Correctional Services National Commissioner Tom Moyane says delivery of correctional services requires a revolution in order to make right a number of challenges facing the institution and deepen the transformation started with the approval of the White Paper on Corrections.
Addressing the executive management and staff of Correctional Services in Pretoria today Commissioner Moyane said the changes are meant to strengthen the capacity of Correctional Services to address a number of challenges that include inconsistency in case management cycles and in the operations of parole boards, implementing the new remand detention system, as well as strengthening of performance management and reviews.
Correctional Services National Commissioner Tom Moyane announced changes to his executive management as part of strengthening service delivery capacity which include:
- The establishment of a fully fledged branch for information technology to replace the Central Services Branch and assigned Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC) Jennifer Schreiner as interim head of the GITO Branch
- The appointment of Ms Subashini Moodley – the Chief Deputy Commissioner for Development and Care as the General Secretary of the Africa Correctional Services Association (ACSA)
- The appointment of Ms Nontsikelelo Jolingana – the Regional Commissioner of Eastern Cape - to fill the vacancy left by Ms Moodley in Development and Care
- The appointment of Mr Zach Modise - Regional Commissioner of Free State/Northern Cape to the vacant position of CDC Corrections
- The vacant senior executive management position that includes Regional Commissioners for Eastern Cape, Free State/Northern Cape, Gauteng and Limpopo/North West/Mpumalanga Regions will be advertised in due course. Commissioner Moyane announced Ms Grace Molatedi and Mr Nkosinathi Breakfast as Acting Regional Commissioners for Free State/Northern Cape and Eastern Cape respectively
- As Regional Commissioners of Gauteng and LMN are no longer with the Department Commissioner Moyane appointed Mr. Kenny Bouwer and Ms. Lunga Tseana as Acting Regional Commissioners of Gauteng and LMN region respectively.
Commissioner Moyane also read a riot act to a few officials responsible for perpetuating fraud and corruption including the ‘despicable practice of nepotism’, aiding escapes and those failing to ensure a clean audit report. He said, “We are extremely determined to rid this organisation of cancerous financial mismanagement, including tender manipulations and stealing of public funds through (among others) illegal transfers from PERSAL.” He acknowledged the contributions of correctional officials and managers who have contributed in implementing the White Paper on Corrections particularly coal face officials that on a daily basis face many challenges.
Further unveiling his vision for the Department of Correctional Services after serving about seven months at the helm, Commissioner Moyane promised to unveil a “security blue print for the Department of Correctional Services in due course” in collaboration with partners in the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster of departments. He said the security blue print will “capacitate our organisation to deal with current and future security risks associated with our organisation”.
This is a task that is of top priority in my tenure as National Commissioner and I can assure all of us that it will not be business as usual.” He called for “adherence to highest standards of discipline, without which it is impossible for us to succeed in any of our administrative and operational imperatives.”
He also made a number of critical announcements on the improvement of working conditions for correctional officials that include:
- The establishment of a New Academy to provide accredited training for correctional officials and managers
- Strengthening of the Emergency Support Team (EST), a crack security team of Correctional Services responsible for all security interventions required
- The re-introduction of National Corrections Excellence Awards that will be held in March 2011 to celebrate many pockets of excellence within the Department of Correctional Services
- The filling of all critical vacancies to enable Correctional Services to operate at optimum capacity.
He reminded all officials that the performance standard for security during Operation Val, the festive season security plan, is zero escapes. He urged all officials not to treat operation Vala as an event, but part of an ongoing security improvement plan to ensure that all South Africans are and feel safe.
All the changes announced by the National Commissioner take effect immediately.Among staff members attending the meeting were all Regional Commissioners, Chief Deputy Commissioners, Head Office personnel and managers of the Gauteng Region. Commissioner Moyane wished all managers and officials a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
