A police official of the Free State provincial organised crime unit is testifying in the bail application of five suspects linked to Bester's escape on 3 May 2022 from the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC). 

The witness, with well over 15 years of experience, made damning allegations against some of the accused, including accused 1, Seneho Matsoara, who is a former G4S security supervisor and accused 3, Teboho James Lipholo, who is a technician from Integriton.

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The defence lawyers of the accused will continue with their cross-examination after his testimony in chief last week.

On Tuesday 16 May 2023, defence lawyers Peter Makamedi and Kagisho Moruri quizzed details he provided to the court, such as the claims that Matsoara travelled to the neighbouring country of Lesotho 16 times and also that Lipholo confessed about his role in the Bester escape. Makamedi and Moruri said they will dispute the state's version during their argument.

Accused 1, Matsoara, allegedly delivered the body of Bester's cell fire victim at G4S with a rented vehicle.

The witness previously told the court that Bester's cell fire victim Katlego Bereng's body – which was burnt inside cell 35 in the Broadway block at the Mangaung Prison – was placed in a trolley dustbin before it was taken to Bester's cell.  

The body was allegedly brought inside the premises of the Mangaung Prison on 29 April 2022 by Matsoara, whilst driving a vehicle rented by accused 2, Zolile Sekeleni, who is the father of accused 4, Dr Nandipha Magudumana.  

Accused 3, Teboho James Lipholo (left), allegedly confessed about his part in the Bester escape and also implicates others. Accused 6 ,Motanyane John (Buti) Masukela, allegedly helped Matsoara offload Bereng's body inside the G4S premises and also failed to search his car.

Matsoara gained entry to the premises with Bereng's body without being searched. Later it was placed in cell 35 by him and Lipholo before it was burnt as a decoy for Bester to escape.

Accused 8, Nastassja Jansen, was fired from G4S. The state says she opened the gate for Bester. Bester was allegedly given a G4S uniform before he walked out with Lipholo. Alongside Jansen is accused 8 Makhotsa, who allegedly received R14 000 from Matsoara.

‘Bester was handed a G4S uniform and walked out’

The witness said during the escape Bester was handed a G4S uniform and he walked out of the prison premises with Lipholo.

Lipholo was allegedly promised R2.5 million by Matsoara but he only received R40 000, with R30 000 paid to the bank account of his wife in April 2022, and R10 000 into his account in May 2022, by Matsoara.

Dr Magudumana allegedly claimed the body of Bereng from the National Hospital's Mortuary, as that of Zanda Moyo's brother. Bereng's body was never buried, instead police found 3 bags of 10kg maize meal inside the casket.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Magistrate Moholo Khabisi dealt with 3 matters linked to the case, including the virtual court appearance of Bester and his girlfriend, Dr Magudumana, from their places of custody.

Bester made his first virtual appearance in Court 19 and his case was postponed to 20 June 2023. His previous lawyer Marvin Carpede withdrew from representing him. Carpede's associate Ryan Ishmail withdrew on his behalf.

Bester, who is kept at the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Prison Centre in Pretoria, informed Magistrate Khabisi that Adv. Jeremiah Pela will take over.

Co-accused in Thabo Bester's escape case apply for bail. VIDEOGRAPHER: Lucky Nkuyane.

Immediately after taking over the representation of Bester, Adv. Pela put an instant motion in court on Wednesday 17 May 2023, that Bester should make a physical court appearance instead of a virtual one. Adv. Pela argued that the court needed to satisfy itself as to whether an individual who appeared in court previously is indeed Bester. He said his argument was informed by the fact that there was a Home Affairs death certificate for Bester. 

He also cited one of Magudumana's court appearances, where she on 13 April 2023 appeared in court with her face covered with a mask and a hoodie. On her second appearance, state prosecutor Sello Matlhoko requested Magistrate Khabisi to instruct Magudumana to show her face to court to satisfy the court she indeed was the same person who made the court appearance on 13 April.

Magistrate Khabisi shot down Adv. Pela's argument and said the two scenarios were completely different because Bester had not hidden his face as his girlfriend had done.

He then ruled against Adv. Pela's motion in which he asked that the state be compelled to bring Bester to Bloemfontein for a physical court appearance.

Immediately after this, Magistrate Khabisi proceeded to preside over the virtual court appearance of Magudumana on the screens of Court 28 in Bloemfontein. Her case was also postponed to 20 June 2023. The case against Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni, was also postponed to the same date as that of his daughter and boyfriend.  

Murder charge dropped

Sekeleni is the only person out on bail. He was released on R10 000 bail with a murder charge dropped against him. The charge was also later withdrawn against Matsoara.

So far 8 people have been arrested for Bester's escape. He allegedly lived in the lap of luxury in Johannesburg before his recapture whilst on the run in Tanzania, alongside Magadumana.

The accused include Matsoara, Sekeleni, Lipholo, Magudumana, Bester, Masukela, Makhotsa, and Jansen.

Matsoara, Makhotsa and Jansen are the only three fired G4S employees.

Seven employees were suspended from the company following Bester's escape. It's understood that 23 officials were on duty during the escape.

OFM News