The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has strengthened staffing in the Bethal Management Area with the arrival of 27 newly appointed learners who recently completed training at Zonderwater and Kroonstad training colleges.

The learners were officially welcomed on August 3 by acting Area Commissioner Mzwamakhaya Dlepu and the executive management of the Bethal Management Area.

Following their arrival, the recruits immediately began the DCS Learnership Programme, which includes a week-long orientation and induction process.

The programme is designed to familiarise learners with the department’s operations, values, curriculum requirements, assessment methods and expected standards of discipline and professionalism.

As part of the programme, the learners will be placed under the guidance of experienced correctional officials who will serve as mentors and support them throughout their practical training. They will perform experiential duties aimed at developing the skills required for offender rehabilitation and correctional supervision.

Addressing the learners, Dlepu warned them against corruption and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained during their college training to help fulfil the mission of the DCS.

He also urged them to pursue further academic qualifications and maintain professional relationships with both colleagues and offenders while upholding the department’s code of conduct.

Dlepu described the Bethal Management Area as one of the top-performing management areas in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region.

“Welcome to Bethal Management Area. You are privileged to be part of this progressive Management Area. This Management Area is amongst the best performing Management Areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region,” said Dlepu.

He added that the management area achieved 100% on its Annual Performance Plan (APP) during the final quarter of the previous financial year and encouraged the learners to show determination and learn from their mentors, saying some of them could become future leaders of the management area.

The learners will be deployed to correctional centres across the Bethal Management Area and will remain in the learnership programme until permanent appointments are confirmed by the delegated authority.

According to the DCS, the appointments form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen stability within the Bethal Management Area and support the department’s mission of contributing to a just, peaceful and safer South Africa through effective and humane incarceration, rehabilitation and the social reintegration of offenders.