Department warns parolees
The head of community correction at the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Ramokgodi Kau, has called on all parolees to inform the department if they want to change their place of residence.
By Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani
The head of community correction at the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Ramokgodi Kau, has called on all parolees to inform the department if they want to change their place of residence.
Addressing members of the community, parolees and their relatives at the Rabasotho Hall in Tembisa on Thursday afternoon last week, Mr Kau said the department acknowledge the fact that parolees have to look for job opportunities in order to fend for their families.
“But they have to inform the department. We have to know where they are and the reason why. There are forms to be filled out before they can move to other places,” he said.
He pointed out that when probation officers visit a parolee’s residence, they have to find them there at all times.
He said it is illegal for parolees to relocate to another place without the department’s approval.
A representative from the National Prosecuting Authority, Mr Marema, addressed the issue of criminal records as many former prisoners were complaining that their chances of getting employment were slim.
The parolees voiced the fact that once companies realise they have criminal records, they reject their applications.
But Mr Marema said they can apply for a presidential pardon after a period of 10 years.
He said a lot of people get into trouble with the law because of domestic violence.
“People fight with their partners over a weekend and get arrested. The cases are dropped on Monday morning and they move on with their lives without knowing they have a criminal record. The problem is even if the case is dropped, you are already in the system. When you look for employment, you find that you have a criminal record,” he said.
He advised people to live in peace and to avoid getting into trouble. When encouraging and motivating former prisoners to forge ahead with their lives, Pastor Maseko said a criminal record should never be a stumbling block for former prisoners to succeed in life.
“Criminal record or no criminal record, go out there with a positive mind and do it for yourself. There are former prisoners who are millionaires today because they did not sit down and wait for the government or companies to employ them, they started their own businesses. Today these people are role models. Look at people like Kenny Kunene. He is a former prisoner, but today he is a millionaire. In fact with God, everything is possible,” he said.
