The unveiling of the wall of remembrance at Makhado Correctional Centre was filled with tears and weeping as the family members, particularly widows, were confronted by memories of their loved ones who had since passed on while serving in the correctional services.

The event was held last Wednesday.

The former provincial commissioner for prisons, Gen Malesela Ramashala, gave a detailed overview of the military state and demilitarisation of the South African prison system. He said that those who had served in the department before it had been demilitarised could surely tell how strict and difficult things had been at the time. “Dedication is needed for correctional officers,” he said. “This kind of dedication was proven with the officials whose lives and work we are remembering today.”

A representative of the families of the remembered officials, Mrs Doris Mphephu, thanked the department of correctional services for showing them love by inviting them for the unveiling of the wall of remembrance. “This is being done in memory of the people whom we loved,” she said and called upon all widows to hold themselves with total respect in this trying world.

The Thohoyandou Management's acting area commissioner, Mr Kenneth Mthombeni, indicated that the management was aware that, due to administrative difficulties, the department might be failing to appropriately and efficiently meet the needs of some of the families of the late officials who had passed on in the line of service. He invited all affected parties to report to his office, so that these mishaps could be rectified. “Our gates are always open for you,” Mthombeni said.

Mrs Tebello Tshikovhokovho officially accepted the Mlombile Award of Excellence for her late husband, Mr Israel Tshikovhokovho, who died in an accident while transporting offenders to court in Musina on 31 May, 2010. “I am happy about the award, because it shows that my husband was a dedicated and hardworking man,” Tshikovhokovho said.

The members whose names are engraved on the wall of remembrance are M Mthombeni, J Ramushwana, KM Baloyi, M Mphatja, SM Rikhotso, W Chauke, NW Legau, ME Mphephu, IL Tshikovhokovho, GS Mabunda, TS Mabuka and JF Buys.