The Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court will once more hear the matter against 12 people accused of helping Thabo Bester escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
Twelve people are due to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with the prison escape of convicted rapist and killer, Thabo Bester
Twelve people are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with the escape of convicted rapist and murderer,
Bester was sentenced to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the murder of Nomfundo Tiyhulu and charges of rape. Bester was dubbed the ‘Facebook rapist’ as he used the social media platform to lure his victims.
He was imprisoned at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, run and managed by G4S, a British multinational private security company head-quartered in England.
In May 2022, the Department of Correctional Services reported that Bester died in his cell.
At the time, the DCS said there had been a fire in Bester’s cell and he was found to have sustained burn wounds.
However, in March 2023, GroundUp reported that Bester had been spotted in Sandton alongside girlfriend and founder of Optimum Medical Aesthetics, Dr Nandipha Magudumana.
The couple then fled SA and were tracked down and arrested in Tanzania one month later. Investigations thus far revealed that the body found in Bester’s cell was that of Katlego Bereng.
Here is a list of the accused:
1 – Senohe Matsoara
Former G4S supervisor who allegedly recruited people to aid in Bester’s escape. He was also allegedly paid large sums of money by Bester. He also allegedly transported Bereng’s body into the correctional centre as a decoy.
2 – Zolile Sekeleni
He is Dr Magudumana’s father and is accused of orchestrating Bester’s escape.
3 – Teboho Lipholo
A CCTV technician at Mangaung Correctional Centre accused of switching off the cameras during the escape. He allegedly walked Bester who was dressed as a G4S employee, out of the prison at the time of his escape.
4 – Dr Nandipha Magudumana
Bester’s lover. She is also fighting the grounds around her arrest and deportation from Tanzania to SA. She claimed that officials abducted her.
5 – Thabo Bester – Currently detained at the Kgosi Mampuru prison
6 – Buti Masukela
Former G4s security guard who allegedly allowed the van carrying Bereng’s body into the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
7 – Teiho Makhotsa
Former G4S control room operator who allegedly opened the gates on the night that Bester escaped the prison.
8 – Nastassja Jansen
Former G4S control room operator who allegedly opened the gates on the night that Bester escaped the prison.
9 – Zando Moyo
A Zimbabwean national who was arrested in Gauteng. He allegedly helped Dr Magudumana claim Bereng’s body under false pretences.
10 – Joel Maketha
A former G4S official.
11 – Moeketsi Ramolula
A former G4S official linked to Bester’s escape. He has since abandoned his bail bid.
12 – Thabang Meir
A former G4S official.
All the accused face charges including that of assisting in the escape of an inmate and corruption.
So far, 10 of those accused have been granted bail. At least 18 witnesses are due to testify in the matter. The postponement to August 8 was due to further investigations.
IOL
