20 - Department of Correctional Services

i n s i d e
Adopt a new
work ethos;
Minister
DCS in
Youth
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
mourning over
Month Cel-
fallen hero
ebrations
3 8
MAY/JUNE 20 0
10
2010
World Cup
20
MAY/JUNE 2010
Commissioner
Moyane sets
the tone for
service
excellence
By Molatelo Mokumo and Estelle Coetzee
The New National
Commissioner of Correctional
Services, Mr Tom Moyane is a
man on a mission and has a
vision and a clearly outlined
plan to make corrections a
societal responsibility.
Continued on page 4

SA Corrections Today is the national
internal newsletter of the Department
of Correctional Services, Republic of
South Africa
Patron: Minister of Correctional
Services, Deputy Minister of
Correctional Services
Editor in Chief: Bheki Manzini
News Editor: Molatelo Mokumo
Layout Editor: Nathan van den Bergh
Published by the Department of
Correctional Services, Private Bag
X136, Pretoria 0001.
Tel: (012) 307 2296 Fax: (012) 323 4942
Repro and printing facilitated by the
Government Printing Works, Pretoria.
The opinions expressed in SA
Corrections Today are those of
the authors and do not necessarily
represent those of the editor or the
Department of Correctional Services.
The editor reserves the right to alter any
contribution or not to publish it.
Letters to the editor that are published
in this newsletter represent the personal
view of the writers and do not reflect the
views of the Department of Correctional
Services. The editor reserves the right
to amend or reject letters. Letters should
be sent to The Editor, SA Corrections
Today, Private Bag X136, Pretoria
0001 and must be clearly marked “For
publication in SA Corrections Today”.
It can also be e-mailed to:
Molatelo.Mokumo@dcs.gov.za
Copyright is reserved on all material in
this publication. Permission has to be
sought in writing.
2 SA Corrections Today
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
DCS congratulate its own professor
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Ms Hlengiwe Buhle
Mkhize has been appointed as an Honorary Professor in the
Psychology Department, at the University of South Africa
(UNISA).
The appointment is in recognition
of her lifelong contribution in the
fields of psychology, politics, human
rights, community development and the
diplomatic corporations.
The appointment is effective from 1
June.
Professor Mkhize is an active member
of the African National Congress where
she served in various capacities.
As a Commissioner in the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, Prof. Mkhize
chaired the Reparations Committee. She
later travelled the world sharing her experiences
and lessons learnt to other
countries facing similar challenges.
She has served in various high level
committees such Chairperson of Transparency
International S.A.; the Goldstone
Commission Committee; and as
Vice President of the Member States at
the International Criminal Court.
Prof. Mkhize has contributed extensively
in the field of mental health as a
practicing clinical psychologist and academically
as a lecturer in the field.
She has participated internationally at
conferences and seminars in programs
addressing issues such as human rights,
the effects of torture on victims, children
in armed conflict, mental health of women
political repatriates, the use of drugs
among adolescents and the challenge of
child mental health.
As Deputy Minister of Correctional
Services she continues to focus her
energies on women and children in our
correctional centers with the same zeal
that has become the hallmark of both her
work and personal life.
Before she was appointed Deputy
Minister of Correctional Services Prof.
Mkhize served the country as the Ambassador
to Netherlands.
Minister celebrates Freedom Day
with KZN officials By Nokuthula Zikhali
Officials from the KwaZulu Natal Region’s seven management
areas celebrated the provincial leg of the Freedom Day on 30
April with Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and also witnessed
as she officially unveiled new Parole Board and Dog Unit offices.
Ms Mapisa-Nqakula was accompanied
by the CDC for Development
and Care Ms Subashnee Moodley,
Eastern Cape Regional Commissioner Ms
Nontsikelelo Jolingana to an event that was
attended by Mr Mnikelwa Nxele (RC KZN),
offenders from Kokstad Management Area,
Minister Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula
and KZN Regional
Commissioner
Mnikelwa Nxele
getting to know her
officials in KwaZulu
Natal during the
celebrations of
Freedom Day.
local stakeholders and sister government departments.
In her address the, minister called on everyone
to recall the mixture of sadness and
fondness witnessed on the day Nelson Mandela
walked out of the then Victor Verster
Prison on 0 February 990. She also sent
We serve with pride! The Amathole Management Area Commissioner, Ms Noziphiwo
Dumbela, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Commissioner, Mr Tom Moyane
share a delightful moment with the Head of Middledrift Correctional Centre, Marius Palvie
who had just received a 30 year service award.
Adopt a new work ethos; Minister
By: Zama Feni
Correctional officials who have just joined the Department of
Correctional Services should adopt a new work ethos that will
help to push the department’s vision forward.
This was a message from the Minister
of Correctional Services Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula during the graduation
ceremony of more than 500 learners at two
separate ceremonies held at the St Albans
and East London Correctional Centres on 07
and 08 June.
The St Albans certificates awards ceremony
had a total of 2 9 learners who are currently
stationed at the Sada, Kirkwood and St Albans
Management Areas while the East London
ceremony had 4 graduates who are
stationed at the Mthatha, Amathole and East
London Management Areas.
In her welcoming address, Regional Com-
everyone back the memory lane at the historical
moment of the 27th of April 994,
when he (Mr Nelson Mandela) was sworn as
the first democratically elected President of
the country, with pride and fond memories.
“I am reflecting on this rich path that all of
us travelled to attain our democracy. On occasions
such as this one, we should always
quote from some of the most inspiring words
of his speech on that day, to remind ourselves
what this freedom means to each one of us”,
said the Minister .
The Minister also directed her message to
the offenders who were attending the event
and said that the nature of the crimes they
missioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana said, “Our
organisation is plagued by a lot of negativity,
which I believe it’s incumbent on everyone
of us to uproot it from its deepest roots. If
we continue to fuel negative energy, we will
walk the talk and remain negative. But if we
strive for excellence, we shall achieve the
desired outcome. We are what we repeatedly
do.”
At both the ceremonies, Ms Mapisa-Nqakula
told the new graduates that “you have a
huge challenge to help change human behaviour,
a task that is not very easy. This is a task
that will demand diligence and commitment
at all times.”
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula giving an
interview to the SABC at the opening of the
Parole Board office in KwaZulu Natal
MAY/JUNE 20 0
She added that the department expects an
official who will never abuse inmates and do
all sorts of illegal practices. She said that she
expects that the graduates will adhere to the
code of conduct at all times.
She called for programmes to ensure that
the use of offender labour is intensified and
that young offenders should be encouraged
to study.
“We cannot have a situation where offenders
watch TV and bask in the sun the whole
day – at some time in your lives, you will
leave the correctional centres and it will be
better for you to leave with something in
your hand,” she said.
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula
congratulating Ms Johanna Classen,the
Head of Kirkwood Centre of Excellence
for her 30 years of service with the
department.
On the other hand, the National Commissioner
Tom Moyane called on the graduates
to work smarter, be accountable and ensure
sustainability of rehabilitation programmes
for the offenders.
Commissioner Moyane said the department
cannot allow its image to be tainted by
a few corrupt individuals. He said he would
encourage inter-regional sessions where regions
will be copy best practices from the
each other.
He said in a few months time, he would
like to meet all the Area Commissioners, Regional
Heads, Heads of Correctional Centres
to discuss issues of concern.
have committed, does not have to mean the
end of their lives. She said that all offenders
have got a second chance offered through
various rehabilitation programmes. “No human
being was born, as a rule of nature, to
lead a criminal life, to be a gangster and to
have no inkling of compassion for the other
human beings,” emphasizes the Minister.
In conclusion, the Minister said freedom
should be a platform to renew our call for
an end to domestic violence and the abuse of
women and children where we should all reserve
our profound intolerance for those, who
in order to satisfy their sick desires, harm and
destroy the innocence of our children.

Continued from front page
Commissioner Moyane
sets the tone for service
excellence
He adopts a correctional service
department that has overcrowded
prisons, corrupt officials colluding
with offenders during escapes, qualified
financial reports, low staff morale, active
moratorium and is exercising belt tightening
measures among other challenges.
The global recession looks more real at
correctional services to a point that you
can see, touch and feel at all corners of
DCS be it at centre-based or not.
Though a strategic level, his obvious
assignments would among others be to;
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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Root out corruption among officials
Bring to an end the status quo of
getting qualified reports every financial
year
Put public safety first (It is against
this that the department’s performance
is measured)
Push for the review of the entire
criminal justice system to support
the department’s means of managing
overcrowding
Tighten security and put an end to
escapes
Render a human based service that
looks at treatment as a priority
Invest in skills development and
education for both officials and offenders
Facilitate a review of the strategic
plan.
He speaks with conviction and his ac-
tions are just as assuring as his spoken
words. With less than three months in office,
Commissioner Moyane, as expected,
has already taken the front row seat
to drive the service delivery vehicle of the
department as it remains on course to be
one of the best service providers in the
world by delivering correctional services
with integrity and commitment to excellence.
The Commissioner kicked off his new
correctional aspirations by addressing
the Head Office staff on his fist day at
work on 17 May to set the pace and inform
the officials of the type of personnel
he wanted in his arsenal.
He said in his first official address,
“This day marks the beginning of a new
chapter in a long journey to effectively
transform our department as a collective,
into a department that is responsive
and capable to execute its mandate with
integrity, commitment and excellence.
The latter three pillars are possible only
4 SA Corrections Today
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
if we can inculcate a culture of accountability
in all the relevant disciplines of our
work environment. The products we are
charged to transform and help integrate
back into the society after incarceration,
are fellow human beings who have deviant
behaviour.”
Eight days after his welcome, Minister
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula introduced
the national commissioner to his strategic
partners in government at the Portfolio
Committee in Parliament (on 25 May).
He briefly addressed the committee
wherein he said he had been learning
about the department and had engaged
with counterparts in the Criminal Justice
Cluster to encourage a relationship of
mutuality.
He committed himself that he would
approach the minister on matters such
as staffing shortfalls, among other issues,
and keep the committee informed
on progress made. He said that he saw
the role of the Portfolio Committee as not
just mandatory one, but as a partner.
“We need to work together to
increase the number of offenders
participating in rehabilitation
programmes.”
- Mr Tom Moyane
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee
on Corrections Mr Vincent Smith
gave the new leadership of correctional
services the thumbs and said he is hopeful
the new leadership team would be
more effective.
With the appointment of Commissioner
Moyane among others, the minister also
pronounced at that meeting that the DCS
now had a committed leadership, and
that there would be a transfer of senior
managers to close leadership gabs
in the department, and because others
have been long in comfort zones. She
remarked that the DCS now had committed
leadership in the national commissioner
and the Chief Financial Officer (Mr
Sphiwe Sokhela).
Seventeen days later (on 2 June), the
commissioner was beginning to win the
hearts of correctional officials when he
held a historic teleconference with the
officials across the country using 198 listening
stations to get everyone on board.
