High-profile escapes at Kgosi Mampuru. Image from TimesLive
Safe haven for criminals? A look at high-profile escapes at Kgosi Mampuru
‘Kgosi Mampuru can’t be trusted at all’: South Africans fear another Thabo Bester escape given Kgosi Mampuru II prison high-profile escapes.
High-profile escapes at Kgosi Mampuru. Image from TimesLive
Will ‘Facebook Rapist’ and murderer Thabo Bester pull another escape from the famous Kgosi Mampuru II prison, which has often hogged headlines for high-profile escapes?
Bester was sent to Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria after his extradition from Tanzania after he skipped the borders in the wake of his manhunt by the SAPS.
He has been topping trends since he was reported alive after his alleged prison cell death at Mangaung Correctional Centre in 2022.
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Bester was declared dead in a prison fire in 2022, only to be spotted in the Woolworths shopping with influencer and celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana.
After a manhunt was launched against them, they managed to skip the borders and were East Africa bound. The two were nabbed in the Arusha region in Tanzania, 10 km from the Kenyan border.
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As the duo awaits trial, Bester is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison, and many have questioned the selection of the prison given its history of prison escapes.
HIGH-PROFILE ESCAPES AT KGOSI MAMPURU
In recent years the prison has hogged headlines for the wrong reasons. According to reports, several high-profile criminals have escaped the prison.
Well, let’s dive into prisoners who have managed to pull some audacious escape from Kgosi Mampuru.
Ananias Mathe – 2006
Reports had it that he used vaseline to slide through cell bars which were 20cm x 60 cm in 2006. According to IOL, Mathe tried to escape five times but only succeeded twice.
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Thabo Zacharia Muyambo and Johanes Chauke – 2020
According to TimesLive, Thabo Zacharia Muyambo and Johanes Chauke escaped the maximum prison in 2020 after making a hole in the wall of their cell.
Bongani Moyo and Khumbulani Sibanda – 2012
Little is known about how the Zimbabwean serial escapee escaped Kgosi Mampuru with his accomplice Khumbulani Sibanda. Reports have it that this was Moyo’s second escape.
RECENT FAILED ESCAPES
The prison officials have revealed that they have revamped the facilities, and no escapees have been reported recently.
However, HeraldLive has it that two inmates recently attempted to escape the facility but failed.
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