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Maseru
November 7, 2024
News

RECRUITS DENY FALSE IMPLICATION

Maseru, Sept. 06 – – The recruits, who implicated Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Officials say they do not have any motive to falsely implicate them.

This they said when being cross examined before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, by MCCI Commander, Assistant Commissioner Manaka, his second in charge Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe and Correctional Service Training School Commander, Assistant Commissioner Nthako.

The trio are alleged to have heard the cries of inmates as they passed by in Block C during the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on December 22, 2023, which resulted in the assault of inmates, leaving one paralysed. 

One Correctional Officer Thabo Moiloa said he had no motive to implicate the trio, saying the cries of inmates were so loud that it was impossible for anyone in that block not to have heard them. 

On the other hand, Khosi Hlalele and several witnesses told the Commission earlier in their testimonies  that the trio must have heard the cries of inmates based on how loud they were.

“The cries were still there when they passed by and were from several prison cells” said Hlalele, saying he could not recall inmates being assaulted in the corridor as the trio passed by.

However, Assistant Commissioner Manaka said Moiloa was falsely implicating him as  one of the officers whom he identified assaulting the late Bokang Tsoako who escaped from prison. 

He further said the stories of witnesses were clashing as others said no one was in the corridor in block C when they passed, others said recruits pretended they were doing nothing and that their Instructor said there was no noise and no inmate was assaulted when they passed by. 

He further said some inmates and recruits conspired against MCCI management with the objective to implicate them so that hash action could not be taken against implicated officers.

Meanwhile the trio have since denied hearing cries of inmates when cross examining the witnesses who implicated them, saying the inmates were not assaulted when they passed by.

The recruits are continuing to testify on the events of December 22 last year and some admitted that they assaulted the inmates while others are still denying assaulting them. 

Ends

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