Maseru, June 27 — Senior Rehabilitation Officer Mrs. Mabakoena Mphou says it is not true that Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Management was unaware that correctional officers were drinking beer on December 22 last year.
This, she said when testifying before the Commission of Inquiry on the incidents that occurred at MCCI on December 21 and 22, 2023.
Mrs. Mphou, who is also a member of the entertainment committee at MCCI also confirmed that she brewed lager for officers as per their request on that day and it was a day for Christmas party although it was suspended due to that day’s events.
She indicated that the MCCI commander and his deputy saw that inmates were drinking beer on that day as they were in their midst although they (duo) were not drinking.
She added that even the noise that was there was not normal hence management must have been aware that officers were drinking beer.
She further said as some members of the entertainment committee were unavailable due to the escape of inmates and went to search for them, she had to multitask and monitor inmates cooking food for officers and look into the issue of lager as it was brewed by her.
She therefore emphasised that she was busy and unable to recognize any person who asks for food or lager.
She also said although there was no instruction that the Christmas party was suspended, it was clear based on the events of that day, saying they were only instructed to refund people who contributed their money for the party.
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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