The ongoing commission of inquiry into the escape of convicted prisoner Phakiso Molise took a different turn when police Inspector Keletso Ramoeletsi's evidence, whose main core was to give some background of Molise to the commission, could not be heard to its end. Proceedings were held in camera and members of the public as well as media were told to leave the court.

It was at this juncture that members of the public that were present complained and after they got out of the court, saying even if the matter that was to be discussed was based on security matters, it was important that the public were given an opportunity to listen to them, as the issue of Molise's escape from prison has become a national concern.

Inspector Ramoeletsi of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), had earlier, said Molise was a dangerous prisoner who needed a fully armed escort to prevent him from escaping. He was testifying on Thursday before the commission of inquiry that is investigating the escape of Molise who escaped on August 07, while attending medical treatment at Queen Elizabeth II hospital. He was giving background information about Molise.

Inspector Ramoeletsi said Molise needed such kind of escort because he was a brilliant man who might be assisted by the politicians to escape so that such politicians can make use of Molise's intelligence for their political interests. He stated that Molise was also an influential person, saying he has been influential since he was a member of the youth league of the Basotho National Party (BNP), before he could join the police force.

He further said Molise was playing a leading role during the 1994 police strike, where the police were demanding some increase to their salaries, which led to the establishment of a committee, whose duty was to co-ordinate junior police staff with senior officers and the committee, he saidthe committee was chaired by Molise being the only senior police officer. Inspector Ramoeletsi said the committee was not dissolved even after the police strike, saying such committee ended up assisting teachers in their strike in 1995.

He said the role of such committee in teachers' strike, as he was told, wasto advice teachers as to how they could make their strike successfully,citing an example of one time when teachers were picketing at the Ministryof Education, and chased by the police using tear gas, but they returned tothe offices through the influence of Molise, whose intelligence could not beundermined.He said, "According to his intelligence, Molise was telling teachers thatmembers of the police and members of the army were supporting teachers' strike, hence teachers should proceed with their strike".

Inspector Ramoeletsi further said he has also been arrested and kept at Mabote police post cell by some of the police that were under the command of Molise where he was left and ultimately escaped after being told that he was going to be killed. Inspector Ramoeletsi said that happened a few days after he received a letter, which warned him against being cooperative with the then government of the Basotholand Congress Party (BCP), as he (Ramoeletsi) was playing a leading part in efforts that were made to stop teachers from singing and picketing at the premises of the Ministry of Education as they were interrupting the flow of traffic. In his evidence, he affirmed that Molise was also commanding a group that was involved in mutiny in 1995, which resulted into the death of some police officers.

The commission of inquiry, which is investigating the escape of Phakiso Molise is led by Justice Steward White is continuing.

24 October 2003