Correctional officers celebrate 30 years of service

Kwatsaduza – A group of Nigel correctional officers celebrated 30 years of unbroken service at a restaurant in Nigel recently.

This was to acknowledge all the hardships they’ve been through over the past three decades.

The head of the Social Reintegration Office for Community Corrections, Katiso Rantlha said this was done by individuals outside the organisation.

“There were 12 of us who went to six-month training at Kroonstad in 1994, from January to June, and were later placed at Nigel,” he said.

“Some passed away along the way while some moved to other areas so there are seven of us left here,” he continued.

He said their training back then was tough and it helped that they had each other hence they still celebrate every moment.

Rantlha said they nearly lost interest and hope in the training and were close to quitting the training due to the intensity of it.

The officers wore green on the day as a symbol of greener pastures with Rantlha saying they are hoping for better lives when they go on pension.

“We are of different ages, we were therefore discussing that we should start a business stokvel which will be able to sustain us after pension. Some will be leaving soon and others at a later stage but we should all have a great life after pension,” he said.

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