Maseru, Sept.25 — Promotional positions within Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) are not politicaly motivated, so is skipping of the ranks.
This was said by LCS Human Resource (HR) Officer Mrs. Itumeleng Makhetha before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates after several witnesses alleged that some officers get promotions due to party politics.
Mrs. Makhetha said she has never seen anyone skipping ranks since 2021, indicating that promotional positions from that of Assistant Superintendent to that of Deputy Commissioner are advertised, analyst by Senior Officers including the Principal Secretary and the Minister of Law and Justice.
She added that after the analysis, candidates are shortlisted and interviews are conducted and panelled by representatives from Public Service, Ministry of Law, LCS Senior Officers and the HR Officer who takes minutes of such interviews.
“I believe the appointment of officers in these ranks is transparent based on the process undertaken” she stressed, also confirming that many Commissioners exchanged the Office before she arrived but was not sure if it was due to changing of new governments which were alleged to appoint new LCS Commissioners in the process.
However, she clarified that promotions in lower ranks are usually done by LCS Commissioner in accordance with LCS Act of 2016.
“HR Office does not have any role in positions of lower ranks as we are just told certain people have been promoted through the Commissioners Office” she added.
She further emphasised that currently there is no policy or framework dealing with promotions thus it is the Commissioners prerogative to promote people in lower ranks.
Meanwhile several officers who testified earlier before the Commission alleged that the issue of new appointments and promotions of officers, which they believe is politically motivated has brought divisions within LCS and bitterness amongst some officers.
The Commission, which commenced it’s work in May this year was established with the objective to amongst others, examine, appraise and evaluate the security measures within LCS, investigate on the instances around operations undertaken by members of LCS staff after the escape of inmates as well as to investigate and determine the circumstances that led to the use of force during the search operation.
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