By Thabo Monyela
MOLETJE- The rehabilitated parolees of Polokwane Correctional Services integrated themselves back into society by helping to build a 5-room-house to a struggling GBV victim in Kgohlwane village, Moletjie outside Polokwane.
The GBV victim Cecilia Nembahe together with her four children found herself homeless in the streets after was chased away from the house she shared with her husband.
It is said that Cecilia suffered various acts of abuse in the hands of her estranged husband.
After being chased away from the matrimonial house together with her four kids, life has never been easy for the struggling Cecilia.
After getting a stand to reside on, the community members donated her with corrugated zincs and drums, which she used to build a shack.
Living in a leaking shacked house could not stop her family’s sufferings especially during rainy seasons, as their clothes and blankets would get wet.
The Polokwane prison centre’s officials together with a Limpopo member of chaplaincy were touched by Cecilia’s poor living conditions and further alerted correctional services, which subsequently built her a house though the skills of “changed” parolees.
Polokwane Management Area Commissioner Lydia Mamabolo handed over a fully painted 5 room house and groceries to Cecilia on Friday, 02 December 2022.
While handing over the house, Mamabolo congratulated all parolees who worked tirelessly to ensure that Cecilia and her kids could own a decent house.
“It is high time that you become ambassadors of peace in your society, you need to prove to this community that indeed you have changed. Building this house is an indication that as Correctional Services we have done a tremendous job in ensuring that you are equipped with shills so that you can sustain yourself once integrated with the society” Mamabolo said.
While shedding the tears of joy, Cecilia said the hardships she suffered in the hands of her ‘abusive’ husband and staying in a shack were the most difficult moments of her life.
“I never believed I would own such a big house in my life, I did not know you also help poor people like” Cecilia said while holding a certificate of house ownership.
@Tzaneen Voice
