Maseru, July 09 — The community in Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI), officers and inmates should be blamed for smuggling prohibited items in the facility.
This was said by an inmate Mr. Phafa Rafats’e when testifying before the Commission Of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, on incidents that occurred at MCCI on December 22 last year.
Mr. Rafats’e said since the search exercise is usually conducted at the facility, prohibited items which include cigarette, tobacco, dagga, cellular phones and knives might find their way into the facility through officers or inmates themselves.
He indicated that there are inmates who work outside the facility and there is a possibility these items could be smuggled by them or some officers.
He also said they could not be smuggled by inmates’ visitors because they are thoroughly searched when they arrive at the facility.
He therefore emphasised need for officers and inmates to be searched during entry into the facility.
Meanwhile, the Commission is continuing to take evidence from inmates who were assaulted during the general search operation, which was conducted by Lesotho Correctional Service Recruits in December 22 last year.
Ends
