Police seize “stolen” plasma TVs from ex-LCS boss

…as theft probe nears prosecution

Moorosi Tsiane

THE net is closing in on former Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Commissioner, Mating Nkakala, after police reportedly seized two plasma television sets from his home as part of what appears to be the final phase of an investigation into the alleged theft of the television sets donated to the LCS by a major local corporate in 2022.

The television sets were allegedly recovered from Mr Nkakala’s residence in Motheo, Masianokeng, marking a significant development in a case that has been under investigation for months and now appears to be edging closer to prosecution.

Highly placed sources familiar with the investigation told this publication that the two television sets were collected from Mr Nkakala’s residence shortly before lunchtime yesterday.

A third television set was later retrieved from LCS headquarters, where officers reportedly told investigators they had no knowledge of how it had ended up there.

The recovered television sets are expected to form part of the prosecution’s exhibits should criminal proceedings be instituted against the former correctional services chief.

The latest development comes weeks after Mr Nkakala was summoned to the Maseru Central Charge Office, where detectives questioned him over the alleged disappearance of the donated television sets.

Sources further revealed that investigators have completed their probe and forwarded the case docket to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal guidance.

However, before making a final decision on prosecution, the DPP reportedly instructed investigators to recover the television sets to strengthen the evidential basis of the case.

“The docket was already at the DPP’s office and she was the one who advised that the police go collect those televisions as part of the exhibits in the matter to close that loophole. I think from there it will be ready for prosecution and very soon he (Nkakala) will be brought before court to be remanded,” the source said.

Mr Nkakala is expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court once prosecutors approve criminal charges.

Contacted for comment, police spokesperson Superintendent Thabo Mohai said he was unaware of the latest developments.

“It hasn’t reached my table, so I am not aware of such a matter. I can only know once it reaches my table,” he said.

LCS spokesperson Assistant Superintendent Pheko Ntobane also said he was unaware of the investigation.

“I am not aware of this issue, probably because Ntate Nkakala is no longer part of the LCS,” AS Ntobane said.

The matter was initially reported to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), but the anti-corruption agency declined to investigate after determining that it fell within the jurisdiction of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).

DCEO spokesperson, ‘Matlhokomelo Senoko, previously confirmed that the matter had been referred to 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 to them since it is a theft matter,” Ms Senoko said.

The criminal investigation is the latest in a string of legal and professional setbacks for the former correctional services commissioner.

Last year, Mr Nkakala was 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 from office over allegations of incompetence.

At the time, Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi confirmed the existence of the letter but declined to disclose its contents, saying only that the government had begun implementing the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry established following the dramatic escape of inmates from the Maseru Central Correctional Institution (MCCI).

The commission delivered a damning 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 head the correctional service.

It accused him of poor leadership, lack of transparency, mistrust of his deputies and failure to formulate strategic policies to improve the institution.

The commission further concluded that he was unfit to continue leading the LCS, citing, among other issues, his alleged decision to transfer officers who should instead have faced disciplinary action.

Its findings also 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 had violated the Inquest Proclamation by delaying notification of the police and failing to follow mandatory procedures after Tsoako’s death, highlighting what it described as serious failures of leadership, accountability and institutional oversight during Mr Nkakala’s tenure.

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