30 May 2002
The Minister of Correctional Services,
The Minister of Public Works,
The Commissioner for Correctional Services,
The Executive Mayor of the Sisonke District Council,
The Mayor of the Greater Kokstad Municipality,
Representatives of Government at all levels,
Members of the Judiciary,
Members of the community of Kokstad and surroundings,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed a great pleasure to interact with the people of this beautiful region today, especially since it has been a long time since my last visit to Kokstad.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today, together as the government and the community, to cement our commitment to the fight against crime.
We are indeed very pleased to be taking the fight against crime a step further, by opening the Ebongweni Maximum and the Kokstad Medium Prisons.
As you know, the prisons are part of the Kokstad Management Area, which also includes Matatiele Prison and Community Corrections Office, and the Kokstad Community Corrections Office.
The total capital investment of half a billion Rand made by Government in this project further indicates our commitment to the fight against crime, and to building safer communities.
The new facilities will also bring a measure of relief with regards to overcrowding in prisons, which breeds gangsterism and further violence.
The maximum security in Ebongweni prison will also address the question of prison escapes, and will ensure that dangerous offenders remain behind bars for the duration of their sentences.
The Ebongweni Maximum Prison has been constructed to house one thousand four hundred and forty maximum-security prisoners from all provinces, who are a danger to society due to the seriousness of the crimes they have committed.
Prisoners in the Ebongweni Maximum Prison are those from all over the country who have been declared dangerous by the courts. These includes prisoners who have committed crimes such as murder with aggravating circumstances, acts of terrorism and armed robbery involving life-threatening levels of violence, or which resulted in loss of life or caused disability.
It will also house those offenders who are members of criminal gangs with the potential to use extreme violence or firearms in an escape attempt, those sentenced for killing or attacking fellow prisoners or law enforcement officials.
Given that we have prioritised the crimes against women and children, this maximum prison will also be used to keep prisoners who have committed serious sexual offences involving life-threatening levels of violence.
This includes gang rape and sexual abuse of children.
The Kokstad Medium Prison, on the other hand, will house two hundred and ninety four medium security prisoners.
Ladies and gentlemen, our ultimate objective is the eradication of crime and corruption from our society. In pursuit of this objective, the rehabilitation of offenders as a long-term goal to crime prevention is now at the core of the programme of government.
This has necessitated a change from the traditional punitive approach, which emphasised locking prisoners away as the ultimate solution, to a focus on rehabilitation. Our point of departure is that offenders should be part of the initiatives aimed at ensuring a crime-free society.
In this regard, moving from the premise that every prisoner has the potential to change, intensive interventions including rehabilitation programmes over a specific period will be provided in these correctional facilities.
You will have noted from the state of the nation address early this year, and from the launch of the Moral Regeneration Movement last month, that the moral renewal of our society is a key priority of government. In this regard, all prison programmes are designed specifically to support a regeneration of morality for those who have strayed from the accepted norms and values of society, though rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation includes a number of themes, such as education, re-skilling, learning a trade, moral and spiritual enlightenment, psychological development, personal development and preparation for release.
This approach also pays special attention to the creation of an environment that allows for self-discipline, social independence, ongoing family support and community support as well as reintegration.
Our goal is to see some of the offenders leaving these facilities to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to their communities. There have been instances where this has happened already.
This new approach will no doubt require new attitudes, a mind shift and a new focus among our correctional officers, given that some were trained during the era of the punitive approach. We rely on their co-operation and support, and that of the community as a whole, to make the rehabilitation of offenders possible.
A success of this approach will make it possible for offenders who qualify, to be reintegrated into society and to lead productive and responsible lives after serving their sentences.
Ladies and gentlemen, I must say that was impressed recently when I paid a visit to the Zonderwater Prison in Pretoria where prisoners are involved in a poverty alleviation project where they produce vegetables for use by surrounding communities.
The Zonderwater Prison Choir sang anti-crime songs to much acclaim at the launch of the Moral Regeneration Movement in Pretoria last month, showing what rehabilitation programmes can achieve.
I am sure projects following the same principle can be introduced here as well, as long as that does not compromise security.
Having said all this, I must also emphasise, ladies and gentlemen, that our focus on moral regeneration and rehabilitation should not be seen as meaning that we would be soft on crime. Be assured that the opposite is the case. Government will continue to take stern and unrelenting action against criminals and criminal behaviour.
Those who undermine the laws of this country should expect to spend many years behind bars in high security facilities such as this one.
Distinguished guests, we always strive to ensure that projects of any nature that we undertake as government contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people. We are therefore pleased that the construction of these prisons has brought some economic benefits to the community of Kokstad and surrounding areas.
In addition to jobs created during the construction of these facilities, the Department of Correctional Services has provided six hundred and thirty three employment opportunities.
There are also more opportunities for local entrepreneurs as government may need to source some goods and services locally for the prisons. The municipality will also gain from the payment of bulk services.
Distinguished guests, allow me, in conclusion, to remind you that we are meeting during Child Protection Week, which began on Monday. The week's activities will culminate on the 1st of June, which is International Children's Day.
Let us therefore spend not only this week, but every day of the year, by giving meaning to the motto which says: "Any Child is My Child".
Once again, thank you for the opportunity of being with you today. Let us continue working together in the fight against crime and corruption. Our collective efforts yield good results.
I thank you.