…as three inmates at MCCI are mysteriously poisoned
…but there is no record of “poisoned” food being brought in
Mathatisi Sebusi / Hopolang Mokhopi
THE poisoning of three inmates at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI), which left one prisoner dead and two others hospitalized, has raised serious concerns following the alleged absence of visitor records on the day the incident allegedly occurred.
The deceased has been identified as Mpho Neo Taelo (26) of Ha Ralejoe, Nazareth. The two surviving inmates, Mohau Ramookho, also of Ha Ralejoe, and an undisclosed inmate, have since recovered and returned to their cells.
According to Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Pheko Ntobane, the inmates were poisoned after consuming instant porridge reportedly brought by a visitor on 31 December 2025.
“The inmates ate instant porridge which we believe was poisoned. We suspect it was brought by a visitor who came to see them on 31 December 2025. One inmate died while the other two recovered and have since returned to their cells,” Ass Supt Ntobane said.
However, a source close to the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, disputed this account, noting that prison records do not show that the three inmates received any visitors on that day.
“There are no records indicating that these inmates were visited. This raises suspicions that something irregular may have occurred, possibly with the involvement of a correctional officer. Other inmates who received visitors on the same day were properly recorded,” the source said.
The source further explained that the incident occurred when the three inmates allegedly shared instant porridge that had been received by Taelo.
Taelo reportedly told fellow inmates that the food had been brought by a visitor, but did not disclose the visitor’s identity.
“According to official records, Taelo had no visitors that day,” the source said.
Shortly after consuming the porridge, the inmates reportedly began vomiting and were seen with foam-like bubbles coming from their mouths, prompting immediate suspicions of poisoning. They were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
The source added that during a parade at LCS earlier that Monday, inmates overheard the name of Taelo’s uncle being mentioned as a possible visitor, adding another layer of mystery to the case. Taelo, who was reportedly unable to speak at the time, was first taken to the correctional facility’s clinic, where he later died.
Taelo and Ramookho are awaiting trial on charges related to the murder of former Disaster Management Authority former Chief Executive Officer Makhotso Mahosi and her son, Kabelo Mahosi, as well as the attempted murder of Ms Mahosi’s housekeeper, Lineo Thoola. The crimes were committed on 28 October 2023 at Ms Mahosi’s home in Matala Phase 1. The two were in 2023 charged alongside Ms Mahosi’s driver, Mohlanka Matsipa, who is out on bail.
Police investigations had revealed that Matsipa allegedly orchestrated the murders to steal a large sum of money from Ms Mahosi’s home since the latter had been accused of receiving large sums of monies in bribes from businesspeople she had unlawfully awarded DMA tenders during Covid-19 and the 2021 state of emergency. Matsipa reportedly visited the house earlier on the day of the attack before Ramookho and Taelo allegedly stormed the property armed with guns.
The poisoning occurred as the case was expected to resume in March, amid allegations that Ramookho and Taelo were set to turn into state witnesses.
Commenting on the matter, Minister of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi, confirmed that the case is under police investigation but declined to provide further details.
“This matter has been handed over to the police for investigation. We must be sensitive in how we handle it, considering that the surviving inmates are awaiting trial for serious offences. There could be many conspiracies surrounding this case,” Mr Ramoeletsi said.
The poisoning is another example of systematic security failures at LCS, previously highlighted by the Commission of Inquiry into the Escape of Inmates.
The Commission was established following the December 2023 assault of 626 inmates, some of whom were beaten with planks embedded with nails, raising fears of HIV transmission.
This followed the escape of six inmates from MCCI on 21 December 2023: Tumelo Mpopo, Bokang Molengoane, Seboka Motumi, Rethabile Tlali, Aumane Nkoale, and Bokang Tsoako. They were later tracked down and recaptured in Maseru, Ramabanta, Qacha’s Nek, and Bloemfontein, South Africa, before being returned to custody.
Tsoako, who was recaptured on 22 December 2023 at Ha ’Mamochochoko Orphanage in Maseru, was brutally assaulted upon his return to MCCI and later died from his injuries.
The report attributed the inmate escape to multiple security lapses, including failure to inspect cells, failure to man key posts, inadequate night patrols, insufficient searches, and an environment where MCCI management and officers had grown complacent.
The Commission recommended the establishment of an internal quality assurance unit, reporting directly to the Commissioner, to conduct systematic inspections and monitor compliance with all regulatory and procedural requirements.
