27 November 2007
Christmas came early for over 100 elderly people today when Correctional
Services Minister Ngconde Balfour handed over 650 kilogram of meat and over two
tons of vegetables to Ekuphumleni old age home in Gugulethu, Cape Town.
Minister Balfour also pledged to use offender labour for the maintenance and
cleaning of the building and the premises which definitely need serious
attention as part of reparation and restorative justice. Speaking to the
excited elderly people Minister Balfour also promised to include Ekuphumleni
Frail and Care Centre among institutions of vulnerable people that are
benefiting on an ongoing basis from excesses of food production in Correctional
Services.
Orphanages, old age homes, soup kitchens and centres catering for abused
women and children across the country are beneficiaries of surplus food
donations by Correctional Services across the country.
The support provided by the Department through among others provision of
products, services; labour and other in-kind support has made a real difference
in the quality of life of the affected communities. Minister Balfour was joined
by Western Cape MEC for Social Development Kholeka Mqulwana.
Minister Balfour said "this is the way offenders and the Department of
Correctional Services say 'we are very very sorry for the harm caused to the
society by crime. We would to like to look after you and pay our debts to
you."
Enquiries:
Manelisi H Wolela
Deputy Commissioner of Communication
Tel: 012 305 8204/5
Fax: 012 323 7487
Cell: 083 626 0304
E-mail: manelisi.wolela@dcs.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
27 November 2007