The teleconference was mainly held for
the commissioner to introduce himself to
the entire staff members and to communicate
his vision. From his address he
continued from his welcome address
with Head Office officials on 17 May,
wherein he emphasized three pillars he
regards should be the cornerstones of
service delivery, namely integrity, commitment
and excellence. He told officials
that he was not bringing a magic wand to
the department but would take a cue from
President Jacob Zuma’s book and work
smart to achieve the desired results.
He said, “Building trust among ourselves
is a qualitative approach of solving
the challenges our department is
faced with. Our fore bearers have laid a
solid foundation that includes the White
Paper for us to expand on. We must not
allow a few rotten officials to destabilise
our rhythm.” His timing of joining the
department couldn’t have been more
wrong. He came in while the department
had just experienced one of the highest
escapes in the current democratic dispensations.
The 41 remand detainees
had escaped at Harrismith Correctional
Centre. For that he said was not the kind
of welcome he had wished for. Together
with the minister they were called to act
and they subsequently dismissed two
senior officials summarily.
He reached for staff participation, “We
need to work together to increase the
number of offenders participating in rehabilitation
programmes. We must also
root out corruption among ourselves; reduce
the public’s negative perceptions of
government and change people’s minds
and attitudes about how they view us. We
must always remember that the South
African masses have invested over R15
billion in us to deliver an improved service,”
he said.
His other intensions to move the department
out of the bad books of the Auditor
General where bussed to peak with the
appointment of the Chief Financial Officer
Mr Sokhela (CDC Finance). Commissioner
Moyane described the department’s
new CDC Finance, who also
started duty with him on the same day,
as a man with a no-nonsense approach
to financial management, unquestionable
experience and qualification bound
to lead DCS to its goal of recording an
unqualified audit opinion.
“For us to achieve this vision we must
quickly review our Strategic Plan to align
it with the prescripts of the “White paper
on Corrections in South Africa”. Management
will quickly and urgently have
to deal with these strategic imperatives.
Most importantly though, is the fact that
our success does not rest solely on management.
Every official has an important
role to play,” concluded the commissioner
further urging the need for every
official to push his own barrow within the
organisation and to make it successful.
Portfolio Committee pleased with
major service delivery improvements
By Molatelo Mokumo
Members of the Portfolio Committee on Corrections ended their
week long oversight visit to five correctional facilities in four
regions with confidence that their efforts to see service delivery
levels improving in correctional centres were yielding results.
The Committee visited Leeuwkop, Pretoria,
Rusternburg, New Kimberly and
Durban Westville Correctional centres
between the 2nd and the 6th of August 20 0
to assess the amount of work done since their
earlier visit in May this year.
National Commissioner Tom Moyane also
took part in three of the five visits and drew
solace upon hearing positive commendations
from the committee Chairperson Mr Vincent
Smith when he said that things were improving
in the department.
Commissioner Moyane was quick to point
out that the department will act decisively to
correct a number of challenges raised by the
Portfolio Committees during their visit. He
assured the committed that the era of “skop
en donner is no longer with us. The incarceration
of those that committed serious crimes,
does not give us permission to double their
punishment.”
He committed the Department to address
leadership weaknesses, victimisation of officials
who speak out, officials who lie to
members of Parliament and to prioritise the
reclassification of offenders. He told the officials
that, “the Portfolio Committee are not
our enemy or adversaries, they are here to
identify blind spots for us to see key service
delivery improvements areas which may not
be obvious to us. We should refrain from lying
or misleading them. It is unacceptable to
give the Portfolio Committee sugar-coated
reports.”
When Portfolio Committee visited in May,
they held both Departments of Correctional
Services and Public Works accountable for
lack of service witnessed at the time. They
insisted to see improvements in strategic
areas such as; administration; facilities; inmate
labour and privileges; Development
and Care; Social Reintegration as well addressing
overcrowding through among others,
Awaiting Trial Detainees programme and
bail protocol.
Speaking at a debriefing at the end of the
oversight visit in Durban, the committee
Chairperson Mr Smith said, “We overall happy
with what has been achieved in improving
correctional facilities since our previous visit
in May 20 0.” The committee recommended
that the New Kimberly facility, be used to accommodate
juveniles and/or offenders who
commands a positive attitude in life and not
hardened criminals serving long sentences.
They also called for the demolition of a temporary
zinc facility erected for juvenile offenders
in Leeuwkop. The makeshift facility
was build under the pretext of a temporary
structure but it’s been in use for more than
0 years.
Mr Smith promised to undertake unannounced
visits to correctional facilities visited
during the week to assess progress on
projects set for completion before December
20 0.
Correctional Services has assured the parliamentarians
that the Kokstad Maximum
Correctional Centre with 440 bed-space capacity
will be filled by December 2010 as infrastructure
challenges and limitations have
been largely addressed.
MAY/JUNE 20 0
Members of the Portfolio Committees on
Corrections and Public Works addressing
offenders at the New Kimberley a week
after one of its sections was torched.
Kokstad is the most secure facility in the
country but due to infrastructure limitations,
it is only 8% occupied, a matter the Correctional
Services Portfolio Committee raised
emphatically during its May 20 0 visit.
Since holding both Departments of Correctional
Services and Public Works in May to
account for these challenges, improvements
made include: ventilation, hot water, standby
generators and kitchen equipment which
have been fixed. The Portfolio Committee on
Public Works also joined the oversight visits
from day three to account on their responsibility
areas around correctional facilities.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee
on Corrections Mr Vincent Smith gives an
overviews of their oversight visit to five
facilities while his counterpart in Public
Works Mr Godfrey Olifant and the KZN RC
Mr Mnikelwa Nxele looks on
Both departments highlighted that further
maintenance work to fix non-functioning
boilers, leaking roofs, falling ceilings, broken
window panes, non-operational security
taut-wire and main water supply pipes are
being addressed and will be completed before
the end of the year. Most of the funds
will be sourced from the allocated budget of
R8 0m for the Repair and Maintenance Programme
(RAMP) nationally for the current
financial year. Public Works confirmed that
over R5. million had already been spent or
committed in Kokstad and Durban Westville
Correctional Centres.
Also addressing the meeting, the Chairperson
of the Portfolio Committee on Public
Works Mr. Godfrey Olifant appreciated
progress made but called for sustainability of
the infrastructure maintenance programme
by both departments. He called for the development
of a multiyear infrastructure maintenance
plan for all correctional facilities.
The Departments raised key causes of infrastructure
degradation which would need
to also be addressed. These include serious
overcrowding as the Durban Westville Management
Area which houses over 0 000 inmates
while it was designed to accommodation
6000 inmates.
5

M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
Minister lauds ‘Jenny’s leadership
By Molatelo Mokumo
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula lauded the CDC
Operations and Management Support, Ms Jenny Schreiner
for her sterling job while she took charge of the department’s
administration as the Acting National Commissioner.
Ms Schreiner steered the correctional
service ship on an acting capacity
for a commendable months (from
July 2009 to May 20 0). Her efforts did not
go unnoticed. Fittingly, the minister sang her
(Ms Schreiner) praises whilst introducing the
new incumbent, Mr Tom Moyane on 7 May
in Pretoria. As per norm, senior and junior
members of staff were present when Ms Schreiner
and Mr Moyane swop seats.
Officials speak to Commissioner
Moyane By Molatelo Mokumo
In a groundbreaking move to encourage dialogue between
management and officials, the new National Commisioner, Mr
Tom Moyane afforded the officials a platform to voice their
concerns and be heard during a teleconference meeting held on
2 June.
The teleconference was held for the commissioner
to communicate his vision to
the members and for the members to
raise their praises and concerns.
Officials tuned in across the country’s correctional
facilities using 98 listening stations
to listen to the commissioner speaking.
Representatives from each of the six regions
aired their concerted views to the commissioner,
most of which restricted their views
Minister Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula after
exchanging flower with the
outgoing Acting National
Commissioner Jenny
Schreiner at the welcoming
ceremony of the new
commissioner in Pretoria
Some of the officials
who attended
the National
Commissioner’s
teleconference at
Head Office.
to warmly welcoming him and wishing him
a healthy stay at the department.
Representing Gauteng, Mr Emmanuel Khoza,
the Regional Head; Corporate Services
said, “We welcome you commissioner and
we pledge our support. There are challenges
in Gauteng like elsewhere in the regions, but
we can assure you that we will work through
them to give our best.”
Mr William Mzileni, the Regional Coordi-
6 SA Corrections Today
To the outgoing Acting National Commissioner,
the minister said, “Thank you very
much Jenny for holding the fort at a time
when we did not have a national commissioner.
Thank you for your leadership, guidance,
patience and commitment. It was not
an easy task assigned to you but you pulled
it through. I know there were moments when
you wanted to quit but I persuaded you not
to. You hung in there up to this day.”
The minister extended her gratitude to the
top management for giving Ms Schreiner
their full support. “Jenny was enabled to
lead this organisation because of your full
support. She did it because you allowed it to
happen. My sincere gratitude to all of you,”
said the minister.
She also singled out Ms Nandi Mareka who
had been the Acting Chief Financial Officer
(Acting CDC Finance) when the minister
was deployed to correctional services. The
department now has a full time Finance CDC
in Mr Siphiwe Sokhela, who resumed his duties
on 7 May together with Commissioner
Moyane
nator; HR Management and Support in Kwa-
Zulu Natal said, “The implementation of 7
– day establishment has disadvantaged us because
we are short staffed and the migration
of officials from centre based to non-centre
based and vice versa, had also affected us.
We also want to be informed on the second
phase roll out of OSD.”
It was always going to be a mission to represent
Free State and Northern Cape post
the escapes of 4 remand detainees in the
region’s Harrismith’s Correctional Centre.
Mr Gustav Wilson, the regional Head; Development
and Care, stepped up and said,
“The Harrismith incident was not our desired
welcome for you national commissioner. We
remain committed to implement the shift
system of the 7 – day establishment despite
being challenged with shortage of personnel.
We know there are budgetary constraints but
we wish to have the Corrections Excellence
Awards retained in recognition of officials’
service excellence.”
Mr Joe Makgoba, the Regional Head;
Development and Care in Limpopo, Mpumalang
and North West simply welcomed
Commissioner Moyane and invited him to
visit his region. He said that LMN supports
the commissioner’s pillars needed to deliver
service with integrity and excellence.
Eastern Cape Region’s Alfred Magaila
said, “We are committed and pledge our support
and we will follow the direction the national
commissioner is leading us to. We also
want to contribute towards changing public
perception as we rebuild the image of our
department.”
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
Take a stand against HIV/Aids;
Ms Mkhize By Ofentse Morwane
“It is important that we all take personal and collective
responsibility to alleviate the impact of HIV and Aids in our
communities.” That was the message from the Deputy Minister
Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize during her address at the Western Cape
regional candle light memorial event held at Goodwood
Management Area on 20 May.
need to promote the rights
of those infected and affect- “We
ed, to care, treat and support
them. It is important to promote humanity
and to create an enabling environment
where there is no stigmatization and discrimination,”
continued the deputy minister.
The deputy minister also unveiled the
commitment stone which affirmed the
Western Cape Region as it resolves to
fight the scourge of the HIV and Aids
Western Cape Region’s Freddie Engelbrecht
(Deputy Regional Commissioner) said,
“We support the principles of the White Paper.
