />
They also called for the demolition <strong>of</strong> a temporary<br />
zinc facility erected for juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
in Leeuwkop. The makeshift facility<br />
was build under the pretext <strong>of</strong> a temporary<br />
structure but it’s been in use for more than<br />
0 years.<br />
Mr Smith promised to undertake unannounced<br />
visits to correctional facilities visited<br />
during the week to assess progress on<br />
projects set for completion before December<br />
<strong>20</strong> 0.<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> has assured the parliamentarians<br />
that the Kokstad Maximum<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> Centre with 440 bed-space capacity<br />
will be filled by December <strong>20</strong>10 as infrastructure<br />
challenges and limitations have<br />
been largely addressed.<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the Portfolio Committees on<br />
Corrections and Public Works addressing<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders at the New Kimberley a week<br />
after one <strong>of</strong> its sections was torched.<br />
Kokstad is the most secure facility in the<br />
country but due to infrastructure limitations,<br />
it is only 8% occupied, a matter the <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> Portfolio Committee raised<br />
emphatically during its May <strong>20</strong> 0 visit.<br />
Since holding both <strong>Department</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> and Public Works in May to<br />
account for these challenges, improvements<br />
made include: ventilation, hot water, standby<br />
generators and kitchen equipment which<br />
have been fixed. The Portfolio Committee on<br />
Public Works also joined the oversight visits<br />
from day three to account on their responsibility<br />
areas around correctional facilities.<br />
Chairperson <strong>of</strong> the Portfolio Committee<br />
on Corrections Mr Vincent Smith gives an<br />
overviews <strong>of</strong> their oversight visit to five<br />
facilities while his counterpart in Public<br />
Works Mr Godfrey Olifant and the KZN RC<br />
Mr Mnikelwa Nxele looks on<br />
Both departments highlighted that further<br />
maintenance work to fix non-functioning<br />
boilers, leaking ro<strong>of</strong>s, falling ceilings, broken<br />
window panes, non-operational security<br />
taut-wire and main water supply pipes are<br />
being addressed and will be completed before<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> the year. Most <strong>of</strong> the funds<br />
will be sourced from the allocated budget <strong>of</strong><br />
R8 0m for the Repair and Maintenance Programme<br />
(RAMP) nationally for the current<br />
financial year. Public Works confirmed that<br />
over R5. million had already been spent or<br />
committed in Kokstad and Durban Westville<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> Centres.<br />
Also addressing the meeting, the Chairperson<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Portfolio Committee on Public<br />
Works Mr. Godfrey Olifant appreciated<br />
progress made but called for sustainability <strong>of</strong><br />
the infrastructure maintenance programme<br />
by both departments. He called for the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> a multiyear infrastructure maintenance<br />
plan for all correctional facilities.<br />
The <strong>Department</strong>s raised key causes <strong>of</strong> infrastructure<br />
degradation which would need<br />
to also be addressed. These include serious<br />
overcrowding as the Durban Westville Management<br />
Area which houses over 0 000 inmates<br />
while it was designed to accommodation<br />
6000 inmates.<br />
5
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
Minister lauds ‘Jenny’s leadership<br />
By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula lauded the CDC<br />
Operations and Management Support, Ms Jenny Schreiner<br />
for her sterling job while she took charge <strong>of</strong> the department’s<br />
administration as the Acting National Commissioner.<br />
Ms Schreiner steered the correctional<br />
service ship on an acting capacity<br />
for a commendable months (from<br />
July <strong>20</strong>09 to May <strong>20</strong> 0). Her efforts did not<br />
go unnoticed. Fittingly, the minister sang her<br />
(Ms Schreiner) praises whilst introducing the<br />
new incumbent, Mr Tom Moyane on 7 May<br />
in Pretoria. As per norm, senior and junior<br />
members <strong>of</strong> staff were present when Ms Schreiner<br />
and Mr Moyane swop seats.<br />
Officials speak to Commissioner<br />
Moyane By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
In a groundbreaking move to encourage dialogue between<br />
management and <strong>of</strong>ficials, the new National Commisioner, Mr<br />
Tom Moyane afforded the <strong>of</strong>ficials a platform to voice their<br />
concerns and be heard during a teleconference meeting held on<br />
2 June.<br />
The teleconference was held for the commissioner<br />
to communicate his vision to<br />
the members and for the members to<br />
raise their praises and concerns.<br />
Officials tuned in across the country’s correctional<br />
facilities using 98 listening stations<br />
to listen to the commissioner speaking.<br />
Representatives from each <strong>of</strong> the six regions<br />
aired their concerted views to the commissioner,<br />
most <strong>of</strong> which restricted their views<br />
Minister Nosiviwe<br />
Mapisa-Nqakula after<br />
exchanging flower with the<br />
outgoing Acting National<br />
Commissioner Jenny<br />
Schreiner at the welcoming<br />
ceremony <strong>of</strong> the new<br />
commissioner in Pretoria<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
who attended<br />
the National<br />
Commissioner’s<br />
teleconference at<br />
Head Office.<br />
to warmly welcoming him and wishing him<br />
a healthy stay at the department.<br />
Representing Gauteng, Mr Emmanuel Khoza,<br />
the Regional Head; Corporate <strong>Services</strong><br />
said, “We welcome you commissioner and<br />
we pledge our support. There are challenges<br />
in Gauteng like elsewhere in the regions, but<br />
we can assure you that we will work through<br />
them to give our best.”<br />
Mr William Mzileni, the Regional Coordi-<br />
6 SA Corrections Today<br />
To the outgoing Acting National Commissioner,<br />
the minister said, “Thank you very<br />
much Jenny for holding the fort at a time<br />
when we did not have a national commissioner.<br />
Thank you for your leadership, guidance,<br />
patience and commitment. It was not<br />
an easy task assigned to you but you pulled<br />
it through. I know there were moments when<br />
you wanted to quit but I persuaded you not<br />
to. You hung in there up to this day.”<br />
The minister extended her gratitude to the<br />
top management for giving Ms Schreiner<br />
their full support. “Jenny was enabled to<br />
lead this organisation because <strong>of</strong> your full<br />
support. She did it because you allowed it to<br />
happen. My sincere gratitude to all <strong>of</strong> you,”<br />
said the minister.<br />
She also singled out Ms Nandi Mareka who<br />
had been the Acting Chief Financial Officer<br />
(Acting CDC Finance) when the minister<br />
was deployed to correctional services. The<br />
department now has a full time Finance CDC<br />
in Mr Siphiwe Sokhela, who resumed his duties<br />
on 7 May together with Commissioner<br />
Moyane<br />
nator; HR Management and Support in Kwa-<br />
Zulu Natal said, “The implementation <strong>of</strong> 7<br />
– day establishment has disadvantaged us because<br />
we are short staffed and the migration<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials from centre based to non-centre<br />
based and vice versa, had also affected us.<br />
We also want to be informed on the second<br />
phase roll out <strong>of</strong> OSD.”<br />
It was always going to be a mission to represent<br />
Free State and Northern Cape post<br />
the escapes <strong>of</strong> 4 remand detainees in the<br />
region’s Harrismith’s <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre.<br />
Mr Gustav Wilson, the regional Head; Development<br />
and Care, stepped up and said,<br />
“The Harrismith incident was not our desired<br />
welcome for you national commissioner. We<br />
remain committed to implement the shift<br />
system <strong>of</strong> the 7 – day establishment despite<br />
being challenged with shortage <strong>of</strong> personnel.<br />
We know there are budgetary constraints but<br />
we wish to have the Corrections Excellence<br />
Awards retained in recognition <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials’<br />
service excellence.”<br />
Mr Joe Makgoba, the Regional Head;<br />
Development and Care in Limpopo, Mpumalang<br />
and North West simply welcomed<br />
Commissioner Moyane and invited him to<br />
visit his region. He said that LMN supports<br />
the commissioner’s pillars needed to deliver<br />
service with integrity and excellence.<br />
Eastern Cape Region’s Alfred Magaila<br />
said, “We are committed and pledge our support<br />
and we will follow the direction the national<br />
commissioner is leading us to. We also<br />
want to contribute towards changing public<br />
perception as we rebuild the image <strong>of</strong> our<br />
department.”<br />
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
Take a stand against HIV/Aids;<br />
Ms Mkhize By Ofentse Morwane<br />
“It is important that we all take personal and collective<br />
responsibility to alleviate the impact <strong>of</strong> HIV and Aids in our<br />
communities.” That was the message from the Deputy Minister<br />
Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize during her address at the Western Cape<br />
regional candle light memorial event held at Goodwood<br />
Management Area on <strong>20</strong> May.<br />
need to promote the rights<br />
<strong>of</strong> those infected and affect- “We<br />
ed, to care, treat and support<br />
them. It is important to promote humanity<br />
and to create an enabling environment<br />
where there is no stigmatization and discrimination,”<br />
continued the deputy minister.<br />
The deputy minister also unveiled the<br />
commitment stone which affirmed the<br />
Western Cape Region as it resolves to<br />
fight the scourge <strong>of</strong> the HIV and Aids<br />
Western Cape Region’s Freddie Engelbrecht<br />
(Deputy Regional Commissioner) said,<br />
“We support the principles <strong>of</strong> the White Paper.<br />
We are committed to fighting corruption.<br />
We embrace your vision and we will provide<br />
you with simple answers were we can. We<br />
hope you will finalise the implementation <strong>of</strong><br />
OSD for social workers. We lament the migration<br />
<strong>of</strong> non-centre based <strong>of</strong>ficials to centre<br />
based purely because they want to retain<br />
their housing units..”<br />
In response, Commissioner Moyane said,<br />
“The challenges you have raised affects all<br />
<strong>of</strong> us. I intend to visit all the facilities in my<br />
tenure <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice to see the conditions under<br />
which you work in. We primarily need to<br />
deal with security appropriately. I am still<br />
receiving briefing on all matters <strong>of</strong> OSD and<br />
I’m planning to meet with organised labour<br />
to address this matter and the 2X 2 shift system.”<br />
He also promised to look at the public service<br />
appointment to address under staffing,<br />
awarding excellence and identifying quick<br />
wins. He also expressed confidence in junior<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials as he said, “At times those at lower<br />
ranks are more empowered with information<br />
that could propel this department to greater<br />
heights but are ignored.”<br />
He said that he was not going to revise the<br />
allocated budget but he would address the<br />
skilling and training <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials. He urged<br />
the regions to learn and share best practices<br />
among themselves while he would be benchmarking<br />
from other countries to see how best<br />
they run corrections.<br />
pandemic. She further encouraged all<br />
the attendants to participate in voluntary<br />
counselling and testing arranged by the<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Health on the day.<br />
She highlighted the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>’ concerted efforts to<br />
address HIV and Aids through:<br />
• Utilizing the outcome <strong>of</strong> the <strong>20</strong>06<br />
prevalence survey to inform the strategic<br />
direction;<br />
• Partnering with external stakeholders<br />
to enhance capacity for the provisioning<br />
<strong>of</strong> services;<br />
• The accreditation <strong>of</strong> correctional centres<br />
as ARV sites for the provisioning<br />
<strong>of</strong> Anti-retroviral treatment and<br />
• The identification <strong>of</strong> HIV and AIDS<br />
as a significant prioritized risk within<br />
the department and reporting to the<br />
risk committee quarterly.<br />
Ms Mkhize also emphasised the need<br />
to break the silence, banish stigma and<br />
discrimination, and to ensure total inclusiveness<br />
in the struggle against AIDS.<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
“Today we are joining the world to commemorate<br />
the International Aids Candlelight<br />
Memorial, a program <strong>of</strong> the Global<br />
Health Council, which is one <strong>of</strong> the oldest<br />
and largest grassroots mobilization<br />
campaigns for HIV and AIDS awareness<br />
over the world.This week as we mark 27<br />
years since the launch <strong>of</strong> the campaign<br />
(World Aids Day), we remember the lives<br />
<strong>of</strong> those who succumbed to the scourge<br />
<strong>of</strong> HIV and Aids. Whilst it has become a<br />
norm to remember those who lost their<br />
lives, it is also important not to forget<br />
those left behind after losing their parents,<br />
