Cringe! Nomzamo sings happy birthday to Thabo Bester [video]

For years, Thabo Bester – also known as the “Facebook Rapist,” has been duping the public into thinking he is a hotshot businessman. And it seems celebs like Nomzamo Mbatha were none the wiser…

The actress and presenter was one of the high-profile MCs at the lavish launch party of  Bester’s fraudulent company, 21st Century Media, in 2018. 

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester: Man with same name as ‘FB Rapist’ speaks out

To add insult to injury, Bester – who at the time was imprisoned – appeared via video link at the event. He even convinced guests that he was related to billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe!

This week, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed Bester had faked his death and escaped prison during a fire in May 2022. He is currently at large.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester: ‘Facebook Rapist’ photoshopped pics on US actor’s body

NOMZAMO MBATHA AND CROWD SINGS FOR THABO BESTER

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

Earning the nickname of the “Facebook Rapist,” Bester was found guilty raping two women in hotel rooms in 2011. This, 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: ‘Facebook Rapist’s link to Bonang, Halle Berry

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 in Bloemfontein.

Bester – allegedly using the alias Tom Motsepe – told the public that he was based in New York. He also claimed that he was related to SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe. 

So “Tom Motsepe”, posted to Twitter, in which “Tom’s” head is edited onto the body of Michael B. Jordan . "According to the profile, “Tom” owned 33.5% of Viacom, 12.9% of 20th Century Fox and “went on to occupy” UBS Financial Services in Switzerland" pic.twitter.com/hDvG08vQSe

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) March 24, 2023

The company held a grand launch party at Hilton Hotel in Sandton in June 2018, attended by celebs like Amanda du Pont and Yvonne Chaka Chaka. Leading ladies Nomzamo Mbatha and Thabile Ngwato were MCs of the glamorous black-tie event.

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

In a video clip that has since gone viral, Nomzamo and Thabile sing happy birthday to “Tom,” who is seen laughing via a video link.

Unbeknownst to the public, Tom – or Thabo – was actually in a prison cell, where he conducted business meetings and calls via a laptop and cellphone at his disposal.

The 21st Century Media company would later make headlines for organising a scam event in September 2018 called the Women In Media conference.

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

MORE CELEBS DUPED BY FACEBOOK RAPIST

Nomzamo, Thabile, and Amanda were not the only celebrities conned by Thabo Bester.

In 2018, Bester’s Women In Media Conference booked Bonang Matheba as the MC and advertised US actresses Taraji P Henson and Halle Berry and singer Ashanti as speakers. 

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

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.

https://twitter.com/Thvto_Tau/status/1027136352205373441

Meanwhile, actress Pearl Thusi came face to face with the Facebook Rapist in a chilling encounter. In 2012, a year after his sentencing, Pearl’s meeting with Thabo Bester made headlines.

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

In a police affidavit shown to Sunday World,  the star revealed how she had survived an attack by the convict.