We are committed to fighting corruption.
We embrace your vision and we will provide
you with simple answers were we can. We
hope you will finalise the implementation of
OSD for social workers. We lament the migration
of non-centre based officials to centre
based purely because they want to retain
their housing units..”
In response, Commissioner Moyane said,
“The challenges you have raised affects all
of us. I intend to visit all the facilities in my
tenure of office to see the conditions under
which you work in. We primarily need to
deal with security appropriately. I am still
receiving briefing on all matters of OSD and
I’m planning to meet with organised labour
to address this matter and the 2X 2 shift system.”
He also promised to look at the public service
appointment to address under staffing,
awarding excellence and identifying quick
wins. He also expressed confidence in junior
officials as he said, “At times those at lower
ranks are more empowered with information
that could propel this department to greater
heights but are ignored.”
He said that he was not going to revise the
allocated budget but he would address the
skilling and training of officials. He urged
the regions to learn and share best practices
among themselves while he would be benchmarking
from other countries to see how best
they run corrections.
pandemic. She further encouraged all
the attendants to participate in voluntary
counselling and testing arranged by the
Department of Health on the day.
She highlighted the Department of Correctional
Services’ concerted efforts to
address HIV and Aids through:
• Utilizing the outcome of the 2006
prevalence survey to inform the strategic
direction;
• Partnering with external stakeholders
to enhance capacity for the provisioning
of services;
• The accreditation of correctional centres
as ARV sites for the provisioning
of Anti-retroviral treatment and
• The identification of HIV and AIDS
as a significant prioritized risk within
the department and reporting to the
risk committee quarterly.
Ms Mkhize also emphasised the need
to break the silence, banish stigma and
discrimination, and to ensure total inclusiveness
in the struggle against AIDS.
MAY/JUNE 20 0
“Today we are joining the world to commemorate
the International Aids Candlelight
Memorial, a program of the Global
Health Council, which is one of the oldest
and largest grassroots mobilization
campaigns for HIV and AIDS awareness
over the world.This week as we mark 27
years since the launch of the campaign
(World Aids Day), we remember the lives
of those who succumbed to the scourge
of HIV and Aids. Whilst it has become a
norm to remember those who lost their
lives, it is also important not to forget
those left behind after losing their parents,
brothers and sisters. Most of us
have personal experiences, and even
know too many who have lost loved ones
to the HIV and Aids pandemic,” said
Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize, Western Cape Regional Commissioner James Smalberger
and Regional Head Corporate Services Themba Magagula during the candle light memorial
event at Goodwood Management Area.
Deputy Minister Mkhize.
The event, which coincided with Goodwood
Management Area’s official opening
of the Mbombela Sport Grounds,
Ms Mkhize also emphasised the
need to break the silence, banish
stigma and discrimination, and to
ensure total inclusiveness in the
struggle against AIDS.
was held under the theme “many lights
for human rights through sports.” It was
attended by officials from various sectors
including the Departments of Health and
Social Development. It is held annually
to raise awareness on the negative impact
of the HIV and Aids epidemic to the
department and the community.
7

M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
DCS in mourning
over fallen hero
The correctional family came in their numbers to honour
and celebrate the life of the late Thomas Malamatsho,
affectionately known as Zero. Zero, who was killed execution
style at his home in Mamelodi on Monday 9 July was given a
hero’s farewell at a memorial service in Pretoria on 27 July.
Contrary to his nick name, Zero was
hailed as a “hero”, a coach, a teacher,
father and in particular, a selfless
hero who taught many newcomers to
the department much of what there is to
know about matters of
security in correctional
facilities.
His family
members, including
his wife
Rahab and
son Archibald,
were present
when Thomas’s
commendable
career was
shared with the
packed auditorium.
Despite not
having known
Thomas personally,
National
C o m m i s s i o n e r
Tom Moyane said
he was humbled
by those who
spoke eloquently
about Zero. Mr
Moyane said Zero’sassassination
was convenient
for those who
did what they did
to him because
he was to testify
as a state witness
against them.
Commissioner Moyane admitted that
corrections were a risky business and
added that security needed to be provid-
Mr Michael Mamotheti was pleased to see
his cousin being given a hero’s farewell at a
DCS memorial service
8 SA Corrections Today
Commissioner Tom Moyane and Ms Grace
Molatedi comfort Mr Malamatsho’s wife
Rahab over tea after the memorial service
held in Pretoria
ed for officials who did the kind of work
that Thomas did. “We have failed Thomas.
Had we taken precautionary measures,
this would not have happened. My
admission to failing Thomas means we
must take corrective steps to protect
those whose lives are threatened simply
because they are executing their duties,”
he said.
Continued Commissioner Moyane,
“The peacefulness we enjoy in South Africa
today is a result of sacrifices made
by people like Thomas. Let his death not
be in vain. Thomas was a model correctional
official. I call him my hero.”
Family spokesperson, Mr Michael
Mamotheti said when the family left home
to attend the memorial service, they had
intended to mourn the death of Zero but
they left in comfort after realizing that the
deceased was celebrated and respected
by his peers in correctional services. “We
also looked up to him at home. He was a
principled person who loved his family,”
said Mamotheti.
Mamotheti said his family was pleased
to learn that his death was not in vain
and added that they appreciated the department’s
honesty in admitting that they
Mr Malamatsho’s family also came in numbers to hear comforting
testimonies from the friends and colleagues of Zero
failed Zero. He said the family now wishes
the police could show similar commitment
and nail those who killed Zero.
Zero’s friend Phillemon Mabote, his
colleagues Ms Ruth Mokoka, Mr Abbey
Rahlogo and Mr Sydney Magaga were
among those who shared inspirational
stories that provided insight into the life
Zero led before he was killed.
M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
Maifadi given a dignified memorial
and burial By Molatelo Mokumo
Scores of uniformed correctional officials joined friends and
family members of the late Mr Bethuel Maifadi in Mamelodi
Township to give him a proper send off to his final resting place.
Over 200 correctional officials led by the
CDC Corporate Services, aptly dressed
in uniform, attended the funeral service
of Mr Maifadi.
Maifadi succumbed to a short illness on 5
June after leading a years career long with
the Department of Correctional Services at
the age of 9. He was buried in Mamelodi on
Saturday 26 June.
During the home service at the day of his
burial, friends and relatives continued to
share the greatest moments they had with the
Maifadi, most of whom described him as a
sociable person.
Maifadi was also given a proper correctional
services send off at a packed Pretoria
Management Area Mess Hall on Wednesday
2 June with the National Commissioner Mr
Tom Moyane also in attendance.
“Death grant for
fallen heroes tax
free,” Commissioner
Fallen heroes of Correctional Services
that die in the line of duty will receive a tax
free death grant as directed by National
Commissioner, Tom Moyane. Following
the death of Thomas “Zero” Malamatsho
– a C-Max official who was gunned down
in Mamelodi East, National Commissioner
Tom Moyane said the death grants for
fallen correctional officials should not be
taxed and must be paid to deserving officials’
families without undue delay.
In terms of the Death Grant policy a
taxable amount of R200 000 should be
paid to qualifying officials that die in the
line of duty, a matter Commissioner Moyane
said must be reversed. The Finance
Branch returned and confirmed in the
budget committee meeting that the current
tax law does provide for tax exemption
of the lump sum paid for deaths in the
line of duty, with the necessary processes
followed. Also in terms of the policy,
a stringent process of verifying the claim
of “death in the line of duty” must be followed
to objectively determine qualifying
cases. Commissioner Moyane called for
quick finalisation of outstanding cases.
At the memorial service of Mr Maifadi,
The visibly compassionate Commissioner
Moyane, who acknowledged that he did not
DCS family together with the Maifadis at the
memorial service held in Pretoria to honour
the last Bethuel Maifadi
know Bethuel in person, said that he was
reliably informed about the good deeds that
Speaking at a joint meeting of the Corrections
and Public Works Portfolio
Committees in Durban following their
oversight visit there, Commissioner Moyane
told senior correctional officials to address
all issues of ill discipline in the department.
He said, “There is a serious lack of discipline
MAY/JUNE 20 0
Mr Maifadi did for the department in his
years of service. “I am told Bethuel made a
significant contribution to our department.
Judging by your presence here today, I have
no doubt that we have lost a soldier. When a
soldier succumbs to death in combat while
serving the nation, we have an obligation
to salute him because he has done what he
was assigned to do. He has left a void in our
organization. Death is like a thief, it comes
when you least expect it. We are grieving
with the Maifadi family. Bethuel’s death has
also touched us.
“It is people like Bethuel whom we rely
upon to help our course to make correctional
services an employer of choice. We are saddened
by his death. May we continue to support
his family and give them guidance in this
hour of need as Bethuel, the son, husband,
colleague, father and friend rests in peace,”
said Commissioner Moyane.
The late Maifadi ( 9) was described by his
friends and colleagues as a hard working person
who always did his work with diligence
and also enjoyed his social life. Among those
who spoke of Mr Maifadi’s contribution at
the department, were his supervisor Mr Ashley
Krishna Dutt, his closest friend Mr Abner
Mathabe and his boss Mr Jerry Somaru.
Commissioner calls for professional
conduct By Molatelo Mokumo
National Commissioner Tom Moyane says he wants to instill the
culture of discipline in the department with immediate effect,
and that starts with the adherence of the correct dress code.
Leading by example: Commissioner Tom
Moyane shows the correct way of wearing
uniform.
in our department. I request all heads of centres
and regional commissioners to address
it. Ill discipline can be defined by the way we
walk, the way we talk, the way we address
each other and in the way we dress. I want
discipline to be brought back in correctional
services. All of us are equal in this organization
despite our distinguishing ranks and
therefore the victimization of officials or offenders
will not be tolerated in any form or
shape. We all have the rights to express our
own opinions even if they differ to those of
our seniors.”
He said his call for professional conduct
among members was not calling for the militarization
of the Correctional Services but,
“for a correctional official who has ethics,
one whom when he or she walks, the shoes
are polished and is fully dressed in uniform.”
He also stressed that there is a serious need
of strong leadership with vision in some centres
and that heads of centres are expected to
know and understand everything that is happening
in their facilities.
9

M A N A G E M E N T N E W S
Deputy Minister Mkhize handing over gifts to delightful children at the launch of Child
Protection Week
Children receives the treat to remember
By Molatelo Mokumo
Correctional Services support national government programmes
aimed at protecting the wellbeing of children in South Africa.
This year, on 22 May, Deputy Minister
Hlengiwe Mkhize officiated an event at
Pretoria Management Area that focused
on strengthening the bonds between female
offenders and their families.
The event took place a day after President
Jacob Zuma launched the national government
programme for Child Protection Week
in Atteridgeville outside Pretoria. On the
same day the president also launched the
implementation of the newly amended Children’s
Act, which has a stronger focus on
child protection.
The strengthening of family ties upholds
one of the Imbeleko Project’s aims which
Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize shares a smile with
Mr Chries Briel of the Bikers that Care
following the success of the event. Bikers
that care donated most of the gifts handed
over to children.
is to find alternative and safe placement for
babies who are incarcerated with their mothers.
