Putting out the fires of crime
FOURWAYS - Firefighting programme, Working on Fire, has recruited 10 female parolees to become fully fledged firefighters.
Once they complete extensive training, they will be dispatched to different bases across the province, including in Kyalami and Midrand. Parolees are from different correctional service centres across the province who had to pass physical fitness tests.
“Prison does not have kids, it is the communities that have kids,” said 45-year-old Refilwe Kulwa, a mother of five and a recruited female parolee.
“At least I have another opportunity to make a living and to change my life for the better, I am prepared to face hurdles,” she said.
“I am confident that, with the stipend… if I pass [the] medical… I will definitely make a difference in my house. I will use the stipend to upskill myself, perhaps do my driver’s licence,” she said.
Magata Mashifane a representative for Correctional Services in Gauteng said the recruitment of the parolees will help a lot in breaking the cycle of crime.
“Parolees too are humans, they too need opportunities to make a living, and most institutions decline to employ parolees because of the stigma attached to ex-convicts,” said Mashifane.
She said the parolees had showed commitment to change by passing stringent physical fitness tests.
Mashifane said the programme treated parolees as firefighters not parolees. Working on Fire’s general manager in Gauteng, Avhasei Maswime said the programme was able to give parolees a second chance in life.
“The opportunities will relieve poverty from the homes of the newly recruited female parolees,” he said.
