The Officer in Charge of Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) Assistant Commissioner Tsoto Manaka says he did not see any Officer assaulting inmates although it came to his attention that the latter was assaulted.

These he said when testifying before the Commission of Inquiry on the incidents that occurred at MCCI on December 21 and 22, 2023.

Assistant Commissioner Manaka further denied hearing inmates crying during the general search exercise, saying he even passed and greeted them.

He added that he did not even see the footage of assault incidents because he did not get an opportunity to watch it on December 22 and 23 due to things that already occurred.

He further stated many other reasons as to why he did not see the footage to date, saying he was even told some of its details by the Ombudsman. He therefore said if he got an opportunity to watch the footage, he would reveal the names of officers who assaulted the inmates.

Manaka also admitted that torture is a deep-rooted culture in the institution, saying some officers are always bitter and need to be monitored regularly. When asked if the search was conducted in a way he expected, he said yes, as each inmate was carrying his items outside into the corridor where the search proceeded, saying items not allowed remain outside when the search is done and inmates go back to prison cells.

However, he said he was surprised to see inmates bandaged when the Minister of Law and Justice visited the institution and even received a report that four military inmates refused to be searched and confusion erupted, saying he then received a long list of inmates who claimed to have been assaulted during the search.

He further clarified that the general search exercise had to be conducted despite the escape of six inmates because it was planned earlier in preparation of Christmas holidays.

Meanwhile the Evidence Leader Advocate Makhele Sekati said he will make an arrangement for the Assistant Commissioner to watch the footage so that he could reveal the names of officers who assaulted inmates.

The Commission, which is expected to finish its work within two months shall amongst others examine, appraise and evaluate the security measures within LCS, investigate on the instances around operations undertaken by members of staff of LCS after the escape of inmates as well as to investigate and determine the circumstances that led to the use of force during the search operation.