Legislature tackles deviant behaviour

 

Andile Zingitwa

Nie Cele

In a drive to create paragons of moral rectitude, Gauteng Provincial  Legislature (GPL)  male delegation paid a special visit to Juvenile offenders at the Emthonjeni Juvenile Correctional Centre in Baviaanspoort near Pretoria.

 

According to the delegation, this was aimed at inculcating the culture of good norms and values of life.

Furthermore, the legislature delegation told this publication that their mission was also to provide motivation, help mentoring offenders to take responsible decisions in life and refrain from delinquent behavior so that they can ripen into mature responsible members of society.

 

Led  by the  Deputy Speaker, Uhuru Moiloa.

He told the inmates they came to ask for forgiveness as fathers  because they failed them.

 

“ We were not there to provide a guiding role during your growth and development. Which we feel was a missing link that may have precipitated your immoral behavior.”

He ironically said, he hoped that all the inmates will reason as follows.

“I don’t know these guys but they have come here to reconnect with me.

“South Africa is waiting for you to reclaim your rightful place, because no human being wants to be confined to a small place,” He said.

Area Commissioner, Mr Somaru, told the visiting delegation that the centre is divided into the Juvenile, Medium and the Maximum sections.

 

“Overcrowding has seen the Maximum section accommodating 513 instead of 349 inmates, while the Medium section is occupied by 1175 instead of 759 inmates, said Somaru. “

 

He also revealed that the only section that is not overcrowded is the Juvenile section.

“We try our best to keep children away from prison”, lamented Somaru.

Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Mike Madlala, said the conversations we made with the boys were very productive. “Even though time was not our side. We succeeded in becoming their spiritual fathers without taking away their biological fathers.”

 

Did you know?

 

• The Correctional Centre houses Juveniles from the age 14 to 21 of years and forms part of the Correctional Services initiatives to provide therapeutic and rehabilitation services to Juvenile Offenders in conflict with the law coming from all communities.

 

The visit was part of GPL’s men’s month commemoration, which will culminate in the launch of a Men’s Forum under the            theme “Asivumi –GPL Men taking a standthat encourages men to raise their voice about challenges facing them, their                 families and the community; while also contributing towards raising a community of responsible men.

 

• The Men’s Forum’s main aim is to get GPL men to take a stand against gender inequality. Throughout the month of July, the men of GPL will participate in activities directly intended to empower, educate and encourage other men in communities on all societal ills men have been predominantly perpetrators of.
• GPL men will lead by example and reclaim the place of man in society as a protector, provider and builder. The aim of one man can teach 5 more, a lot can be done in rebuilding a stronger, united, safe and caring environment for women and children.

 

• GPL envisages the Men’s Forum to continue contributing a positive change to the community through: running educational programmes and campaigns on relevant gender equality issues; participating in Citizens Responsibility Campaigns; organizing empowerment sessions on health, financial wellbeing and responsible behaviour.
• Overall, the Forum will continue taking a stand to existing and emerging social ills.
• The centre has achieved a 100% matric pass rate in 2016, with one learner achieving above 70% average.

 

• The Men’s Forum delegation directly interacted with juvenile offenders and provided mentorship and parental counselling, with the intention of promoting good behaviour, moral regeneration and encourage social reintegration.