GOBABIS – The Namibian Correctional Service on Friday officially launched the roll-out of Community Service Orders to the Gobabis, Witvlei, Otjinene, Leonardville and Talismanis courts.

The new launching of the five Omaheke region districts has brought the total number of courts with community service orders to 51 courts out of the 71 targeted courts in the country.

According to the head of the division, community service orders, Natacha Booysen, the new orders target first-time offenders, repeat offenders with minor offences, offenders with a fixed abode, young offenders, breadwinners with family dependents and those who commit non-serious offences.

Booysen further said that those who fall under the above transgressions will be cleaning and rendering maintenance work in public schools, clinics, hospitals, parks, police stations and magistrates’ courts among other institutions.

“Rendering of specialist or professional services to the community for the benefit of the community like teaching, providing medical services, providing social welfare services and providing counselling services,” she added.

Other services or types of jobs according to the division leader will be to perform duties involving the sharing of skills and knowledge, and performing duties to gain skills.

Furthermore, Booysen emphasised the sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagements with all communities in the Omaheke region and urged everyone involved to maintain teamwork, cooperation and dedication of their invaluable partners within criminal justice and others.

NCS commissioner Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela, who officiated the launching, said the roll-out of this programme to this region is part of their strategic plan and their commitment to ensure that the orders are rolled out nationwide.

- Nampa