Parolees get ‘surprise visit’
Communities are encouraged to report the misbehavior of parolees and probationers to the nearest Community Corrections Office.
Two parolees were recently rearrested in Gamalakhe for the violation of their parole conditions.
This comes as police, along with Port Shepstone Community Corrections officials (under Kokstad management area), conducted a surprise visit to parolees and probationers residing in Port Shepstone and its surroundings.
Bonginkosi Mbotshwa, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson, said the Community Corrections Office is responsible for offenders who are serving the last remaining part of their sentences at home.
This is done to ascertain whether they are ready to be integrated back into the community they once wronged.
He explained that parolees and probationers, once they have been granted this opportunity, are expected to abide by the conditions of the parole system. For instance, they are expected to not drink alcohol, wander around or be involved in fights. When they are monitored, they are expected to be found at their residential addresses.
They are also motivated to seek employment and report to their monitoring officials. In most cases, before they are offered this opportunity, they are capacitated with survival skills for self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Gugelethu Chonco, DCS KZN’s regional co-ordinator for social reintegration, appreciated the partnership between the two sister departments, the DCS and Saps.
“It is important that parolees adhere to the parole conditions so as to regain the trust of the community. I vehemently oppose the crime carried out by parolees, where 18 people were killed in the Lusikisiki massacre,” said Chonco.
The community is advised to play an active role in the programmes offered by DCS, such as the parole system, restorative justice, victim-offender dialogue and victim-offender mediation.
“As the department, we believe that rehabilitation of offenders is a societal responsibility; we can’t work in isolation. It is about time departments, non-governmental and faith-based organisations, and business forums come together and fight crime that is rattling South Africa,” said Mbotshwa.
Communities are encouraged to report the misbehaviour of parolees and probationers to the nearest Community Corrections Office.
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