Keiso Mohloboli
THE Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) Commissioner, Napo Sefali, was suspended yesterday for alleged corruption, incompetence and insubordination.
According to an LCS source privy to the case, Commissioner Sefali’s suspension is indefinite but with full pay and benefits.
“Commissioner Sefali is being accused of failing to obey orders from his superior, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Motlohi Maliehe.
“For instance, when he is told not to transfer officers, he still goes ahead and does the opposite.
“For example, he promoted a certain Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent although the officer was implicated in the escape of double ritual murder suspect, Lehlohonolo Scott, from the Maseru Maximum Prison in 2012.
“He also transferred a certain Superintendent, who used to head the Public Relations and Information Technology Office at LCS headquarters in Maseru to Maseru Maximum Prison, where he was now the
head of the facility, despite orders to the contrary.
“The same Superintendent was recently transferred from Maseru Maximum Prison to Leribe following Scott’s arrest in South Africa two months ago, when it was expected Sefali would take disciplinary action against him since Scott had escaped when he was in charge.
“Again, the escape of Scott created problems for Sefali and he is now being accused of not cooperating with the government regarding the escape,” the source said.
“The LCS officers know who helped Scott escape but Sefali has not taken action against these culprits.”
The source also alleged Commissioner Sefali was being investigated over Staff Welfare funds that he allegedly abused.
According to the source, Commissioner Sefali is also accused of unfairly promoting his son from Correctional Officer to Sergeant, which is said to have created friction within the LCS.
The source also alleged Commissioner Sefali was seen using government vehicles to attend meetings of the main opposition Democratic Congress (DC) even though he was working for the coalition government.
The All Basotho Convention (ABC), Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and Basotho National Party (BNP) formed a coalition government after the 26 may 2012
general election failed to produce an outright winner.
Contacted yesterday for comment, the Acting Government Secretary, Moahloli Mphaka, confirmed Commissioner Sefali’s suspension.
“There are ongoing investigations against Commissioner Sefali and his suspension will end when they are complete,” Mr Mphaka said.
“It is an internal issue that cannot be discussed in public. That is why I cannot go further than to confirm his indefinite suspension.”
Repeated efforts to get Commissioner Sefali’s comment were fruitless as his phone rang unanswered, while there was also no immediate comment from Minister Maliehe.
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