It is understood that BCC subcontracted private security company G4S to run the prison. According to DCS’ spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, in line with the concession agreement, a termination notice for 90 days has been given to BCC. The notice of termination follows the announcement on 20 April 2023 by DCS that it had referred its contract with BCC for a legal opinion. “It has been deemed that BCC is neither competent nor suitable to continue with the concession contract,” reads the statement.

ALSO READ: Two former G4S employees arrested for Bester's escape

The prison has been making headlines since it was revealed the Facebook rapist was able to move freely and escape while he was serving his sentence. He escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State in May 2022 after a fire broke out in his cell and he faked his own death. An investigation by GroundUp shows the official DNA records of the corpse found in his prison cell in May 2022, do not match that of Bester. 

Bester was sent to prison in 2012 when he was found guilty of murder and rape, amongst other crimes.

In the latest, the national police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says they have arrested two more suspects who happen to be former employees of the controversial British security company G4S. They were arrested by police on Workers’ Day at their residences in Bloemfontein. 

They will be charged with assisting an inmate with escaping from lawful custody and defeating the ends of justice. Mathe also says they will appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 3 May 2023.

The duo will appear alongside Bester's girlfriend, Nandipha Magudumana, former G4S guard Seneho Matsoara, G4S technician Teboho James Lipholo, and another G4S guard, Motenyane John Masukela.

ALSO READ – Breaking News: Charred body in Thabo Bester's cell 35 identified

The charred body used as a decoy for Bester to escape in May 2022 was found with blunt force trauma. This body was brought inside the maximum security prison with a private vehicle. 

Mathe told OFM News that they can confirm the charred body found in cell 35 has been identified following a direct match with the biological mother of the deceased. She said the family of the deceased has been notified by the investigating officer. Mathe said that no further comment will be provided. "As difficult as this news is, the SAPS is pleased to bring closure to the family," Mathe added. The confirmation by Mathe came after a Twitter user by the name of Batho Mpholo wrote: “The body that was burnt by Thabo Bester in prison was that of my son.”

On 12 April 2023, G4S appeared before a parliamentary committee of Justice and Correctional Services (JCS) 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 again applied on 30 April of the same year and was moved to the aforementioned cell whilst his application or papers were pending approval.

ANC Member of Parliament (MP) Anthea Ramolobeng and DA MP Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach grilled officials from G4S who appeared before the committee on Wednesday. Ramolobeng demanded to know who approved Bester’s move to cell 35 which another inmate already occupied. “The report indicates that from 19:39 the camera or the CCTV footage system seized to operate and they resumed operating at 04:10. The incident started to happen at 02:30 or 03:00 and it was not captured because the system was not working. Whilst we were there, an official from Integreon, who operates the system, was able to take us through and show you can temper with it,” Ramolobeng added.

However, G4S officials who appeared before the committee said that a report they received indicated that the loss of power was due to dysfunctional camera batteries or the CCTV stopped working. Bester allegedly lived the high life in Johannesburg after his escape, staging his death in a well-calculated fire in his cell where a charred body was found. Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania earlier this month after being on the run from law enforcement in South Africa. They were brought back to South Africa on Thursday 13 April 2023 following their arrest in Tanzania.

OFM News