The Free State Department of Social Development is celebrating the dedication of assistant probation officer Jimmy Moiloa, who has spent 22 years helping young people find a second chance after coming into conflict with the law.

Moiloa, 53, has made it his mission to support youth rehabilitation and reintegration into society. He works at the One Stop Child Justice Centre, which runs crime prevention initiatives across the Mangaung district, including Thaba-Nchu, Soutpan, Wepener, and Dewetsdorp.

Department spokesperson Thembile Nqabeni praised Moiloa's commitment, saying his work ensures that young people struggling with drug use and criminal behavior can reform and be accepted back into society as better individuals.

As part of the centre's awareness campaigns, schools have become a key focus, as many learners have been found carrying dangerous weapons, leading to increased criminal activity. The centre provides children with intervention programs designed to address the root causes of their actions, offering them a fresh start.

Meanwhile, the department is mourning the loss of social worker Nomathamsanqa Mei, who died in a car accident on the R701 between Bethulie and Smithfield on Thursday. Two other social workers, Manako Sipoyo and Molotana Bukelwa Elizabeth, were seriously injured and remain in the hospital.

Nqabeni said Mei's contributions to public service and psychosocial support will be deeply missed. A team from the department will provide counseling to her family in Sterkspruit, with funeral arrangements yet to be finalized.