Maseru, July 23– The Officer Commanding Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) says he suspects one of the senior officers leaked information regarding the search exercise that was conducted at the institution on December 22 ,2023.
This Assistant Commissioner Tsoto Manaka affirmed before the Commission Of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, when he was cross examined by Chief Officer Tololi Rats’ele whom he said he suspects leaked such information.
Assistant Commissioner Manaka said he suspects it was Rats’ele who leaked information as Manaka, phoned the officer Commanding the school of Recruits on December 20 informing him about the search and the latter informed another senior officer who in return shared the information with Rats’ele hence that aroused his suspicion.
He added that he suspects Rats’ele as of his reputation and the manner in which he was transferred from MCCI to Correctional Staff Training School (CSTC).
“My suspicion is based on the reputation that you leak sensitive information to inmates” he stressed, indicating that a constable who shared such information to an inmate after he was alleged to have received it from Rats’ele is also known.
He further indicated that it was not the first time he suspected Rats’ele of leaking information, saying he even informed his superiors including the Commissioner about his behaviour.
” I even wrote a letter requesting for re-deployment of Rats’ele to Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) headquarters” he added.
On the other hand, Chief Officer Rats’ele said there is no evidence that he leaked information, saying when someone has committed such an offense as it means he had a hand in the escape of inmates, he must have been sued but that did not happen.
He also asked Assistant Commissioner Manaka what he did when no action was taken against him, saying LCS Commissioner is not the last stop and he could have informed the Minister of Law.
Meanwhile Assistant Commissioner Manaka earlier in his testimony told the Commission that the search exercise was initially planned as it had to be done ahead of Christmas.
He added that he asked for assistance from Officer commanding CSTC as there was a shortage of staff that week as some officers were taking inmates to doctors and courts.
It was reported that Chief Officer Rats’ele led the search exercise at MCCI and such searches are usually conducted at 06:00 a.m.
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