Community imbizo in Rithabiseng touches on unemployment
Parolees and probationers need an opportunity to show the community that they have changed.
Zonderwater Community Corrections hosted a community imbizo at the Sinenhlahla Primary School Hall in Rithabiseng on February 15, to engage with parolees, probationers, caregivers and stakeholders with the hope of unravelling unemployment issues confronted by both parolees and probationers.
About 20 parolees and probationers, joined by their families and stakeholders, gathered during the community imbizo.
The meeting was intended to address issues of unemployment and stigmatisation and also restore trust between parolees and probationers, their caregivers and stakeholders while serving community corrections.
Sipho Edson Nxumalo, acting head of Zonderwater Community Corrections, emphasised only a few numbers of the 174 parolees on their system have managed to secure jobs, including those who are self-employed.
“The rest are still facing unemployment challenges, following their criminal record and trust issues within the community.”
Nxumalo said, “Following such encounters, their office deemed it necessary to partner with the SAPS, SASSA, the Department of Labour, and Imfundiso Skills Development Programmes to focus on job matters and revive relationships to reintegrate the ex-offenders back to the community.
“We assembled today with you as stakeholders to assist our clients (parolees) in finding employment,” said Nxumalo.
He also further reminded that corrections are a societal responsibility, “We should all take part in changing the offender’s behaviour.”
Thapelo Nkosi, a parolee, said he is committed to repairing the harm he caused to the community.
“I realised the evil deeds I committed and am pleading with the community for a second chance,” said Nkosi.
He further applauded the correctional services for providing him with life skills, substance abuse programmes and economic crime programmes while incarcerated.
Grace Magagula, a caregiver, was also concerned with her son roaming around at home without income.
She said, “I am happy to witness my child being registered in the Department of Labour database. It brings hope, as he will soon be able to put food on the table.”
She also pledged to play her role as a support system to parolees in successfully reintegrating them back into society, including her own. Brigadier Nelly Baloyi from the SAPS Criminal Records Department vowed to support the parolees.
“We know these children have wronged us, but we will provide them with more information regarding processes of criminal record expungement,” said Baloyi.
Parolees and probationers with specialised skills get opportunities to show their talent during the yearly adopted community school projects in the management area.
The Zonderwater club facility has been rotating ex-offenders for the past three years by offering them employment opportunities where they can also earn remuneration to assist their family financially.