The idea is that stronger ties between female
offenders and their families will assist
the placement of such babies outside the correctional
environment. Therefore the participation
of family structures in finding caring
and safe solutions for the children of female
offenders is pivotal in the process.
At the Correctional Services event, female
offenders were freed for over four hours to
Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize (DCS Deputy Minister),
Ms Moluthando Mayende-Sibiya (Minister
of Women, Children and People with
Disabilities), Dr Gwen Ramokgopa (Tshwane
Mayor) and Ms Nomvula Mokonyane
(Gauteng Premier) at the launch of the
national Child protection Week programme
in Attridgeville
reconnect and bond with their children and
families.
The department and its partners such as the
‘Bikers that Care’ truly went all out to make
the day a very special one. And the children
were spoilt for choice. They had a jumping
castle, rides with the bikers, and Diski dance
lessons, interspersed with receiving gift hampers
and enjoying hot dogs.
While delivering her address, Ms Mkhize
said, “Every child must have access to
health, education, protection as well as basic
human rights. Every child deserves the best
and government has an obligation to promote
and protect children’s rights.”
Ms Mkhize said she was encouraged by the
partners and friends of correctional services,
who have heeded the call “to put children
first. Sister departments, families and friends
of incarcerated mothers and members of the
community were among them.
0 SA Corrections Today
Happy interns
despise the
moratorium
condition
By Fhedzisani Mashau
Before any employee assumes
the expert tag in his field of
operation, such worker must
have gone through various
development programmes to
amass the experience to have
an expert opinion.
In biology, no child walks before passing
through the crawling stage. Such steps exist
in the work places and in the areas of
education and learning. Aiming to become an
expert in any given field, one should undergo
formal training mainly consisting of theoretical
knowledge as one of the basic steps.
Correctional services is one of the many
government institutions that accept such
people who look to build their career profiles
but only have raw theoretical knowledge obtained
from institutions of higher learning.
In South Africa most of the tertiary level
students obtain that experience in the form
of Internship, learnerships and experiential
learning programmes.
In the department, the Policy and External
Training Directorate manages such people
and offers them the opportunity to realize
their life-time dreams and climb up the corporate
ladder.
The department offers two different types
of internship programmes namely, the Public
Service Internship and the Student Internship
Programmes.
The Deputy Director Policy and External
Training Mr David Nyalunga explains,
“The Public Service Internship programme
is intended for graduates who have already
obtained qualifications from institution of
higher learning and the Student Internship
programme is provided to the students who
are still studying and require practical experience
to qualify. Both programmes are offered
for a period ranging between six to 2
months. Some modules can stretch to 8 and
24 months. Public service interns can be paid
stipend while it is not compulsory to pay student
Interns for their service.
As at 9 June 20 0, the department had 9
Public Service Interns and 4 Students Interns.
Skill, knowledge and competence are three
key points that the Policy and External Train-
F E AT U R E
Spotlight on Ermerlo Centre of
Excellence By Thuthukasizwe Ngcobo
Though small in size, the Ermelo Centre of excellence is
one of the few centres in the Department of Correctional
Service, which for a period exceeding seven years, has never
experienced a single escape.
The centre is situated in the South
Eastern Highveld of Mpumalanga
Province and it was built in 1988 to
house male inmates only. It has an approved
accommodation capacity of 512
inmates, but an additional 88 inmates
have had to find homage there further
adding to the bleak image of overcrowding
the department is currently faced
with. A total of 600 inmates there are
against a service personnel of about 132
officials, nine of which are based at community
corrections.
The dominant languages in its vicinity
are Zulu and Swati. The Ermelo area
is notoriously known for its peak winter
weather conditions and is also a Highveld
tourist destination. Agricultural activities
are seasonal due to unfavourable
weather conditions at this part of the
country.
The centre is under the leadership of
ing directorate insists that all trainees must
aim for during their learning programmes.
During a recent meeting with both groups
of interns, smiles and excitement formed the
base of their responses when asked about
their experiences in the department.
One Poppy Lishivha (2 ), an intern in the
office of the DC Human Resources Development
said, “I feel like an important part of the
directorate. The staff members are always
willing to work with me and they involve
me in most directorate matters.” Poppy studied
Public Management and she is currently
placed as an admin clerk.
Nkosinathi Sibeko (27) is an intern at the
Directorate; Correction Administration. He
studied Correctional Service Management
youthful looking and vibrant Assistant
Director Bhekizizwe Mthethwa (Head of
the centre) and it’s under the command
The Centre of Excellence head; Mr
Bhekizizwe Mthethwa
of the very strict Area Commissioner of
Bethal Management Area, Mr Amos Ndlovu.
Programmes available at this centre
Diploma. He said of his experience, “I am
happy with the experience that I’m getting
because it is relevant to my studies. The only
thing that worries me is what is going to happen
after my internship since my qualification
deals specifically with the core business
of this department. I am concerned about the
existing moratorium which halts the filling of
vacant posts.”
Eliot Matlhadisa (29), an intern at Directorate;
Human Resource Development, studied
Public Management. He has an additional
role as the coordinator for interns. He said
since the start of his internship, he is happy
to be given the exposure to apply theory he
learned practically. He said he expects to
learn more before his contract expires.
MAY/JUNE 20 0
The iscathamiya group performing one of
their uncanny acts
are social work programmes; sport, recreation
arts and culture; formal education
and agriculture. Social work programmes
cater for all rehabilitation related areas
and formal education deals with Abet
levels 1 to 4, including grade 12. The majority
of inmates are taking part in soccer
and cultural activities such as Isicathamiya
and Indlamu.
A shortage of qualified specialists such
as nurses, teachers, social workers,
psychologist, psychiatrists, and doctors
hinder some major programmes aimed
A Certificate of excellence awarded
to Ermelo Centre of Excellence by the
Highveld Heritage Route
at rehabilitating inmates. The introduction
of the two shift system exposed that
the centre really needs more personnel
to meet its targets. A total of 30 inmates
enrolled for the 2009 Abet calendar year.
About 24 of them passed levels 1 to level
4. The grade 12 inmates have already
written their examinations in May 2010
and are awaiting their results. Inmates
have access to the library on a weekly
basis between 8.30am and 3pm.
The Ermelo Centre of Excellence has
recently received a certificate of excellence
for promoting cultural heritage
from the Highveld Heritage Route. The
Highveld Heritage Route is a company
that looks after South Eastern Highveld
Mpumalanga heritage sites. The company
is in the hands of Athol Stark which
had been doing history research for 19
years and had been providing tour guide
services for 12 years. This certificate
was awarded to the centre during the
Heritage month.
Isicathamiya group and Indlamu are
the two groups of inmates that ensured
that the Ermelo Centre of Excellence receives
the award. These two groups recently
performed in front of a packed Ermelo
town Hall for the Ermelo Business
Association gathering.

EC celebrates Youth Month By: Zama Feni
EAST LONDON: The chilly cold coupled by downpours did
nothing to dampen the warmth and thrill inside the East London
Correctional Centre Hall yesterday as the high-spirited offender
musical groups kept the Youth Month celebrations alive to the
end.
Youthful offender musical and drama
groups from across the regions’ management
areas displayed their dazzling
artistic skills in commemoration of the Youth
Month celebrations.
The month of June was declared a Youth
Month due to the fact that on the 6 June
976, hordes of Soweto students took to the
streets protesting against the apartheid regime’s
imposition of Afrikaans as a medium
of instruction in non-white schools.
But the reward they received for their protest
action was a bullet – an action which led
to widespread uprisings across the country.
Regional Commissioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana
told the offender and departmental
youth that “the blood of the young people
of 976 nurtured the tree of freedom whose
fruits people from across the racial spectrum
are enjoying today. It is through the blood of
Thank you Grootvlei: Members of Grootvlei
Poverty Alleviation Committee with Nzame
Primary School pupils who benefited from the
donations
R E G I O N A L N E W S
To be young and
alive: Imbube
Scathamiya Music
Group entertaining
the audience at the
Regional Youth Month
Celebrations
the young people of 976 that South Africa is
able to host the world’s largest sports tournament
– the 20 0 FIFA Soccer World Cup,”
said Ms Jolingana
Lilizela Mlilizeli: Mrs Levona Castle heeding
the call of President Jacob Zuma and
blowing her vuvuzela at the Youth Month
Celebrations
At :55, the audience heeded the national
call and blew the vuvuzela horns and at
2:00, the house sang the National Anthem,
2 SA Corrections Today
Nkos’ isikelel’ Africa.
Ms Jolingana urged the young offenders
to use the opportunities that the Department
provides to them to their best ability.
“…if you aim high, and you want to see
yourself leaving the correctional centres
empowered – the foundation is discipline.
Our Minister (Umam’ uNosiviwe Mapisa-
Nqakula) has said that we must turn our
correctional centres into colleges; we must
develop measurers to provide education and
skills development to offenders,” she said.
Eastern Cape Regional Commissioner, Ms
Nontsikelelo Jolingana checking her blood
pressure at the Regional Youth Month
Celebrations
In a message to young correctional officials,
Ms Jolingana called for them to study so they
could have a firm grasp of the demands of the
new approach to corrections and get to understand
the calibre of a correctional official
that the Department needs.
“In order for the Department to achieve its
strategic goals as outlined in the White Paper
on Corrections in South Africa, we have to
invest in young people who still have many
years to come serving this Department,” she
said.
As part of the activities for the day nurses
from the Department of Health took blood
pressure as a way of ensuring that members
were in good health in preparation for the celebrations
of the FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Groootvlei gives Nzame pupils a
warm winter present By: Kgopolelo Jabanyane
In what could be described as music to the Deputy Minister,
Hlengiwe Mkhize’s ears, the Grootvlei Management Area have
made the welfare of children as well as uplifting the lives of the
poor their business.
The welfare of children is the deputy minister’s
priority area of operation in the
department and she has coined the care
with the launch of the Imbeleko Project.
To bear testament to Grootvlei’s assertions,
are numerous donations that management
area had made to various destitute families
around Mangaung aimed at alleviating poverty
in poor families so that the children
growing in those families can feel the love.
The management area has never stopped
showing its beautiful gesture to needy families,
and had also gone one step further to become
proactive in fighting crime. The stand
against crime was prompted by the higher
rate of juveniles that department was admitting
daily in the centre.
Officials at the Free State and Northern
Cape Regional Commissioner’s office are of
the view that, “If the department does not act
Officials of the Leeuwkop Juvenile
Centre and the Randburg Community
Corrections took to the streets
of Alexandra to surprise the township
dwellers with donations of safer candle
holders. The thoughtful donation aimed
at putting an end to the vicious and
deadly fires, most of which are caused
by falling burning candles because of
makeshift candle holders.
The candle holders donated to the Alex
community were crafted by the Leeu-
proactively to deal with some of these social
challenges in the society, it must be prepared
to deal with an influx of poor children graduating
into hardened criminals and subsequently
compounding its facilities.”
The officials, who identify themselves as
the Grootvlei Poverty Alleviation Committee
in the area, devised a plan to deal with the
root of crime in the long term.
