Maseru, Sept. 11 — Although Correctional Officer Lehlohonolo Moabi accepted that he entered Tlotliso Bereng’s cell during the search exercise, he failed to disclose that in his testimony before the Commission.
Officer Moabi, together with Officer Mothabeng, Mokoloko and Mokhethi were seen entering Bereng’s cell on the footage, during the search exercise that was conducted at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on December 22, 2023. The search resulted in the assault of inmates, leaving Bereng paralysed.
When asked why he did not disclose that he entered Bereng’s cell in his testimony before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, Moabi said it was due to the fact that he entered many cells at maximum block during the search thus he forgot, not disputing that he entered Bereng’s cell.
The Commission’s Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba asked Moabi if he accepts that Bereng was still active when he went out of his cell to be searched and when he went back to the cell as per footage as well as that Mothabeng and Mokoloko left him still fine.
“I am not saying Mothabeng and Mokoloko did not assault Bereng” he said, reminding Moabi that he and Mokhethi entered Bereng’s cell after he was searched and that nobody entered thereafter thus nobody could have injured him.
Responding to the above, Moabi accepted everything and told the Commission when making submissions that he was shameful when he watched how inmates were assaulted on the footage.
Meanwhile earlier in his testimony, Bereng, who is now out of prison due to his condition said he did not know Officers who injured him as they were wearing masks and that he was new at the institution.
However Mothabeng, Mokoloko, Moabi and Mokhethi admitted that they entered Bereng’s cell during the search although they denied assaulting him.
Bereng holds Honours Degree in Information Technology and opened a company called Info Tech Galaxy where he repairs phones, computers and designs websites.
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