In a proactive initiative to ensure compliance with parole conditions, Port Shepstone Community Corrections officials, under the Kokstad Management Area, conducted a special monitoring operation last Thursday. This unannounced effort, coordinated with the South African Police Service (SAPS), targeted parolees and probationers residing in Port Shepstone and its surrounding areas.
Community Corrections Offices oversee offenders serving the final part of their sentences at home, focusing on their reintegration into society. These checks are crucial for assessing readiness to rejoin the community and ensuring adherence to strict parole conditions.
“Parolees and probationers must comply with their conditions,” explained Gugelethu Chonco, KwaZulu-Natal Regional Coordinator for Social Reintegration at the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). “They are prohibited from consuming alcohol, loitering, engaging in fights, and must always be available at their registered addresses during monitoring. Furthermore, they are encouraged to seek employment and maintain regular contact with their supervising officials.”
Many parolees receive training in self-sufficiency and sustainability skills to reduce the risk of reoffending. However, failure to comply can lead to serious consequences. During last week’s operation, two parolees in Gamalakhe were rearrested for violating parole conditions.
Chonco emphasized the importance of collaboration in crime prevention, citing the tragic Lusikisiki massacre that claimed 18 lives, a crime linked to a parolee. “The partnership between DCS and SAPS is critical,” Chonco stated. “We need the collective effort of departments, non-governmental organizations, faith-based institutions, and business forums to combat the escalating crime in our country.”
Community participation remains a cornerstone of effective rehabilitation. Residents are urged to engage with DCS programs, including parole systems, restorative justice initiatives, and victim-offender mediation. The department reiterates that crime prevention and offender rehabilitation are societal responsibilities that require unified action.
Citizens are encouraged to report any misconduct involving parolees and probationers to their nearest Community Corrections Office. Through vigilance and cooperation, communities can contribute significantly to building a safer and more rehabilitated society.