brothers and sisters. Most <strong>of</strong> us<br />
have personal experiences, and even<br />
know too many who have lost loved ones<br />
to the HIV and Aids pandemic,” said<br />
Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize, Western Cape Regional Commissioner James Smalberger<br />
and Regional Head Corporate <strong>Services</strong> Themba Magagula during the candle light memorial<br />
event at Goodwood Management Area.<br />
Deputy Minister Mkhize.<br />
The event, which coincided with Goodwood<br />
Management Area’s <strong>of</strong>ficial opening<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Mbombela Sport Grounds,<br />
Ms Mkhize also emphasised the<br />
need to break the silence, banish<br />
stigma and discrimination, and to<br />
ensure total inclusiveness in the<br />
struggle against AIDS.<br />
was held under the theme “many lights<br />
for human rights through sports.” It was<br />
attended by <strong>of</strong>ficials from various sectors<br />
including the <strong>Department</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Health and<br />
Social Development. It is held annually<br />
to raise awareness on the negative impact<br />
<strong>of</strong> the HIV and Aids epidemic to the<br />
department and the community.<br />
7
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
DCS in mourning<br />
over fallen hero<br />
The correctional family came in their numbers to honour<br />
and celebrate the life <strong>of</strong> the late Thomas Malamatsho,<br />
affectionately known as Zero. Zero, who was killed execution<br />
style at his home in Mamelodi on Monday 9 July was given a<br />
hero’s farewell at a memorial service in Pretoria on 27 July.<br />
Contrary to his nick name, Zero was<br />
hailed as a “hero”, a coach, a teacher,<br />
father and in particular, a selfless<br />
hero who taught many newcomers to<br />
the department much <strong>of</strong> what there is to<br />
know about matters <strong>of</strong><br />
security in correctional<br />
facilities.<br />
His family<br />
members, including<br />
his wife<br />
Rahab and<br />
son Archibald,<br />
were present<br />
when Thomas’s<br />
commendable<br />
career was<br />
shared with the<br />
packed auditorium.<br />
Despite not<br />
having known<br />
Thomas personally,<br />
National<br />
C o m m i s s i o n e r<br />
Tom Moyane said<br />
he was humbled<br />
by those who<br />
spoke eloquently<br />
about Zero. Mr<br />
Moyane said Zero’sassassination<br />
was convenient<br />
for those who<br />
did what they did<br />
to him because<br />
he was to testify<br />
as a state witness<br />
against them.<br />
Commissioner Moyane admitted that<br />
corrections were a risky business and<br />
added that security needed to be provid-<br />
Mr Michael Mamotheti was pleased to see<br />
his cousin being given a hero’s farewell at a<br />
DCS memorial service<br />
8 SA Corrections Today<br />
Commissioner Tom Moyane and Ms Grace<br />
Molatedi comfort Mr Malamatsho’s wife<br />
Rahab over tea after the memorial service<br />
held in Pretoria<br />
ed for <strong>of</strong>ficials who did the kind <strong>of</strong> work<br />
that Thomas did. “We have failed Thomas.<br />
Had we taken precautionary measures,<br />
this would not have happened. My<br />
admission to failing Thomas means we<br />
must take corrective steps to protect<br />
those whose lives are threatened simply<br />
because they are executing their duties,”<br />
he said.<br />
Continued Commissioner Moyane,<br />
“The peacefulness we enjoy in South Africa<br />
today is a result <strong>of</strong> sacrifices made<br />
by people like Thomas. Let his death not<br />
be in vain. Thomas was a model correctional<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficial. I call him my hero.”<br />
Family spokesperson, Mr Michael<br />
Mamotheti said when the family left home<br />
to attend the memorial service, they had<br />
intended to mourn the death <strong>of</strong> Zero but<br />
they left in comfort after realizing that the<br />
deceased was celebrated and respected<br />
by his peers in correctional services. “We<br />
also looked up to him at home. He was a<br />
principled person who loved his family,”<br />
said Mamotheti.<br />
Mamotheti said his family was pleased<br />
to learn that his death was not in vain<br />
and added that they appreciated the department’s<br />
honesty in admitting that they<br />
Mr Malamatsho’s family also came in numbers to hear comforting<br />
testimonies from the friends and colleagues <strong>of</strong> Zero<br />
failed Zero. He said the family now wishes<br />
the police could show similar commitment<br />
and nail those who killed Zero.<br />
Zero’s friend Phillemon Mabote, his<br />
colleagues Ms Ruth Mokoka, Mr Abbey<br />
Rahlogo and Mr Sydney Magaga were<br />
among those who shared inspirational<br />
stories that provided insight into the life<br />
Zero led before he was killed.<br />
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
Maifadi given a dignified memorial<br />
and burial By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
Scores <strong>of</strong> uniformed correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials joined friends and<br />
family members <strong>of</strong> the late Mr Bethuel Maifadi in Mamelodi<br />
Township to give him a proper send <strong>of</strong>f to his final resting place.<br />
Over <strong>20</strong>0 correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials led by the<br />
CDC Corporate <strong>Services</strong>, aptly dressed<br />
in uniform, attended the funeral service<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mr Maifadi.<br />
Maifadi succumbed to a short illness on 5<br />
June after leading a years career long with<br />
the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> at<br />
the age <strong>of</strong> 9. He was buried in Mamelodi on<br />
Saturday 26 June.<br />
During the home service at the day <strong>of</strong> his<br />
burial, friends and relatives continued to<br />
share the greatest moments they had with the<br />
Maifadi, most <strong>of</strong> whom described him as a<br />
sociable person.<br />
Maifadi was also given a proper correctional<br />
services send <strong>of</strong>f at a packed Pretoria<br />
Management Area Mess Hall on Wednesday<br />
2 June with the National Commissioner Mr<br />
Tom Moyane also in attendance.<br />
“Death grant for<br />
fallen heroes tax<br />
free,” Commissioner<br />
Fallen heroes <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong><br />
that die in the line <strong>of</strong> duty will receive a tax<br />
free death grant as directed by National<br />
Commissioner, Tom Moyane. Following<br />
the death <strong>of</strong> Thomas “Zero” Malamatsho<br />
– a C-Max <strong>of</strong>ficial who was gunned down<br />
in Mamelodi East, National Commissioner<br />
Tom Moyane said the death grants for<br />
fallen correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials should not be<br />
taxed and must be paid to deserving <strong>of</strong>ficials’<br />
families without undue delay.<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> the Death Grant policy a<br />
taxable amount <strong>of</strong> R<strong>20</strong>0 000 should be<br />
paid to qualifying <strong>of</strong>ficials that die in the<br />
line <strong>of</strong> duty, a matter Commissioner Moyane<br />
said must be reversed. The Finance<br />
Branch returned and confirmed in the<br />
budget committee meeting that the current<br />
tax law does provide for tax exemption<br />
<strong>of</strong> the lump sum paid for deaths in the<br />
line <strong>of</strong> duty, with the necessary processes<br />
followed. Also in terms <strong>of</strong> the policy,<br />
a stringent process <strong>of</strong> verifying the claim<br />
<strong>of</strong> “death in the line <strong>of</strong> duty” must be followed<br />
to objectively determine qualifying<br />
cases. Commissioner Moyane called for<br />
quick finalisation <strong>of</strong> outstanding cases.<br />
At the memorial service <strong>of</strong> Mr Maifadi,<br />
The visibly compassionate Commissioner<br />
Moyane, who acknowledged that he did not<br />
DCS family together with the Maifadis at the<br />
memorial service held in Pretoria to honour<br />
the last Bethuel Maifadi<br />
know Bethuel in person, said that he was<br />
reliably informed about the good deeds that<br />
Speaking at a joint meeting <strong>of</strong> the Corrections<br />
and Public Works Portfolio<br />
Committees in Durban following their<br />
oversight visit there, Commissioner Moyane<br />
told senior correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials to address<br />
all issues <strong>of</strong> ill discipline in the department.<br />
He said, “There is a serious lack <strong>of</strong> discipline<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
Mr Maifadi did for the department in his<br />
years <strong>of</strong> service. “I am told Bethuel made a<br />
significant contribution to our department.<br />
Judging by your presence here today, I have<br />
no doubt that we have lost a soldier. When a<br />
soldier succumbs to death in combat while<br />
serving the nation, we have an obligation<br />
to salute him because he has done what he<br />
was assigned to do. He has left a void in our<br />
organization. Death is like a thief, it comes<br />
when you least expect it. We are grieving<br />
with the Maifadi family. Bethuel’s death has<br />
also touched us.<br />
“It is people like Bethuel whom we rely<br />
upon to help our course to make correctional<br />
services an employer <strong>of</strong> choice. We are saddened<br />
by his death. May we continue to support<br />
his family and give them guidance in this<br />
hour <strong>of</strong> need as Bethuel, the son, husband,<br />
colleague, father and friend rests in peace,”<br />
said Commissioner Moyane.<br />
The late Maifadi ( 9) was described by his<br />
friends and colleagues as a hard working person<br />
who always did his work with diligence<br />
and also enjoyed his social life. Among those<br />
who spoke <strong>of</strong> Mr Maifadi’s contribution at<br />
the department, were his supervisor Mr Ashley<br />
Krishna Dutt, his closest friend Mr Abner<br />
Mathabe and his boss Mr Jerry Somaru.<br />
Commissioner calls for pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
conduct By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
National Commissioner Tom Moyane says he wants to instill the<br />
culture <strong>of</strong> discipline in the department with immediate effect,<br />
and that starts with the adherence <strong>of</strong> the correct dress code.<br />
Leading by example: Commissioner Tom<br />
Moyane shows the correct way <strong>of</strong> wearing<br />
uniform.<br />
in our department. I request all heads <strong>of</strong> centres<br />
and regional commissioners to address<br />
it. Ill discipline can be defined by the way we<br />
walk, the way we talk, the way we address<br />
each other and in the way we dress. I want<br />
discipline to be brought back in correctional<br />
services. All <strong>of</strong> us are equal in this organization<br />
despite our distinguishing ranks and<br />
therefore the victimization <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials or <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
will not be tolerated in any form or<br />
shape. We all have the rights to express our<br />
own opinions even if they differ to those <strong>of</strong><br />
our seniors.”<br />
He said his call for pr<strong>of</strong>essional conduct<br />
among members was not calling for the militarization<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> but,<br />
“for a correctional <strong>of</strong>ficial who has ethics,<br />
one whom when he or she walks, the shoes<br />
are polished and is fully dressed in uniform.”<br />
He also stressed that there is a serious need<br />
<strong>of</strong> strong leadership with vision in some centres<br />
and that heads <strong>of</strong> centres are expected to<br />
know and understand everything that is happening<br />
in their facilities.<br />
9
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S<br />
Deputy Minister Mkhize handing over gifts to delightful children at the launch <strong>of</strong> Child<br />
Protection Week<br />
Children receives the treat to remember<br />
By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> support national government programmes<br />
aimed at protecting the wellbeing <strong>of</strong> children in South Africa.<br />
This year, on 22 May, Deputy Minister<br />
Hlengiwe Mkhize <strong>of</strong>ficiated an event at<br />
Pretoria Management Area that focused<br />
on strengthening the bonds between female<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders and their families.<br />
The event took place a day after President<br />
Jacob Zuma launched the national government<br />
programme for Child Protection Week<br />
in Atteridgeville outside Pretoria. On the<br />
same day the president also launched the<br />
implementation <strong>of</strong> the newly amended Children’s<br />
Act, which has a stronger focus on<br />
child protection.<br />
The strengthening <strong>of</strong> family ties upholds<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the Imbeleko Project’s aims which<br />
Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize shares a smile with<br />
Mr Chries Briel <strong>of</strong> the Bikers that Care<br />
following the success <strong>of</strong> the event. Bikers<br />
that care donated most <strong>of</strong> the gifts handed<br />
over to children.<br />
is to find alternative and safe placement for<br />
babies who are incarcerated with their mothers.<br />
The idea is that stronger ties between female<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders and their families will assist<br />
the placement <strong>of</strong> such babies outside the correctional<br />
environment. Therefore the participation<br />
<strong>of</strong> family structures in finding caring<br />
and safe solutions for the children <strong>of</strong> female<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders is pivotal in the process.<br />
