Maseru, Sept. 24 — Some Officers are alleged to have been smuggling tobacco for inmates at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) after it was prohibited earlier due to COVID-19.
This, was disclosed by Officer Commanding MCCI, Assistant Commissioner Tsoto Manaka when testifying on a number of issues before the Commission of Inquiry, including the events of December 22, 2023.
Asst. Comm. Manaka said tobacco was prohibited due to COVID-19 as inmates used to share smoking, saying they have realized that inmates are now misusing some officers to smuggle it.
He said MCCI management considered having the smoking zone within the institution but realized it would be of no use as inmates share smoking and might infect one another with COVID-19.
“Some inmates hate me for this and believe it was my decision yet it was not” he added.
Commenting on this matter, the Commission’s Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba urged the Asst. Comm. to read Lesotho Correctional Service(LCS) rules regarding tobacco particularly rule number 51, which provides that inmates should not smoke or be in possession of tobacco except with the approval of the Commander through LCS Commissioner.
Meanwhile some officers disclosed before the Commission earlier that some inmates allegedly told them that they would not implicate them before the Commission in exchange of tobacco and Ass. Comm. Manaka brought the tobacco which was bought as a trick , as evidence before the Commission.
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