Maseru- The Commission of Inquiry into the torture of inmates held a press conference on Thursday, 2nd May. The Commission was established by Prime Minister Sam Ntsokoane Matekane to investigate the torture of inmates that occurred on 21st and 22nd December 2023, resulting in the death of one inmate (Bokang Tsoako) and the permanent disability of another (Tlotliso Bereng), as well as an escape at the Maseru Correctional facility. The Commission is established pursuant to section 3(1) of the Public Enquiries Act, 1994. The members of the Commission are Chairperson Judge Realeboha Mathaba, former Deputy Prime Minister Advocate Kelebone Maope KC, and former Commissioner of the Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) Mojalefa Thulo.
Mathaba announced that the Commission will commence its work on 13th May 2024 and the investigation is expected to take two months, followed by the publication of a report with recommendations. Lawyers working with the commission will start interviewing witnesses and victims and compiling evidence. “The commission will be transparent about the investigation so that everyone can access the information,” Mathaba emphasized. The commission will also examine the conduct of the correctional staff.
The inquiry follows an independent investigation initiated by the Ombudsman into the events that led to the suffering of correctional officers. The findings were alarming, with over 300 inmates reportedly subjected to cruel torture and in desperate need of emergency medical care, which they did not receive. Advocate Tlotliso Polaki reported that the inmates were beaten, smacked, and violently searched in a manner that incited conflicts. Forty officers are directly implicated in these incidents, and there are recommendations for them to be investigated and face criminal charges. Systemic issues have further compromised correctional services.
The Commission stated that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the inmates’ escape, evaluate the security measures within the Lesotho Correctional Service, and investigate the circumstances that led LCS officers to use violence during the search operation.
