Maseru, May 22 — Lesotho Correctional Service(LCS) was negligent in not deploying guards to patrol maximum tower on the night inmates escaped.
This was admitted by Assistant Superintendent Security, Vincent Mabathoana when responding to questions of the Commission of Inquiry Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba after testifying before the commission on the incidents that occured at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on December 21 and 22, 2023.
Superintendent Mabathoana indicated that the maximum tower had not been functioning for quite a long time and there was no one on guard when inmates escaped.
He added that the tower itself pose a risk due to its wide windows, however saying it became in service on December 22 after inmates escaped as they had an option of deploying Special Weapons and Tactics officers.
