South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Thabo Bester. Image from Twitter@viraltrends

A look at Thabo Bester’s alleged assets worth R3 billion

Thabo Bester is trending after it was revealed that whilst in prison, he told lawyers that the state had seized his assets worth R3 billion.

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Thabo Bester. Image from Twitter@viraltrends

Whilst in prison, Thabo Bester once revealed to several top lawyers that he had assets worth R3 billion allegedly seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

Was Thabo Bester telling the truth, or was it a plan to lure lawyers into helping him on his case?

The Ministry of Justice and the Police Minister have since confirmed the arrest of justice fugitive Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana, who were arrested in Tanzania on Friday night.

ALSO READ: LIVE UPDATES Thabo Bester: The ‘Facebook Rapist’, and Dr Nandi adopt new American names in Tanzania

The two were arrested alongside a Mozambican national assisting them with travel logistics. They were nabbed whilst travelling in a black SUV.

The three were nabbed in the Arusha region on their way to Kenya, and they had several unstamped passports with different names.

THABO BESTER’S ALLEGED ASSETS WORTH R3 BILLION

As Mzansi awaits the deportation of the most wanted couple, several reports have surfaced that Thabo Bester allegedly had R3 billion worth of assets which the Asset Forfeiture Unit once seized.

TimesLive, reports that a few years ago, Bester allegedly revealed to several top lawyers that he had his assets seized by the AFU.

ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about the arrest of Thabo Bester

After all, it seems the serial rapist had forged documents and tried to play lawyers to help him with his case. Unconfirmed reports have it that by then, he wanted to be transferred from the Mangaung Prison to another correctional facility.

According to TimesLive, the AFU has since rubbished the claims that he had his assets seized despite Bester having signed documents. The assets which Bester claimed were seized included 14 cars, including:

  • Bentley Bentayga W12 – R7 million
  • Bentley Continental GT V8 – R9 million
  • Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 – R9.5 million

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester protégé? Dr Nandipha insured THREE dead bodies

FROZEN BANK ACCOUNTS

Bester also revealed to the lawyers that some of his bank accounts were frozen by the AFU and had millions of rands and dollars.

  • R43 848 44 12 in the HSBC account
  • $13 808 044 10 in his NatWest account
  • R872 393 984 91 in his Absa account

However, after escaping prison, Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana rented out million-rand mansions in Sandton. They operated a company by the name Arum Properties, scamming several people millions for construction projects which they never completed.

ALSO READ: ‘So emotional’: Thabo Bester victim celebrates his arrest