At the <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> event, female<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders were freed for over four hours to<br />
Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize (DCS Deputy Minister),<br />
Ms Moluthando Mayende-Sibiya (Minister<br />
<strong>of</strong> Women, Children and People with<br />
Disabilities), Dr Gwen Ramokgopa (Tshwane<br />
Mayor) and Ms Nomvula Mokonyane<br />
(Gauteng Premier) at the launch <strong>of</strong> the<br />
national Child protection Week programme<br />
in Attridgeville<br />
reconnect and bond with their children and<br />
families.<br />
The department and its partners such as the<br />
‘Bikers that Care’ truly went all out to make<br />
the day a very special one. And the children<br />
were spoilt for choice. They had a jumping<br />
castle, rides with the bikers, and Diski dance<br />
lessons, interspersed with receiving gift hampers<br />
and enjoying hot dogs.<br />
While delivering her address, Ms Mkhize<br />
said, “Every child must have access to<br />
health, education, protection as well as basic<br />
human rights. Every child deserves the best<br />
and government has an obligation to promote<br />
and protect children’s rights.”<br />
Ms Mkhize said she was encouraged by the<br />
partners and friends <strong>of</strong> correctional services,<br />
who have heeded the call “to put children<br />
first. Sister departments, families and friends<br />
<strong>of</strong> incarcerated mothers and members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
community were among them.<br />
0 SA Corrections Today<br />
Happy interns<br />
despise the<br />
moratorium<br />
condition<br />
By Fhedzisani Mashau<br />
Before any employee assumes<br />
the expert tag in his field <strong>of</strong><br />
operation, such worker must<br />
have gone through various<br />
development programmes to<br />
amass the experience to have<br />
an expert opinion.<br />
In biology, no child walks before passing<br />
through the crawling stage. Such steps exist<br />
in the work places and in the areas <strong>of</strong><br />
education and learning. Aiming to become an<br />
expert in any given field, one should undergo<br />
formal training mainly consisting <strong>of</strong> theoretical<br />
knowledge as one <strong>of</strong> the basic steps.<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> services is one <strong>of</strong> the many<br />
government institutions that accept such<br />
people who look to build their career pr<strong>of</strong>iles<br />
but only have raw theoretical knowledge obtained<br />
from institutions <strong>of</strong> higher learning.<br />
In South Africa most <strong>of</strong> the tertiary level<br />
students obtain that experience in the form<br />
<strong>of</strong> Internship, learnerships and experiential<br />
learning programmes.<br />
In the department, the Policy and External<br />
Training Directorate manages such people<br />
and <strong>of</strong>fers them the opportunity to realize<br />
their life-time dreams and climb up the corporate<br />
ladder.<br />
The department <strong>of</strong>fers two different types<br />
<strong>of</strong> internship programmes namely, the Public<br />
Service Internship and the Student Internship<br />
Programmes.<br />
The Deputy Director Policy and External<br />
Training Mr David Nyalunga explains,<br />
“The Public Service Internship programme<br />
is intended for graduates who have already<br />
obtained qualifications from institution <strong>of</strong><br />
higher learning and the Student Internship<br />
programme is provided to the students who<br />
are still studying and require practical experience<br />
to qualify. Both programmes are <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
for a period ranging between six to 2<br />
months. Some modules can stretch to 8 and<br />
24 months. Public service interns can be paid<br />
stipend while it is not compulsory to pay student<br />
Interns for their service.<br />
As at 9 June <strong>20</strong> 0, the department had 9<br />
Public Service Interns and 4 Students Interns.<br />
Skill, knowledge and competence are three<br />
key points that the Policy and External Train-<br />
F E AT U R E<br />
Spotlight on Ermerlo Centre <strong>of</strong><br />
Excellence By Thuthukasizwe Ngcobo<br />
Though small in size, the Ermelo Centre <strong>of</strong> excellence is<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the few centres in the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
Service, which for a period exceeding seven years, has never<br />
experienced a single escape.<br />
The centre is situated in the South<br />
Eastern Highveld <strong>of</strong> Mpumalanga<br />
Province and it was built in 1988 to<br />
house male inmates only. It has an approved<br />
accommodation capacity <strong>of</strong> 512<br />
inmates, but an additional 88 inmates<br />
have had to find homage there further<br />
adding to the bleak image <strong>of</strong> overcrowding<br />
the department is currently faced<br />
with. A total <strong>of</strong> 600 inmates there are<br />
against a service personnel <strong>of</strong> about 132<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials, nine <strong>of</strong> which are based at community<br />
corrections.<br />
The dominant languages in its vicinity<br />
are Zulu and Swati. The Ermelo area<br />
is notoriously known for its peak winter<br />
weather conditions and is also a Highveld<br />
tourist destination. Agricultural activities<br />
are seasonal due to unfavourable<br />
weather conditions at this part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
country.<br />
The centre is under the leadership <strong>of</strong><br />
ing directorate insists that all trainees must<br />
aim for during their learning programmes.<br />
During a recent meeting with both groups<br />
<strong>of</strong> interns, smiles and excitement formed the<br />
base <strong>of</strong> their responses when asked about<br />
their experiences in the department.<br />
One Poppy Lishivha (2 ), an intern in the<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the DC Human Resources Development<br />
said, “I feel like an important part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
directorate. The staff members are always<br />
willing to work with me and they involve<br />
me in most directorate matters.” Poppy studied<br />
Public Management and she is currently<br />
placed as an admin clerk.<br />
Nkosinathi Sibeko (27) is an intern at the<br />
Directorate; Correction Administration. He<br />
studied <strong>Correctional</strong> Service Management<br />
youthful looking and vibrant Assistant<br />
Director Bhekizizwe Mthethwa (Head <strong>of</strong><br />
the centre) and it’s under the command<br />
The Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence head; Mr<br />
Bhekizizwe Mthethwa<br />
<strong>of</strong> the very strict Area Commissioner <strong>of</strong><br />
Bethal Management Area, Mr Amos Ndlovu.<br />
Programmes available at this centre<br />
Diploma. He said <strong>of</strong> his experience, “I am<br />
happy with the experience that I’m getting<br />
because it is relevant to my studies. The only<br />
thing that worries me is what is going to happen<br />
after my internship since my qualification<br />
deals specifically with the core business<br />
<strong>of</strong> this department. I am concerned about the<br />
existing moratorium which halts the filling <strong>of</strong><br />
vacant posts.”<br />
Eliot Matlhadisa (29), an intern at Directorate;<br />
Human Resource Development, studied<br />
Public Management. He has an additional<br />
role as the coordinator for interns. He said<br />
since the start <strong>of</strong> his internship, he is happy<br />
to be given the exposure to apply theory he<br />
learned practically. He said he expects to<br />
learn more before his contract expires.<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
The iscathamiya group performing one <strong>of</strong><br />
their uncanny acts<br />
are social work programmes; sport, recreation<br />
arts and culture; formal education<br />
and agriculture. Social work programmes<br />
cater for all rehabilitation related areas<br />
and formal education deals with Abet<br />
levels 1 to 4, including grade 12. The majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> inmates are taking part in soccer<br />
and cultural activities such as Isicathamiya<br />
and Indlamu.<br />
A shortage <strong>of</strong> qualified specialists such<br />
as nurses, teachers, social workers,<br />
psychologist, psychiatrists, and doctors<br />
hinder some major programmes aimed<br />
A Certificate <strong>of</strong> excellence awarded<br />
to Ermelo Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence by the<br />
Highveld Heritage Route<br />
at rehabilitating inmates. The introduction<br />
<strong>of</strong> the two shift system exposed that<br />
the centre really needs more personnel<br />
to meet its targets. A total <strong>of</strong> 30 inmates<br />
enrolled for the <strong>20</strong>09 Abet calendar year.<br />
About 24 <strong>of</strong> them passed levels 1 to level<br />
4. The grade 12 inmates have already<br />
written their examinations in May <strong>20</strong>10<br />
and are awaiting their results. Inmates<br />
have access to the library on a weekly<br />
basis between 8.30am and 3pm.<br />
The Ermelo Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence has<br />
recently received a certificate <strong>of</strong> excellence<br />
for promoting cultural heritage<br />
from the Highveld Heritage Route. The<br />
Highveld Heritage Route is a company<br />
that looks after South Eastern Highveld<br />
Mpumalanga heritage sites. The company<br />
is in the hands <strong>of</strong> Athol Stark which<br />
had been doing history research for 19<br />
years and had been providing tour guide<br />
services for 12 years. This certificate<br />
was awarded to the centre during the<br />
Heritage month.<br />
Isicathamiya group and Indlamu are<br />
the two groups <strong>of</strong> inmates that ensured<br />
that the Ermelo Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence receives<br />
the award. These two groups recently<br />
performed in front <strong>of</strong> a packed Ermelo<br />
town Hall for the Ermelo Business<br />
Association gathering.
EC celebrates Youth Month By: Zama Feni<br />
EAST LONDON: The chilly cold coupled by downpours did<br />
nothing to dampen the warmth and thrill inside the East London<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> Centre Hall yesterday as the high-spirited <strong>of</strong>fender<br />
musical groups kept the Youth Month celebrations alive to the<br />
end.<br />
Youthful <strong>of</strong>fender musical and drama<br />
groups from across the regions’ management<br />
areas displayed their dazzling<br />
artistic skills in commemoration <strong>of</strong> the Youth<br />
Month celebrations.<br />
The month <strong>of</strong> June was declared a Youth<br />
Month due to the fact that on the 6 June<br />
976, hordes <strong>of</strong> Soweto students took to the<br />
streets protesting against the apartheid regime’s<br />
imposition <strong>of</strong> Afrikaans as a medium<br />
<strong>of</strong> instruction in non-white schools.<br />
But the reward they received for their protest<br />
action was a bullet – an action which led<br />
to widespread uprisings across the country.<br />
Regional Commissioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana<br />
told the <strong>of</strong>fender and departmental<br />
youth that “the blood <strong>of</strong> the young people<br />
<strong>of</strong> 976 nurtured the tree <strong>of</strong> freedom whose<br />
fruits people from across the racial spectrum<br />
are enjoying today. It is through the blood <strong>of</strong><br />
Thank you Grootvlei: Members <strong>of</strong> Grootvlei<br />
Poverty Alleviation Committee with Nzame<br />
Primary School pupils who benefited from the<br />
donations<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
To be young and<br />
alive: Imbube<br />
Scathamiya Music<br />
Group entertaining<br />
the audience at the<br />
Regional Youth Month<br />
Celebrations<br />
the young people <strong>of</strong> 976 that South Africa is<br />
able to host the world’s largest sports tournament<br />
– the <strong>20</strong> 0 FIFA Soccer World Cup,”<br />
said Ms Jolingana<br />
Lilizela Mlilizeli: Mrs Levona Castle heeding<br />
the call <strong>of</strong> President Jacob Zuma and<br />
blowing her vuvuzela at the Youth Month<br />
Celebrations<br />
At :55, the audience heeded the national<br />
call and blew the vuvuzela horns and at<br />
2:00, the house sang the National Anthem,<br />
2 SA Corrections Today<br />
Nkos’ isikelel’ Africa.<br />
Ms Jolingana urged the young <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
to use the opportunities that the <strong>Department</strong><br />
provides to them to their best ability.<br />
“…if you aim high, and you want to see<br />
yourself leaving the correctional centres<br />
empowered – the foundation is discipline.<br />
Our Minister (Umam’ uNosiviwe Mapisa-<br />
Nqakula) has said that we must turn our<br />
correctional centres into colleges; we must<br />
develop measurers to provide education and<br />
skills development to <strong>of</strong>fenders,” she said.<br />
Eastern Cape Regional Commissioner, Ms<br />
Nontsikelelo Jolingana checking her blood<br />
pressure at the Regional Youth Month<br />
Celebrations<br />
In a message to young correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials,<br />
Ms Jolingana called for them to study so they<br />
could have a firm grasp <strong>of</strong> the demands <strong>of</strong> the<br />
new approach to corrections and get to understand<br />
the calibre <strong>of</strong> a correctional <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
that the <strong>Department</strong> needs.<br />
“In order for the <strong>Department</strong> to achieve its<br />
strategic goals as outlined in the White Paper<br />
on Corrections in South Africa, we have to<br />
invest in young people who still have many<br />
years to come serving this <strong>Department</strong>,” she<br />
