Second win for Humansdorp

FOR the second consecutive year the Department of Correctional Services based in Humansdorp was nominated and won the National Commissioners Award.
Last month the local team went head to head with five other teams from across the country and walked off with the coveted trophy that was awarded by National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Tom Monyane.
The head of the local Community Corrections office, Derick Kapp who represented his team at the prestigious national event hosted at the East London International Convention Centre on February 17, explained that nominees first compete on a regional basis. The winners of the regional awards qualify for the annual national awards where they compete against the other regional winners.
"The award recognises teams who have shown the best of themselves at work throughout the year in performing their regular duties, "said Kapp. "Teams which have an innovative and enthusiastic approach to their work, and who deliver exceptional service to stakeholders are recognised.”
His team of eight staff members is responsible for managing 600 probationers and parolees in a vast geographical area covering the whole Kouga and Koukamma area. The team runs a programme called Celebrate Recovery for parolees and probationers that helps them with inner healing, addictions, alcohol and drug abuse, life skills, etc. The success of the programme has prompted the local courts to make it compulsory for probationers.
Despite the fact that this small team has to deal with a huge case load covering a huge area, they also assist the community in various ways through the work of parolees and probationers. Some of their projects included assistance with the building of a church in Hankey, cloak- rooms at Graslaagte Primary School, regular beach and graveyard clean-ups, cleaning of school grounds and poverty alleviation by distributing clothes and food to the needy.
The team prides itself in complying with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and received a clean audit report on financial matters and assets.
"We would like to thank the local community and businesses for their continued support,” said Kapp.