The committee headed by Mr Christo Barnard;
Manager Special Programmes, collected
donations in a form of cash from the
officials in order to make a difference to the
needy young children’s lives.
The team discovered that schools were
breeding grounds for criminals. They then
shifted their targets to poor children who are
at schools. They are of the belief that “most
of the offenders who commit crime, attributes
it to poverty.”
R E G I O N A L N E W S
Mr. Moloi with the community of Alexandra
Alex community receives safe
candle holders By Elizabeth Zimba
Mr. Tladi, Head Juvenile Centre donating
candlelight holder.
wkop juvenile offenders. In August last
year, the juvenile offenders started a
project of making wire candlelight holders.
They crafted them with the aim of
reaching out to disadvantaged communities
which still uses candles as a source
of light. Moreover, to prevent the loss of
lives due to falling candles. Light candles
without candle holders are unsafe and
have caused losses of lives in congested
townships like Alexandra.
Statistics have revealed that most
homes that are burned, particularly at informal
settlements, are caused by fallen
candles. The donation of the handmade
wired candlelight holders will help reduce
the number of fire incidents.
The community members received the
donation with warm hands and thanked
correctional officers and the Leeuwkop
juvenile offenders for their gesture.
They identified Nzame Primary School
in Managaung after a thorough research on
the socio economic situation of the school
and went to donate what they had collected.
When they arrived at the school, some pupils
were not wearing school shoes, others shivering
with cold wearing torn and tattered uniform
despite the chilly winter weather.
While accepting the donation, the school
principal thanked the Grootvlei donors for
choosing his school.
The school is populated by learners from a
very poor background.
The Acting Area Commissioner of Grootvlei
Mr Tatolo Mphutlane said that children
did not belong to prison “You need to share
little things that others don’t have to promote
cohesion among people,” concluded Mr Matolo.
MAY/JUNE 20 0
Donation of blankets: Correctional officials,
care givers and the children who benefited
for the blankets donation
Witbank
donates
blankets to
orphans
By Moses Nkabinde
No less than 85 orphans who
are taken care of by different
households at Nhlazatse
village, have received warm
blankets to overcome the cold
winter season.
About 65 of the blankets were donated,
as part of the poverty alleviation
programme by Witbank Management
Area and its partners.
The success of the donation handover,
which included an 80 kg bag of maize
meal and a garden spade, was spearheaded
by Ms Linah Mhlongo, the Area
Coordinator of Development and Care at
Witbank and Ms Zanele Dladla, the Head
of Social Reintegration at Carolina.
Ms Mhlongo has tirelessly engaged
eMalahleni business groups, doctors and
correctional officials to make a collection
of 65 strong and warm winter blankets.
The CEO of Mahlalentabeni Home
Based Care Centre, Mr Mandla Thabethe
also came on board and managed
to raise additional 20 blankets from Badplaas
Holiday Resort Management.
The beneficiaries of the donations are
children aged between ten and 15 years.
The latter were identified from various
schools which include, Ivuka (21),
Lamagadlela(18), Lethukuthula (17) and
Mahlalentabeni Orphanage (14). Every
child received one blanket and the remaining
ones were given to their care
givers to distribute.

Officials keep their health in check
By Mashao Mohale
The Department of Correctional Services held a Wellness Day and
Aerobics marathon on the 5th of May with two legged sessions
taking place at the Head Office and Pretoria Management Area
respectively.
Correctional officials at Head Office
braved a breezy and chilly weather
conditions to queue up for their
health conditions to be examined by dieticians,
optometrists and other health
practitioners.
This initiative emerged from the partnership
involving correctional services,
SAPS, SANDF and Johannesburg Metro
Police to keep their employees well and
fit as it is physically required by the nature
of their work environment.
The day’s activities commenced with
high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight
and height of employees being checked
for consistency. Optometrists and dieticians
from Department of Health were
available to provide their professional
advice regarding eye problems and
balanced diets. Eye glasses were prescribed
and issued to employees who
needed immediate attention.
The second phase of event took place
at the Mess Hall in the Pretoria Management
Area wherein participants from various
departments engaged in intensive
aerobic exercises. The hall was packed
The Allandale team with three of the elders who benefitted
from the donation
R E G I O N A L N E W S
Officials get down
to aerobic exercises
during the Wellness
Day event that
started at the Head
Office and ended
at the Pretoria
Management Area
Officials waiting patiently for their eyes to
be examined by optometrist at Head Office
foyer
with men and women with one shared
purpose - to maintain their fitness and
wellbeing.
One could see the dedication of participants
when they made pain-inducing
stretches to ensure effective results.
Our SA Corrections Today reporter
spoke to Mr Sandile Mthembu, Deputy
Director: Directorate of Employees,
Sports and Creation, during an interval
about their motive and background of
the event and he explained, “The well-
4
SA Corrections Today
ness programme started a long time ago
and is informed by our strategic plan. We
should encourage employees to exercise
and strive for fitness to perform their
tasks optimally. Our employees work in
stress inducing environments, therefore,
keeping their fitness on par helps them to
cope and distress well. We have established
33 fitness clubs in different correctional
facilities nationwide and our plan is
to ensure that they are accessible to all
employees”.
He emphasized that all the established
fitness clubs have trained instructors and
facilities.
In addition, SAPS Gauteng Provincial
Coordinator for Fitness Mr Sipho Thwala
said that the initiative contributed massively
in reducing stress and depression
since they work in traumatic milieu.”This
fitness exercises started in 1997 in the
police service. However, we did not have
adequate resources to develop it to this
magnitude. When General Bheki Cele
joined SAPS, he made it his priority and
made funds available for it. Since we
started we have seen the number of sick
leaves declining, stress related cases
amongst police officials were minimized
and performance improved. I am a suicide
survivor myself and I am talking from
experience” said Thwala convincingly.
Sergeant Phindile Mazibuko who
serves in the Public Order Unit said
she appreciated the fitness initiative because
it geared them up for challenges
in their daily tasks. “Believe me, managing
crowd really requires somebody to
be equal to the task,” said the confident
police officer.
According to the event coordinators the
fitness campaign is growing from strength
to strength. The attendance and interest
has improved tremendously. The participants
will be informed as to where and
when the next sessions will be held.
Allandale cares for the elderly By Louis Reinke
The Allandale correctional officials who are affiliates of the Allandale Social
Club, donated toiletries, face clothes and towels to the value of R 500, to the
Rushof Old Age Home in Paarl East. The hand-over took place on May. The
social club members made the donation out of their good hearts and appreciation
was evident from the glittering faces of the benefiting elders. The officials involved
said they would continue to give out of goodwill because it gives them satisfaction.
Giving is their way of making a difference to people who are less fortunate. Members
on the photo are from L to R; Mr Petrus Titus, Ms Lizette Kulsen (Rushof), Mr
Brendon Abrahams, Allandale Area Commissioner Mr Kosie Sinclair ,Ms Alvira
Kleynhans (Manager Rushof), Mr Jonathan Baartman, Ms Faith Maqolo and Ivan
Petersen. Front sitting row; Mr Roelf Faro, Mr Johan Claasen and Mr Willem van
Rooyen who benefited from the donation.
R E G I O N A L N E W S
Deputy Minister opens Goodwood
Mbombela Sportsfield
By Ofentse Morwane & Jo-ann Christians
Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize officially opened the Mbombela
Sportsfield at Goodwood Management Area in the Western Cape
region on 20 May 2010 to grant the officials and offenders their
long wish of having a proper sporting facility.
Despite being a new generation correctional
centre, Goodwood never had
any sports and recreation facilities
for either officials or offenders. Offenders
instead used courtyards as sporting grounds
leading to a lot of breakages of windows at
the centre.
Giving her address at the opening, Ms
Mkhize said, “As a department, our approach
to cultivates and maintains a healthy lifestyle
for offenders and officials, through sports
and recreation programs, is premised on the
fact that health is much more than just the
absence of disease. It is for this reason that
we take sports and recreation seriously for
Pumpkin: Mr Tokkie Dempers with the
gigantic pumpkin weighing 97.5kg
sport field underpins the department’s commitment
towards promoting a healthy life
style for both offenders and officials. “Sports
as a rehabilitation tool assist in imparting
skills, instilling discipline, promoting team
work, attainment of physical and mental
health, and teaching offenders to adhere to
rules and principles, not only in sporting activities,
but in life in general.”
The opening of the Mbombela Sports field
also coincided with the 2 days countdown
before the start of the 20 0 Fifa World Cup.
“This facility is correctional services’ contribution
towards the legacy of the 20 0 Fifa
World Cup. It also testifies to our commitment
as government, to not only deliver on
this big dream but to ensure that we build a
lasting legacy for our nation,” declared deputy
minister.
She congratulated the Western Cape region
for being awarded second runner-ups in the
Centre for Public Service Innovations (CPIS)
Awards, in November last year with for the
Mbombela Sports field project.
The name of the soccer field means, “working
together to achieve a common goal.
Among the stakeholders present at the opening
were SAFA representatives and Ajax Cape
Town Management and its youth team.
Allandale reaps a gigantic pumpkin
By Louis Reinke
Western Cape
Regional
Commissioner,
James
Smalberger, Area
Commissioner
Goodwood
Moliehi Sebotsa
and Deputy
Minister
Hlengiwe Mkhize
at the official
opening of
the Mbombela
Sportsfield
at Goodwood
Management
Area
both offenders and officials. The opening of
the sports field further attests to this commitment.
The sports field is a product of various
partnerships,”
“The goal we aspire to is a holistic approach
to offender rehabilitation through key
services such as, correction of the offending
behaviour, care to promote the wellbeing of
the offender, development which involves
education, skills development, recreation
and sport, agriculture and workshops, security
and social reintegration, in line with
our White Paper on Corrections South Africa
2005,” added the deputy minister.
She further said that the construction of the
Ajax Cape Town youth team pictured with
the Deputy Minister, Regional Commissioner
Western Cape and SAFA official.
Mr Tokkie Dempers from the Allandale Management Area could never have
thought that the small seed he held in his hand a couple of months ago, could
grow into a gigantic pumpkin weighing 97.5 kg‘s.
It all started in October last year when he planted the seed at the back of his yard
within the Allandale premises. He had to cover and protect the pumpkin as vegetable
flies wanted to damage the pumpkin. Other diseases were also threatening the pumpkin,
but Tokkie was lucky and the vegetable survived. Tokkie had to feed the pumpkin
daily with different…well says Tokkie: ‘that is a secret. ’
A pumpkin can grow more than 30 centimetres per day and the biggest pumpkin
Tokkie saw weighed just over 300 kilograms. These giant pumpkins are called Atlantic
Giants. Tokkie says now that the members have read the article in the Allandale
Gazette, everyone wants a seed. The question now is why don’t we have a Regional
Competition between the Management Areas and see who can grow the biggest
pumpkin?
MAY/JUNE 20 0 5

Government services in your door steps
Government has declared 2010 the year of action and to
translate this declaration into practice the Gauteng Provincial
Government has launched its own campaign called kuyashesha
to demonstrate the seriousness towards service delivery.