said.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> the activities for the day nurses<br />
from the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Health took blood<br />
pressure as a way <strong>of</strong> ensuring that members<br />
were in good health in preparation for the celebrations<br />
<strong>of</strong> the FIFA Soccer World Cup.<br />
Groootvlei gives Nzame pupils a<br />
warm winter present By: Kgopolelo Jabanyane<br />
In what could be described as music to the Deputy Minister,<br />
Hlengiwe Mkhize’s ears, the Grootvlei Management Area have<br />
made the welfare <strong>of</strong> children as well as uplifting the lives <strong>of</strong> the<br />
poor their business.<br />
The welfare <strong>of</strong> children is the deputy minister’s<br />
priority area <strong>of</strong> operation in the<br />
department and she has coined the care<br />
with the launch <strong>of</strong> the Imbeleko Project.<br />
To bear testament to Grootvlei’s assertions,<br />
are numerous donations that management<br />
area had made to various destitute families<br />
around Mangaung aimed at alleviating poverty<br />
in poor families so that the children<br />
growing in those families can feel the love.<br />
The management area has never stopped<br />
showing its beautiful gesture to needy families,<br />
and had also gone one step further to become<br />
proactive in fighting crime. The stand<br />
against crime was prompted by the higher<br />
rate <strong>of</strong> juveniles that department was admitting<br />
daily in the centre.<br />
Officials at the Free State and Northern<br />
Cape Regional Commissioner’s <strong>of</strong>fice are <strong>of</strong><br />
the view that, “If the department does not act<br />
Officials <strong>of</strong> the Leeuwkop Juvenile<br />
Centre and the Randburg Community<br />
Corrections took to the streets<br />
<strong>of</strong> Alexandra to surprise the township<br />
dwellers with donations <strong>of</strong> safer candle<br />
holders. The thoughtful donation aimed<br />
at putting an end to the vicious and<br />
deadly fires, most <strong>of</strong> which are caused<br />
by falling burning candles because <strong>of</strong><br />
makeshift candle holders.<br />
The candle holders donated to the Alex<br />
community were crafted by the Leeu-<br />
proactively to deal with some <strong>of</strong> these social<br />
challenges in the society, it must be prepared<br />
to deal with an influx <strong>of</strong> poor children graduating<br />
into hardened criminals and subsequently<br />
compounding its facilities.”<br />
The <strong>of</strong>ficials, who identify themselves as<br />
the Grootvlei Poverty Alleviation Committee<br />
in the area, devised a plan to deal with the<br />
root <strong>of</strong> crime in the long term.<br />
The committee headed by Mr Christo Barnard;<br />
Manager Special Programmes, collected<br />
donations in a form <strong>of</strong> cash from the<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials in order to make a difference to the<br />
needy young children’s lives.<br />
The team discovered that schools were<br />
breeding grounds for criminals. They then<br />
shifted their targets to poor children who are<br />
at schools. They are <strong>of</strong> the belief that “most<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fenders who commit crime, attributes<br />
it to poverty.”<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
Mr. Moloi with the community <strong>of</strong> Alexandra<br />
Alex community receives safe<br />
candle holders By Elizabeth Zimba<br />
Mr. Tladi, Head Juvenile Centre donating<br />
candlelight holder.<br />
wkop juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders. In August last<br />
year, the juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders started a<br />
project <strong>of</strong> making wire candlelight holders.<br />
They crafted them with the aim <strong>of</strong><br />
reaching out to disadvantaged communities<br />
which still uses candles as a source<br />
<strong>of</strong> light. Moreover, to prevent the loss <strong>of</strong><br />
lives due to falling candles. Light candles<br />
without candle holders are unsafe and<br />
have caused losses <strong>of</strong> lives in congested<br />
townships like Alexandra.<br />
Statistics have revealed that most<br />
homes that are burned, particularly at informal<br />
settlements, are caused by fallen<br />
candles. The donation <strong>of</strong> the handmade<br />
wired candlelight holders will help reduce<br />
the number <strong>of</strong> fire incidents.<br />
The community members received the<br />
donation with warm hands and thanked<br />
correctional <strong>of</strong>ficers and the Leeuwkop<br />
juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders for their gesture.<br />
They identified Nzame Primary School<br />
in Managaung after a thorough research on<br />
the socio economic situation <strong>of</strong> the school<br />
and went to donate what they had collected.<br />
When they arrived at the school, some pupils<br />
were not wearing school shoes, others shivering<br />
with cold wearing torn and tattered uniform<br />
despite the chilly winter weather.<br />
While accepting the donation, the school<br />
principal thanked the Grootvlei donors for<br />
choosing his school.<br />
The school is populated by learners from a<br />
very poor background.<br />
The Acting Area Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Grootvlei<br />
Mr Tatolo Mphutlane said that children<br />
did not belong to prison “You need to share<br />
little things that others don’t have to promote<br />
cohesion among people,” concluded Mr Matolo.<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
Donation <strong>of</strong> blankets: <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials,<br />
care givers and the children who benefited<br />
for the blankets donation<br />
Witbank<br />
donates<br />
blankets to<br />
orphans<br />
By Moses Nkabinde<br />
No less than 85 orphans who<br />
are taken care <strong>of</strong> by different<br />
households at Nhlazatse<br />
village, have received warm<br />
blankets to overcome the cold<br />
winter season.<br />
About 65 <strong>of</strong> the blankets were donated,<br />
as part <strong>of</strong> the poverty alleviation<br />
programme by Witbank Management<br />
Area and its partners.<br />
The success <strong>of</strong> the donation handover,<br />
which included an 80 kg bag <strong>of</strong> maize<br />
meal and a garden spade, was spearheaded<br />
by Ms Linah Mhlongo, the Area<br />
Coordinator <strong>of</strong> Development and Care at<br />
Witbank and Ms Zanele Dladla, the Head<br />
<strong>of</strong> Social Reintegration at Carolina.<br />
Ms Mhlongo has tirelessly engaged<br />
eMalahleni business groups, doctors and<br />
correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials to make a collection<br />
<strong>of</strong> 65 strong and warm winter blankets.<br />
The CEO <strong>of</strong> Mahlalentabeni Home<br />
Based Care Centre, Mr Mandla Thabethe<br />
also came on board and managed<br />
to raise additional <strong>20</strong> blankets from Badplaas<br />
Holiday Resort Management.<br />
The beneficiaries <strong>of</strong> the donations are<br />
children aged between ten and 15 years.<br />
The latter were identified from various<br />
schools which include, Ivuka (21),<br />
Lamagadlela(18), Lethukuthula (17) and<br />
Mahlalentabeni Orphanage (14). Every<br />
child received one blanket and the remaining<br />
ones were given to their care<br />
givers to distribute.
Officials keep their health in check<br />
By Mashao Mohale<br />
The <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> held a Wellness Day and<br />
Aerobics marathon on the 5th <strong>of</strong> May with two legged sessions<br />
taking place at the Head Office and Pretoria Management Area<br />
respectively.<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials at Head Office<br />
braved a breezy and chilly weather<br />
conditions to queue up for their<br />
health conditions to be examined by dieticians,<br />
optometrists and other health<br />
practitioners.<br />
This initiative emerged from the partnership<br />
involving correctional services,<br />
SAPS, SANDF and Johannesburg Metro<br />
Police to keep their employees well and<br />
fit as it is physically required by the nature<br />
<strong>of</strong> their work environment.<br />
The day’s activities commenced with<br />
high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight<br />
and height <strong>of</strong> employees being checked<br />
for consistency. Optometrists and dieticians<br />
from <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Health were<br />
available to provide their pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
advice regarding eye problems and<br />
balanced diets. Eye glasses were prescribed<br />
and issued to employees who<br />
needed immediate attention.<br />
The second phase <strong>of</strong> event took place<br />
at the Mess Hall in the Pretoria Management<br />
Area wherein participants from various<br />
departments engaged in intensive<br />
aerobic exercises. The hall was packed<br />
The Allandale team with three <strong>of</strong> the elders who benefitted<br />
from the donation<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
Officials get down<br />
to aerobic exercises<br />
during the Wellness<br />
Day event that<br />
started at the Head<br />
Office and ended<br />
at the Pretoria<br />
Management Area<br />
Officials waiting patiently for their eyes to<br />
be examined by optometrist at Head Office<br />
foyer<br />
with men and women with one shared<br />
purpose - to maintain their fitness and<br />
wellbeing.<br />
One could see the dedication <strong>of</strong> participants<br />
when they made pain-inducing<br />
stretches to ensure effective results.<br />
Our SA Corrections Today reporter<br />
spoke to Mr Sandile Mthembu, Deputy<br />
Director: Directorate <strong>of</strong> Employees,<br />
Sports and Creation, during an interval<br />
about their motive and background <strong>of</strong><br />
the event and he explained, “The well-<br />
4<br />
SA Corrections Today<br />
ness programme started a long time ago<br />
and is informed by our strategic plan. We<br />
should encourage employees to exercise<br />
and strive for fitness to perform their<br />
tasks optimally. Our employees work in<br />
stress inducing environments, therefore,<br />
keeping their fitness on par helps them to<br />
cope and distress well. We have established<br />
33 fitness clubs in different correctional<br />
facilities nationwide and our plan is<br />
to ensure that they are accessible to all<br />
employees”.<br />
He emphasized that all the established<br />
fitness clubs have trained instructors and<br />
facilities.<br />
In addition, SAPS Gauteng Provincial<br />
Coordinator for Fitness Mr Sipho Thwala<br />
said that the initiative contributed massively<br />
in reducing stress and depression<br />
since they work in traumatic milieu.”This<br />
fitness exercises started in 1997 in the<br />
police service. However, we did not have<br />
adequate resources to develop it to this<br />
magnitude. When General Bheki Cele<br />
joined SAPS, he made it his priority and<br />
made funds available for it. Since we<br />
started we have seen the number <strong>of</strong> sick<br />
leaves declining, stress related cases<br />
amongst police <strong>of</strong>ficials were minimized<br />
and performance improved. I am a suicide<br />
survivor myself and I am talking from<br />
experience” said Thwala convincingly.<br />
Sergeant Phindile Mazibuko who<br />
serves in the Public Order Unit said<br />
she appreciated the fitness initiative because<br />
it geared them up for challenges<br />
in their daily tasks. “Believe me, managing<br />
crowd really requires somebody to<br />
be equal to the task,” said the confident<br />
police <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />
According to the event coordinators the<br />
fitness campaign is growing from strength<br />
to strength. The attendance and interest<br />
has improved tremendously. The participants<br />
will be informed as to where and<br />
when the next sessions will be held.<br />
Allandale cares for the elderly By Louis Reinke<br />
The Allandale correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials who are affiliates <strong>of</strong> the Allandale Social<br />
Club, donated toiletries, face clothes and towels to the value <strong>of</strong> R 500, to the<br />
Rush<strong>of</strong> Old Age Home in Paarl East. The hand-over took place on May. The<br />
social club members made the donation out <strong>of</strong> their good hearts and appreciation<br />
was evident from the glittering faces <strong>of</strong> the benefiting elders. The <strong>of</strong>ficials involved<br />
said they would continue to give out <strong>of</strong> goodwill because it gives them satisfaction.<br />
Giving is their way <strong>of</strong> making a difference to people who are less fortunate. Members<br />
on the photo are from L to R; Mr Petrus Titus, Ms Lizette Kulsen (Rush<strong>of</strong>), Mr<br />
Brendon Abrahams, Allandale Area Commissioner Mr Kosie Sinclair ,Ms Alvira<br />
Kleynhans (Manager Rush<strong>of</strong>), Mr Jonathan Baartman, Ms Faith Maqolo and Ivan<br />
Petersen. Front sitting row; Mr Roelf Faro, Mr Johan Claasen and Mr Willem van<br />
Rooyen who benefited from the donation.<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
Deputy Minister opens Goodwood<br />
Mbombela Sportsfield<br />
By Ofentse Morwane & Jo-ann Christians<br />
Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize <strong>of</strong>ficially opened the Mbombela<br />
Sportsfield at Goodwood Management Area in the Western Cape<br />
region on <strong>20</strong> May <strong>20</strong>10 to grant the <strong>of</strong>ficials and <strong>of</strong>fenders their<br />
long wish <strong>of</strong> having a proper sporting facility.<br />
Despite being a new generation correctional<br />
centre, Goodwood never had<br />
any sports and recreation facilities<br />
for either <strong>of</strong>ficials or <strong>of</strong>fenders. Offenders<br />
