Maseru, May 20 — Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) management does not hold strategic meetings thus I do not know most of the things.
This was said by LCS Deputy Commissioner Operations Mosheoane Ts’olo when testifying before the commission of inquiry on the incidents that occurred at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on December 21 and 22, 2023.
Deputy Commissioner Ts’olo said as management, they were supposed to have discussed the escape of inmates at MCCI but that never happened to date, saying they were told that the internal commission was established with regard to December 21/22 events and that it finished the work but he never received its report.
He added that the management never discussed the Ombudsman findings, ” I take it that management does not know the Ombudsman’s report unless they found it by their own means” he said.
He further said he does not know where the Recruits, who recently passed out are deployed, saying they as deputy commissioners doubted the incompetence of some trainers especially the one who supervised the search exercise on December 22.
He added that management does not know what the Recruits had been taught because they were put aside when the training was planned, thus was shocked when they conducted the search.
“As a person, I have a feeling I’m being side lined” saying one of the Deputy Commissioners is working hand in hand with the Commissioner since they are three in number.
“I have a strong feeling the Commissioner planned deployment of recruits with this Commissioner ,” he added, saying if the Commissioner was in Acting capacity, he would say he fears they would dethrone him.
“We are aware that the Commissioner does not trust us,” he added.
Asked what should be done to ensure they work jointly as management, Deputy Commissioner Ts’olo said they should hold management meetings in order to make strategic decisions. adding that personnel should be trained in all spheres.
The Commission of Inquiry, which is Chaired by Justice Realeboha Mathaba was established with the objective to investigate the circumstances that led to the escape and assault of inmates which resulted in the death of one inmate leaving the other paralyzed in December last year at MCCI.
Ends
