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The President had promised South Africa a re-invigorated Senior Management in the Department of Correctional Services capable of transforming the Department into a well managed, strategically focused entity exhibiting good governance and appropriate to the new vision of Correctional Service in democratic South Africa. Delivery on this promise has begun with the approval by Cabinet of the appointment of people to long vacant senior posts in the Department. The Ministry of Correctional Services is pleased to announce the following appointments, which will take place with effect from 1 March 2002:

1. Chief Deputy Commissioner: Corporate Services - Mr S Mlombile;
2. Chief Deputy Commissioner: Functional Services - Ms J Schreiner;
3. Chief Deputy Commissioner (Provincial Commissioner) Western Cape - Mr B Gxilishe; and
4. Deputy Commissioner (Provincial Commissioner) Mpumalanga - Ms S Kunene.

The Department of Correctional Services is seen by Government as a national asset, not only in terms of the size of the Department and the magnitude of its slice of the budget, but because of the responsibility the Department faces in providing safety to the communities through incarceration of offenders, in providing the means for offenders to change themselves to become socially useful members of the communities on reintegration, and in contributing to the long term stability of South Africa by rehabilitation of offenders and hence decreasing the population of criminals in South Africa.

The Minister of Correctional Services is confident that, given the track records of the individuals to be appointed, this team of Senior Management will be able to support the National Commissioner and share the responsibility to take the Department forward to delivery on main challenges we face as a Department as outlined in the media briefing last week:

* Contributing to poverty alleviation;
* Strengthening the fight against HIV/AIDS;
* Fighting corruption, maladministration, violence and intimidation;
* Consolidating and revitalising the Parole System;
* Ensuring the legislative framework for and the understanding of the Restorative Justice approach;
* Addressing the ongoing problem of overcrowding;
* Gearing the Department to place rehabilitation and reintegration at the centre of our work through a comprehensive new model of intervention to address offending behaviour, while ensuring a balance between safe custody and rehabilitation;
* Extending Unit Management to all prisons;
* Continuing with creative art in prisons as part of rehabilitation processes;
* Tightening up on implementation of policies and procedures to ensure security in prisons and zero tolerance of escapes; and
* Providing international assistance where possible.

The Department of Correctional Services, to achieve its objectives, must work closely with the public, and the Minister calls on members of the Department of Correctional Services, members of other Government Departments that DCS works closely with and members of the public to give support to the newly appointed leadership of the Department and to welcome this move to bring innovation into and to revitalise the Department of Correctional Services.

Cabinet also approved the extension of the term of office of the National Council for Correctional Services, an important institution that serves as the advisory body to the Minister on issues of policy, conditions of prisons and prisoners, correctional supervision etc. Judge Siraj Desai chairs the National Council for Correction Services. Judge TSP Jali, current Commissioner in the Inquiry into corruption, mal-administration, intimidation, and violence in DCS, serves as Deputy Chair of the National Council. The members of the Board comprise a broad spectrum of expertise, from across the country, from the legal, medical, psychological and academic professions, as well as from other departments in the criminal justice system. The Inspecting Judge, Judge Fagan, sits on the Council as an observer.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: APPOINTMENTS TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

1. Mr Siyabulela Mlombile, a male SA Citizen, has been appointed to the post of Chief Deputy Commissioner: Corporate Services.

He has an MBA in Advanced Human Resource Management. He has served at the level of Chief Director in the intelligence structures of Government since amalgamation in 1994. Mr Mlombile in his well-prepared motivation for applying for the position identified key critical areas that needed realignment within the Department, and defined workable solutions for challenges facing the Department within corporate services. He exhibits and extremely strong sense of leadership and management. He communicates very clearly, especially in relation to good governance. He is exposed to management at a strategic level. He has a broad understanding of the government's objectives and is committed to the concept of adding value to the organisation as well as the Government as a whole. Mr Mlombile is aware of the Public Finance Management Act and its implications, and has the ability to ensure sound financial management within the Department of Correctional Services.

2. Ms Jenny Schreiner, a female SA Citizen, has been appointed to the post of Chief Deputy Commissioner: Functional Services.

Ms Schreiner has a Masters in Sociology and is currently completing a Masters in Security Studies. Ms Schreiner is a good communicator and brings along a strong sense of commitment. She is very analytical in her approach to challenges facing the Department. In addition to understanding policy issues, she has a good perspective of the cluster system. She understands security matters and knows where Government wishes the Department to be. She has worked as part of coordinating structure NICOC and understands the issues facing the Department. She has good project management expertise. She showed a passion for her work and appeared to have a holistic approach to improving functional services in the Department of Correctional Services.

3. Mr Bonganie Gxilishe, a male SA Citizen, has been appointed to the post of Chief Deputy Commissioner (Provincial Commissioner): Western Cape.

Mr Gxilishe has a Masters in Management, and has proven himself while he has served as acting Municipal Manager, Western District Municipality. Mr Gxilishe motivated strongly for applying for the position of Chief Deputy Commissioner (Provincial Commissioner): Western Cape as he reinforced that he would be a representative of the National Department in charge of prison administration and the prison community. He is strong on policy and has sufficient strategic management exposure. He demonstrates a strong sense of direction and had concrete ideas of where he wished the Department to be. He has appropriate community involvement and networking ability. He communicates effectively and articulates concepts clearly. He exhibits strong leadership and strategic management approaches, which he acquired from his managing of approximately 1300 staff. He has an overall knowledge of policy and managing effectively.

4. Ms SJ Kunene, a female SA Citizen, has been appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner (Provincial Commissioner): Mpumalanga.

She has a BA Social Work qualification and has practical experience in social work both outside and within the Department of Correctional Services. She is well motivated for the position and clearly articulates the functions and responsibilities of the position. She has insight as to the re-alignment issues of the province with other government structures. She is enthusiast and dynamic, with honesty and frankness. Her leadership and management ability is recognised. She demonstrates a passion for her work and displays insight with respect to the legislation governing good governance in the Department of Correctional Services. She is seen as an asset to the Department of Correctional Services.

Enquiries: Russel Mamabolo at 082 808 7524

Issued by: Ministry of Correctional Services, 20 February 2002