Correctional services: Parolees warn learners against crime
Recently as part of the programme, the DCS hosted a back-to-school campaign at Mmakgabo where learners received crime prevention education and some motivation to kickstart the 2024 academic year.
POLOKWANE – Parolees from various villages in Moletjie embarked on a back-to-school cleaning campaign at Makgabo High School recently.
After the clean-up, police officials and parolees addressed learners on the dangers of getting involved in crime.
Correctional services also brought along Pheladi Maholo, also an offender, who encouraged learners to focus on their studies and not give in to peer pressure.
According to Polokwane management area communications manager Sachiel Nemafhohoni, this initiative is held in Mopani, Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts.
“The reason why we work with parolees is because it forms part of their parole conditions to give back to the community after they have gone through various rehabilitation programmes. We also urge community members to welcome our parolees back into society, as many have acquired skills from our centres and are employable. Our parolees are also busy with projects aimed at assisting disadvantaged people,” said Nemafhohoni.
Makgabo High School principal Albert Makwela thanked the Polokwane Management Area and parolees for the back-to-school cleaning campaign.
“In 2022, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) partnered with Mmakgabo Secondary School to help with school projects and educate learners. This partnership has seen the success of their projects such as gardening, renovations, and donations of school uniforms and groceries to needy families and creches around the school.
“I have initiated a programme called Closing the Prison Doors by Closing the School Gates and as part of the programme, Correctional Services donated sports grandstands to support learners’ co-curricular and extramural activities,” said Makwela. He said learners enjoy playing in the schoolyard with all the available equipment. Recently as part of the programme, the DCS hosted a back-to-school campaign at Mmakgabo where learners received crime prevention education and some motivation to kickstart the 2024 academic year. Learners of Mmakgabo understand what it takes to live as responsible citizens who wish to see a crime-free society. “We are grateful for this partnership because we have never underachieved academically in our partnership with DCS. In this partnership, we have helped some of our learners to compete at provincial and national levels in sport and extra-mural activities. This includes being crowned as the champions of a spelling bee at the 13 Funda Mzansi competitions hosted by the DCS in George.
