Maseru, July 01– One of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officers, who assaulted the late inmate, Bokang Tsoako has apologised to God and the entire nation for engaging in such acts.
Chief Officer Palo Possa expressed his remorse before the Commission Of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, when testifying on the incidents of December 22 last year, when the deceased was re-captured after the escape.
He said he was remorseful for participating in assaulting the deceased as he was overtaken by emotions, indicating that it was his first time in 29 years of service within LCS engaging in such acts and that he has never been before disciplinary hearing thus is ashamed and accepts he is guilty.
He indicated that he was on duty when the deceased was re-captured as he was supposed to see how many firearms were taken out, saying when the vehicle carrying Tsoako arrived he slapped him on the face.
He added that as the deceased stumbled and fell down after he slapped him, he was surrounded by other officers when he was picked up and taken to the Sergeant Office, saying he took a stick that was on the table and whipped him on the buttocks.
He clarified that his anger subsided and even stopped his fellow colleagues from assaulting the deceased.
He therefore apologised to Tsoako’s family, his seniors, colleagues and the nation.
‘The intention was not to kill Tsoako’ he stressed.
Meanwhile,the Commission Of Inquiry which is Chaired by Justice Realeboha Mathaba is continuing to interrogate officers who appear on the footage which shows how the late Bokang Tsoako and Seboka Motumi were brutality assaulted by Lesotho Correctional Service Officers after being re-captured from the escape.
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