instead used courtyards as sporting grounds<br />
leading to a lot <strong>of</strong> breakages <strong>of</strong> windows at<br />
the centre.<br />
Giving her address at the opening, Ms<br />
Mkhize said, “As a department, our approach<br />
to cultivates and maintains a healthy lifestyle<br />
for <strong>of</strong>fenders and <strong>of</strong>ficials, through sports<br />
and recreation programs, is premised on the<br />
fact that health is much more than just the<br />
absence <strong>of</strong> disease. It is for this reason that<br />
we take sports and recreation seriously for<br />
Pumpkin: Mr Tokkie Dempers with the<br />
gigantic pumpkin weighing 97.5kg<br />
sport field underpins the department’s commitment<br />
towards promoting a healthy life<br />
style for both <strong>of</strong>fenders and <strong>of</strong>ficials. “Sports<br />
as a rehabilitation tool assist in imparting<br />
skills, instilling discipline, promoting team<br />
work, attainment <strong>of</strong> physical and mental<br />
health, and teaching <strong>of</strong>fenders to adhere to<br />
rules and principles, not only in sporting activities,<br />
but in life in general.”<br />
The opening <strong>of</strong> the Mbombela Sports field<br />
also coincided with the 2 days countdown<br />
before the start <strong>of</strong> the <strong>20</strong> 0 Fifa World Cup.<br />
“This facility is correctional services’ contribution<br />
towards the legacy <strong>of</strong> the <strong>20</strong> 0 Fifa<br />
World Cup. It also testifies to our commitment<br />
as government, to not only deliver on<br />
this big dream but to ensure that we build a<br />
lasting legacy for our nation,” declared deputy<br />
minister.<br />
She congratulated the Western Cape region<br />
for being awarded second runner-ups in the<br />
Centre for Public Service Innovations (CPIS)<br />
Awards, in November last year with for the<br />
Mbombela Sports field project.<br />
The name <strong>of</strong> the soccer field means, “working<br />
together to achieve a common goal.<br />
Among the stakeholders present at the opening<br />
were SAFA representatives and Ajax Cape<br />
Town Management and its youth team.<br />
Allandale reaps a gigantic pumpkin<br />
By Louis Reinke<br />
Western Cape<br />
Regional<br />
Commissioner,<br />
James<br />
Smalberger, Area<br />
Commissioner<br />
Goodwood<br />
Moliehi Sebotsa<br />
and Deputy<br />
Minister<br />
Hlengiwe Mkhize<br />
at the <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
opening <strong>of</strong><br />
the Mbombela<br />
Sportsfield<br />
at Goodwood<br />
Management<br />
Area<br />
both <strong>of</strong>fenders and <strong>of</strong>ficials. The opening <strong>of</strong><br />
the sports field further attests to this commitment.<br />
The sports field is a product <strong>of</strong> various<br />
partnerships,”<br />
“The goal we aspire to is a holistic approach<br />
to <strong>of</strong>fender rehabilitation through key<br />
services such as, correction <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fending<br />
behaviour, care to promote the wellbeing <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>of</strong>fender, development which involves<br />
education, skills development, recreation<br />
and sport, agriculture and workshops, security<br />
and social reintegration, in line with<br />
our White Paper on Corrections South Africa<br />
<strong>20</strong>05,” added the deputy minister.<br />
She further said that the construction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Ajax Cape Town youth team pictured with<br />
the Deputy Minister, Regional Commissioner<br />
Western Cape and SAFA <strong>of</strong>ficial.<br />
Mr Tokkie Dempers from the Allandale Management Area could never have<br />
thought that the small seed he held in his hand a couple <strong>of</strong> months ago, could<br />
grow into a gigantic pumpkin weighing 97.5 kg‘s.<br />
It all started in October last year when he planted the seed at the back <strong>of</strong> his yard<br />
within the Allandale premises. He had to cover and protect the pumpkin as vegetable<br />
flies wanted to damage the pumpkin. Other diseases were also threatening the pumpkin,<br />
but Tokkie was lucky and the vegetable survived. Tokkie had to feed the pumpkin<br />
daily with different…well says Tokkie: ‘that is a secret. ’<br />
A pumpkin can grow more than 30 centimetres per day and the biggest pumpkin<br />
Tokkie saw weighed just over 300 kilograms. These giant pumpkins are called Atlantic<br />
Giants. Tokkie says now that the members have read the article in the Allandale<br />
Gazette, everyone wants a seed. The question now is why don’t we have a Regional<br />
Competition between the Management Areas and see who can grow the biggest<br />
pumpkin?<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0 5
Government services in your door steps<br />
Government has declared <strong>20</strong>10 the year <strong>of</strong> action and to<br />
translate this declaration into practice the Gauteng Provincial<br />
Government has launched its own campaign called kuyashesha<br />
to demonstrate the seriousness towards service delivery.<br />
Different spheres <strong>of</strong> governance converged<br />
in Mabopane on 0 April <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
to raise awareness about a Thusong<br />
Service Centre which has been established to<br />
service the needs <strong>of</strong> the people. Eskom, Child<br />
Protection Unit, Public Protector, SAPS (victim<br />
empowerment), Statistics SA, <strong>Department</strong>s<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Health and<br />
Social Development occupy the building to<br />
reflect a true meaning <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering integrated<br />
service delivery or a one stop shop services,<br />
writes Simphiwe Kondleka<br />
Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality realised<br />
that people are travelling long distances<br />
to access government services and information.<br />
A research was conducted to determine<br />
the actual needs <strong>of</strong> the people to improve the<br />
quality <strong>of</strong> their lives. That is how the Mabopane<br />
Thusong Service Centre came into existence.<br />
“We said we will come back to the<br />
people and we have kept our promise. Today,<br />
all the spheres <strong>of</strong> government are here to<br />
provide integrated service delivery to you,”<br />
said the Member <strong>of</strong> the Mayoral Committee<br />
in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Ms<br />
Thembi Mmoko delivering a welcoming address<br />
on behalf <strong>of</strong> the Executive Mayor Dr<br />
Gwen Ramokgopa who could not attend the<br />
Child protection at eMalahleni: Children<br />
kitted in Bafana Bafana attire during the<br />
celebration <strong>of</strong> their protection week.<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
DCS <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
in the mix at<br />
the opening<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mabopane<br />
Thusong Centre<br />
event. She encouraged the people to pay for<br />
the services that are rendered by the municipality.<br />
The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation,<br />
Mrs Nelisiwe Moerane said that the<br />
spirit <strong>of</strong> co – operative governance is alive<br />
in Gauteng. She said that in the true sense <strong>of</strong><br />
the word kuyasheshwa, Gauteng means business.<br />
To date, there are 42 Thusong Service<br />
Centres built in six regions to address service<br />
delivery challenges. The c ebtres also<br />
serve as a link between government and its<br />
communities. “Gone are the days <strong>of</strong> travelling<br />
long distances to access basic services.<br />
Service delivery in Gauteng is informed by<br />
the principles <strong>of</strong> Batho Pele (People First),”<br />
she confirmed. The MEC turned her attention<br />
to the looming <strong>20</strong> 0 FIFA Soccer World Cup<br />
tournament and requested all South Africans<br />
to be patriotic, show the spirit <strong>of</strong> Ubuntu and<br />
embrace the world. She revealed that out <strong>of</strong><br />
2 participating teams, 9 will be based in<br />
Gauteng for the entire duration <strong>of</strong> the tournament.<br />
She added that people should go to<br />
the stadiums and designated public viewing<br />
areas with their vuvuzelas and wearing their<br />
Bafana Bafana jerseys.<br />
“Many similar projects have collapsed and<br />
Children warned <strong>of</strong><br />
strangers By Moses Nkabinde<br />
Guests from SASSA, SAPS, <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>, eMalahleni Municipality and<br />
Home Affairs celebrated the child protection<br />
week at the eMalahleni Civic Theater<br />
on June with 70 early childhood development<br />
learners and their educators.<br />
All the celebrants wore the green and gold<br />
Bafana Bafana attire to show their full support<br />
<strong>of</strong> the national team and the African<br />
Soccer World Cup Held in South Africa.<br />
The learners treated the guests to a diski<br />
dance, poetry about children’s rights, sang<br />
the national anthem while the guest <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
6 SA Corrections Today<br />
this Thusong Service Centre will be useless<br />
if people don’t get help that they need. Why<br />
people should go to a government <strong>of</strong>fice six<br />
times and they don’t get assistance. We need<br />
respectful, dedicated and courageous civil<br />
servants,” warned the Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong><br />
Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula in his keynote address.<br />
He continued that Government is being<br />
failed by its own civil servants and that<br />
people must choose hard working people as<br />
councillors. The Deputy Minister condemned<br />
the service delivery protests that were taking<br />
place around the country. “Recent public<br />
protests have been hijacked by criminal elements.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> them are triggered by people<br />
with political ambitions. They undermine the<br />
people’s government. Don’t petrol bomb and<br />
torch our facilities. March properly and raise<br />
your demands peacefully when you don’t get<br />
proper services. Thusong Centres like this<br />
Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong> Police Mr Fikile Mbalula<br />
delivering his address<br />
one must help our people for many years to<br />
come,” he appealed to the audience. He concluded<br />
that government must do its part and<br />
the community should follow suite. “This is<br />
the essence <strong>of</strong> the government <strong>of</strong> the people,”<br />
he said.<br />
He said fostering <strong>of</strong> sustainable partnerships<br />
will bear positive fruits and people<br />
must learn to stand up and do things for<br />
themselves. The dignitaries toured the facility<br />
to witness the operations and services that<br />
are <strong>of</strong>fered by different organisations.<br />
them motivational talks.<br />
The Area Manager; Special Programs in<br />
Witbank Management Area,Ms Linah Masina,<br />
warned the learners to refuse gifts from<br />
strangers and report family members that<br />
who touches them on their private parts to<br />
the authorities.<br />
She said, “Human trafficking is increasing<br />
at an alarming rate. Parents and guardians<br />
should take full responsibility <strong>of</strong> the safety<br />
<strong>of</strong> their children at homes and at learning<br />
centres.”<br />
In her welcoming remarks, Councillor<br />
Thandi Mokoena told the children to respect<br />
their educators, parents and dissociate themselves<br />
from aggressive behaviour.<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
Judge Mogoeng inspects law<br />
obedience at Rooigrond<br />
By Lewies Davids<br />
Constitutional Court Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng and a delegation<br />
<strong>of</strong> law researchers including Joelle Barness and Nomonde<br />
Nyembe, visited Rooigrond Management Area on 15 & 16 June on<br />
a fact finding mission to assess the adherence <strong>of</strong> constitutional<br />
principles in correctional facilities.<br />
The judge informed the management<br />
that with his visit, he also wanted<br />
to familiarise himself with the conditions<br />
<strong>of</strong> correctional centres and to<br />
check the constitutional obedience <strong>of</strong> the<br />
correctional system. He further said the<br />
findings <strong>of</strong> his visit would assist in the<br />
department in monitoring and improving<br />
the conditions <strong>of</strong> correctional facilities.<br />
He said that he wanted to ensure<br />
that <strong>of</strong>fenders are treated under humane<br />
conditions and that facilities conforms to<br />
the norms and standards <strong>of</strong> incarcerating<br />
persons in acceptable conditions in line<br />
with the UN Standard Minimum Rules on<br />
the treatment <strong>of</strong> Offenders. The humane<br />
conditions should also meet the requirements<br />
<strong>of</strong> Chapter 2 <strong>of</strong> the Constitution<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Republic <strong>of</strong> South Africa. Furthermore,<br />
the judge checked the efficiency<br />
and cleanliness <strong>of</strong> the correctional administration.<br />
After the visit, the Judge will compile a<br />
report as a channel for feedback to the<br />
Judicial Inspectorate, the director general,<br />
the minister <strong>of</strong> Justice and the parliamentary<br />
portfolio committee on <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>.<br />
The hosting Area Commissioner, Mr<br />
Barry Eksteen and his management presented<br />
the operational activities to the<br />
delegates before leading the Judge and<br />
Middelburg’s 2nd career expo gets<br />
thumbs up By Mapopozana kaGogo Mashinini<br />
The three-day Middelburg Career Expo<br />
took <strong>of</strong>f on a high note as thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> learners from eight schools from<br />
