Commissioner Modise: It will not be business as usual
Newly-appointed National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr. Zacharia Modise, has informed Correctional Officials that it will no longer be business as usual.
Addressing hundreds of Correctional Officials, from Head Office as well as the Regional Management Committees of Gauteng and Limpopo/Mpumalanga/North West Regions, in Pretoria earlier today (1 July 2015), Commissioner Modise said that public servants must be professional and responsible.
“The reality is that DCS has not been able to fulfil all the ideals of our citizens. Although we have made significant progress, ethical, and integrity, issues and maladministration continue to impede our progress towards developing a professionalised department thus contributing to poor service delivery. Our Constitution requires a public service that is professional, transparent, accountable, responsible and developmental.
Therefore, as Correctional Officials, our actions must result in the achievement of these underlying principles and values. As DCS, we have to build a capable, developmental, efficient, effective and development-oriented Department. It will not be business as usual.
The delivery of correctional services is a labour intensive enterprise that survives, and thrives, through its staff. Our focus is to ensure sufficient capacity to handle complex offender rehabilitation, and development, issues. Our officials are the catalyst in correcting offending behaviour to help build a safer society.
“The National Development Plan (Vision 2030) sets out a vision for our future. It notes that there is uneven performance in government, which results from the interplay between a complex set of factors including tensions in the political-administrative interface, instability of the administrative leadership, skills deficits, the erosion of accountability and authority, poor organisational design, inappropriate staffing and low staff morale.
In order for us to build a capable and developmental state, we have to correct these inefficiencies by building an efficient, effective and development-oriented public service.
The NDP also highlights the need for well-run, and effectively coordinated, state institutions with skilled public servants who are committed to the public good and capable of delivering consistently high-quality services, while prioritising the nation's developmental objectives. Correctional Services cannot fail in this regard. Working together, we will succeed. Our time is now. Rise up, and play your part in DCS,” said Commissioner Modise.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Tel: 076 062 2180
E-mail: Manelisi.Wolela@dcs.gov.za
