Central SA
Trial of Thabo Bester and co-accused Postponed to July─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 13:18 Mon, 10 Feb 2025
The highly anticipated trial of convicted serial rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and his co-accused has been delayed once again.
Originally set to begin on Monday (10/2) in the High Court in Bloemfontein, it’s been postponed to 21 July due to unresolved legal matters.
Bester is aggrieved about his detention conditions, including requests for access to a laptop, specific foods, and preferred clothing during court appearances. His defense team has said they won’t proceed until these issues are addressed.
Meanwhile, Bester’s co-accused, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, is awaiting judgment from the Supreme Court of Appeal. She is contesting a High Court ruling that dismissed her application to have her 2023 arrest in Tanzania declared unlawful.
The state is ready to proceed, said Free State Cape NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane, adding the delay is solely due to defense motions. The prosecution has gathered substantial evidence for trial.
The case is of high public interest, said Senokoatsane, and assured that justice will be served, stressing the state’s commitment to due process.
Magudumana’s legal representative, Machini Motloung, voiced frustration over repeated postponements. In an interview with SABC News, he criticised the state’s submission of additional documents in January, questioning whether this indicated a lack of preparedness.
“We had predetermined trial dates, yet the process remains stalled, causing undue delays for those in custody,” he said.
Bester, Magudumana, and Zanda Boniface Moyo remain behind bars, while co-accused Teboho Lipholo, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, Motenyane John Masukela, and Tieho France Makhotsa remain out on bail.
They face multiple charges, including corruption, corpse mutilation, aiding an escape, and fraud.
