Maseru, Sept. 03 — Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Commander says it is alleged that some recruits and inmates conspired against management with the intention to implicate them before the Commission.
This, Assistant Commissioner Manaka disclosed before the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, when cross examining Correctional Officer Khosi Hlalele after him and several witnesses told the Commission in their testimonies that Manaka and two other superiors heard the cries of inmates when being assaulted by the recruits, as they passed by in block C during the search exercise.
Assistant Commissioner Manaka said he has also heard that there are some officers who are conspiring with people from higher places to implicate MCCI management so that hash action could not be taken against officers.
He asked Hlalele if he was aware that there is tobacco and some documents from block C in his office, which were allegedly bought for some inmates by some recruits with the above mentioned motive.
However Hlalele said he was not aware and is not part of that motive.
On the other hand, the Commission’s Chairperson Justice Realeboha Mathaba said the Commission sense there is deliberate strategy either by inmates or officers to defeat the ends of justice.
” This is not the first time this issue is brought before the Commission as it was earlier disclosed that some officers offered to buy some inmates tobacco in exchange of not implicating them before the Commission” , he said.
He therefore told Assistant Commissioner Manaka that the Commission wants to hear his evidence as he also raised this matter.
Meanwhile, Assistant Manaka, his second in charge Senior Superintendent Mahlelebe and Correctional Service Training School Commander Assistant Commissioner Nthako were implicated by some recruits and inmates regarding inmates cries.
Ends
