Introductory remarks of National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Vernie Petersen, at the official launch of the 2007 Festive Season Security Plan: Operation Vala, Kokstad

Programme Director
Minister of Correctional Services Mr Ngconde Balfour
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Me Loretta Jacobus
MEC for Safety and Security Mr Bheki Cele
The Executive Mayor of Sisonke District Municipality and your councillors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Allow me to express our gratitude to the Executive Mayor of Sisonke District Municipality for such a warm welcome to his area of his jurisdiction. This warm reception is a symbol of many things to come for this community and this correctional centre, brought about by what I can confidently say is Operation Masibambisane in practice. Your stance and your vision is inspiring to all of us.

Seeing all representatives of our stakeholders, our partners in the criminal justice system, the multitudes of members of the community joining us in demonstrating our collective rejection of crime here in Kokstad, is an indicator that victory is certain.

I believe as a nation facing serious challenges of crime which, although statistically is slightly declining, has taken a new dimension of being more callous, aggressive and violent, we have no option but to succeed in dealing with the crime scourge.

Everyone here today has an invaluable contribution to make in building a safer and more secure South Africa in general and Sisonke District Municipality in particular, and therefore each one of you are here has an indispensable role to play in the criminal justice system.

We have, as this collective, selected and elected directly or indirectly some of us to be our leaders so that they can carry the torch to a safer society in front, to brave the winds, to wither the storms and to douse fires. We wish to acknowledge them and re-affirm our full support behind them as we march to our goal of an effective and efficient criminal justice system. These include:

* Minister Balfour who I believe may need no introduction to you
* Deputy Minister Loretta Jacobus of Correctional Services

Today, we are gather here as witnesses that indeed there is unwavering political will and commitment to stem the crime tide facing our correctional system, the criminal justice system and our society. I know you have been informed of why we are here, but to cater also for those who may have heard it from the passers-by, be informed that our leadership is here to officially mark the start of a comprehensive and integrated Festive Season Security Plan for Correctional Services.

This Plan is centrally co-ordinated, with implementation championed at a local correctional centre level with management and leadership using the broad framework provided to guide the campaign to creatively design plans that are accustomed to local needs and challenges. This campaign is a programme whose time has come, with a confluence of positive developments that are propelling us to succeed even against "scare crows masquerading as leaks of imaginary Operation Vala plans". This is a dynamic Plan that has over the years begun to turn the tide on festive season escapes that were becoming an albatross on our necks as leaders and managers of Correctional Services.

Elements of the Plan include reduction of external activities, cutback on special privileges enjoyed by offenders and their families, strengthening of crime intelligence gathering, beefing up of physical security, conducting of unannounced raids to remove illegal substances from our correctional centres as well as improved oversight of operations by leadership and management.

This is a 50 day campaign which is expected to reduce escapes, improve public safety and send a clear signal to all and sundry that we really mean business when we say public safety is paramount in the delivery of Correctional Services. No actions, non-action, privilege or sense of entitlement will be allowed to compromise this commitment to a safer and a more secure South Africa.

Just as part of this campaign, we accepted the last group of the 200 most dangerous offenders from across the country. Again, we seek to send a clear message to those hell-bent on making lives of our officials, members of the public and other offenders unbearable that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour now and in future. No one will be spared of this "rod" which is reserved for the worst criminals in our country.

Today we are here to make a statement, No to crime, through being tough on crime. The Minister is leading a team of leaders and managers who are bringing that message today. Lend us your ears, your hearts and your energies so that together we can build a prosperous, a safer and a more secure South Africa through stopping escapes and improving security in correctional centres.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Correctional Service
27 November 2007