Pretoria - Newly-appointed National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Zacharia Modise, has told Correctional Services officials that it will no longer be business as usual.
Addressing hundreds of Correctional Services officials at the department’s Head Office in Pretoria on Wednesday, Commissioner Modise said public servants must be professional and responsible.
“The reality is that DCS has not been able to fulfil all the ideals of our citizens. Although we have made significant progress, ethical, and integrity, issues and maladministration continue to impede our progress towards developing a professionalised department thus contributing to poor service delivery.
“Our Constitution requires a public service that is professional, transparent, accountable, responsible and developmental. Therefore, as correctional officials, our actions must result in the achievement of these underlying principles and values,” said Modise.
He said the Department of Correctional Services had to build a capable, developmental, efficient, effective and development-oriented department.
The delivery of correctional services is a labour intensive enterprise that survives, and thrives, through its staff, he said.
“Our focus is to ensure sufficient capacity to handle complex offender rehabilitation and development, issues. Our officials are the catalyst in correcting offending behaviour to help build a safer society,” he said.
He pointed out that the National Development Plan highlighted the need for well-run, and effectively coordinated, state institutions with skilled public servants who are committed to the public good and capable of delivering consistently high-quality services, while prioritising the nation's developmental objectives.
“Correctional Services cannot fail in this regard. Working together, we will succeed. Our time is now. Rise up, and play your part in DCS,” said the Commissioner. – SAnews.gov.za
