The Gauteng Department of Correctional Services has taken three offenders to church in Johannesburg to reconcile with the community and the victims.
The offenders are serving life sentences.
The Department has a Restorative Justice Session programme aimed at allowing offenders and victims a chance to reconcile.
The programme also aims to gives offenders a platform to apologise to the communities for crimes they committed.
Regional Commissioner Grace Molatedi says the response from the communities has been positive.
“We are trying to reach as many people of the community as possible. For us to be able to explain the importance of reconciliation, the importance of them giving the offenders a second chance.”
“The importance of them as the community to understand the circumstances around which the crime was committed so that they can have closure,” says Molatedi.
