Thabo Bester

Bonang Matheba, Halle Berry, Taraji P Henson and many other female celebs were almost scammed by ‘Facebook Rapist’ Thabo Bester.
Images via Instagram: @bonang_m/ @halleberry/ Twitter

Thabo Bester: ‘Facebook Rapist’s link to Bonang, Halle Berry

Here’s how Halle Berry, Taraji P Henson and Bonang were all allegedly almost scammed by Thabo Bester – also known as the ‘Facebook Rapist’.

Thabo Bester

Bonang Matheba, Halle Berry, Taraji P Henson and many other female celebs were almost scammed by ‘Facebook Rapist’ Thabo Bester.
Images via Instagram: @bonang_m/ @halleberry/ Twitter

Thabo Bester – also known as the “Facebook Rapist” – may go down as one of the most scrupulous scammers in South African history. But did you know he almost allegedly duped female celebs like Bonang Matheba, Amanda du Pont, and Hollywood actresses Halle Berry and Taraji P Henson?

The fascinating mystery surrounding the criminal – who allegedly faked his death and escaped a private prison – continues to unfold. And each new piece of information is more bizarre than the next!

ALSO READ: Business as usual? Dr Nandi breaks silence amid Thabo Bester link

Bester was reportedly spotted in public on multiple occasions since his alleged prison escape in May 2022. He is still allegedly at large.

In the latest investigations by GroundUp, it has been reported that Thabo Bester once allegedly ran an elaborate, multi-million rand scam while in prison.

Bester was found guilty raping two women in hotel rooms in 2011 after luring them on social media under the guise of being a model scout. A year later, he was also convicted of raping and murdering his girlfriend, Nomfundo Tyhulu.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester: Pearl’s chilling encounter with ‘Facebook Rapist’

The publication reports that Bester – under an alleged accomplice – registered an event and production company called 21st Century Media in 2018. This, while he was imprisoned in Magaung Correctional Centre.

The company held a grand launch party at Hilton Hotel in Sandton, attended by celebs like Amanda du Pont and Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Bester -allegedly using the alias Tom Matsepe – told employees that he was based in New York and that he was related to SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe.

ALSO READ: ‘Facebook Rapist’: Who is Thabo Bester, and is he ALIVE?

Through the organisation, Bester organised a conference called the Women In Media and advertised tickets to the public for R1250. 

The company booked Bonang Matheba as the MC and advertised US actresses Taraji P Henson and Halle Berry and singer Ashanti as speakers. Local actress and media mogul Connie Ferguson and presenter Claire Mawisa were also billed to appear.

But things took a turn for the worst when the women were alerted to the scam a month before the event was to take place.

ALSO READ: Dr Nandi: Meet the woman allegedly linked to rapist Thabo Bester

CELEBS CLAP BACK; COMPANY DOES A U-TURN

After being tagged by SA fans, Taraji P Henson alerted the public that the event was a scam and in a series of tweets, urged ticket-holders to demand a refund.

Halle Berry also distanced herself from the event days later, calling it a “shameful” scam.

ALSO READ: Mistaken identity! The other ‘Dr Nandi’ speaks out amid Thabo Bester allegations

Clearly embarrassed, Bonang issues a statement, withdrawing as host from the event.

Trying to save face, Bester’s company accused the women of dropping them ahead of the anticipated event, which was later cancelled.

GroundUp alleges that the company has since been deregistered and all their social media accounts have been deactivated.

ALSO READ: ‘Facebook rapist’: Thabo Bester’s crimes, rape to alleged escape

THABO BESTER: WHAT WE KNOW

Much has been written about Thabo Bester in the past few days. 

Here is what we know: 

Bheki Cele confirmed no DNA match to the dead body

In a media briefing on Friday, 17 March, Minister of Police Bheki Cele confessed that the DNA of the body found in the prison cell did NOT match Thomas Bester.

He said:  “We have the head of intelligence in the province [Gauteng] and the detectives; they are working on the matter. 

“It looks like [the] DNA doesn’t confirm that the person that was found dead there is the same person.”

Police are searching for Thabo Bester

Bheki Cele added: “So it might be correct to say that somebody is out there. That’s why the police are investigating … [and] trying to find that person.”

“The police are on the tracks [and] chasing and trying to find that person again.”

BUT…Correctional Services say the opposite

According to a spokesperson, the department of Correctional Services stands by its claim that Thabo Bester died in a cell. This, “until such time that new information is brought to us.”

The spokesperson added that they are prioritising an investigation into the May 2022 prison fire.

Inmate claims Correctional Services was AWARE of escape

According to Twitter user @UXhamela, Thabo Bester allegedly escaped prison with the help of G4S security. The tweep posted this on 30 June 2022, a month after Bester’s “death.”

Speaking to MacG and Sol Phenduka on last week’s episode of Podcast & Chill, the unidentified Twitter user claimed he was also a prisoner of the Mogaung Correctional Centre.

GroundUp investigations

An extensive investigation led by the publication determined the following:

  • According to an autopsy, the body located in Thabo Bester’s cell was dead before the fire broke out.
  • Bester was moved to a corner cell, which was not fully visible on camera, shortly before the fire.
  • According to CCTV footage, two people were spotted leaving the cell before the fire.
  • A prison warder sent two emails to the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Phathekile Holomisa, informing her of Bester’s escape. No action was taken.
  • Thabo Bester allegedly uses multiple aliases following his release. He is continuing to contact women under dubious claims

Dr Nandi’s involvement

According to reports seen by GroundUp, celebrity aesthetics professional Dr Nandi Mogudumana – or Dr Nandi – had allegedly collected his body from the morgue. 

After the body was “confiscated” by police for further investigation, Dr Nandi approached a Pretoria High Court. The woman allegedly submitted an affidavit stating to be Bester’s “customary wife” and requested his body be released to her.