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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Altogether 94 homes of parolees across the Greater Mossel Bay area were visited during a Mass Special Monitoring Operation last week.
Various role players participated in the operation on Thursday, 27 March.
They included representatives of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS); officers from Da Gamaskop, Great Brak River and KwaNonqaba police stations; neighbourhood watch representatives; community policing forum (CPF) members; municipal Law Enforcement members; and members of the municipal K9 Unit.
PHOTO GALLERY: Safety role players check up on parolees
According to the DCS, 101 members and 31 vehicles were involved. Those involved came together at Great Brak River Police Station for a parade, before heading out into Great Brak for a show of visibility. Thereafter, different groups headed to areas across Mossel Bay to parolees' houses.
Among the parolees were individuals who had committed murder, rape and attempted murder. Parole conditions can include that a person is not allowed to leave their house, meaning any time DCS arrives at their registered address, they must be there.
VIDEO: Collaboration in action
The DCS Community Corrections team, headed by Bongiwe Dlwati, usually conducts these parolee visits.
Dlwati says parolees with serious offences need to see this visibility and they are visited regularly to protect the community at large.
"A special thanks goes to the committed team of SAPS that has offered us unwavering support all the times we knock on its door.
"I am glad to say the operation was a success, as we found most of them in their houses. A few needed us to raise our voices and tighten our hand for them to feel the authority vested in us.
"The operation would not have been a success without the support of DCS' head of the prison, Kompo Kgoboko; centre coordinator: operational support, Xolani Phithi; the emergency support team; and officials from DCS.
"Your efforts are not in vain and you are appreciated."
Dlwati said Community Corrections also extends gratitude and respect for the neighourhood watches' commitment to keeping South Africa safe and "making our job a bit easier".
She acknowledged the presence of the K9 Unit and municipal Law Enforcement.
The assistant director at DCS, Udesh Rampersad, also came to support the special operation.
