As the calendar year has commenced, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, saw it befitting to rejuvenate officials in the Department of Correctional Services by wishing them well for 2023. In a hybrid platform, Minister Lamola delivered his address on 24 January 2023, where officials from Head Office gathered at Kgosi Mampuru II Management Areas and officials in the regions attended virtually.
Welcoming all officials, National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale conveyed a message of gratitude to Minister Lamola and Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, for allowing the session to take place and address officials on their ideas that will steer the department towards realising its mandate.
Addressing the officials, Minister Lamola applauded all security officials across the regions for adhering fully to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that resulted in not having many worrying security incidents over the festive season as compared with the previous years. He also commended all officials for their dedication, resilience and hard work which are at the center of remarkable progress that DCS has achieved. “Without our hard-working officials, we would not have been able to contribute to a safer South Africa,” said Minister Lamola.
Furthermore, Minister Lamola urged officials to continue transforming the country and contributing towards the implementation of the Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability Framework (SSSF) that seeks to create an entrepreneurial state amongst others. He encouraged all officials, irrespective of the rank, to contribute towards a clean audit outcome. This includes complying in terms of capturing of leave forms, finalization of disciplinary processes as well as timeous payments of suppliers to mention a few.
However, Minister Lamola has cautioned officials against nepotism, favouritism, and corruption especially over the appointments of candidates for the learnership programme. “Any official who takes a chance and engage in such activities will face the full might of the law and lose his or her job,” said Lamola.
Deputy Minister Holomisa, acknowledged Minister Lamola’s words of encouragement as he welcomed all officials into the new year. “Let us be reminded that our mandate is to contribute towards creating a safer South Africa, where people who have deviated from the chosen path are given a second chance to ensure that they become rehabilitated for the betterment of their lives. Let us ensure that DCS becomes a department of choice” said Holomisa.
Concluding the session, Minister Lamola, joined by Deputy Minister Holomisa and National Commissioner Thobakgale profoundly conveyed a special message of appreciation to Deputy Commissioner: Personal Well-Being, Dorothy Makhuza who epitomises a public servant who is people driven and prioritises rendering services with renewed commitment. DC Mabuza, will be going on retirement at the end of January this year, after serving 37 years in DCS with excellent determination and dedication.