Victim Offender Dialogue brings healing in Madibogo

26-November-2019_Main

Deputy Minister, Nkosi Phatekile Holomisa was part of the department’s exertion towards rebuilding communities, and restoring relationships, ravaged by crime at a public Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) in Madibogo, a village near Mahikeng, on 22 November 2019.  Community members from surrounding villages in the Ratlou Local Municipality, consisting of those who were personally affected by crime, families, community members and local leaders, came out in numbers.

Modibogo is notorious for its high level of violence and crime. Murder, assault and rape are some of the common crimes that disturb peace in this rural community situated in the North West province. Addressing the community, Deputy Minister Holomisa said behind each crime there are victims, families, loved ones, friends and a community. He further alluded that, for certain victims or survivors of severe violence and violation, the facilitated VOD process can provide a pathway to a sense of further healing and further justice. The Deputy Minister says at the same time offenders can better understand the devastating effects of their behaviour.

26-November-2019

Five parolees and one inmate were given an opportunity to explain their crimes and ask for pardon from the community they wronged. The crimes they committed ranged from armed robbery, murder and rape.

Five of their victims were also present and they expressed feelings of desolation and told of their journey to healing. Julia Rabotolo, whose elder brother was robbed and stabbed to death on 16 December 2000, could not hold back her emotions as she told the community how her brother was brutally murdered. She lost the only sibling she had and a bread winner at home. Although her heart still aches for her loss, she declared that she had forgiven the perpetrator for her own sake. She said she feels for her parents who died before they could see that justice was done for their son whose life was cut short. She discouraged school children from involving themselves in any kind of crime such as violence and drugs.

Deputy Director Client Relations, Jeanette Mokoena from the Directorate: Social Reintegration explained to the Madibogo community that correctional facilities were no longer used as mere buildings to feed and keep offenders away from society but correctional centres that rehabilitate offenders through programmes in order to reintegrate them back to their communities as responsible citizens who will live with their people in harmony. “As the department we know that corrections is a societal responsibility and we cannot do it without you,” she said.

The VOD is not solely about forgiveness or reconciliation. Its primary objective is for the survivor to feel heard, and for the offender to fully understand the effects of what he or she has done. The survivors who choose VOD get satisfaction to finally say what they needed to say to the offender and this brings healing.

Community members were given an opportunity to pose questions and express their views about the session and the department. Expungement of criminal records as well as complainant and victim involvement in parole boards were some of the issues raised.

The day ended with showers of rain, a good sign for the people of Madibogo. To them rain resembles fortune and better days to come, Pula! Ayine!

 

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