Testimonies spark recriminations in prison corridors

’MATHATO SEBOKA

MASERU – Captain Litekanyo Nyakane of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), a key inmate witness, provided a disturbing account of a recent incident that has heightened fears among prison inmates.  According to Nyakane, late on Monday night last week, as the prison lights were switched off, an officer’s voice echoed through the cells with menacing threats.

“At around 8 p.m., we were in darkness when an officer’s voice emerged from behind our cell,” Nyakane recounted. “He was shouting insults and expressing his anger at the testimonies we have been giving to the Commission.”

His description of the officer’s behaviour suggested he (the officer) was inebriated. “His speech was slurred, and he seemed visibly intoxicated,” Nyakane continued. The officer’s aggressive tone was directed at the inmates, creating an atmosphere of tension and alarm. “Some of us could not make out what he was saying, but the loudness of his voice and the nature of his words made it clear that he was addressing us directly.”

This intimidation tactic has left inmates anxious about their safety and the integrity of their testimonies. Nyakane noted that despite the officer’s apparent drunken state, his threats were clear and unsettling. “I was surprised when I heard other inmates discussing the incident the next morning, as I initially thought I was the only one who had heard the officer’s threats,” he added.

Compounding the gravity of the situation, Nyakane disclosed that his fellow inmates had urged him to report the incident to the Commission. “They felt that this act of intimidation endangered us and was an attempt to deter us from speaking out,” he explained. The officer had accused the inmates of falsely implicating them in assaults and accused them of seeking to use their testimonies as leverage for early release.

The Commission of Inquiry, led by High Court Judge Realeboha Mathaba, is delving into serious allegations surrounding incidents at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI) on December 22, 2023.

These allegations include severe assaults by recruits and the escape of six inmates. The Commission’s hearings have unearthed multiple disturbing testimonies about the conditions and treatment within the prison system. Nyakane’s personal experiences reflect broader systemic issues. He had previously shared the challenges faced by inmates in obtaining justice and fair treatment from prison authorities.

His testimony highlighted a particularly painful episode when he was denied permission to attend his mother’s funeral in December 2023, despite a court order granting him that right.  “Even with a court order, the prison authorities refused to let me attend my mother’s burial,” Nyakane revealed.

“This refusal exemplifies the broader issue of how legal victories are often undermined by the prison administration’s disregard for court rulings.” Nyakane’s account of life inside the prison paints a grim picture of systemic violence and abuse.

He recounted several instances where inmates were subjected to brutal treatment by correctional officers, with some cases ending in fatal consequences. One particularly harrowing episode from 2017 involved a mentally disturbed inmate who was mercilessly beaten by officers, an incident that left a lasting impact on Nyakane.