around the Steve Tshwete Municipality and<br />
the neighbouring farms came in numbers to<br />
learn about various mediums from worthy<br />
exhibitors. The second edition <strong>of</strong> the expo<br />
was held at the Eastdene Community Hall<br />
and ran from to May.<br />
The event was made possible thanks to<br />
sponsors Optimum Community Trust, Middelburg<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce and various<br />
state departments.<br />
Learners were ferried from as far as Hendrina,<br />
Middelburg and neibouring locations<br />
Mr Mapopozana kaGogo<br />
Mashinini, ad-hoc<br />
communication <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
at Middleburg Centre <strong>of</strong><br />
Excellence explaining to<br />
school children what a<br />
career in the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> entails.<br />
to the inspiring and informative career expo<br />
and the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong><br />
was party among a wealth <strong>of</strong> exhibitors.<br />
Mr Mduduzi Mndawe, the Human Resource<br />
Development Practitioner at DCS<br />
spent the duration <strong>of</strong> the expo explaining different<br />
career opportunities available in the<br />
departments. He emphasized the importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> education to the curious learners.<br />
He said, “Our department is not only concerned<br />
or interested in safe custody and humane<br />
incarceration <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders. There are a<br />
handful <strong>of</strong> rehabilitation programmes taking<br />
place in our centres that require more skilled<br />
and qualified personnel to implement them.”<br />
MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
his entourage to a tour in various cell<br />
blocks. The delegates spoke to <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
regarding the conditions <strong>of</strong> their incarceration<br />
as well as members on their<br />
conditions <strong>of</strong> employment.<br />
The judge was also taken on a tour to<br />
the Rooigrond farm.<br />
The Constitutional Court Judge Mogoeng<br />
Mogoeng getting the inside story from<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders during a fact finding visit at<br />
Rooigrond<br />
Judge Mogoeng listens to individual<br />
complaints presented by both <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
and <strong>of</strong>ficials in <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>.<br />
Through taking the lead as a Constitutional<br />
Court Judge, he encouraged members<br />
<strong>of</strong> other courts to visit <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
Centres, and thereby expand judicial involvement<br />
to correctional <strong>Services</strong>.<br />
Intense competition was evident at the expo<br />
as exhibitors from the private sector competed<br />
for the learners’ attention by displaying<br />
the best branding material <strong>of</strong> their companies.<br />
They included Highveld Steel and Vanadium,<br />
Columbus Stainless, Optimum Coal<br />
and Standard Bank.<br />
Pace Career Centre provided an assessment<br />
<strong>of</strong> the learners as POCH (Pride <strong>of</strong> the Cultur-<br />
al Heartland) entertained them with musical<br />
artistry after assessment.<br />
All the exhibitors agreed and vowed in one<br />
voice that come next year, learners and the<br />
Steve Tshwete communities will be exposed<br />
to more innovation at the forthcoming annual<br />
career expo next year.<br />
Cllr Rehana Pilodia thanked the exhibitors<br />
for their participation and praised the organizers<br />
for a splendid job. She assured them <strong>of</strong><br />
the council’s support in preparations for next<br />
year’s event.<br />
7
Curiosity drew concerned fire brigade <strong>of</strong>ficials who wanted more information from <strong>of</strong>ficials.<br />
DCS and partners reach out<br />
to communities By Thuthukasizwe Ngcobo<br />
Ermelo Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence opened its doors to the public in an<br />
effort to educate and give information about the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>’ mandate in changing the lives <strong>of</strong> people in<br />
their communities.<br />
The windy environment on 4th June and<br />
the hype surrounding the soccer <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
Fifa World Cup, drew hundreds <strong>of</strong> Ermelo<br />
community members to learn and ask<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials about programmes and services <strong>of</strong>-<br />
Community members listening to Ms<br />
Jumarie du Plessis explaining and issuing<br />
information packs to those craving for<br />
knowledge<br />
fered by various government departments.<br />
The event was a collaborative effort with key<br />
stakeholders such as South African Police<br />
Force, Msukaligwa Municipality, Legal Aid<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
Board, <strong>Department</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Labour and Health,<br />
Capitec Bank, South African Social Security<br />
Agency, Coca Cola and Cooperative Governance<br />
and Traditional Affairs were project<br />
hosts.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the questions that arose during the<br />
interaction with community members were<br />
that “how does the department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> assist parolees who have acquired<br />
skills while incarcerated and what kind <strong>of</strong> assistance<br />
is needed from community in ensuring<br />
that rehabilitation does take place”.<br />
Representing the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>, the Head Satellite Community<br />
Corrections Mr Vincent Malatsi said, “We<br />
are celebrating the Fifa <strong>20</strong> 0 Soccer World<br />
Cup in Ermelo by opening the department’s<br />
doors to the public”. He further highlighted<br />
the importance <strong>of</strong> working hand in glove<br />
with community members and stakeholders<br />
in order to be able to produce socially responsible<br />
individuals.<br />
Coca Cola provided goodies such as caps,<br />
vuvuzela’s and T-shirts for community members<br />
who were able to perform both versions<br />
<strong>of</strong> diski dance.<br />
Pietermaritzburg<br />
probationers plough<br />
back to community<br />
By Nokuthula Zikhali<br />
Giving credence to the<br />
correctional service’s call to<br />
utilise <strong>of</strong>fender labour to aid<br />
community developments,<br />
the probationers <strong>of</strong><br />
Pietermaritzburg Community<br />
Corrections have already done<br />
their bit.<br />
The probationers deployed their labour<br />
towards the building <strong>of</strong> a guard room<br />
used by the caretaker at a local school<br />
called Indlelayabasha Primary. The Community<br />
Liaison Officer for Pietermaritzburg<br />
Management Area, Mr Dennis Williams and<br />
his team, work tirelessly to make the building<br />
project a success. First they obtained a<br />
donation <strong>of</strong> building material from Build It<br />
Hardware store in the area and then deployed<br />
<strong>of</strong>fender labour to construct the guardroom.<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> services were party at the <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
opening <strong>of</strong> the guard room at the school<br />
that coincided with the Fifa <strong>20</strong> 0 Football<br />
Friday Campaign for the school.<br />
<strong>Correctional</strong> services view this success<br />
story as the means <strong>of</strong> giving back to the communities<br />
as well as pr<strong>of</strong>iling <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
skills which they acquire in the correctional<br />
centres while serving their sentences on their<br />
rehabilitation paths.<br />
The school caretaker who would be using<br />
the newly built guard room could not hold<br />
back his excitement when receiving the keys.<br />
The room was also fully furnished with <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
furnisher, manufactured by Pietermaritzburg<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders.<br />
After the handover, the Pietermaritzburg<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> Community Corrections, Mr Elvis<br />
Nene, the school educators, DCS <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
and the representatives <strong>of</strong> the local municipality,<br />
proceeded to the school soccer field<br />
where pupils participated in soccer matches.<br />
Mr Mike McDonald, the Build It Hardware<br />
Manager, was also part <strong>of</strong> the festivities.<br />
The day was fun for both the pupils and the<br />
spectators.<br />
The school principal Mr Bheki Madlala,<br />
thanked the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong> for assisting his school. He appealed<br />
to the department to expand its partnership<br />
with the school in other programs including<br />
crime awareness, which can assist the pupils<br />
in his school.<br />
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N<br />
Remand detainees (41) escape<br />
from Harrismith prison By Puleng Mokhoabe<br />
A dark cloud befell Harrismith <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre when 41 high<br />
risk unsentenced <strong>of</strong>fenders (remand detainees) escaped from the<br />
facility on 1 June.<br />
Reports coming from Harrismith are that<br />
the escapees took two duty <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
hostage while they were conducting<br />
routine checks. They overpowered them and<br />
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula<br />
addressing the Harrismith <strong>of</strong>ficials hours<br />
after the escapes <strong>of</strong> 41 remand detainees<br />
took the keys to open up cells and fled. The<br />
escape was the largest the department had<br />
ever experienced in recent years.<br />
The incident compelled National Commissioner<br />
Tom Moyane and Minister Nosiviwe<br />
Mapisa- Nqakula to make an emergency trip<br />
to Harrismith to investigate the nature <strong>of</strong> the<br />
escapes. After calculated considerations, they<br />
summarily dismissed two senior <strong>of</strong>ficials on<br />
suspicion <strong>of</strong> ignorance.<br />
The borrowed freedom for 2 <strong>of</strong> the 4 escapees<br />
was cut short when they were rearrested.<br />
The police were still following positive<br />
lead to re-arrest the rest <strong>of</strong> the escapees<br />
at the time <strong>of</strong> going to press.<br />
When addressing the Harrismith staff, Commissioner<br />
Moyane said management viewed<br />
the escapes in a very serious light. He said<br />
criminals should not be allowed to walk out<br />
<strong>of</strong> correctional facilities. The commissioner<br />
told members that Harrismith <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
Centre must not be seen as the weakest link<br />
when it comes to security issues in the country.<br />
He thanked the Regional Commissioner <strong>of</strong><br />
the Free State and Northern Cape, Mr Zacharia<br />
Modise for timeously informing the<br />
leadership and for involving the police on<br />
Graduation ceremony: The new graduates in company <strong>of</strong> senior <strong>of</strong>ficials while receiving<br />
their entry tickets to contributes towards the improvement <strong>of</strong> the correctional system<br />
More <strong>of</strong>ficers on board to steer<br />
corrections By Justice Moseki<br />
About 52 trainees received their<br />
NQF Level 4 National Certificates<br />
to qualify as <strong>Correctional</strong> Officers<br />
Grade III on 18 May at a graduation ceremony<br />
held at Overberg Management<br />
Area following their successful comple-<br />
tion <strong>of</strong> the training programme.<br />
The Overberg Area Coordinator, Mr<br />
Alvin Matsimella welcomed everyone<br />
and outlined efforts made by trainers<br />
and trainees in this era <strong>of</strong> ‘belt tightening’<br />
in the department, to make facilitation <strong>of</strong><br />
the matter.<br />
Commissioner Moyane explained that the<br />
department would have to prioritise and<br />
budget for the upgrading <strong>of</strong> the facility adding<br />
that, “there should be no more escapes at<br />
Harrismith <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre.”<br />
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula acknowledged<br />
that there were challenges around security<br />
measures at all facilities. She said Harrismith<br />
centre, being a medium facility, should not<br />
have accommodated high risk remand detainees<br />
whose crimes range from murder, car<br />
high jacking, organised syndicates and serial<br />
rapists. She said it was worrying that strange<br />
Officials listening to security warnings from<br />
the minister and the national commissioner<br />
things happened before the escape. Her investigations<br />
revealed that other <strong>of</strong>ficials were<br />
made to knock <strong>of</strong>f earlier than usual. She said<br />
that the escapees would have to be reclassified<br />
once re-arrested.<br />
the programme a success.<br />
While delivering his<br />
address, the Regional<br />
Head Corporate <strong>Services</strong><br />
in the Western Cape,<br />
Mr Themba Magagula<br />
said, “I am quoting a<br />
scripture from the letter<br />
<strong>of</strong> Saint Paul to the<br />
Corinthians which says,<br />
When I was a child, I<br />
behaved like a child<br />
and now I am a grown<br />
up, I must behave like<br />
an adult. This department<br />
will not accept any<br />
excuses from any one<br />
when it comes to issues <strong>of</strong> compliance.<br />
You are no longer student correctional<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials. You are now recognised as full<br />
correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials and the department<br />
expect you to behave like grown ups.”<br />