Different spheres of governance converged
in Mabopane on 0 April 20 0
to raise awareness about a Thusong
Service Centre which has been established to
service the needs of the people. Eskom, Child
Protection Unit, Public Protector, SAPS (victim
empowerment), Statistics SA, Departments
of Correctional Services, Health and
Social Development occupy the building to
reflect a true meaning of offering integrated
service delivery or a one stop shop services,
writes Simphiwe Kondleka
Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality realised
that people are travelling long distances
to access government services and information.
A research was conducted to determine
the actual needs of the people to improve the
quality of their lives. That is how the Mabopane
Thusong Service Centre came into existence.
“We said we will come back to the
people and we have kept our promise. Today,
all the spheres of government are here to
provide integrated service delivery to you,”
said the Member of the Mayoral Committee
in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Ms
Thembi Mmoko delivering a welcoming address
on behalf of the Executive Mayor Dr
Gwen Ramokgopa who could not attend the
Child protection at eMalahleni: Children
kitted in Bafana Bafana attire during the
celebration of their protection week.
R E G I O N A L N E W S
DCS officials
in the mix at
the opening
of Mabopane
Thusong Centre
event. She encouraged the people to pay for
the services that are rendered by the municipality.
The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation,
Mrs Nelisiwe Moerane said that the
spirit of co – operative governance is alive
in Gauteng. She said that in the true sense of
the word kuyasheshwa, Gauteng means business.
To date, there are 42 Thusong Service
Centres built in six regions to address service
delivery challenges. The c ebtres also
serve as a link between government and its
communities. “Gone are the days of travelling
long distances to access basic services.
Service delivery in Gauteng is informed by
the principles of Batho Pele (People First),”
she confirmed. The MEC turned her attention
to the looming 20 0 FIFA Soccer World Cup
tournament and requested all South Africans
to be patriotic, show the spirit of Ubuntu and
embrace the world. She revealed that out of
2 participating teams, 9 will be based in
Gauteng for the entire duration of the tournament.
She added that people should go to
the stadiums and designated public viewing
areas with their vuvuzelas and wearing their
Bafana Bafana jerseys.
“Many similar projects have collapsed and
Children warned of
strangers By Moses Nkabinde
Guests from SASSA, SAPS, Correctional
Services, eMalahleni Municipality and
Home Affairs celebrated the child protection
week at the eMalahleni Civic Theater
on June with 70 early childhood development
learners and their educators.
All the celebrants wore the green and gold
Bafana Bafana attire to show their full support
of the national team and the African
Soccer World Cup Held in South Africa.
The learners treated the guests to a diski
dance, poetry about children’s rights, sang
the national anthem while the guest offered
6 SA Corrections Today
this Thusong Service Centre will be useless
if people don’t get help that they need. Why
people should go to a government office six
times and they don’t get assistance. We need
respectful, dedicated and courageous civil
servants,” warned the Deputy Minister of
Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula in his keynote address.
He continued that Government is being
failed by its own civil servants and that
people must choose hard working people as
councillors. The Deputy Minister condemned
the service delivery protests that were taking
place around the country. “Recent public
protests have been hijacked by criminal elements.
Some of them are triggered by people
with political ambitions. They undermine the
people’s government. Don’t petrol bomb and
torch our facilities. March properly and raise
your demands peacefully when you don’t get
proper services. Thusong Centres like this
Deputy Minister of Police Mr Fikile Mbalula
delivering his address
one must help our people for many years to
come,” he appealed to the audience. He concluded
that government must do its part and
the community should follow suite. “This is
the essence of the government of the people,”
he said.
He said fostering of sustainable partnerships
will bear positive fruits and people
must learn to stand up and do things for
themselves. The dignitaries toured the facility
to witness the operations and services that
are offered by different organisations.
them motivational talks.
The Area Manager; Special Programs in
Witbank Management Area,Ms Linah Masina,
warned the learners to refuse gifts from
strangers and report family members that
who touches them on their private parts to
the authorities.
She said, “Human trafficking is increasing
at an alarming rate. Parents and guardians
should take full responsibility of the safety
of their children at homes and at learning
centres.”
In her welcoming remarks, Councillor
Thandi Mokoena told the children to respect
their educators, parents and dissociate themselves
from aggressive behaviour.
R E G I O N A L N E W S
Judge Mogoeng inspects law
obedience at Rooigrond
By Lewies Davids
Constitutional Court Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng and a delegation
of law researchers including Joelle Barness and Nomonde
Nyembe, visited Rooigrond Management Area on 15 & 16 June on
a fact finding mission to assess the adherence of constitutional
principles in correctional facilities.
The judge informed the management
that with his visit, he also wanted
to familiarise himself with the conditions
of correctional centres and to
check the constitutional obedience of the
correctional system. He further said the
findings of his visit would assist in the
department in monitoring and improving
the conditions of correctional facilities.
He said that he wanted to ensure
that offenders are treated under humane
conditions and that facilities conforms to
the norms and standards of incarcerating
persons in acceptable conditions in line
with the UN Standard Minimum Rules on
the treatment of Offenders. The humane
conditions should also meet the requirements
of Chapter 2 of the Constitution
of the Republic of South Africa. Furthermore,
the judge checked the efficiency
and cleanliness of the correctional administration.
After the visit, the Judge will compile a
report as a channel for feedback to the
Judicial Inspectorate, the director general,
the minister of Justice and the parliamentary
portfolio committee on Correctional
Services.
The hosting Area Commissioner, Mr
Barry Eksteen and his management presented
the operational activities to the
delegates before leading the Judge and
Middelburg’s 2nd career expo gets
thumbs up By Mapopozana kaGogo Mashinini
The three-day Middelburg Career Expo
took off on a high note as thousands
of learners from eight schools from
around the Steve Tshwete Municipality and
the neighbouring farms came in numbers to
learn about various mediums from worthy
exhibitors. The second edition of the expo
was held at the Eastdene Community Hall
and ran from to May.
The event was made possible thanks to
sponsors Optimum Community Trust, Middelburg
Chamber of Commerce and various
state departments.
Learners were ferried from as far as Hendrina,
Middelburg and neibouring locations
Mr Mapopozana kaGogo
Mashinini, ad-hoc
communication official
at Middleburg Centre of
Excellence explaining to
school children what a
career in the Department of
Correctional Services entails.
to the inspiring and informative career expo
and the Department of Correctional Services
was party among a wealth of exhibitors.
Mr Mduduzi Mndawe, the Human Resource
Development Practitioner at DCS
spent the duration of the expo explaining different
career opportunities available in the
departments. He emphasized the importance
of education to the curious learners.
He said, “Our department is not only concerned
or interested in safe custody and humane
incarceration of offenders. There are a
handful of rehabilitation programmes taking
place in our centres that require more skilled
and qualified personnel to implement them.”
MAY/JUNE 20 0
his entourage to a tour in various cell
blocks. The delegates spoke to offenders
regarding the conditions of their incarceration
as well as members on their
conditions of employment.
The judge was also taken on a tour to
the Rooigrond farm.
The Constitutional Court Judge Mogoeng
Mogoeng getting the inside story from
offenders during a fact finding visit at
Rooigrond
Judge Mogoeng listens to individual
complaints presented by both offenders
and officials in Correctional Services.
Through taking the lead as a Constitutional
Court Judge, he encouraged members
of other courts to visit Correctional
Centres, and thereby expand judicial involvement
to correctional Services.
Intense competition was evident at the expo
as exhibitors from the private sector competed
for the learners’ attention by displaying
the best branding material of their companies.
They included Highveld Steel and Vanadium,
Columbus Stainless, Optimum Coal
and Standard Bank.
Pace Career Centre provided an assessment
of the learners as POCH (Pride of the Cultur-
al Heartland) entertained them with musical
artistry after assessment.
All the exhibitors agreed and vowed in one
voice that come next year, learners and the
Steve Tshwete communities will be exposed
to more innovation at the forthcoming annual
career expo next year.
Cllr Rehana Pilodia thanked the exhibitors
for their participation and praised the organizers
for a splendid job. She assured them of
the council’s support in preparations for next
year’s event.
7

Curiosity drew concerned fire brigade officials who wanted more information from officials.
DCS and partners reach out
to communities By Thuthukasizwe Ngcobo
Ermelo Centre of Excellence opened its doors to the public in an
effort to educate and give information about the Department of
Correctional Services’ mandate in changing the lives of people in
their communities.
The windy environment on 4th June and
the hype surrounding the soccer 20 0
Fifa World Cup, drew hundreds of Ermelo
community members to learn and ask
officials about programmes and services of-
Community members listening to Ms
Jumarie du Plessis explaining and issuing
information packs to those craving for
knowledge
fered by various government departments.
The event was a collaborative effort with key
stakeholders such as South African Police
Force, Msukaligwa Municipality, Legal Aid
R E G I O N A L N E W S
Board, Departments of Labour and Health,
Capitec Bank, South African Social Security
Agency, Coca Cola and Cooperative Governance
and Traditional Affairs were project
hosts.
Some of the questions that arose during the
interaction with community members were
that “how does the department of Correctional
Services assist parolees who have acquired
skills while incarcerated and what kind of assistance
is needed from community in ensuring
that rehabilitation does take place”.
Representing the Department of Correctional
Services, the Head Satellite Community
Corrections Mr Vincent Malatsi said, “We
are celebrating the Fifa 20 0 Soccer World
Cup in Ermelo by opening the department’s
doors to the public”. He further highlighted
the importance of working hand in glove
with community members and stakeholders
in order to be able to produce socially responsible
individuals.
Coca Cola provided goodies such as caps,
vuvuzela’s and T-shirts for community members
who were able to perform both versions
of diski dance.
Pietermaritzburg
probationers plough
back to community
By Nokuthula Zikhali
Giving credence to the
correctional service’s call to
utilise offender labour to aid
community developments,
the probationers of
Pietermaritzburg Community
Corrections have already done
their bit.
The probationers deployed their labour
towards the building of a guard room
used by the caretaker at a local school
called Indlelayabasha Primary. The Community
Liaison Officer for Pietermaritzburg
Management Area, Mr Dennis Williams and
his team, work tirelessly to make the building
project a success. First they obtained a
donation of building material from Build It
Hardware store in the area and then deployed
offender labour to construct the guardroom.
Correctional services were party at the official
opening of the guard room at the school
that coincided with the Fifa 20 0 Football
Friday Campaign for the school.
Correctional services view this success
story as the means of giving back to the communities
as well as profiling of offenders
skills which they acquire in the correctional
centres while serving their sentences on their
rehabilitation paths.
The school caretaker who would be using
the newly built guard room could not hold
back his excitement when receiving the keys.
The room was also fully furnished with office
furnisher, manufactured by Pietermaritzburg
offenders.
After the handover, the Pietermaritzburg
Head of Community Corrections, Mr Elvis
Nene, the school educators, DCS officials
and the representatives of the local municipality,
proceeded to the school soccer field
where pupils participated in soccer matches.
Mr Mike McDonald, the Build It Hardware
Manager, was also part of the festivities.
