Mossel Bay prison head promoted

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In just four years as the head of the Mossel Bay Correctional Centre, Zweli Sofuthe not only left big shoes to fill, but leaves town with a heavy heart.

This follows his promotion to regional coordinator of security in the Western Cape, a position that will require him to oversee the security compliance at correctional centres in 10 management areas in the province.

Sofuthe applied for the position in December 2020 and was officially appointed on 2 August. He will relocate to Cape Town.

"I grew very fond of the community and it was particularly hard to tell the staff I was leaving."

He speaks with great humility of the performance targets reached during his time in office and is confident that he is leaving his legacy in capable hands.

"During the past few years, we have achieved all our targets and performed very well in terms of the department's goals. Mossel Bay is on the map."

He confirmed that the assault rate here has been reduced. When he arrived in Mossel Bay, he envisioned mentoring the young offenders to set them on their way to a better future.

"I am proud to say that one of our former offenders has even secured an internship at the Department of Social Development."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, offenders were involved in manufacturing masks that were distributed among vulnerable community members, for example, in senior citizens' homes.

The centre's vegetable garden provides much-needed fresh vegetables to a number of soup kitchens within the community.

The Western Cape Department of Correctional Services regional commissioner, Delikile Klaas (left), congratulates Zweli Sofuthe on his promotion.