Central SA
Thabo Bester not at Mangaung Prison – DCS─── LUCKY NKUYANE 10:02 Sat, 15 Apr 2023
The Facebook rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, was not returned to the facility where he escaped from last year, the G4S-run Mangaung Prison in Bloemfontein.
Bester was transported to the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, said the national Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo.
The DCS also denied that there were threats to Bester's life and that he is not taking meals.
A Kgosi Mampuru cell
On Friday, whilst appearing before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court in the Free State, Bester – through his legal representative, Marvin Carpede – told Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi that he feared for his life and he had not eaten since his arrest.
ALSO READ: Facebook rapist, murder convict 'fears for his life' – VIDEO
He said he was afraid to take meals because he was back at the same institution where the "alleged escape" happened in May 2022.
Bester being escorted from the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court by officers of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) on Friday. VIDEOGRAPHER: Lucky Nkuyane
Nxumalo said they can also confirm that there has been no complaint filed with DCS about threats to his life and that offender Bester is taking meals.
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.
Magistrate 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 he was returned from Tanzania, where he had been on the run with his girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana. She has already appeared in court.
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 Monday 17 April 2023, Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni (65), former G4S security guard Seneho Matsoara (39), and Tebeho James Lipholo will re-appear in court.
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.
