…as police probe alleged TV theft
Moorosi Tsiane
FORMER Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Commissioner Mating Nkakala is facing fresh trouble after the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) took over the case in which he is alleged to have stolen three plasma television sets donated to the correctional service.
The case, which had been pending before the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) from July 2024, has now moved swiftly before the police who are said to be ready to drag Mr Nkakala to court.
According to sources close to the investigation, the television sets were donated by a leading local corporate in 2022 for the benefit of inmates. However, Mr Nkakala allegedly removed the TVs from the institution shortly after they were delivered and kept them for his personal use.
Highly placed sources told this publication that Mr Nkakala was summoned to the Maseru Central Charge Office on Wednesday, where he was questioned by police investigators.
The sources further revealed that investigations have since been completed and the case docket has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal guidance on whether criminal charges should be instituted.
“He was called in on Wednesday for questioning and the investigations have already been concluded. The docket has been sent to the Office of the DPP for directives because Ntate Nkakala was a public servant,” a source said.
“These televisions were donated to the institution for the benefit of inmates, but he allegedly took them for his own personal use. That amounts to theft.”
DCEO spokesperson, ‘Matlhokomelo Senoko, said the anti-corruption agency declined to investigate after determining that the allegations fell within the jurisdiction of the police.
“The matter was reported to us before, but upon realising that it had also been reported to the police, we decided to leave it for them since it is a theft matter,” Ms Senoko said.
This after sitting on the case for over a year.
LMPS spokesperson, Superintendent Thabo Mohai, yesterday said he was not yet aware of the case.
“I have no knowledge of the matter that you are referring to. I can only be able to help you on Monday after finding out whether there is such a case,” Supt Mohai said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Nkakala said he was unable to discuss the allegations.
“I am not in a space where we can talk now. I will get back to you,” he said.
LCS spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Pheko Ntobane, also said he was unaware of the investigation.
“I am not aware of this issue, but I think the police are the right people to comment on it,” AS Ntobane said.
The latest investigation comes less than a year after Mr Nkakala resigned from the LCS in August last year after being served with a show-cause letter requiring him to explain why Prime Minister Samuel Matekane should not advise His Majesty King Letsie III to dismiss him for alleged incompetence.
At the time, Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi said the move to remove Mr Nkakala followed recommendations by the Commission of Inquiry established in the aftermath of the dramatic escape of inmates from the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI).
The commission delivered a scathing assessment of Mr Nkakala’s leadership, finding that he had been politically appointed in 2021 after bypassing two senior ranks and lacked the leadership qualities required to lead the correctional service.
It accused him of poor leadership, a lack of transparency, mistrust of his deputies and failure to formulate strategic policies to improve the institution.
The commission also concluded that he was unfit to continue leading the LCS, citing, among other things, his alleged decision to transfer officers who should instead have faced disciplinary action.
Its report further examined the December 2023 escape of six inmates from MCCI, all of whom were later recaptured.
One of the escapees, Bokang Tsoako, died after allegedly being brutally assaulted by correctional officers following his recapture.
The commission found that LCS officials violated the Inquest Proclamation by delaying notification of the police and failing to follow mandatory procedures after Tsoako’s death. It said the incident exposed serious failures of leadership, accountability and institutional oversight during Mr Nkakala’s tenure.