Maseru, Aug. 16 — One of the recruits, Correctional Officer Lereko Lephoi was not allowed to re-testify after lying to the Commission about his whereabouts on December 22, 2023 during the search.
Officer Lephoi earlier told the Commission in his testimony that he did not join the search team that conducted the search exercise at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on above mentioned date because he was on sick leave.
He indicated that there were people who could corroborate that, who included Correctional Officer Noosi Bolila and one of Correctional Service Training School (CSTS) Instructors, Chief Officer Lebohang Lenono.
However the duo did not corroborate that in their testimonies as Lenono indicated that she did not see Lephoi at CSTS on the day of the search and that his sick leave had expired when the search was conducted.
“Lephoi would have been able to do almost everything at that time” she added.
It was with this regard that the Commission’s Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba disallowed Lephoi to testify again, saying the Commission wasted so much time on this issue, including national resources.
“You decided to take that course since you said you were not at MCCI during the search and when you realize that all these people are not supporting you, you want to re-testify?” he asked, adding that Lephoi was making a mockery of the commission by claiming that he was confusing the searches, after he was caught up with his lies.
“You knew we were dealing with December 22 search and knew you were identified on the footage ” he added, thus denied Lephoi to re-testify.
However, Lephoi was allowed to make submissions on evedince that was submitted.
The recruits, who are now Correctional Officers are continuing to testify before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, on the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on December 22 last year, which led to assault of inmates, leaving one, Tlotliso Bereng paralysed.
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