WATCH: Thabo Bester shouts ‘tortured’ from inside prison cell

Not for the first time, Thabo Bester has claimed that he is being “tortured” by authorities while behind bars at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. But this time, the convicted fraudster was heard on camera making the allegations.

Bester – who is facing charges relating to his 2022 prison escape along with several others- was filmed through his prison door at the C-Max prison.

The clip came amid an official prison media walkabout with National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale.

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THABO BESTER BESTER CLAIMS HE IS BEING ‘TORTURED’

During the routine prison inspection, Thobakgale stopped outside Thabo Bester’s prison cell, which is under 24-hour guard.

When journalists asked the commissioner if he had received Bester’s permission to film the cell, he responded: “There’s no need to ask him for permission to come do my work.

He added: “But if you want to interview him, then you have to ask.

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Just then, a voice – presumedly Thabo Bester – is heard saying: “I don’t like being tortured. You didnt ask for permission.

“You didnt ask for permission to torture people.”

According to the SABC, Bester refused to speak to the media. He also claimed that he submitted an “official letter” to authorities outlining his grievances.

Meanwhile, Thobakgale denied Bester’s allegations.

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He said: “He didnt raise the torture issue with me. He doesn’t look like someone who s being tortured. My understanding is that the environment itself is not one he is happy with.

“But this is for his security.”

The commissioner is referring to Kgosi Mampuru’s isolation and high security imposed on offenders.

PORK FREE DIET

In April, Thabo Bester’s lawyers claimed he hadn’t eaten for more than 48 hours over fears he would be “poisoned.”

At the time, Bester was being held at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, where he escaped last May. The 37-year-old has since been moved to Kgosi Mampuru’s C-Max, where he is being kept under a watchful eye.

Outside his prison door, a sign revealed his identity and prison sentence details. It also had the words “pork free”, referring to his diet.

NANDIPA MAGUDUMANA TO APPEAL ‘UNLAWFUL ARREST’

Meanwhile, the Bloemfontein High Court will resume Thabo Bester’s co-accused Nandipha Magudumana’s bid to have her deportation declared unlawful.

Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania in early April and deported to South Africa. This amid allegations they had conspired Bester’s prison release in May 2022.

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Last month, her urgent application to have her arrest deemed lawful – and seek immediate release – was dismissed.

Nandipha’s lawyers have since filed a leave for appeal, which will be heard in court on Friday, 14 July.