According to the national police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, the police arrested a man (44) who is an employee, contracted to a company that installs and maintains cameras at the Mangaung Prison.

This is where Bester escaped in May 2022 after he was moved to cell 35, which is in a blind spot area and also near the prison's emergency exit.

Following this arrest on Tuesday 11 April 2023, another suspect (28) was arrested in Lichtenburg in the North West, driving a vehicle believed to be that of Bester's girlfriend and fugitive, Dr Nandipha Magudumana. Mathe says this suspect has since been taken into custody for questioning.

The Gauteng SAPS Tracking Team seized a white Porsche Cavyenne vehicle is believed to belong to a wanted suspect, Dr Nandipha Magudumana in Lichtenburg, North West. A male driver (28) has since been taken into police custody for questioning. #DrNandipha pic.twitter.com/nlY79IiCmt

— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz) April 12, 2023

The 44-year-old suspect will on Thursday appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court to face charges of aiding and abetting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, as well as the violation of a dead body.

These arrests come after two suspects – Magudumana's father (65), Zolile Sekeleni, and former G4S prison guard, Senohe Matsoara (39), appeared in court on Tuesday to face five charges, including murder, arson, defeating the ends of justice, and fraud, among others.

During the brief court proceedings in a packed courtroom, the matter was postponed to 17 April 2023 for a formal bail application.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester accomplices remanded in custody – VIDEO

The Magistrate ordered that accused 1, Matsoara, be detained in the Brandfort Correctional Centre whilst the second accused, Sekeleni, should be detained at the Bainsvlei Police Station's holding cells at Bloemfontein.

Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said police are closing the net on those responsible for aiding Bester to escape from lawful custody.

“Anyone who knows that they are involved in this case is warned to hand themselves over to the authorities. Either they hand themselves over or we fetch them ourselves,” said Masemola.

On Wednesday, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services heard how  Bester was moved to cell 35, despite it not being approved, from where he made his escape.

ALSO READ: Bester was moved to cell 35 despite pending approval

The British security company G4S appeared before a parliamentary committee to account for the well-executed Bester escape, which has since caused international interest. Bester is said to have first applied for a single cell on 15 April 2022, allegedly in fear for his life but withdrew the application two days later. He, however, again applied on 30 April of the same year and was moved to the aforementioned cell whilst his application or papers were pending approval.

Bester and Magudumana were arrested by the police in Tanzania recently.

OFM News