The day was fun for both the pupils and the
spectators.
The school principal Mr Bheki Madlala,
thanked the Department of Correctional
Services for assisting his school. He appealed
to the department to expand its partnership
with the school in other programs including
crime awareness, which can assist the pupils
in his school.
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
Remand detainees (41) escape
from Harrismith prison By Puleng Mokhoabe
A dark cloud befell Harrismith Correctional Centre when 41 high
risk unsentenced offenders (remand detainees) escaped from the
facility on 1 June.
Reports coming from Harrismith are that
the escapees took two duty officials
hostage while they were conducting
routine checks. They overpowered them and
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
addressing the Harrismith officials hours
after the escapes of 41 remand detainees
took the keys to open up cells and fled. The
escape was the largest the department had
ever experienced in recent years.
The incident compelled National Commissioner
Tom Moyane and Minister Nosiviwe
Mapisa- Nqakula to make an emergency trip
to Harrismith to investigate the nature of the
escapes. After calculated considerations, they
summarily dismissed two senior officials on
suspicion of ignorance.
The borrowed freedom for 2 of the 4 escapees
was cut short when they were rearrested.
The police were still following positive
lead to re-arrest the rest of the escapees
at the time of going to press.
When addressing the Harrismith staff, Commissioner
Moyane said management viewed
the escapes in a very serious light. He said
criminals should not be allowed to walk out
of correctional facilities. The commissioner
told members that Harrismith Correctional
Centre must not be seen as the weakest link
when it comes to security issues in the country.
He thanked the Regional Commissioner of
the Free State and Northern Cape, Mr Zacharia
Modise for timeously informing the
leadership and for involving the police on
Graduation ceremony: The new graduates in company of senior officials while receiving
their entry tickets to contributes towards the improvement of the correctional system
More officers on board to steer
corrections By Justice Moseki
About 52 trainees received their
NQF Level 4 National Certificates
to qualify as Correctional Officers
Grade III on 18 May at a graduation ceremony
held at Overberg Management
Area following their successful comple-
tion of the training programme.
The Overberg Area Coordinator, Mr
Alvin Matsimella welcomed everyone
and outlined efforts made by trainers
and trainees in this era of ‘belt tightening’
in the department, to make facilitation of
the matter.
Commissioner Moyane explained that the
department would have to prioritise and
budget for the upgrading of the facility adding
that, “there should be no more escapes at
Harrismith Correctional Centre.”
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula acknowledged
that there were challenges around security
measures at all facilities. She said Harrismith
centre, being a medium facility, should not
have accommodated high risk remand detainees
whose crimes range from murder, car
high jacking, organised syndicates and serial
rapists. She said it was worrying that strange
Officials listening to security warnings from
the minister and the national commissioner
things happened before the escape. Her investigations
revealed that other officials were
made to knock off earlier than usual. She said
that the escapees would have to be reclassified
once re-arrested.
the programme a success.
While delivering his
address, the Regional
Head Corporate Services
in the Western Cape,
Mr Themba Magagula
said, “I am quoting a
scripture from the letter
of Saint Paul to the
Corinthians which says,
When I was a child, I
behaved like a child
and now I am a grown
up, I must behave like
an adult. This department
will not accept any
excuses from any one
when it comes to issues of compliance.
You are no longer student correctional
officials. You are now recognised as full
correctional officials and the department
expect you to behave like grown ups.”
The Area Commissioner of Overberg,
Mr Modisadife Ben supported Mr
Magagula’s sentiments and said, “I expect
one thing from you, to stick to the
basics and respect each other.”
He further encouraged the graduates to
study further because education is the key
that opens more doors of opportunities.
8
SA Corrections Today MAY/JUNE 20 0
9

Baviaanspoort offenders learn
valuable farming skills
There are numerous rehabilitation programmes currently
unfolding at Baviaanspoort Management Area.
The programmes are aimed at helping
offenders mend their offending behaviours
and moreover, capacitating them
to be better skilled and become self sustainable
when they are released. Better still, they
also receive accredited certificates from the
Department of Labour after successfully
completing training programmes in various
areas of interest. Thomo Nkgadima takes a
closer look at how the offenders are integrated
and also responding to these developments
and skills programme focusing mainly
in the field of agricultural farming.
Baviaanspoort Management Area is situated
just about 28 km east of Tshwane and
prides itself as Gauteng‘s best pork producer.
Its piggery produces first grade pork and supplies
six management areas around Gauteng.
Mr Peter Tippets, the Manager Animal Production
explains the impact of their piggery,
“We supply double rations to feed medium,
juvenile and maximum Baviaanspoort inmates
of about 2000. We also sell surplus
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
Jonas Bopape, Paul Van
Rooyen and Peter Tippets who
has done tremendous work
to develop and sustain the
Baviaanspoort prison farm
pork to our officials at reasonable market
price and supply other regions such as Kwa-
Zulu Natal with pork and breeding materials”.
According to Divisional Head Agriculture,
Mr Paul van Rooyen, their major agricultural
activities at Baviaanspoort are the production
of milk, pork and vegetables. Offenders are
tasked with maintaining these projects under
the supervision of skilled officials and it is
here where they learn basic skills necessary
to make them employable and enables them
to be support themselves after finishing serving
their sentence and released from prison.
The total dairy herd consists of 2 0 animals
with a milk production of approximately 20
litres per cow daily. There are 99 beef herds
and beef cattle are slaughtered at a live mass
of about 400kg.
Porkers are slaughtered at mass of 72 kg.
The total production of vegetables is approximately
45 tons per month. The planting
is structured in a manner that enables the
Boksburg kicks off with “67 days” campaign
By Patrick Thobejane
Boksburg Correctional Centre officials
used the 67 minutes campaign in honour
of the iconic former statesman Nelson
Mandela to strengthen the bond with its
neighbouring communities on 8 July. Not to
be outdone, Boksburg stretched their 67minutes
to 67 days campaign for doing good for
its surrounding communities.
The 67 days Boksburg campaign kicked
off at the Vosloorus Old Age Home on Friday
the 2 rd of July with a series of activities
planned by the staff and business partners.
The campaign frontrunners visited the
old age home to clean and cooked delicious
meals for the elderly.
When approached, Jamaica Wholesalers
came and board to food parcels and their labour
Mr Bafana Mashego gave a very moving
testimony of how people should always
strive to do good everyday and not only on
specific calendar days. “As public servants,
we have an obligation towards the public and
our senior citizens are no exceptions,” he
said. He continued by thanking all officials
who made it their mission to lend a hand and
emphasized the importance of taking care of
the aged as they are a gift from God.
The project leader Mr Joseph Masina, made
a commitment that his team will avail them-
management area to supply vegetables sustainably
throughout the year.
Manual labour is still used on a relatively
large scale in vegetable productions but machines
and chemicals are also used in the
field for pest control, planting and weed control.
High potential agricultural land is used
for the cultivation of maize, sorghum – silage
and hay for consumption by livestock.
The Department of Labour in partnership
with correctional services offers successful
offenders with accredited formal training and
certificates in fencing, gardening, irrigation,
and vegetable cultivation, care of calves,
tractor operator, care of livestock, artificial
insemination and care of beef cattle to sharpen
their skills.
“Agricultural activities promote the development
of offenders and complement the
support programme that assist offenders to
improve their personal and social functioning
by providing them with job and training
opportunities,” said van Rooyen.
The rapid increase of the prison population
since 9 9 created serious problems for the
then prison services regarding the provision
of constructive training opportunities for sentenced
prisoners. This led to the decision to
introduce the concept of prison farms that in
turn led to the establishment of agricultural
activities, this has progressively expanded
and developed over years.
Currently the department manages 20 prisons
farm throughout South Africa comprising
of 40 000 hectare. The 6 86 hectares
are dry lands, 2040 is under irrigation, 99 7
are not usable and 20 885 are natural grazing
land. The department is involved in the
smooth running of the prison farms which
provides job opportunities to sentenced prisoners
daily whilst formal agricultural skills
training is also taking place. Agriculture is
the backbone, strategic asset of Baviaanspoort
prison farm.
selves as and when the need arises.
Vosloorus Old Age Home representatives
thanked the staff and management of Boksburg
for their wonderful gesture and also
highlighted a few areas of need. “We are very
happy to have people of your calibre. You
made the day a pleasant one for the elderly
and their smiles say it all. Please don’t stop
today and not only with us,” he said.
The day ended in high spirits as the GOG-
Os and MKHULUs sang songs of joy with
officials and other community members.
Officials were treated to “JIKA MAJIKA”
dance session where the grannies showed
very slick dance moves. Other community
organizations will be visited as part of the 67
Days Campaign.
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
Mr Magnus Mchunguzi, Director at Ericsson South Africa shakes hands with Professor
Hlengiwe Mkhize following the handover of visual equipment sponsorship to Leeuwkop
offenders.
Business sector puts a
smile on offender’s face
By Simphiwe Kondleka
The euphoria around the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup has resulted
in Ericsson South Africa sponsoring Leeuwkop Management
Area with visual equipment.
The sponsorship came in a form of
visual equipments namely, five multi
media projector screens, five home
theatre systems and five (42) inch plasma
screens. They were jointly handed
over to the offenders by the Deputy Minister
of Correctional Services, Ms Hlengiwe
Mkhize and Mr Magnus Mchunguzi,
Director at Ericsson South Africa.
The visual equipments are to be used
for viewing the Soccer World Cup games
and in long term, they will be used to
support other educational/vocational
programmes for inmates. In addition, the
visual equipments will capacitate Leeuwkop
Management Area officials with
valuable resources to execute their roles
of rehabilitation.
“As the Deputy Minister of Correctional
Services, I am honoured to join the Leeuwkop
management to extend our heartfelt
gratitude and appreciation to Ericsson
South Africa for these remarkable
gifts. The handover of the visual equipments
is a clear demonstration of the
business community’s commitment and
leadership in the fight against crime,”
said Ms Mkhize.
Due to prevailing environment of 2010
Fifa Soccer World Cup in South Africa,
Leeuwkop management approached the
business community with a view to contribute
material resources that could be
used by deserving offenders to watch the
spectacular event and most importantly
to leave behind a lasting legacy. The
gesture is in line with the department’s
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Professor Hlengiwe
Mkhize unveils the visual equipments donated by Ericsson
South Africa
vision of offender rehabilitation through
sport.
The deputy minister continued that offenders
should use 2010 as the year of
recommitting themselves to take advantage
of prevailing opportunities before
they are reintegrated back into society
as law abiding citizens. “Remember
that Utata uMadiba (Nelson Mandela)
was released from prison on the 11th of
February 1990. This year in February,
South Africa celebrated 20 years of his
freedom. Take this opportunity to make
your individual commitments as a tribute
to this icon of our revolution and first
democratic dispensation. This gesture is
an acknowledgement of the offenders’
humanity and their importance to society,
hence the need to ensure that they get a
chance to enjoy the World Cup in style,”
she reminded the audience.
During the official opening of the Department
of Correctional Services Human
Rights training at the Kroonstad
College in 1998, former President Mandela
commented, “The way that society
treats its prisoners is one of the sharpest
reflections of its character.”
