The MEC for Roads and Transport in Limpopo, Ms Pinky Kekana, officially launched the cleaning campaign by parolees/probationers, in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services, in Polokwane last week Tuesday.

The Department of Roads and Transport has, through negotiations with the correctional services commissioner, engaged and joined in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services to utilize probationers or parolees to assist in cleaning certain public facilities.

The campaign will form part of the rehabilitation programme aimed at assisting prisoners and, at the same time, the communities will benefit by having clean facilities.

Department of Road and Transport spokesperson in Limpopo Thesan Moodley said that the initiative was a new project that would be extended to all regions. "We are partnering with Correctional Services, in that we are engaging parolees in cleaning up as part of a rehabilitation project. We are drawing parolees back into their communities," says Moodley.

Moodley added that the campaign would start in Polokwane. "All the districts in Limpopo are included. We are just starting in Polokwane, whereafter the project will extend to other districts such as Vhembe and Mopani," he added.

The Polokwane bus rank will be the first facility to be cleaned by the probationers and parolees. The parolees will be under the supervision of correctional service officers. After the bus rank, the project will move to the Lebowakgomo taxi rank, the Dendron traffic station, Seshego government garage and the Polokwane traffic station.