Bester is kept at the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Prison Centre in Pretoria and appeared from court 19. 

Magudumana is kept at the Kroonstad Correctional Centre and she appeared via Teams. 

The State Prosecutor, Sello Matlhoko, has requested time for further investigation and the matter was postponed.

On Thursday 11 May, Magudumana reserved her right to apply for bail.

The case against Magudumana's father and accused number 2, Zolile Sekeleni, in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court, was also postponed to this date. 

Immediately after Sekeleni's postponement, the court continued with the bail applications of the five suspects accused of aiding and abetting Bester to escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre on 3 May 2022.

The National Prosecution Authority's damning evidence against some of the accused in the Thabo Bester escape case is expected to be scrutinised on Tuesday.

According to the SABC, the Bloemfontein Acting Chief Magistrate, Lindiwe Mbassa, has amended the rules saying that all the proceedings will be recorded. She says that the identity of state witnesses should remain protected.

The family of Katlego Bereng continues to demand answers after his body was used as a decoy in Bester's escape. They are opposed to the suspects' bail applications.

On Friday, the state witness told the court that the accused should not be given bail because it has the potential to cause unrest and also make the justice system seem weak.

On Friday, 12 May 2023, the state witness said Matsoara was paid R150 000 by Bester whilst Matsoara further paid accused 3 Teboho James Lipholo and accused 7 Tieho Makhotsa R40 000 and R14 000 respectively. He said Bester was given a G4S uniform and walked out of the G4S prison in the early hours of 3 May 2022 with Integriton technician Lipholo. A fire was then staged inside his cell where the body of Mpholo was burnt.

Accused 6, Buti Masukela  PHOTO: Lucky Nkuyane

The deceased's body was allegedly claimed by Magudumana from the National Hospital mortuary for a staged funeral in Phase 2 in Bloemfontein, Matsoara got hold of Bereng's body there.

He also revealed during his testimony that Bereng's body, which was claimed by Magudumana, was never buried or inside the casket, the police found three bags of 10 kg maize meal instead.

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On 29 April, Matsoara gained entry to the maximum G4S prison at an entrance called Sally Port, which was controlled on that day by accused 6, Buti Masukela. Matsoara went in without being searched and the vehicle went to the workshops, dropped off the television cabinet and body, and later drove off.

The body was taken by accused 3, Lipholo, on 30 April and placed inside a trolley dustbin and eventually delivered to cell 35. He has confessed to being part of the Bester escape and also explained Matsoara’s involvement in this.

Bester lived in luxury in Johannesburg following his escape. The Tanzanian police later arrested Bester and Magudumana after being on the run. They were returned to South Africa.

OFM News