Maseru-Correctional Officer Teboho Mafomekoane, who was a recruit, says nobody wants to take accountability for the assault of inmates, including Lesotho Correctional Service Senior Officers.
This Mafomekoane said before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, when being cross examined by the Officer in charge of Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Assistant Commissioner Tsoto Manaka, his second in charge Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe and Correctional Service Training School (CSTS) Commander Assistant Commissioner Nthako after he associated them earlier in his testimony before the Commission.
Officer Mafomekoane revealed earlier before the Commission that the triad heard inmates crying and saw they were being beaten up by recruits as they passed by in block C during the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on December 22, 2023.
He said he was staggered that the three denied hearing inmates weep or being assaulted when they passed by during the search.
Meanwhile, the three Senior Officers acknowledged being in Block C during the search exercise, but denied seeing the recruits assaulting inmates as they passed by.
This came to light when the Officer in charge of Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Assistant Commissioner Tsoto Manaka, his second in charge Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe and Correctional Service Training School (CSTS) Commander Assistant Commissioner Nthako cross examined Correctional Officer Mafomekoane before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates.
Officer Mafomekoane revealed before the Commission in his testimony that the trio heard inmates crying and saw as they passed by when convicts were being assaulted by recruits in block C during the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on December 22, 2023.
Assistant Commissioner Manaka said Mafomekoane was deceitfully implicating him and asked him if it would be possible for any recruit to have courage to assault inmates in the presence of Senior Officers.
“I believe recruits assaulted inmates immediately after we left as such was not happening when we passed by” saidCommissioner Manaka.
Assistant Commissioner Nthako also put to Mafomekoane that he did not see the recruits assaulting inmates as Mafomekoane said he did see inmates being assaulted.
On the other hand, Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe also said Mafomekoane was deceptively linking him by saying inmates were crying and assaulted as they passed by in Block C.
However Mafomekoane said he realised that nobody wants to take responsibility for the assault of inmates, including senior officers.
“Today I have learned that it is every man for himself but I am embarrassed that I’m disagreeing with my seniors on this matter yet I am a junior officer” he said.
He also said it was shocking that recruits were not reprimanded by their superiors for assaulting inmates yet they were often punished for minor things while still as CSTS.
The recruits are continuing to testify before the Commission, on the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on December 22 which resulted in assault of inmates, leaving one paralysed.
