A successful community imbizo hosted at Kanan Community Hall
Stakeholders agreed to visit Region A and inform locals about the available correctional services at their respective organisations.
The Department of Correctional Services, in collaboration with Rabie Ridge Police and other local stakeholders, held a successful Community Imbizo on September 26.
The gathering at Kanana Community Hall in Rabie Ridge follows the National Commissioner of Correctional Services’ announcement of Correctional Week, which runs from September 24 through September 30.
Correctional Week is devoted to highlighting the department’s efforts towards offender rehabilitation and social reintegration.
As a result, stakeholders agreed to visit Region A and inform locals about the available correctional services at their respective organisations.
Along with food contributions, parolees and probationers shared with the community what they encountered while jailed, as well as attempting not to return to crime once they were released. They also spoke about other difficulties they encountered as they tried to rebuild their lives after jail.
Napo Moasi, area commissioner of Leeuwkop Correctional Services, highlighted how the majority of the community is unaware of the services provided by the department.
“In Correctional Services, we have a notion called self-sufficiency and sustainability, which means that we aim to save money by supporting ourselves. So, at Leeuwkop, we have a farm with animals and veggies. So, we decided we’d bring some to the neighbourhood to demonstrate our services,” Moasi explained.
Rabie Ridge Station Commander, Colonel Johanna Ngoma said, “Our role here today is to warn the community not to take the law into their own hands. Also, we need to recruit covert informers since the police will not be able to investigate the crime without information, and we need individuals to help us because the culprits live within the city.
Victor Morgan, an ex-offender said, “We are here in Kanana doing a rehabilitation programme with the correctional services, and I am here to also talk about my story and my background, and everything that I’ve encountered and done in the past, and where I am today.
“The message is getting through to a lot of people. To youth, make wise decisions while you are young. You don’t have to wait until you are in a difficult circumstance to make the proper judgements. Simply learn from the mistakes of others and resolve today to conduct your life correctly.”
“To the community at large, except those who are ex-offenders, who are reintegrated back into the community, receive them very well, work with them especially when you see that they are willing to invest back into the community.”
The gathering, according to Timothy Magoro, Director of Ditaba Security Services, was vital for young people to understand that crime does not pay and that being imprisoned has long-term effects.
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