The Department of Correctional Services in the Vhembe District held a long-service awards ceremony at the Vhembe TVET College on Thursday, 18 May. Eighty-three employees were awarded certificates for being with the department for more than 20 years, while two employees received certificates for working at the department for more than 30 years.
When addressing the recipients during the ceremony, the acting area commissioner of the department in the Vhembe District, Ms Rachel Kutama, thanked them for dedicating their lives to helping offenders in changing their attitude and participating in educational programmes that prepare such offenders to become responsible members of society in the future.
"We thank you for dedicating your all for your country. Even though you sometimes work longer hours than you should, you never complain because you did not join the Department of Correctional Services just for a salary, but to serve your country. We will always assist you by giving you the necessary support in order to execute your job professionally," she said.
Kutama also thanked the families of these employees for allowing them to spend most of their lifetime making sure that criminals were kept safely in prison, so that society could live in peace.
She concluded by calling on the youth of the country to study hard, so that they can become better adults in the future. "We are also calling on you to join the department of choice, which is the Department of Correctional Services, and contribute to safeguarding society from criminal elements."