The Area Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Overberg,<br />
Mr Modisadife Ben supported Mr<br />
Magagula’s sentiments and said, “I expect<br />
one thing from you, to stick to the<br />
basics and respect each other.”<br />
He further encouraged the graduates to<br />
study further because education is the key<br />
that opens more doors <strong>of</strong> opportunities.<br />
8<br />
SA Corrections Today MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
9
Baviaanspoort <strong>of</strong>fenders learn<br />
valuable farming skills<br />
There are numerous rehabilitation programmes currently<br />
unfolding at Baviaanspoort Management Area.<br />
The programmes are aimed at helping<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders mend their <strong>of</strong>fending behaviours<br />
and moreover, capacitating them<br />
to be better skilled and become self sustainable<br />
when they are released. Better still, they<br />
also receive accredited certificates from the<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Labour after successfully<br />
completing training programmes in various<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> interest. Thomo Nkgadima takes a<br />
closer look at how the <strong>of</strong>fenders are integrated<br />
and also responding to these developments<br />
and skills programme focusing mainly<br />
in the field <strong>of</strong> agricultural farming.<br />
Baviaanspoort Management Area is situated<br />
just about 28 km east <strong>of</strong> Tshwane and<br />
prides itself as Gauteng‘s best pork producer.<br />
Its piggery produces first grade pork and supplies<br />
six management areas around Gauteng.<br />
Mr Peter Tippets, the Manager Animal Production<br />
explains the impact <strong>of</strong> their piggery,<br />
“We supply double rations to feed medium,<br />
juvenile and maximum Baviaanspoort inmates<br />
<strong>of</strong> about <strong>20</strong>00. We also sell surplus<br />
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N<br />
Jonas Bopape, Paul Van<br />
Rooyen and Peter Tippets who<br />
has done tremendous work<br />
to develop and sustain the<br />
Baviaanspoort prison farm<br />
pork to our <strong>of</strong>ficials at reasonable market<br />
price and supply other regions such as Kwa-<br />
Zulu Natal with pork and breeding materials”.<br />
According to Divisional Head Agriculture,<br />
Mr Paul van Rooyen, their major agricultural<br />
activities at Baviaanspoort are the production<br />
<strong>of</strong> milk, pork and vegetables. Offenders are<br />
tasked with maintaining these projects under<br />
the supervision <strong>of</strong> skilled <strong>of</strong>ficials and it is<br />
here where they learn basic skills necessary<br />
to make them employable and enables them<br />
to be support themselves after finishing serving<br />
their sentence and released from prison.<br />
The total dairy herd consists <strong>of</strong> 2 0 animals<br />
with a milk production <strong>of</strong> approximately <strong>20</strong><br />
litres per cow daily. There are 99 beef herds<br />
and beef cattle are slaughtered at a live mass<br />
<strong>of</strong> about 400kg.<br />
Porkers are slaughtered at mass <strong>of</strong> 72 kg.<br />
The total production <strong>of</strong> vegetables is approximately<br />
45 tons per month. The planting<br />
is structured in a manner that enables the<br />
Boksburg kicks <strong>of</strong>f with “67 days” campaign<br />
By Patrick Thobejane<br />
Boksburg <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
used the 67 minutes campaign in honour<br />
<strong>of</strong> the iconic former statesman Nelson<br />
Mandela to strengthen the bond with its<br />
neighbouring communities on 8 July. Not to<br />
be outdone, Boksburg stretched their 67minutes<br />
to 67 days campaign for doing good for<br />
its surrounding communities.<br />
The 67 days Boksburg campaign kicked<br />
<strong>of</strong>f at the Vosloorus Old Age Home on Friday<br />
the 2 rd <strong>of</strong> July with a series <strong>of</strong> activities<br />
planned by the staff and business partners.<br />
The campaign frontrunners visited the<br />
old age home to clean and cooked delicious<br />
meals for the elderly.<br />
When approached, Jamaica Wholesalers<br />
came and board to food parcels and their labour<br />
Mr Bafana Mashego gave a very moving<br />
testimony <strong>of</strong> how people should always<br />
strive to do good everyday and not only on<br />
specific calendar days. “As public servants,<br />
we have an obligation towards the public and<br />
our senior citizens are no exceptions,” he<br />
said. He continued by thanking all <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
who made it their mission to lend a hand and<br />
emphasized the importance <strong>of</strong> taking care <strong>of</strong><br />
the aged as they are a gift from God.<br />
The project leader Mr Joseph Masina, made<br />
a commitment that his team will avail them-<br />
management area to supply vegetables sustainably<br />
throughout the year.<br />
Manual labour is still used on a relatively<br />
large scale in vegetable productions but machines<br />
and chemicals are also used in the<br />
field for pest control, planting and weed control.<br />
High potential agricultural land is used<br />
for the cultivation <strong>of</strong> maize, sorghum – silage<br />
and hay for consumption by livestock.<br />
The <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Labour in partnership<br />
with correctional services <strong>of</strong>fers successful<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders with accredited formal training and<br />
certificates in fencing, gardening, irrigation,<br />
and vegetable cultivation, care <strong>of</strong> calves,<br />
tractor operator, care <strong>of</strong> livestock, artificial<br />
insemination and care <strong>of</strong> beef cattle to sharpen<br />
their skills.<br />
“Agricultural activities promote the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders and complement the<br />
support programme that assist <strong>of</strong>fenders to<br />
improve their personal and social functioning<br />
by providing them with job and training<br />
opportunities,” said van Rooyen.<br />
The rapid increase <strong>of</strong> the prison population<br />
since 9 9 created serious problems for the<br />
then prison services regarding the provision<br />
<strong>of</strong> constructive training opportunities for sentenced<br />
prisoners. This led to the decision to<br />
introduce the concept <strong>of</strong> prison farms that in<br />
turn led to the establishment <strong>of</strong> agricultural<br />
activities, this has progressively expanded<br />
and developed over years.<br />
Currently the department manages <strong>20</strong> prisons<br />
farm throughout South Africa comprising<br />
<strong>of</strong> 40 000 hectare. The 6 86 hectares<br />
are dry lands, <strong>20</strong>40 is under irrigation, 99 7<br />
are not usable and <strong>20</strong> 885 are natural grazing<br />
land. The department is involved in the<br />
smooth running <strong>of</strong> the prison farms which<br />
provides job opportunities to sentenced prisoners<br />
daily whilst formal agricultural skills<br />
training is also taking place. Agriculture is<br />
the backbone, strategic asset <strong>of</strong> Baviaanspoort<br />
prison farm.<br />
selves as and when the need arises.<br />
Vosloorus Old Age Home representatives<br />
thanked the staff and management <strong>of</strong> Boksburg<br />
for their wonderful gesture and also<br />
highlighted a few areas <strong>of</strong> need. “We are very<br />
happy to have people <strong>of</strong> your calibre. You<br />
made the day a pleasant one for the elderly<br />
and their smiles say it all. Please don’t stop<br />
today and not only with us,” he said.<br />
The day ended in high spirits as the GOG-<br />
Os and MKHULUs sang songs <strong>of</strong> joy with<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials and other community members.<br />
Officials were treated to “JIKA MAJIKA”<br />
dance session where the grannies showed<br />
very slick dance moves. Other community<br />
organizations will be visited as part <strong>of</strong> the 67<br />
Days Campaign.<br />
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N<br />
Mr Magnus Mchunguzi, Director at Ericsson South Africa shakes hands with Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Hlengiwe Mkhize following the handover <strong>of</strong> visual equipment sponsorship to Leeuwkop<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders.<br />
Business sector puts a<br />
smile on <strong>of</strong>fender’s face<br />
By Simphiwe Kondleka<br />
The euphoria around the <strong>20</strong>10 Fifa Soccer World Cup has resulted<br />
in Ericsson South Africa sponsoring Leeuwkop Management<br />
Area with visual equipment.<br />
The sponsorship came in a form <strong>of</strong><br />
visual equipments namely, five multi<br />
media projector screens, five home<br />
theatre systems and five (42) inch plasma<br />
screens. They were jointly handed<br />
over to the <strong>of</strong>fenders by the Deputy Minister<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Ms Hlengiwe<br />
Mkhize and Mr Magnus Mchunguzi,<br />
Director at Ericsson South Africa.<br />
The visual equipments are to be used<br />
for viewing the Soccer World Cup games<br />
and in long term, they will be used to<br />
support other educational/vocational<br />
programmes for inmates. In addition, the<br />
visual equipments will capacitate Leeuwkop<br />
Management Area <strong>of</strong>ficials with<br />
valuable resources to execute their roles<br />
<strong>of</strong> rehabilitation.<br />
“As the Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong><br />
<strong>Services</strong>, I am honoured to join the Leeuwkop<br />
management to extend our heartfelt<br />
gratitude and appreciation to Ericsson<br />
South Africa for these remarkable<br />
gifts. The handover <strong>of</strong> the visual equipments<br />
is a clear demonstration <strong>of</strong> the<br />
business community’s commitment and<br />
leadership in the fight against crime,”<br />
said Ms Mkhize.<br />
Due to prevailing environment <strong>of</strong> <strong>20</strong>10<br />
Fifa Soccer World Cup in South Africa,<br />
Leeuwkop management approached the<br />
business community with a view to contribute<br />
material resources that could be<br />
used by deserving <strong>of</strong>fenders to watch the<br />
spectacular event and most importantly<br />
to leave behind a lasting legacy. The<br />
gesture is in line with the department’s<br />
Deputy Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hlengiwe<br />
Mkhize unveils the visual equipments donated by Ericsson<br />
South Africa<br />
vision <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fender rehabilitation through<br />
sport.<br />
The deputy minister continued that <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
should use <strong>20</strong>10 as the year <strong>of</strong><br />
recommitting themselves to take advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> prevailing opportunities before<br />
they are reintegrated back into society<br />
as law abiding citizens. “Remember<br />
that Utata uMadiba (Nelson Mandela)<br />
was released from prison on the 11th <strong>of</strong><br />
February 1990. This year in February,<br />
South Africa celebrated <strong>20</strong> years <strong>of</strong> his<br />
freedom. Take this opportunity to make<br />
your individual commitments as a tribute<br />
to this icon <strong>of</strong> our revolution and first<br />
democratic dispensation. This gesture is<br />
an acknowledgement <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fenders’<br />
humanity and their importance to society,<br />
hence the need to ensure that they get a<br />
chance to enjoy the World Cup in style,”<br />
she reminded the audience.<br />
During the <strong>of</strong>ficial opening <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Department</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong> Human<br />
Rights training at the Kroonstad<br />
College in 1998, former President Mandela<br />
commented, “The way that society<br />
treats its prisoners is one <strong>of</strong> the sharpest<br />
reflections <strong>of</strong> its character.”<br />
The event bears testimony that the department<br />
cannot succeed in its transformation<br />
agenda without partnering with<br />
business sectors to fight crime and ensure<br />
that “all South Africans are Safe and<br />
Feel Safe” in <strong>20</strong>10 and beyond. To demonstrate<br />
its readiness for the World Cup,<br />
the department provisionally availed 3<br />
800 bed spaces for World Cup related<br />
incarcerated inmates and 6 000 monitors<br />
in communal cells for approximately 163<br />
000 inmates country wide.<br />
Ericsson South Africa has now joined<br />
a growing list <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong><br />
friends. Ms Mkhize said that the department<br />
appreciates the gesture through<br />
innovation, technology, sustainable<br />
business solutions and<br />
knowledge that there<br />
are business leaders out<br />
there such as Mr Magnus<br />
Mchunguzi that continue<br />
to show an interest <strong>of</strong><br />
what correctional services<br />
is doing - to change<br />
the behaviour <strong>of</strong> those<br />
that find themselves in<br />
conflict with the law.<br />
“Education is key and<br />
we are honoured to contribute<br />
in a small measure<br />
to ensure that you<br />
get a second chance to<br />
realise your potential.<br />
Our path has taken us<br />
in your direction and we<br />
hope that through this sponsorship, you<br />
will learn new things in life. Be the shinning<br />
example and become progressive<br />
and successful when you look ahead,”<br />
said Mr Mchunguzi, explaining the rationale<br />
behind the investment.<br />
<strong>20</strong><br />
SA Corrections Today MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
2
Soccer lovers enjoying the opening match <strong>of</strong> the <strong>20</strong>10 Fifa World Cup between South Africa<br />
