Ex-convicts in eMbalenhle form their own organisation

Champion of Change is a new ex-offenders organisation that was established two months ago in eMbalenhle by the crime offenders who were released from prison after serving their sentence.

The organisation aim to play a major role in the community by being involved in the fight against crime and eradicating the stigma of being a criminal in the eyes of society.

According to Sibusiso Sithole who is the chairperson of the organisation, they need support from their communities.

“Our government spend a lot of money on offender rehabilitation processes so that reformed offenders can re-enter society, but we have a challenge of not being accepted.

“That is why some relapse into crime to go back to jail with a belief that it is the only place where he or she belongs,” said Sithole.

Sithole said the Department of Correctional Services offers offenders these key services:
1. Correction – which corrects the offender’s behaviour
2. Care – for the offender to receive all the basic needs
3. Security – to protect the offender from not being abused in prison
4. Education and vocational training
5. Aftercare – when the offender is being released from prison

Sithole said Champion of Change wants the government to also recognise ex-offenders as South African citizens regardless of their stigma, and to give them equal opportunities by removing the screening for criminal records when employment opportunities are advertised.

“Currently, we are being blocked because of our criminal records. Why does our government waste money on giving us skills and vocational training while they know very well it will not assist us?

“We are now busy with anti-gangsterism programmes at eThokomala Reform School in Kinross.

“We heard those children become gangsters while they are placed in a reform programme because of the offences they have committed,” said Sithole.

“They have begun referring to themselves by numbers such as the big five, or 26.

“They do not realise this way of life is not real. It is only a tool to keep them in prison for a long time or die there.

“We warned them to stop that nonsense because they will ruin their future.

“One day when they end up in a real jail with those numbers on their bodies, they will have to prove they really belong to that group of gangsters by killing other offenders inside prison.

“That is where their problems will start. He will go in to serve six months in prison but will get an additional 25 years.

“We warned them against gangsterism and crime which daily affect our communities,” said Sithole.

Sithole said any ex-offender who wants to join them can contact him on 064 662 2350.