‘Mantšali Phakoana
Justice and law minister Richard Ramoeletsi has acknowledged that there is need to improve security and engage more personnel at Maseru Central Correctional Facility after six inmates escaped recently.
The minister was reacting to public concerns that the escape of the inmates on December 21, 2023 was due to poor security at the correctional facility.
Seboka Motumi of Ha-Andreas Makhaleng, Bokang Khotso Tsako from Motimposo, Tumelo Mpopo of Ha-Tšosane and Bokang Molongoana from Nazareth are among the inmates that escaped after reports of brutal assaults on nine inmates by correctional officers at the same centre emerged.
The inmates, who were serving time for various crimes including murder, housebreaking, illegal firearms, and cable theft, were later re-arrested on different occasions.
The government has since established a commission of inquiry to probe the escape and the alleged assault of inmates by correctional officers.
In an interview with theReporter last week, Ramoeletsi said it was unfortunate that the inmates broke the prison wall and cut the fence before fleeing.
“The inmates who escaped at the Maximum Prison managed to overturn the tight security of both the correctional officers and fencing. They broke a wall from their prison room, created a hole at the prison fencing and then fled. They must have really put an effort and applied their skills as soon as they spotted an opportunity, which is not commendable at all.
“This incident has been a lesson to the government. We have realised there is a need to improve security at this facility and also engage more correctional officers as the two-go hand in hand.
“I have also been embarking on a study tour of correctional facilities countrywide, and I should admit there is a need for improvement on the infrastructure,” Ramoeletsi said.
He noted that plans to improve infrastructure at the country’s correctional facilities would be incorporated in 2024-2025 fiscal budget.
While the ministry of justice and law announced that all the inmates were re-arrested and investigations were underway, the incident has sparked concern over the efficiency of security measures at the correctional facilities and the potential danger posed to the public.
Masowe 3 resident, Tente Monaphathe said repeated incidents of inmates escaping from correctional centres were an indication that government needs to strengthen security to ensure public safety.
“If inmates can just break out of the prison, the country’s maximum prison for that matter, where we assume both fencing and correctional officers’ security is tight, this puts our safety at risk.
“Government must tighten correctional services’ security countrywide. If fences need to be changed, then that should be the top priority for the ministry of justice. We cannot sleep with our eyes open knowing that inmates may escape anytime.
“Such incidents do not only put the public lives at risks but it is also deeply humiliating moment for LCS (Lesotho Correctional Services).
Four LCS senior officers; Liphapang Matanya, Ratšele Ratšele, Assistant Commissioners Tšolo Manaka and Liphoto Nthako) have since been suspended from duty pending investigations into the escape and alleged torture of inmates.
Butha-Buthe correctional facility is among the facilities with an extremely porous security fence. The facility has also reported a prison escape.
On March 2021, LCS reported the escape of a 38-year-old inmate, Teboho Ramorobi, who was serving an eight-year sentence for attempted armed robbery.
For his part, the Crime Prevention, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Ex- Offenders Association (CRROA) executive director, Nkalimeng Mothobi, warned correctional officers to be cautious on duty since their responsibility is to safeguard inmates.
Mothobi also noted that it would be unwise for inmates to think escaping from prison while awaiting trial would make their charges vanish.
Rather, he said, they make the situation difficult for themselves, the public and correctional officers on duty.
“Escaping from rehabilitation centres makes matters worse for inmates. It may even compromise their chances of having their remission days reduced. At the same time, it poses a threat to the public as well as witnesses.
“It is therefore, important for the LCS to tighten its correctional security. Correctional officers on duty should also be vigilant every time to ensure inmates don’t take the slightest opportunities to flee,” he added.
