Maseru, Aug. 14 — Some witnesses, who include Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Officers are continuing to confirm that Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Superiors arrived at block C and just passed by in the midst of cries from inmates when they were being assaulted by recruits.
The confirmation was made by Seagent Nkhapetla Nkhapetla and Correctional Officer Kabelo Liholo, before the Commission Of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, after some inmates earlier told the Commission that MCCI superiors did not say anything when they were being assaulted.
Seagent Nkhapetla said Assistant Commissioner Manaka, Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe and Assistant Commissioner Nthako, who commands Correctional Service Training School (CSTS) just passed when inmates were being assaulted.
He said he tried as much as he could to stop the recruits from assaulting the inmates during the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on December 22 last year.
He indicated that he immediately informed Chief Officer Rats’ele who led the search team when he realized that recruits were severely assaulting inmates, saying Rats’ele retracted the sticks from recruits who used them to assault the inmates.
He added that he even reported the matter to the superintendent who pledged to assist him in preventing recruits from assaulting inmates, saying he lost hope when he saw the superiors passing in the midst of cries.
” It came to me that I could be stopping what I am not supposed to stop” he said.
On the other hand, Officer Liholo, who was holding keys for block C and was walking with the above mentioned superiors when they were going to punishment cell said it is impossible that the trio did not see recruits assaulting inmates as the latter were also crying.
” I don’t believe the superiors missed those cries” he said, indicating that he did not hear them say anything regarding that.
Meanwhile, earlier when cross examining Chief Officer Rats’ele, Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe denied hearing inmates cry when they were being assaulted.
