Prison director Mr Alfred Makgaila cited the "current turmoil" at the Kutama Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison as the reason for his decision to vacate his position. It is believed that this has to do with a recent court case against him which was withdrawn by the State at the end of last year.

Speaking at a farewell function for him at the Elephant & Castle Restaurant on December 19, Makgaila said his decision to vacate his position was the most appropriate as this will allow someone else to take the institution to the next level.

"Our destinations are limited by the choices we make in our lives and which choices we select amongst a host of alternatives," Makgaila said. He added that his decision to step into unemployment was not easy, but that it was something that needed to be done for the town of Makhado, SACM, his family and himself.

"People will think that I’m running away from something, but that is their problem if they would like to waste their time with that," Makgaila said.

Makgaila said his time at Kutama Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison has taught him a lot about problem solving. He said that he would start by analyzing a situation fearlessly and honestly and figuring out what the worst thing was that could happen as a result of a specific situation. When knowing what the worse was that could happen, Makgaila would spend his time and energy to improve on the worst, which he had by then already accepted mentally.

As for his management team, Makgaila said that their most distinguishing characteristic was the way they supported each other without gossip and back biting. He expressed the hope that they would continue supporting each other in the same manner.

Makgaila concluded his farewell speech by thanking his management team, as well as local police station commander Supt. Sivhula for her support in matters concerning the community and SACM.

Makgaila also thanked Mr Peter Magwala, Director of Corporate Services at the Makhado Municipality. He said that although he could depend on the municipality’s goodwill, their relationship was of such a nature that the municipality would not hesitate to inform him that they were on the wrong track.

Makgaila said that he also enjoyed enormous support from the local media, the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror, and thanked Sandra for her role at Jacaranda RMFM. He said the media formulate and help promote public opinion on issues and are sometimes unfairly criticized for being unfair or biased.