Commission witnesses fear backlash

INMATES testifying at the Commission of Inquiry into the December 2022 breakout at Maseru Central Correctional facility claim they have been threatened by the prison boss. The inmates said Assistant Commissioner Tsoto Manaka told them at a parade that they should be careful what they tell the commission because they will remain in the hands of the warders when the inquiry ends.

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Staff Sergeant Malefane Heqoa, one of the soldiers incarcerated in prison since 2017, told the commission that he took AC Manaka’s message “as strong”.

He said AC Manaka, who is the station commander of the Maseru Central Correctional facility,  warned them that the commission would be broadcast in the media, saying this one “would be different from the one done internally, such as the Ombudsman’s investigation in which there was no media”.

“He said in the commission we should state the issues that we saw, and that we know,” he said. S/Sgt Heqoa said AC Manaka allegedly told the inmates that the commission was not working to release them from prison, saying they would remain with the same officers they are testifying against.

He said AC Manaka also told inmates to stop telling the commission that warders tortured them into confession but only mention how the escape happened.

S/Sgt Heqoa told the commission that he “took the parade message as a threat to us”.

“We already know that this commission will soon leave this facility, and we will remain here,” he said.

He said AC Manaka’s emphasis that the inmates will remain with the same officers they testified against “was so scary”.

“But, I will give my testimony freely though.”

Another soldier, Private Nthathakane Motanyane, echoed S/Sgt Heqoa’s sentiments that AC Manaka’s address was a threat to the witnesses.

Justice Realeboha Mathaba, the chairman, encouraged him to testify without fear, saying the commission “is taking measures to ensure that you will not be victimised for testifying here”.

“If it happens that you are victimised we will know and we will act,” he said.

AC Manaka was suspended after the December 22 escape of six inmates and assaulting of over 300 and the murder of one.

He has since returned to work. 

Majara Molupe

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