Balfour (MP) during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between
Department of Correctional Services and Department of Prisons Services of
Zambia, Pretoria
12 May 2006
His Excellency, High Commissioner of Zambia
The Commissioner of Zambia Prisons
Members of the Zambian delegation and diplomatic corps accompanying the High
Commissioner
Senior management of the Department of Correctional Services
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The signing of this historic and ground breaking agreement with our Zambian
counterparts is a testimony of the long and sustainable relations we have
enjoyed with the people of Zambia which can be traced back to the days of our
struggle against apartheid.
Zambia is one of the heroic nations that braced and countered the brutal
onslaught by the Apartheid regime, by continuing to provide unwavering
political, logistical and moral support to our struggle against the evil and
abhorrent system of apartheid. It is therefore not co incidental that today we
enter into this pact with our comrades in arms who shared the struggle trenches
with us during the difficult historic days in spite of all the dirty tricks of
the Apartheid regime to destabilize Zambia and other Frontline states.
This is a relationship that was cemented by a common objective to emancipate
the African peoples from the evil of racial discrimination and domination as
well as oppression and suppression of the majority by a minority. This common
objective was driven and informed by our systematic political struggle to rid
the continent in particular, of the last colonialist outpost that destabilised
and wrecked havoc in the Southern African region.
This degrading and abhorrent system and monster of racial discrimination and
oppression left a trail of terror executed in the form of merciless maiming,
murdering and displacement of innocent civilians, young and old as well as the
destruction of valuable infrastructure throughout the region.
Zambia like its other neighbours bore the brunt of these acts of
destabilisation and destruction by the Apartheid regime. These acts were a
defining moment in our struggle as we witnessed how the evil of Apartheid
savagely imposed its neo colonialist and imperialist policy of domination and
aggression in the region through military invasions and acts of sabotage.
It is against this backdrop that our relations with Zambia and the countries
in the Southern African region are rooted in our common political objective of
the emancipation of the African majority from colonialism and oppression
however and wherever it manifests itself and rears its ugly head.
New Partnership for Africaâs Development (NEPAD) cannot succeed if there is
no cooperation amongst the African peoples. Such cooperation should be located
within the context of creating conducive conditions for, amongst others, the
betterment of the lives of our people and strengthening the safety and security
of our countries. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding undoubtedly
advances the objectives of NEPAD and is a turning point in defining the nature
and character of our relations.
Todayâs occasion does not signal the commencement of these relations but
rather it cements the work that was started by the Technical Committee created
to assess the needs of our counterparts so as to be able to determine the kind
of assistance we can offer.
Intensive ground work has been done by the Technical Committee in providing
support to the prisons services in Zambia. One needs to mention in this
instance the provision by the Department of Correctional Services, of a
consignment of equipment in 2002 and 2005, which included uniforms for inmates
and correctional officers, locks and other valuable logistical material, to the
value of R3 million, to our Zambian counterparts.
Our officials have been to Zambia already during the process of the
development of the Plan for the implementation of this MoU and this occasion
today is the enhancement of already existing relations by following up on the
work already done.
We also intend to diversify our support so that it also extends to training
in areas such as Management Development and Leadership in line with the
programmes and courses offered by our department through the South African
Management Development Institute (SAMDI) and the University of South Africa
(UNISA).
I am aware of the initiative that the department has already taken in
extending this training to our counterparts in the SADC region. Consultative
discussions with our Zambian colleagues also need to commence so that we are
able to collectively determine the format of training needed to strengthen the
quality of correctional services we provide in the region. We also need to
share and learn from each otherâs experiences in this regard as Zambia boosts
of a wealth of experience in various sectors accumulated since its liberation
on 24 October 1964.
Our agreement should also be geared towards assisting each other to achieve
or meet the minimum standards of incarceration and treatment of offenders as
defined by the United Nations standards on the treatment of offenders, with
which signatories are obliged to comply in their countries. The standards
should however not be construed to mean that we should overlook all other
considerations with regard to the crime for which the offender has been
sentenced and the interests of the victims and the public in terms of how we
treat offenders.
Lastly, the victory of the South African people against the tyranny of
Apartheid would not have been so certain, without the profound support of the
people of Zambia. We owe it to them, hence, it is our duty and obligation to
make a meaningful contribution and provide support without any hesitation where
it is required. The struggle for political freedom might have ended in 1994,
but the struggle for the development of a truly liberated and fully stabilised
Africa continues. To our Zambian colleagues and counterparts, I confidently
wish to assure you that we will not fail you!
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Correctional Service
12 May 2006
Source: Department of Correctional Service (http://www.dcs.gov.za)
