N Balfour and L Mti pay tribute to late Regional Commissioner of
Correctional Services

6 May 2006

The Minister of Correctional Services has reacted with deep shock on the
untimely death of one of the senior and outstanding member of the department,
the Regional Commissioner of Gauteng (Deputy Director-General), Mr Siyabulela
Mlombile.

Mr Mlombile died today, Saturday, 6 May 2006, following long illness. He was
one of the pioneers of the transformation of intelligence and correctional
services in the current democratic dispensation.

“Iqhawe liwile the hero has fallen. I am deeply saddened and shocked at the
loss of such an outstanding senior manager of my team who was so dedicated and
committed to the transformation of the Department of Correctional Services,”
said Minister Balfour.

Minister Balfour said Mr Mlombile was “one of those outstanding managers who
made a tremendous contribution to the turn around strategy of the Department,
ensuring that we reclaim public confidence in the provision of efficient and
effective correctional services”.

“He was a great visionary with unique leadership qualities, who always
promoted the role of the department at all costs and in all fronts,” added
Minister Balfour.

The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Commissioner Linda Mti,
who closely worked with Mr Mlombile in uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) structures in
exile and also in the National Intelligence Service (NIA), has described Mr
Mlombile as “a committed correctional service cadre who made significant
inroads in advancing the department’s transformation agenda, during his
tenure”.

“Whilst we are mourning his death, this is also the time to also celebrate
his legacy. His memory will always inspire us to vigorously continue to drive
this transformation agenda so as to ensure that his legacy is not in vain,”
said Commissioner Mti. "We have lost a great colleague, a brother, a friend and
a comrade whose legacy will always form part of our institutional memory."

Mr Mlombile worked at the African National Congress (ANC) head office before
the 1994 democratic elections and later joined the National Intelligence
Agency. He was later appointed as regional commissioner for Gauteng in the
Department of Correctional Services. Details of his funeral are still to be
finalised.

The Department is in deep mourning with the Mlombile family during this time
of grief.

Enquires: Luphumzo Kebeni
Tel: (021) 462 2338
Cell: 082 453 2244

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
6 May 2006