Prime Minister Tom Thabane has ordered Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli to quickly take appropriate action against some elements within the police service that are bent on putrefying its good name. Speaking at a public gathering in Butha-Buthe last week, Thabane berated “increasing number of reports of police brutality against civilians and torture of suspects in police custody.” Thabane said: “I have recently given police commissioner a directive to speed up investigations into cases of some officers suspected to be on the wrong side of the law so that appropriate action can be taken to rid the police of these elements.”
news
Feb. 7, 2019
STAFF REPORTER
1 min read
Thabane censures police brutality
According to Thabane, there are some police officers who are intentionally sabotaging the government and the police departments’ mission of fighting crime and fostering peace among the citizens because they brutalize civilians. “They misuse the guns you the public bought for them to protect you and your properties. The government of ‘4by4’ won’t tolerate such misconduct,” he said. Thabane said since “not all potatoes are found rotten in a bag,” the law should take its course accordingly on corrupt police officers. Thabane’s statement follows public outcry that police were using excessive force and appeared to have free reign to torture and kill detained suspects, and civilians. According to reports at least 23 civilians have died in the hands of police for various reasons and under different circumstances between 2017 and 2019.
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