The so-called Facebook rapist and convicted murderer Thabo Bester has decried the “unjust” arrests of his co-accused.

Bester, along with Nandipha Magudumana, Zando Moyo, and seven others, face multiple charges, including aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner, obstruction of justice, arson, and desecration of a corpse. The case was postponed to July 24 following the withdrawal of Bester’s lawyer.

During their appearance in the Bloemfontein High Court for pre-trial on Wednesday (5/6), Bester told Judge President Cagney Musi that his co-accused had no involvement in the allegations against them. He accused the investigating team of protecting high-profile individuals with political influence.

“It’s highly unlikely for them [co-accused] to have done that without political power or [ranked] officers involved in this issue. I have been out in South Africa, living my life for a year, I have not violated any human.

“But I am treated with the utmost ... even with the legal fraternity, it is difficult for me to appoint an attorney on the basis that they don’t want to be associated with Thabo Bester because the media will attack them,” he said.

Bester revealed that five lawyers expressed willingness to represent him but feared media backlash and state retribution. Before his outburst in court, he requested Section 277(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977, which prescribed the death penalty for murder, before its abolition in South Africa, to be evoked. He dramatically requested the reinstatement of the death penalty for himself.

“I request that the public, if they are so convinced, and if the prosecution is so convinced that I’m going to waste these people’s lives, that this section be enforced. The public signs the petition, and I will be given the death sentence and immediately I will agree to this matter,” he declared.

Nandipha Magudumana, alongside other co-accused, during the pre-trial at the Bloemfontein High Court. Photo: Heidrè Malgas

Bester also recounted the harsh conditions he endured while being transported to court after waking up at 02:00, claiming his feet were cuffed and ice cold. He compared his treatment to the harsh conditions of the apartheid regime, expressing a willingness to accept the death penalty if it meant his co-accused could go free.

Judge Musi advised Bester to lodge a formal complaint with relevant authorities, emphasising that the death penalty is no longer an option under South African law.

The father of the late Katlego Bereng, Batho Mpholo, expressed some satisfaction with Bester’s statements, as he believed they hinted at the involvement of higher political powers.

“What I liked about what he said is that the co-accused are just ‘little rats’, which means there is somebody high up in the political arena behind this. So it looks like the matter will continue because he said nobody wants to be associated with him,” Mpholo said.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg