Imbizo behind bars
In a first of its kind, the Department of Correctional Services, led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Thabang Makwetla, will convene an Imbizo behind bars for inmates incarcerated at the Witbank Correctional Centre in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 14 April 2015 at 09h30. More than 400 inmates and their relatives(family members) will gather at the Witbank Correctional Centre to have a frank discussion about government efforts to implement the legislative framework governing correctional affairs in South Africa.
The Imbizo will focus on rehabilitation, nutritional and spiritual care, incarceration and security for both sentenced and remand detainees. The Deputy Minister will also highlight educational and skills development opportunities, available to sentenced offenders, which are essential in preventing a reoffending behaviour upon release.
The Imbizo event will be divided in three phases with the first phase commencing with a visit to a shoe and uniform factory (at the centre) where inmates and remand detainees uniform is manufactured to showcase positive work done by offenders as part of the skills development programme. The second phase will entail an Imbizo session where the Deputy Minister will provide feedback on issues raised by offenders and also highlight progress on rehabilitation programmes.
The day will conclude with a direct interface with community members at the Witbank Taxi Rank where information pamphlets will be distributed.
You are kindly invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2015
Venue: Witbank Management Area Recreational Hall
Time: 09h00 for 09h30
Kindly confirm attendance with Ms Zodwa Mtsweni on 072 311 3500 or Zodwa.Mtsweni@dcs.gov.za
Enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana
Cell: 082 496 6875
