A fleet of 48 new vehicles is distributed to enhance community corrections efforts across Kokstad, Pietermaritzburg, and Ncome.
Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale recently returned to the Kokstad Management Area, exactly two years after his last visit, to launch three significant initiatives focused on self-sufficiency, sustainability, and enhancing the department’s capacity to deliver services. The day marked a historic first for the department, with the official launch of a pharmacy, an art and crafts gallery, and the distribution of 48 new vehicles for community corrections work in three management areas.
Two years ago, Thobakgale visited the Kokstad Management Area on a working visit where he met with management and officials. The officials raised several issues, including the issue of insufficient vehicles to conduct community corrections work.
He said that at the time, they had started working on a pharmacy since there was none in the Kokstad Management Area.
Thobakgale returned on Friday, May 15, days after Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald’s budget speech in which he emphasised self-sufficiency and sustainability, focusing on skilling inmates to generate revenue, save government money, and fund departmental programmes. He also stressed increasing discipline and providing members with the necessary resources to perform their duties.
