3 101 correctional officials charged for misconduct
Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has yet again warned Correctional Officials that crime and corruption will be rooted out.
“The behavior of Correctional Officials has a direct influence on the lives of offenders. This noble profession of corrections has no place for criminals. As the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), we will fight fraud and corruption with vigor. We will root out criminal behavior amongst those who taint our standing, and reputation, in society. The majority of our more than 42 000 DCS officials are honorable and law-abiding. We refuse to allow those few individuals to reverse the gains we have achieved. Correctional Services has made significant strides from the inherited prison system prior to 1994. However, much more still needs to be done.
“According to the Public Service Commission 2011/12 Report, DCS was evaluated as the third best institution in dealing with fraud and corruption. As part of the Department’s anti-corruption strategy, since 2009/10, more than 171 DCS officials were dismissed, demoted or suspended for offences related to only fraud and corruption, including 28 officials between April and December 2013.
“On 21 August 2013, Mr. Francis Moikutlwi Kwela (39), who was employed at the DCS Legal Services Directorate, was sentenced to five years imprisonment after he was dismissed for fraud amounting to R1 823 393,10. Another official is still to stand trial in the same case. This matter has now been handed over to the Asset Forfeiture Unit for recovery.
“Last year (2012/13 financial year), 251 DCS officials were dismissed and demoted and 2 850 officials were subjected to misconduct, and disciplinary, hearings as follows:
Correctional counseling: 464
Verbal warning: 659
Written warning: 661
Final written warning: 475
Suspended without pay: 161
Fine: 9
Demotion: 130
Dismissal: 121
Not guilty: 111
Case withdrawn: 310
“DCS is also closing in on the officials involved following the re-arrest of offenders Frikkie du Preez and Christoff Becker on 16 February 2014, and publication of a video showing the “Waterkloof Two” allegedly celebrating in a correctional centre. The recommended conversion of sentence of the other “Waterkloof Two”, Gert van Schalkwyk and Reinach Tiedt, by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board in 2011 led to the dismissal of a number of DCS officials, including the chairman of the parole board and chairman of the case management committee.
“DCS has 243 correctional centres across the country which were built, over the past 100 years or so, when corrections and rehabilitation were unheard of. As we review old-generation facilities, DCS is also improving technology to improve security, and safety, by providing real-time identification, and tracking, of inmates, and officials, at regular intervals.
“Correctional Officials must first, through their own conduct, earn respect to give this profession the respect it deserves. Together with the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services, as well as other law enforcement agencies, DCS will continue to ensure that any official, offender or member of the public found guilty of any offence face the consequences of their actions. We are also calling upon the public to report any criminal activity to the Department’s toll-free anti-corruption hotline 0800 701 701,” Minister Ndebele said.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
