Motloung, who recently resigned from Legal Aid South Africa in Bloemfontein and Kimberley after serving for 20 years, will team up with Frans Dlamini. 

Magudumana and 5 other co-accused will are re-appearing in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for a formal bail hearing. 

ALSO READ: Bester's girlfriend and co-accused to apply for bail

Magudumana, former G4S security supervisor Senohe Matsoara, suspended G4S guard Motenyane John Masukela, Integriton technician Teboho James Lipholo, and two other suspects will apply to be released on bail on Wednesday 3 May 2023.

They are, among others, charged with aiding and abetting an inmate Thabo Bester to escape from lawful custody on 3 May 2022 at the notorious Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC), after staging a fire inside his cell 35. 

In their last court appearance, Nandipha’s father was granted R10 000 bail while she remained in custody with the co-accused. They are expected to apply for bail today with another two suspects recently arrested.

Since the matter of Bester’s escape from prison came to light, G4S has dismissed three employees and suspended seven others following their internal investigations. So far the three dismissed officials have all been arrested – that includes Matsoara, a woman who worked as an operator in the control room, and a man who also worked in the control room.

During the G4S officials' appearance at the Justice and Correctional Services (JCS) Portfolio Committee earlier, it was explained how some of the accused might have been involved in Bester's infamous escape in May 2022.

Whilst addressing members of Parliament (MPs), the G4S officials said a television cabinet was brought in and according to their investigation, it was under the instruction of Matsoara. Matsoara further allegedly moved two employees from their standing positions. He also allegedly left the prison's premises several times and at one point came back 10 minutes before the CCTV worked properly again.

Whilst addressing the MPs, the officials revealed that Matsoara, who was dismissed on 29 September 2022, could not explain how some of the accused might have been involved in the Bester infamous escape on May 2022.

ALSO READ: Two former G4S employees arrested for Bester's escape

The two officials who were arrested by the Free State police on Monday 1 May 2023 at their place of residence, were all later dismissed by G4S on 6 December 2022 and in January 2023 respectively.

ALSO READ: Two former G4S employees arrested for Bester's escape

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has given G4S 90 days to wrap up its business at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. This after DCS spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, revealed that the termination notice is in line with the concession agreement of a 90-day period which has been given to BCC, and thereafter, the contract will cease to operate.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Kekeletso Mosebetsi