City orders inmates to clean up streets
BUFFALO City has turned to an unusual labour source in an effort to carry out service delivery to residents - by using prisoners.
For the next year, the provincial Department of Correctional Services will supply inmates to the municipality to help with cleaning up filthy streets, cutting grass and doing general work to spruce up the city.
The Dispatch reports that BCM Mayor Zukisa Faku and Correctional Services regional commissioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana yesterday signed a formal agreement which will see medium-classified prisoners from Mdantsane Correctional Centre and East London Correctional Centre taking part in the programme.
"We have roughly about 5,000 offenders in the BCM area but only those who have committed less serious offences and those on parole will take part," said Jolingana.
However, she said this did not mean that sentences would be reduced, but this would help inmates when they came up for parole.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, prisoners will participate in programmes including physical cleaning of public open spaces, removal of solid waste, rehabilitation of illegal dumps, grass cutting and clearing of bushes, beautification of entrances to suburbs and the city, and assisting in any general work performed by the BCM's directorate of community services.
The memorandum further states that BCM will provide necessary tools and equipment, protective clothing and transportation for offenders, while the Correctional Services will provide food, emergency heath services and security and supervision.
"Our prison warders would be on standby and we have roped in members of the South African Police Services," she said.
Jolingana said the community at large should not feel threatened by prisoners working in their areas as security measures would be tightened to minimise the risk of escapes.
Faku said the partnership came at a time when the municipality was facing challenges with its waste removal and she hoped the initiative would make a significant difference.
"All we want is to familiarise them with outside communities in a positive way, as they are our brothers and sisters," said Faku.
The offenders start formally on October 1. However, today they will go to Zuzile Primary School in Mdantsane and other schools to cut grass.