The national police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said three people were arrested on Monday 26 June 2023 at residences in Botshabelo and Bloemfontein.

She says the three, aged between  47 and 37, face charges of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody, violation of a corpse, and corruption. So far, twelve people have been arrested for aiding and abetting the convicted Facebook rapist and murderer on 3 May 2022 to escape from Cell 35 at Broadway, in the Mangaung Correctional Centre.

The accused in the matter include accused 1 Senohe Matsoara, accused 2 Sekeleni, accused 3 Teboho James Lipholo, accused 4 Magudumana, and accused 6 Motanyane John Masukela. PHOTO: Lucky Nkuyane.

Mathe said they are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 28 June 2023 to face the aforementioned charges.

"One suspect was arrested at his home in Botshabelo while the other two were arrested at their places of residence in Bloemfontein. All three were arrested on Monday evening 26 June 2023,” Mathe said. Mathe added the possibility of effecting more arrests cannot be ruled out.

So far, only two suspects are out on bail of R10 000 – the father of Nandipha Magudumana, Zolile Sekeleni, and former G4S controller Nastassja Jansen.

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State prosecutor Sello Matlhoko recently told Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi there were three outstanding warning statements. Matlhoko said these included bank statements and phone records.

The accused in the matter include accused 1 Senohe Matsoara, accused 2 Sekeleni, accused 3 Teboho James Lipholo, accused 4 Magudumana, accused 5 Bester, accused 6 Motanyane John Masukela, accused 7 Teiho Frans Makhotsa, accused 8 Jansen, and accused 9 Zanda Moyo. They all face varying charges, including the aforementioned charges.

Accused 9, Zanda Moyo. PHOTO: Lucky Nkuyane.

Only Magudumana and Moyo are yet to apply for bail. Moyo, during his last court appearance, abandoned his right to apply for bail, whilst Magudumana reserved her right to apply for bail in one of her previous appearances.

Bester was arrested in Tanzania alongside Magudumama after they allegedly went on the run from the police. It's said that after his escape from G4S, Bester lived a lavish lifestyle in Johannesburg. But after being re-arrested in Tanzania, he and his girlfriend were both brought back to South Africa.

Bester was sent to the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Correctional Centre, whilst Dr Magudumana was brought to Bloemfontein where she appeared in court on 13 April 2023.

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