Maseru, Aug. 19 — One of the Recruits, Correctional Officer Teboho Mafomekoane says he believes the inmates were assaulted as they resisted to be searched.especially those who were assaulted excessively.
This he said when testifying before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, on the search exercise that was conducted at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on December 22 last year, which led to assault of inmates, leaving one paralyzed.
He said nobody can be assaulted for nothing, “I have not seen any inmate being assaulted for nothing since I arrived at MCCI” he added, saying those who cried did that out of nothing or due to the squads which they were ordered to do when being searched.
However the Commission Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba said they had heard that the cries were heard from blocks which were searched first, such as block A and C, saying one of the Senior Officers, who testified earlier indicated that almost all inmates who stayed in block C were assaulted, thus asked Mafomekonae if he wanted the Commission to believe all the inmates were resisting to be searched.
Mr. Mafomekoane however insisted that all the inmates who were in block C were assaulted as they were resisting to be searched, saying those who were crying, cried for nothing they cried when they saw senior officers passing by and stopped when they realised that such officers did not do anything.
He further said no inmate was assaulted or cried in blocks, where he searched, adding that he did not see when the inmates were assaulted.
He even said he forgot the names of recruits who assaulted inmates and that he was not aware that some inmates were badly assaulted, including the one who is now paralysed, Tlotliso Bereng.
” I only knew Bereng was paralysed after the establishment of this Commission” , he added.
Meanwhile Justice Mathaba warned Mafemekoane to refrain from being evasive when answering questions as he did that a couple of times, to the extent that the Commission had to adjourn for 10 min and was ordered to be straight to the point when answering questions, after break.
The recruits are continuing to testify before the commision on the search exercise that was conducted at MCCI on above mentioned date,
ends
