Maseru– Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Chief Officer of the Intelligence Unit, Letlisa Tsietsi, strongly denied any involvement of officers in the brazen escape of six inmates on December 21, 2023. His testimony came during a heated session of the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Realeboha Mathaba, which is delving into the incidents surrounding the daring breakout.
The inquiry was sparked after earlier testimonies suggested possible officer complicity. One witness claimed to have seen an officer conversing with an inmate on the day of the escape and later warning his cellmates about an impending search. Addressing these allegations, Tsietsimaintained firm on the innocence of his officers.
“We thoroughly investigated the incident. Our focus was primarily on the visitors who had come to see the inmates around those days,” Tsietsi stated.
However, Justice Mathaba was not entirely convinced and directed Tsietsi to re-examine the potential involvement of officers.
Mathaba remarked that security officers must always be alert and vigilant as per regulations and questioned the feasibility of the inmates’ escape through an air brick and over a fence. He further showed that either there was no one patrolling that night, or whoever was on duty was not vigilant.
In response to these pressing concerns, Tsietsi provided a guarded explanation, suggesting that the inmates’ escape was swift. He requested to discuss sensitive aspects of the escape and his personal security concerns in camera, away from the public eye.
The Commission of Inquiry, established under the Public Inquiries Act of 1994, is tasked with a comprehensive examination of the security measures within the LCS. The commission aims to evaluate the operations conducted by LCS members following the escape and to scrutinize the circumstances that led to the use of force during the subsequent search operation.
This investigation, with a budget of approximately M2 million, underscores the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth and enhancing prison security.
As the inquiry progresses, it remains to be seen whether any new evidence will emerge to either support or refute the allegations of officer involvement. The findings of the Commission will undoubtedly have significant implications for the LCS and its operational protocol.
