Mpumalanga offenders who are close to completing their sentences built a house for a Kwaggafontein old woman and also vowed to protect her when they come out of jail.
The old woman had repeatedly been abused emotionally and sexually by the local youth who used to break into her dilapidated house.
The woman was one of those who reported their plights to the Justice Criminal and Prevention Cluster (JCPS) during a community outreach arranged by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison last year.
In an effort to ensure that victims of crime are empowered, one of the JCPS departments, Correctional Services, facilitated the building by inmates of the house for the old woman.
The house is built from cement blocks with a built-in toilet, plastered both inside and outside, fully burglar-proofed and boosted with a steel fence.
Speaking at a hand-over ceremony on Saturday, Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison Head of the Department Isaiah Khoza said it was a good gesture that inmates utilized their skills and build a house for the old woman.
Khoza explained that the cluster visited the area last year at the request of the local Community Policing Forum (CPF) adding that such relationships between the community and the police needed to benefit communities.
He added it was disturbing that it was the youth who victimized elderly women and children in communities.
The departure of the 1976 youth was to defend the weak not victimize the elders. You cannot claim to be brave when you abuse women and children. Our parents did not go to school, however they expect us to protect them.
"The prisoners have done well to display their willingness to change. When they come out of jail, welcome them back to society allow them to utilize the skills they have acquired from prison," said Khoza.
Mpumalanga Correctional Services Acting Regional Commissioner Lunga Tseana applauded the inmates for adopting the old woman.
"These in-mates pleaded with me to allow them just one night to police this area and deal with criminals. They do not want crime anymore. They also do not want anybody to go to jail," said Tseane.
The Correctional Services further presented the old woman with gifts such as a bed, clothes, food and a stove.
The inmates vowed before the old woman that when they finish their sentences, they would come and protect her from other criminals.