Maseru, Aug. 07 — The Commission Of Inquiry on the escape of inmates has been urged to consider the ranks and seniority of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Officers who assaulted inmates before making a decision.
The call was made by a military detainee, who is also Lesotho Defence Force Special Force Captain, Litekanyo Nyakane when testifying before the Commission Of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, on how he was brutally assaulted by recruits on December 22 last year during the search exercise that was conducted at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI).
Captain Nyakane said whatever punishment is going to be imposed, the Commission must take into consideration that the people who assaulted inmates are recruits as some senior officers failed to perform their duties.
He emphasised that what happened at MCCI during the search, including the assault of an inmate who ended up losing his life after he escaped was a serious matter thus the impact of punishment should not be similar from top to bottom.
“For junior officers, the punishment should not affect their families; instead it should be dealt with within LCS ” he said.
However, the Commission Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba warned him that some recruits never admitted they assaulted inmates or did it because they were following orders.
Responding to this matter, Captain Nyakane acknowledged that some of the recruits are not taking this matter seriously based on their questions and responses during cross examinations.
“I believe it is not too late for recruits to change their mentality before things get worse,” he said.
He also said it is high time the recruits admit what they did was wrong, saying if the Commission may please the masses, the question would be where were these masses gathered as the recruits have family members who are also part of the society.
“I am a victim of an angry nation and I wouldn’t wish anyone to travel the same journey as mine hence I tell the truth” he said.
Meanwhile Captain Nyakane is currently cross examined by officers whom he implicated in his testimony.
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