The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) held their first prayer service and spiritual upliftment for all officials at the SAPS Army Base Hall on Wednesday.
Regional policy coordinator, Vuyolwethu Gadu, said the officials were working under a lot of pressure and witnessed traumatic incidents throughout the year.
“The spiritual upliftment service serves as a fountain of healing, renewal and restoration of the burdened souls of DCS who face day to day challenges in rehabilitating offenders,” said Gadu.
Sada area commissioner Thuthuzelwa Makuzeni’s welcoming address said the department had a huge responsibility of ensuring that they put the safety of the community ahead of their own needs and interests.
“On a daily basis, our officials are faced with a burden of ensuring that those who have wronged society and have been declared by the justice system as the worst criminals are cared for while incarcerated, as we render rehabilitation efforts.”
“Our officials are also faced and affected by situations such as gender based violence in society at large, and the HIV/Aids epidemic. Hence the department has decided to embark on this spiritual enlightenment and enrichment,” concluded Makuzeni.
A series of prayer services were held in various management areas. Pastors and reverends from different churches joined the officials in prayer for all officials with a particular focus on those that will be working in the correctional facilities over the festive season. They prayed for road safety, and end to domestic violence and remembered colleagues who had died during the year.
Coordinator Communications officer of Sada Area, Thandokazi Marwanqa, said an employee from Whittlesea had committed suicide earlier in the year and while the cause was not known, “this service plays a huge role in our lives just to remind us in remaining strong and do our work.”
