Training of ex-convicts, troubled youths starts in BCM

Dozens of marginalised young people to be paid a stipend for a year to guard municipal property or work as cleaners

After a six-month delay, the Buffalo City Metro’s ambitious programme of hiring ex-convicts and troubled young people to safeguard its property started in earnest this week.

The programme, a partnership between the city and the National Youth Development Agency, was unveiled in June.

It was meant to start in August but was hit by delays.

The initiative targets 100 exconvicts and troubled young people aged between 18 and 35.

They will be tasked with guarding municipal property and will receive a stipend for a year.

This week, the participants began their training, set to take two weeks, as security guards.

Once they have completed the course, they will receive certificates from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

“On the issue that some of the trainees have criminal records, BCM will have them as cleaners in the different wards and those who have not been found guilty of any crimes will be used as guards with PSIRA certificates,” said mayor Princess Faku’s spokesperson, Bongani Fuzile.

The programme’s participants were from all BCM ’ s wards.

“They were identified by their local ward councillors,” he said.

DA councillors said they were opposed to the initiative.

Ward 28 councillor Frederick Pohl said he had not been consulted about the project.

“There are so many unemployed people that it is irrational to employ ex-convicts above law-abiding citizens.

“What is the message that sent out — become a criminal and get a job?”

Ward 18 councillor Jason Mcdowell said: “Everybody deserves a second chance, no doubt about that.

“But I can’t support this project because we don’t know what the criteria are.

“The city is talking about [fighting] unemployment but there are thousands of matriculants and other young people who have not had a chance of employment.

“One other question is whether these ex-convicts have been rehabilitated.”

ANC councillor Akhona Dywili said he supported the project.

“I am aware of the project. I identified two young people from my ward to be part of the project.

“This project will assist in driving the programmes of rehabilitating young people who previously were found on the wrong side of the law,” Dywili said.

Fuzile said the project was being spearheaded by the mayor’s youth unit.

“The executive mayor saw a need, seeing that there are neglected individuals who have seen themselves on the wrong side of the law.

“She saw the need to have them brought back into the system in our society and contributing by [using] the skills they’ve acquired.

“These programmes will also help rehabilitate those who may have committed minor crimes but have not been convicted so that they can form part of our society without any stigma.

“This will give them skills that can help them to integrate easily back into our society.

“As much as this will create jobs, it will also help reduce crime in our communities as some of the people will be patrolling on our streets.

“In BCM we are facing the issue of vandalism of infrastructure and with these trainees, they will be able to help fight that tendency in different areas of our metro,” Fuzile said.

Pohl said the provision of security services required people of integrity.

“Can the integrity of an exconvict be better than that of a law-abiding citizen?

“There is also the question that can be asked of whether a convict has been rehabilitated.

“Has the [ex-convict] been through a programme of rehabilitation and has this programme been successfully completed?”

BCM acting youth manager Salizwa Kotobe said: “The purpose of the programme is to mainstream the youth issues into society and to facilitate youth development across the city.

“The city took this initiative because there are many offenders who find difficulties reintegrating into society.

“Many employers refuse to hire individuals who are on the wrong side of the law.

“The training has provided an exciting opportunity for the young people as active participants in the metro’s space.”

The city is talking about [fighting] unemployment but there are thousands of matriculants and other young people that have not had a chance of employment. One other question is whether these ex-convicts have been rehabilitated