State prosecutor Amanda Bester told acting chief Magistrate Estelle de Lange the prosecution, together with the defence, agreed that 21 February has been set for a High Court trial. 

Eleven suspects, including Bester, appeared before De Lange. A notable exception was that of Nandipha Magudumana who failed to make an appearance due to apparent ill health.

Charges were withdrawn against Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Mier, and Moeketsi Ramolula. Photo: Lucky Nkuyane

The state prosecutor handed in the indictment with a list of state witnesses. Nine suspects, including Magudumana, who is an alleged mastermind, are charged with with aiding, abetting, fraud, corruption, and violating a dead body.

However, in a twist of events today state prosecutor Amanda Bester told De Lange the state will withdraw charges against the three accused. They are accused 7 Nastassja Jansen, accused 10 Thabang Mier, and accused 12 Moeketsi Ramolula.

She did not provide a reason for this. As if this wasn't enough, Thabo Bester brought more to the table when he made shocking revelations in court. He told the court he has now beefed up his defence team with three more lawyers.

These lawyers include the famous defence lawyer Zandile Mshololo in the murder case of former Bafana Bafana soccer star Senzo Meyiwa and Adv. Dali Mpofu (SC).

Thabo Bester and his co-accused appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania. It's said after Bester escaped from G4S, he lived a lavish lifestyle in Johannesburg. But after being rearrested in Tanzania he and his girlfriend were brought back to South Africa.

Bester was sent to the Kgosi Mampuru II Maximum Correctional Centre, while Magudumana was brought to Bloemfontein where she appeared in court on 13 April. She remains in custody in Kroonstad. 

Her bail application was denied by De Lange on 11 September. She said Magudumana was a flight risk and she could orchestrate another Bester escape.

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