Commission of Inquiry hands over report to PM

 By Tholoana Lesenya

MASERU-The Prime Minister (PM) Ntsokoane Matekane guaranteed execution of recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates report upon return from presentation to the Parliament.

These, he said when accepting the report from the Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry on the escape of inmates, Justice Realeboha Mathaba at the State House on this week.

The PM highlighted that he accredited the report and will study it before presenting it to Parliament, saying he will thereafter order the Minister of Law and Justice to implement its recommendations.

Presenting the report, Justice Mathaba explained that the PM will be the one who unpacks the report to the public, saying the report was compiled without fear, favour or prejudice. He pointed out that the report involves executive summary with recommendations and is divided into four parts being safety at Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI), escape of inmates, search exercise conducted at MCCI and administration within Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS).

 The Commission was officially established through Legal Notice No. 26 of 2024 on 5 April 2024, under Section 3(1) of the Public Inquiries Act of 1994. Originally given a two-month mandate to investigate, which was extended by one month in June 2024 (and even further into September in some reports) due to the breadth of testimony and documentation involved.


In December 2023 Prison Break on 21 December 2023, multiple inmates escaped from the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI). A subsequent search operation by correctional officers escalated into allegations of severe mistreatment and torture of inmates on 22 December 2023.

The Ombudsmans "own initiative" investigation revealed widespread abuse which showed that over 300 inmates reportedly endured beatings, with at least one inmate dead and another paralyzed as a result. Correctional Service personnel, including 114 recruits and 40 specific officers, were implicated for their role in the brutal abuses.

Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi announced the Commission, citing the necessity to investigate the escape, the use of force during the search operation, and the conditions that enabled such violence. The mandate included reviewing internal LCS and Ombudsman reports, evaluating security protocols, identifying responsible officers, and recommending reforms.

Judicial oversight was ensured through a three-member panel chaired by Justice Realeboha Mathaba, alongside Advocate Kelebone Maope (human rights lawyer and former DPM) and Mojalefa Thulo (former LCS Commissioner). They were empowered to hold public or in-camera hearings, access critical documents, and issue recommendations binding on the government.

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