Offender sees the light
The Katlehong resident said his incarceration and his religion have taught him to be peaceful, be kind to others and change for the better.
One of the men who shot and killed two members of the SAPS Flying Squad while recovering a hijacked vehicle in Katlehong in 2000, has lauded the Department of Correctional Services Victim-Offender Dialogue (VOD) programme.
The VOD, launched on November 28, 2012, fosters a conversation between victims and perpetrators. Offenders get an opportunity to reflect on their wrongs and request forgiveness.
Mojalefa Maja who is serving a life sentence at Modderbee Correctional Services said after participating in the programme he realised his actions caused severe pain and grief to his victims.
The 50-year-old who got arrested when he was 22 years old, was convicted of murder, robbery, being an accessory to robbery, and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. His six friends were also convicted.
The slain officers were recovering a vehicle that had been hijacked when they were shot dead at close range by a group of seven gunmen, who stole their service pistols, in Tsolo Street, Katlehong on October 24, 2000.
Maja who was a well-known student activist in Katlehong around the 70’s said he got a broader understanding that restorative justice does not end with being incarcerated but it goes deeper than that.
“It did not dawn on me when I looked at some of the crime scene photos that I did wrong; up until the VOD session.
During my engagement with one of the affected families, they shared that after the incident they had to move from their home and downgrade to a smaller place because there was no longer a breadwinner.
“My heart broke when they mentioned that the man’s widow experienced a severe mental breakdown which affected her health.
“The youngest child, who was eight years old when his father was taken away from him said due to anger, he decided to become a police officer to somehow get justice for his father.”
Regretting the decisions he made, Maja said he hopes young people can stay away from crime by building themselves a better future.
“Crime doesn’t pay. You can become famous now for all the wrong reasons but the long arm of the law will get you.
“There are days when passing time in prison becomes unbearable. Crime not only affects you but it affects your family who loves you and the society at large,” said Maja.
The Katlehong resident said his incarceration and religion have taught him to be peaceful, be kind to others and change for the better.
He is now the chairman of Sport, Recreation and Arts and Culture (SRAC) of the prison.
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