The Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa led a legion of correctional officials to Dzanani village in Limpopo, on 28 February 2020, to educate community members about the mandate of Correctional Services. The “Community Corrections and Social Reintegration imbizo” was held in response to a spate of attacks and killings of ex-offenders in the area.
Following a number of reported incidents of parolees and probationers being attacked by community members, Nkosi Holomisa and the Department deemed it imperative and urgent to interact with, and rally community members to forge a working partnership. He urged the community to support correctional programmes rendered by the Department, which are aimed at rehabilitating and ensuring seamless reintegration of offenders back into the outside world. “The anger we have witnessed in this District, resulting in the killing of parolees and probationers, does indicate that cohesiveness is required quite urgently,” he opined.
Deputy Minisiter, Nkosi Holomisa said he sympathized with the community who bear the brunt of rampant crime in the area. However, he pleaded with them not to inflict harm on parolees and probationers, but instead, support them to become productive citizens when they are released. “We fully understand that, as communities, you are at the receiving end of the actions of those who break the law. Social ills have become a daily phenomenon confronting you with devastating effects on the values of society. Let us find means to work together and co-ordinate efforts intended to facilitate the reintegration of ex-offenders into society, and the empowerment of inmates through socio-economic development interventions,” he pleaded.
The Deputy Minister said that it’s only a meagre percentage of offenders who violate their parole conditions. He said Correctional Services places over 75 000 offenders on parole annually, and said that the overwhelming majority (99%) comply with their parole conditions. He mooted plans to review the country’s parole regime in order to address systemic deficiencies and affirm a victim-centred justice system.
The MEC of Social Development in Limpopo, Nkakareng Rakgoale rendered a message of support and pledged to build close working ties with DCS, particularly in fighting the scourge of gender-based violence. Community members expressed frustration that repeat offenders who commit heinous crimes are often granted bail by the courts and released on parole by DCS.
His Majesty King Tony Mphephu Ramabulana-Ramabulana called for government to forge a closer pact with the traditional authority in order to allay the fears of communities when parolees are released from incarceration. He called for Correctional Services to inform traditional councils when offenders are released back into the community. He said this will enable the traditional authorities to prepare community members to receive ex-offenders back into society, and not treat them as social outcasts.
