Inmates of the Waterval Management area of Correctional Services have pleaded with the community ‘to accept them’ once they have been released.
This was the message at a New Year’s Day event at Waterval where prison authorities allowed over 200 family members to visit their loved ones who are incarcerated in the facility.
They were entertained by the prisoners who sang and danced and were treated with a special ‘New Year’s Day’ meal.
Poet, Bongani Msomi, who is also an inmate, said: “We are human beings and we know that we have wronged you.” He claimed that ‘some of us have been oppressed by poor (police) investigations’
“Others are here because of aggression and failed to listen to their parents.” Mr Msomi said ‘everyone needs another chance’, including prisoners.
He concluded: “Please forgive us because we are still human beings and we might help you with something once we are released from the centre as we have learned many things.”

Thembinkosi Mathenjwa, head of the Medium A Centre, said the purpose of inviting family and friends was to give inmates a chance to show off their talent – singing and dancing – to their loved ones which is part of their rehabilitation process.
“This is to show that when they are released they will be completely different people from the ones who did people wrong,” he said.
Family members and friends cheered loudly as the inmates went through their repertoire of music and dance.
Mr Mathenjwa thanked the Minister of Correctional Services, Advocate Michael Masutha, National Commissioner, Zack Modise, and Regional Commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele, for allowing Waterval to invite family members and friends to the New Year event.