and Mexico at a maiden fan park within the Mordebee premises<br />
Mordebee’ presents a memorable<br />
World Cup opening By Mothapo Olivia<br />
There are a hype <strong>of</strong> activities at fan parks in places like Pretoria,<br />
Johannesburg, Midrand, Centurion, Kempton park and the all<br />
over the country, but centre based fans have <strong>of</strong>ten missed the<br />
fun as a result <strong>of</strong> the stinginess <strong>of</strong> their work environment.<br />
However, the Modderbee <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
challenged the notion <strong>of</strong> secluding<br />
centre based fans (<strong>of</strong>ficials) and<br />
gave them a real taste <strong>of</strong> what it feels<br />
like to be at a fan park. The Mordebee<br />
personnel brought the fan park right at<br />
The Area Commissioner <strong>of</strong> the Allandale Management Area, Mr<br />
Kosie Sinclair (on the right with eye wear and uniform) and Mr<br />
Craig Francis from the area commissioners’ <strong>of</strong>fice (left in uniform<br />
together with other interested spectators.<br />
R E G I O N A L N E W S<br />
their Mess Hall.<br />
The creativity and innovation came<br />
about when <strong>of</strong>ficials, who were put on<br />
standby, could not take vacation leave to<br />
experience the vibe that comes with the<br />
hosting <strong>of</strong> this huge international tourna-<br />
ment (<strong>20</strong>10 Fifa World Cup).<br />
The opening game on 11 June helped<br />
to reunite families from the Mordebee<br />
surroundings at a place where one would<br />
never associate with the word “fun”.<br />
Prison premises are regarded by most<br />
people as boring and depressing, but<br />
this time around, it was overwhelming<br />
to see SAPS members, <strong>Department</strong>s <strong>of</strong><br />
Justice and Education as well as Comair<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials having a pleasant time under the<br />
same ro<strong>of</strong>. Everybody blew their vuvuzelas<br />
in the name <strong>of</strong> soccer. The big screen<br />
brought the real sound and the atmosphere<br />
like that experienced by the fans<br />
who attended the match at the Soccer<br />
City Stadium. There were no regrets for<br />
the people who opted to watch the match<br />
at the maiden Mordebee fan park.<br />
The game had everybody sited on the<br />
edge <strong>of</strong> their chairs and when Simphiwe<br />
Tshabala scored the first goal for Bafana<br />
Bafana, the excitement moved some <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
to tears in disbelief <strong>of</strong> what they<br />
were experiencing. The sounds <strong>of</strong> the<br />
vuvuzelas infiltrated the ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the hall<br />
and connected with cheering noise that<br />
came from the direction <strong>of</strong> Daveyton (a<br />
township near Mordebee).<br />
After the game ended at 1 all draw, there<br />
were high expectations from the fans for<br />
Bafana Bafana’s game against Uruguay<br />
but they succumbed 3-0 to dampen the<br />
spirit <strong>of</strong> the Mzansi fans.<br />
Modderbee <strong>of</strong>ficials were delighted to<br />
be brought together with their external<br />
stakeholders to reinforce the relationship<br />
they have.<br />
Mr Nico Baloyi (Modderbee Area Commissioner)<br />
was acknowledged for making<br />
the event possible for the <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
and fans from around the area. He was<br />
assisted by Mr Khela Molefe and Collen<br />
Ndala to put the fan park together.<br />
Masses flock to see the<br />
Fifa World Cup Trophy<br />
By Louis Reinke<br />
Hundreds <strong>of</strong> local school children, correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials, community<br />
members and visitors from as far as Cape Town, stood<br />
in long queues on the 11th <strong>of</strong> May at Paulus Joubert Secondary<br />
School waiting anxiously to see the Fifa World Cup trophy live.<br />
Luckily, it was not a long wait. The trophy duly arrived and the<br />
Area Commissioner <strong>of</strong> the Allandale Management Area, Mr<br />
Kosie Sinclair was also there to witness the historic moment<br />
together with a small group <strong>of</strong> Allandale soccer supporters<br />
who stood next to the heavily secured gold trophy wrapped in<br />
a transparent glass box. The heavy presence <strong>of</strong> the security<br />
guards could also not be missed.<br />
Comrade runner makes<br />
DCS proud<br />
One brave <strong>Correctional</strong> Official, Mr Hope<br />
Selepe, joined thousands <strong>of</strong> athletes to contest<br />
for silverware and pride at the recent 89.28<br />
kilometres Comrade Marathon held in Durban<br />
on 30 May.<br />
Going into the marathon, Selepe was only content with finishing<br />
the race but outdone himself by finishing in the bronze medal<br />
bracket after clocking 10 hours and 36 minnutes on the finish<br />
line. He was among a group <strong>of</strong> runners who represented the department.<br />
The Comrades Marathon is the iconic world class ultra marathon<br />
and is rated as one <strong>of</strong> the biggest road races globally. It is the race that<br />
tests all the boundaries <strong>of</strong> human endurance.<br />
The <strong>20</strong> 0 Comrades Marathon was the 85th ultimate human race<br />
and it attracted 2 565 entries as a hallmark <strong>of</strong> celebrating its anniversary.<br />
It started from Pietermaritzburg and finished in Durban.<br />
Over the years, running has become a part <strong>of</strong> Selepe’s life style and<br />
a dream that the runner wanted to fulfil. The Comrades is the greatest<br />
single day running event on the South African calendar and Hope<br />
started to prepare for the race at least six months prior.<br />
“It is important for me to run comrades marathon because it a personal<br />
challenge and the distance needs to be respected. The distance<br />
is doable,” said Hope.<br />
Hope is not rated as a top runner, but he has run a number <strong>of</strong> short<br />
distance races like the Half Marathon (2 km), Full Marathons (42km),<br />
and Ultra – Marathons (52) which actually prepared him for the Comrades<br />
Marathon.<br />
“Training requires determination, discipline, dedication as well as<br />
consistency in what you are doing,” he says.<br />
Hope is also a keen reader who reads books like Runners World and<br />
Best Books for Competitive Running which helps him with maintaining<br />
tactical discipline during races.<br />
Hope said <strong>of</strong> the race, “The Comrades Marathon is the longest running<br />
race in the world. It is not the toughest, but it is certainly the<br />
cruellest. It takes no prisoners. The degree <strong>of</strong> its difficulty is further<br />
increased by enforced cut- <strong>of</strong>fs. These areas predetermined locations<br />
along the course, where if you don’t reach them by a certain time, you<br />
are not allowed to continue.”<br />
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N<br />
Mr Hope Selepe,The<br />
Regional<br />
Coordinator<br />
Inspections, after<br />
finishing the<br />
comrades <strong>20</strong>10,<br />
is welcomed and<br />
congratulated by<br />
LMN Region<br />
Allandale feels <strong>20</strong>10 fever<br />
The Allandale Management Area celebrated its 50 days<br />
<strong>20</strong>10 Fifa World Cup countdown by staging a joint Football<br />
Friday ceremony with members <strong>of</strong> all its correctional centres.<br />
Participating teams consisted <strong>of</strong> members from Allandale,<br />
Hawequa, Paardeberg, Obiqua Centre, Paarl Community Corrections<br />
and the area commissioner‘s <strong>of</strong>fice. The teams played<br />
several seven a-side matches.<br />
Allandale used home ground advantage as the host to win<br />
the final battle against Obiqua in a match that was decided on<br />
penalty shootouts.<br />
The supporters <strong>of</strong> all the teams participated in a diksi dance<br />
competition. It was won by Allandale Area Commissioner’s Office<br />
team at the knock-out round involving five teams. Supporters<br />
were all dress in Bafana Bafana attire while Mr Sthembiso<br />
Kaba, the Deputy President <strong>of</strong> SAFA in the Cape Winelands,<br />
addressed the participants by sharing with them stories on the<br />
history <strong>of</strong> the soccer world cup.<br />
The day ended with medals presentation by the Area Commissioner<br />
Mr Kosie Sinclair and later all enjoyed potjiekos.<br />
22 SA Corrections Today MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0<br />
2<br />
Letter<br />
Greetings in the Name <strong>of</strong> Jesus<br />
My name is Willie Jarmon. I am an <strong>of</strong>fender <strong>of</strong> a crime<br />
that I committed 23 years ago. Since my incarceration,<br />
many wonderful things have happened in my life.<br />
First <strong>of</strong> all, I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord<br />
and Savior, I am now living according to the word <strong>of</strong><br />
God (the Bible) on a daily basis .God’s faithfulness to<br />
me and my faithfulness to him has allowed me to accomplish<br />
so many things right here in prison. The Bible<br />
scriptures are right in saying, “Seek ye the kingdom<br />
first and all his righteousness things shall be added<br />
unto you.”<br />
The two most important things in life are the love and<br />
peace from God. I am writing this letter because I have<br />
been inspired by your newsletters (SA Corrections Today).<br />
So I request that you put me on your mailing list<br />
<strong>of</strong> the newsletter.<br />
- From Willie Jarmon,<br />
Drakenstein <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre
Commissioner’s 10 Days<br />
Countdown thrills paltry crowd<br />
By Molatelo Mokumo<br />
Bar the poor attendance by Head Office <strong>of</strong>ficials, the National<br />
Commissioner’s 10 Days Countdown ceremony held at the<br />
Pretoria Management Area on 1 June, demonstrated just how<br />
correctional <strong>of</strong>ficials in partnership with their counterparts at<br />
SANDF and SAPS are feeling the Fifa World Cup- because it is<br />
here!<br />
The day’s events started with a km fun<br />
walk and died down with soccer matches<br />
involving DCS, SANDF and SAPS<br />
teams.<br />
The event unfolded with the theme, “DCS<br />
supports Bafana Bafana.” Head Office Officials<br />
were released at 0am to go support the<br />
National commissioner’s initiative but many<br />
opted to spend the unsupervised time elsewhere<br />
much to the dismay <strong>of</strong> event coordinator<br />
Ms Mami Diale. She said, “The atmosphere<br />
was amazing. It is just unfortunate that<br />
most <strong>of</strong> the Head Office <strong>of</strong>ficials, who were<br />
released to come and support this initiative,<br />
opted to go shopping during <strong>of</strong>ficial time.”<br />
Obiqua: A group <strong>of</strong> Allandale Management Area <strong>of</strong>ficial rallying<br />
behind the National Team. They also held a wellness day<br />
S P O R T N E W S<br />
However, a certain Ms Zippora Rakoma<br />
restored parity to the thrills and spins <strong>of</strong> the<br />
day by uniting all the participants when she<br />
taught them how to do the Diski Dance. In<br />
her spare moment <strong>of</strong> fame, Ms Rakoma said,<br />
“I feel very grateful to be leading this team<br />
on the Diski Dance. It was enjoyable and<br />
a fulfilling exercise and I’d definitely do it<br />
again.”<br />
Rakoma said she downloaded the Diski<br />
Dance routine on the internet and taught herself<br />
how to dance with a group <strong>of</strong> friends at<br />
home. When the CDC Corporate <strong>Services</strong> Mr<br />
Alfred Tsetsane descended the grand stands<br />
to address the <strong>of</strong>ficials on behalf <strong>of</strong> the Na-<br />
24 SA Corrections Today<br />
Allandale rallies behind Bafana Bafana<br />
By Louis Reinke<br />
Ms Zippora Rakoma leading <strong>of</strong>ficials to a<br />
diski dance<br />
tional Commissioner whose presence to the<br />
event was robbed by the escapes <strong>of</strong> 4 <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />
at Harrismith, his throngs and noise<br />
<strong>of</strong> blowing the vuvuzela added some energy<br />
The pace setters <strong>of</strong> the 3km fun walk<br />
<strong>of</strong> the National Commissioner’s 10 Days<br />
Countdown event<br />
to the dull event. He blew it like a seasoned<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional.<br />
He said, “Our 2 -man squad is out. We<br />
sympathize with the five players that have<br />
been left out. The team is ready to perform<br />
and they show determination whenever they<br />
play and the technical team continues to do<br />
a sterling work. Let us go out there and give<br />
them our support.”<br />
Dejected DCS players comfort one another<br />
at half time after trailing 4-0 to SANDF<br />
team. They got two consolation goals in the<br />
second half<br />
He concluded with a special message from<br />
the National Commissioner Mr Tom Moyane<br />
that says, “Let the games begin.”<br />
Allandale Management Area held a wellness day on <strong>20</strong> May as<br />
their symbolic gesture <strong>of</strong> rallying behind the South African national<br />
soccer team. The wellness day was staged as a continuation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Woza Football Friday initiative. It was held at the Obiqua<br />
Centre-Tulbach.<br />
The day started <strong>of</strong>f with an HIV and Aids memorial service with<br />
guests and schoolchildren from the local community. The event was<br />
followed by soccer matches between various centres such as Allandale,<br />
Hawequa, Paardeberg and Obiqua with seven players a side.<br />
Ladies soccer was also part <strong>of</strong> the festivities.<br />
There were also indoor sports which included darts, dominoes, table<br />
tennis and karaoke.<br />
The day ended with a braai and potjie.<br />
Obiqua centre was crowned the winner after their soccer team beat<br />
Allandale 2- in the penalty shoot out.