The event bears testimony that the department
cannot succeed in its transformation
agenda without partnering with
business sectors to fight crime and ensure
that “all South Africans are Safe and
Feel Safe” in 2010 and beyond. To demonstrate
its readiness for the World Cup,
the department provisionally availed 3
800 bed spaces for World Cup related
incarcerated inmates and 6 000 monitors
in communal cells for approximately 163
000 inmates country wide.
Ericsson South Africa has now joined
a growing list of Correctional Services
friends. Ms Mkhize said that the department
appreciates the gesture through
innovation, technology, sustainable
business solutions and
knowledge that there
are business leaders out
there such as Mr Magnus
Mchunguzi that continue
to show an interest of
what correctional services
is doing - to change
the behaviour of those
that find themselves in
conflict with the law.
“Education is key and
we are honoured to contribute
in a small measure
to ensure that you
get a second chance to
realise your potential.
Our path has taken us
in your direction and we
hope that through this sponsorship, you
will learn new things in life. Be the shinning
example and become progressive
and successful when you look ahead,”
said Mr Mchunguzi, explaining the rationale
behind the investment.
20
SA Corrections Today MAY/JUNE 20 0
2

Soccer lovers enjoying the opening match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup between South Africa
and Mexico at a maiden fan park within the Mordebee premises
Mordebee’ presents a memorable
World Cup opening By Mothapo Olivia
There are a hype of activities at fan parks in places like Pretoria,
Johannesburg, Midrand, Centurion, Kempton park and the all
over the country, but centre based fans have often missed the
fun as a result of the stinginess of their work environment.
However, the Modderbee officials
challenged the notion of secluding
centre based fans (officials) and
gave them a real taste of what it feels
like to be at a fan park. The Mordebee
personnel brought the fan park right at
The Area Commissioner of the Allandale Management Area, Mr
Kosie Sinclair (on the right with eye wear and uniform) and Mr
Craig Francis from the area commissioners’ office (left in uniform
together with other interested spectators.
R E G I O N A L N E W S
their Mess Hall.
The creativity and innovation came
about when officials, who were put on
standby, could not take vacation leave to
experience the vibe that comes with the
hosting of this huge international tourna-
ment (2010 Fifa World Cup).
The opening game on 11 June helped
to reunite families from the Mordebee
surroundings at a place where one would
never associate with the word “fun”.
Prison premises are regarded by most
people as boring and depressing, but
this time around, it was overwhelming
to see SAPS members, Departments of
Justice and Education as well as Comair
officials having a pleasant time under the
same roof. Everybody blew their vuvuzelas
in the name of soccer. The big screen
brought the real sound and the atmosphere
like that experienced by the fans
who attended the match at the Soccer
City Stadium. There were no regrets for
the people who opted to watch the match
at the maiden Mordebee fan park.
The game had everybody sited on the
edge of their chairs and when Simphiwe
Tshabala scored the first goal for Bafana
Bafana, the excitement moved some officials
to tears in disbelief of what they
were experiencing. The sounds of the
vuvuzelas infiltrated the roof of the hall
and connected with cheering noise that
came from the direction of Daveyton (a
township near Mordebee).
After the game ended at 1 all draw, there
were high expectations from the fans for
Bafana Bafana’s game against Uruguay
but they succumbed 3-0 to dampen the
spirit of the Mzansi fans.
Modderbee officials were delighted to
be brought together with their external
stakeholders to reinforce the relationship
they have.
Mr Nico Baloyi (Modderbee Area Commissioner)
was acknowledged for making
the event possible for the officials
and fans from around the area. He was
assisted by Mr Khela Molefe and Collen
Ndala to put the fan park together.
Masses flock to see the
Fifa World Cup Trophy
By Louis Reinke
Hundreds of local school children, correctional officials, community
members and visitors from as far as Cape Town, stood
in long queues on the 11th of May at Paulus Joubert Secondary
School waiting anxiously to see the Fifa World Cup trophy live.
Luckily, it was not a long wait. The trophy duly arrived and the
Area Commissioner of the Allandale Management Area, Mr
Kosie Sinclair was also there to witness the historic moment
together with a small group of Allandale soccer supporters
who stood next to the heavily secured gold trophy wrapped in
a transparent glass box. The heavy presence of the security
guards could also not be missed.
Comrade runner makes
DCS proud
One brave Correctional Official, Mr Hope
Selepe, joined thousands of athletes to contest
for silverware and pride at the recent 89.28
kilometres Comrade Marathon held in Durban
on 30 May.
Going into the marathon, Selepe was only content with finishing
the race but outdone himself by finishing in the bronze medal
bracket after clocking 10 hours and 36 minnutes on the finish
line. He was among a group of runners who represented the department.
The Comrades Marathon is the iconic world class ultra marathon
and is rated as one of the biggest road races globally. It is the race that
tests all the boundaries of human endurance.
The 20 0 Comrades Marathon was the 85th ultimate human race
and it attracted 2 565 entries as a hallmark of celebrating its anniversary.
It started from Pietermaritzburg and finished in Durban.
Over the years, running has become a part of Selepe’s life style and
a dream that the runner wanted to fulfil. The Comrades is the greatest
single day running event on the South African calendar and Hope
started to prepare for the race at least six months prior.
“It is important for me to run comrades marathon because it a personal
challenge and the distance needs to be respected. The distance
is doable,” said Hope.
Hope is not rated as a top runner, but he has run a number of short
distance races like the Half Marathon (2 km), Full Marathons (42km),
and Ultra – Marathons (52) which actually prepared him for the Comrades
Marathon.
“Training requires determination, discipline, dedication as well as
consistency in what you are doing,” he says.
Hope is also a keen reader who reads books like Runners World and
Best Books for Competitive Running which helps him with maintaining
tactical discipline during races.
Hope said of the race, “The Comrades Marathon is the longest running
race in the world. It is not the toughest, but it is certainly the
cruellest. It takes no prisoners. The degree of its difficulty is further
increased by enforced cut- offs. These areas predetermined locations
along the course, where if you don’t reach them by a certain time, you
are not allowed to continue.”
R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
Mr Hope Selepe,The
Regional
Coordinator
Inspections, after
finishing the
comrades 2010,
is welcomed and
congratulated by
LMN Region
Allandale feels 2010 fever
The Allandale Management Area celebrated its 50 days
2010 Fifa World Cup countdown by staging a joint Football
Friday ceremony with members of all its correctional centres.
Participating teams consisted of members from Allandale,
Hawequa, Paardeberg, Obiqua Centre, Paarl Community Corrections
and the area commissioner‘s office. The teams played
several seven a-side matches.
Allandale used home ground advantage as the host to win
the final battle against Obiqua in a match that was decided on
penalty shootouts.
The supporters of all the teams participated in a diksi dance
competition. It was won by Allandale Area Commissioner’s Office
team at the knock-out round involving five teams. Supporters
were all dress in Bafana Bafana attire while Mr Sthembiso
Kaba, the Deputy President of SAFA in the Cape Winelands,
addressed the participants by sharing with them stories on the
history of the soccer world cup.
The day ended with medals presentation by the Area Commissioner
Mr Kosie Sinclair and later all enjoyed potjiekos.
22 SA Corrections Today MAY/JUNE 20 0
2
Letter
Greetings in the Name of Jesus
My name is Willie Jarmon. I am an offender of a crime
that I committed 23 years ago. Since my incarceration,
many wonderful things have happened in my life.
First of all, I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord
and Savior, I am now living according to the word of
God (the Bible) on a daily basis .God’s faithfulness to
me and my faithfulness to him has allowed me to accomplish
so many things right here in prison. The Bible
scriptures are right in saying, “Seek ye the kingdom
first and all his righteousness things shall be added
unto you.”
The two most important things in life are the love and
peace from God. I am writing this letter because I have
been inspired by your newsletters (SA Corrections Today).
So I request that you put me on your mailing list
of the newsletter.
- From Willie Jarmon,
Drakenstein Correctional Centre

Commissioner’s 10 Days
Countdown thrills paltry crowd
By Molatelo Mokumo
Bar the poor attendance by Head Office officials, the National
Commissioner’s 10 Days Countdown ceremony held at the
Pretoria Management Area on 1 June, demonstrated just how
correctional officials in partnership with their counterparts at
SANDF and SAPS are feeling the Fifa World Cup- because it is
here!
The day’s events started with a km fun
walk and died down with soccer matches
involving DCS, SANDF and SAPS
teams.
The event unfolded with the theme, “DCS
supports Bafana Bafana.” Head Office Officials
were released at 0am to go support the
National commissioner’s initiative but many
opted to spend the unsupervised time elsewhere
much to the dismay of event coordinator
Ms Mami Diale. She said, “The atmosphere
was amazing. It is just unfortunate that
most of the Head Office officials, who were
released to come and support this initiative,
opted to go shopping during official time.”
Obiqua: A group of Allandale Management Area official rallying
behind the National Team. They also held a wellness day
S P O R T N E W S
However, a certain Ms Zippora Rakoma
restored parity to the thrills and spins of the
day by uniting all the participants when she
taught them how to do the Diski Dance. In
her spare moment of fame, Ms Rakoma said,
“I feel very grateful to be leading this team
on the Diski Dance. It was enjoyable and
a fulfilling exercise and I’d definitely do it
again.”
Rakoma said she downloaded the Diski
Dance routine on the internet and taught herself
how to dance with a group of friends at
home. When the CDC Corporate Services Mr
Alfred Tsetsane descended the grand stands
to address the officials on behalf of the Na-
24 SA Corrections Today
Allandale rallies behind Bafana Bafana
By Louis Reinke
Ms Zippora Rakoma leading officials to a
diski dance
tional Commissioner whose presence to the
event was robbed by the escapes of 4 offenders
at Harrismith, his throngs and noise
of blowing the vuvuzela added some energy
The pace setters of the 3km fun walk
of the National Commissioner’s 10 Days
Countdown event
to the dull event. He blew it like a seasoned
professional.
He said, “Our 2 -man squad is out. We
sympathize with the five players that have
been left out. The team is ready to perform
and they show determination whenever they
play and the technical team continues to do
a sterling work. Let us go out there and give
them our support.”
Dejected DCS players comfort one another
at half time after trailing 4-0 to SANDF
team. They got two consolation goals in the
second half
He concluded with a special message from
the National Commissioner Mr Tom Moyane
that says, “Let the games begin.”
Allandale Management Area held a wellness day on 20 May as
their symbolic gesture of rallying behind the South African national
soccer team. The wellness day was staged as a continuation
of the Woza Football Friday initiative. It was held at the Obiqua
Centre-Tulbach.
The day started off with an HIV and Aids memorial service with
guests and schoolchildren from the local community. The event was
followed by soccer matches between various centres such as Allandale,
Hawequa, Paardeberg and Obiqua with seven players a side.
Ladies soccer was also part of the festivities.
There were also indoor sports which included darts, dominoes, table
tennis and karaoke.
The day ended with a braai and potjie.
Obiqua centre was crowned the winner after their soccer team beat
Allandale 2- in the penalty shoot out.