His legal representative, Marvin Carpede-Bester, said he is concerned that he is incarcerated where the alleged escape took place. He wants to be kept in a different prison due to alleged safety concerns. 

Thabo Bester has been taken to the Mangaung Facility where he escaped last year. Mangaung Prison is being run by G4S & G4S helped Thabo Bester escape last year. Mangaung Prison is the Prison where Thabo Bester have prison officials in his pocket. #ThaboBester #DrNandipha pic.twitter.com/EhpFkDm6e9

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux ? (@AdvoBarryRoux) April 14, 2023

Bester also demanded to be furnished with the extradition papers following his arrest in Tanzania last week. He says he does not agree with the Identity Number (ID) on his temporary passport. 

ALSO READ: Heavily guarded Bester appears in Bloemfontein court

During his appearance in court on Friday, Bester was added to the charge sheet of his co-accused, who are facing several charges after his escape last year in May. 

The Bloemfontein Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi granted the state's application to include him in the case that accuses four others in connection with his escape.

This was Bester's first court appearance after his return from Tanzania, where he had been on the run with his girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana. She has already appeared in court.

The State prosecutor Sello Matlhoko mentioned they want Bester's case to be postponed for over a month to allow time for police investigations as it is a very extensive case.

ALSO READ – Breaking News: Bester and girlfriend back in South Africa

Bester is facing charges of escaping from lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, violation of a dead body, and fraud. The matter was postponed to 16 May 2023.

On this date, Bester will appear with his co-accomplices, including Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni (65), former G4S security guards Seneho Matsoara (39), and Tebeho James Lipholo.

On Thursday, during a brief court appearance of Magudumana and Lipholo, the state prosecutor requested the case to be postponed to Monday for bail information. He also announced that there were possibilities of bail applications by the four co-accused, including Magudumana.

Bester staged a fire in his cell before he escaped from the Mangaung Prison in Bloemfontein in May 2022.

The charred body of an unknown person, who suffered blunt force trauma to the head, was found burnt beyond recognition after being planted inside his cell. The body was allegedly planted so that Bester could make his well-executed escape from the private prison.

ALSO READ: Allegations surface against Bester’s alleged getaway partner

Bester and Magudumana were on the run before being caught in Tanzania last week and returned to South Africa on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, heard how  Bester was moved to cell 35, despite it not being approved, from where he made his escape. The cell is in a blind spot and is near an emergency exit.

After being returned to the country from Tanzania in a private jet, along with Magudumana, Bester was taken to the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Prison in Pretoria while Magudumana was transported to Bloemfontein under heavy guard, where she appeared in court.

OFM News