Maseru- Tsoto Manaka, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) revealed the names of officers who assaulted the late, Bokang Tsoako. Manaka was able to identify these officers after evidence leader, Advocate Makhele Sekati made an arrangement to watch the footage over the past weekend. Manaka said, “I identified at least 61 officers with their seniors present during Tsoako’s arrival and subsequent assault”. He said amongst those recognized were senior officials, including Senior Assistant Commissioner Phoka Scout, Superintendent Mafatle, Superintendent Lekhatla, Superintendent Ramangoane, Assistant Superintendent Mokhesuoe, Assistant Superintendent Mosiloane, Chief Officer Marai and Chief Officer Ratšele.
The viewing was made after he claimed to the Commission of Inquiry that he did not watch the footage,therefore did not know officers who assaulted the deceased.
The footage from December 22nd, 2023 displays Tsoako being returned to MCCI after escaping the previous night of the 21st with the other five inmates. He was allegedly assaulted by several LCS officers and was later taken to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital where he was confirmed to be dead.
Moreover, relating the events shown in the footage he said, “Soon after Tsoako departed the vehicle, Chief Officer Marai was the first to assault him with a stick. Chief Officer Mpokothi is seen pushing him into a wall, causinghim to bump face and chest. Chief Officer Posa then assaulted him with a stick, leading him to fall to the floor.”
The brutality continued persistently. “Once Tsoako stood up Sergeant Raboshabane hit him on the knees with a stick,” Manaka continued. “Chief Officer Ratšele is seen beating him again until he was inside an office. Though the cameras did not clearly show the inside, the movements showed the assault continued”, He further illustrated.
According to Manaka, a brief pause followed with arrival of Senior Assistant Commissioner Scout. “It seemed he instructed the attackers to stop. They ceased for about two minutes while he was in the office. However, the minute Scout left, the assault seemed to continue,” Manaka described.
The inquiry, led by High Court Justice Realeboha Mathaba with members Mojalefa Thulo, former Commissioner of LCA, and Kelebone Maope, former deputy prime minister, was established to investigate the escape and torture of inmates from MCCI.
