A Prison Divisional Commander at Central Prisons, Senior Superintendent Matete Mahao, says it has been a grievous mistake to allow Phakiso Molise to talk to people at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital, which resulted to his escape. He was testifying on Wednesday before the commission of inquiry, which investigates the escape of Molise, a convicted prisoner, who escaped on August 07, 2003 at the Queen Elizabeth II, while attending medical treatment.

Senior Superintendent Mahao said any communication between a prisoner and other members of the public, is contrary to the Prison regulations, particularly section 65 subsection two under the heading of treatment of  offenders. He further said it was not proper for one Prison Officer Khoai Mahao to accompany Molise to the place where apples were sold, saying that was contrary to the fact that prisoners should not move around without the consent of the officer in charge.

Asked as to whether in 1998, during political instability, some people went to the prison demanding the release of Molise, he said some youth who he considered as delinquents, went to the prison and demanded that all prisoners be released, but were over-powered by prison officers. Senior Superintendent Mahao could not clarify before the commission as to whether such youth were belonging to Molise's faction, saying he was not even aware whether Molise had a certain faction.

He further explained that Queen Elizabeth II hospital, is a dangerous place just like any place outside the prison premises from which prisoners can escape, saying most of the prisoners have already been escaping due to, among others carelessness of prison officers.

Meanwhile, one of the witnesses who also testified before the commission on Wednesday Miss Ntaoleng Nkemele, a member of Security Lesotho pty Ltd, said while she was on duty at the main gate at Queen II hospital on August 07,there arrived one 'Malefa Mapheleba to her just after the Prisoners, including Phakiso Molise, had got inside the hospital premises. Miss Nkemele said 'Malefa asked her if she has seen prisoners because she wanted to meet one prisoner, referring to Phakiso Molise as she noticed later.

She said she told 'Malefa that the prisoners had got inside the hospital, saying it was not after a long time that the prisoners had come back when 'Malefa went to them at the parking area, where prisoners were escorted by some prison officers. She noted that it was then that 'Malefa went to them and talked to Molise after which she left and took the direction of the mortuary. Miss Nkemele said after some time, Molise went to the hospital gate accompanied by Prison Officer Mahao, who, while at the gate was looking at the women that were selling chips, when a car arrived and Molise went towards it and ultimately got in it. She said after the car had left she asked the prison officer as to whether he noticed what had happened, saying the prison officer then became aware that Molise had already escaped.

The commission of inquiry, which is investigating the escape of Phakiso Molise is led by Justice Steward White, a retired South African Judge and he is assisted by two members of the commission, Mrs. 'Mathato Morojele who is the Dean of Students Affairs (DSA) at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) and Mr. Khethang Mafatlane.

23 October 2003