MAKHADO – Following a mutual agreement between the South African Council of Churches and the Department of Correctional Services to bring restorative justice to offenders at correctional facilities throughout the country, a radio veteran and pastor of Christ Worship House, Pastor Sakkie Dagada, delivered a message of hope to inmates of the Makhado Correctional Centre last week Thursday.

According to the head of the Makhado Correctional Centre, Mr RG Ndambakuwa, since they are rehabilitating offenders on a daily basis in their prison, they viewed it crucial to establish a working relationship with pastors of various congregations as primary mediators of reconciliation between the offender, victims and the community.

“We want these offenders to reconcile with their victims, hence we are appealing to the community to accept them when they will be released from prison,” he said.

Dagada told prisoners not to torment themselves by continually beating themselves up about their present circumstances. “We have people who are offending others on a daily basis outside while you are being rehabilitated in this prison, so that when you are released, you will be useful to society,” he said. Dagada said that it is only through Christ that the inmates’ broken hearts and souls can be changed into a newborn individual who will also be accepted by members of the community.

“You must understand that your involvement in criminal activities is a sign that you need to be saved by Jesus Christ. We came today, so that you can realise His greatness, that you would mend your ways and start thinking positively on how you can actively participate in developmental matters in your villages when you leave this prison. You must always remember that there is still life after incarceration. We will continue loving you because we know that being locked up in this prison already discourages you. Always remember that God needs you all, so mend you ways now because people outside want to see you as a new person when you leave this prison,” he said.

Dagada also appealed to community members to accept, involve and encourage the inmates to participate in all community projects when they are released from jail.