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Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour delivers vehicles and brings reconciliation at Sundays River Valley during Imbizo Focus Week
16 April 2008
The Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour brought government close to the people of Sundays River Valley Municipality at the Kirkwood Department of Correctional Services Centre on the 7th of April. Minister Ngconde Balfour commenced the Imbizo on the 6th of April on a walk about in the streets of Moses Mabida, Aqua Park and Bercheba townships, greeting and inviting the residents to Imbizo. The event was attended by the local mayors, councillors, public servants and members of the public.
In a tent at the centre of rugby field were residents taking the opportunity to share their concerns relating to the work of the correctional services department. Among the issues raised by the community, which were responded to by the Honourable Minister is the issue of rape. "Rape is a very serious crime, it is a crime that this government emphasised that it is totally unacceptable," said the Minister repeatedly responding to Ms Colina's complaint that a Department of Correctional Service's official was accused of raping Ms Colina's relative but is still working at the department.
The Minister also commended Ms Buyiswa Chwenene for making it possible to bridge a gap between an offender and a victim. "You are making our work a little bit easier," said the Minister. Buyiswa Chwenene forgave Ndodana who served six years and eight months in prison convicted of raping her in 1999.
Honourable Balfour officially opened Kirkwood Correctional Supervision and Parole Board and also handed over keys to vehicles to the Kirkwood Parole Board Chairperson Mr Kalawe, Willovale Parole Board Chairperson Mr Bomela, St Albans Parole Board Chairperson Rev Mnyaka and Cradock Parole Board Chair person Rev Irion and Head of Community Corrections.
Minister Balfour pleaded with the families of prisoners to accept them when they are released from prison: "When you are convicted of crime you must get inside the jail, accept your wrong doing and renew yourself by engaging yourself in skills programs offered in jail." Those were the last words of the Minister to the people of Sundays Valley Municipality.
The Imbizo Focus Week programme continues.
For more information on the Imbizo Focus Week contact:
Mxolisi Mfazwe
Cell: 082 854 4545
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
16 April 2008
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)