Thabo Bester

Thabo Bester once claimed to be close friends with Bonang Matheba.
Images via YouTube screenshot/ Instagram: @bonang_m

Besties with Bonang? Thabo Bester makes shocking claims

‘Through me, you got your dream job’: Wanted fugitive Thabo Bester once claimed to have befriended SA celebs, including Bonang Matheba…

Thabo Bester

Thabo Bester once claimed to be close friends with Bonang Matheba.
Images via YouTube screenshot/ Instagram: @bonang_m

Thabo Bester is allegedly on the run with his celebrity girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana, also known as Dr Nandi, but that’s not the only famous female he’s been linked to. According to Bester himself, he has called several stars his close friends, including Bonang Matheba!

Bester’s shocking claims were revealed in a letter he wrote in 2013, a year into his sentence of rape and murder at the Magaung Correctional Centre. Bester – also known as the “Facebook Rapist” – wrote about feeling “loneliness, rejection, and judgment” from his celebrity pals.

In May 2022, Bester allegedly faked his death and escaped prison. He is currently at large with his alleged accomplice; Dr Nandi.

ALSO READ: ‘He’s a king!’: DJ Sbu praises rapist, murderer Thabo Bester [watch]

THABO BESTER CLAIMS TO KNOW THESE CELEBS

In a leaked letter published by Drum, an imprisoned Thabo Bester wrote about his circle of celeb friends who had “abandoned” him. He also asked for forgiveness from the high-profile people, who include Tumisho Masha, Pearl Thusi, and Bonang Matheba.

“I am sorry for hurting and disappointing my friends, but I am disappointed in you so-called friends,” he wrote in the 2013 letter.

ALSO READ: Hyde Park hideaway: Inside Thabo Bester, Dr Nandi’s home [watch]

Addressing Bonang directly, Bester continued: “I was the one who believed in you from the days of UJ (University of Johannesburg). Through me, you got your dream job. From that Fiat to Mini, I was with you.”

He added: “It’s ok because God knows me, and I love you as a sister in God…Bonang, God bless you with more work”.

Thabo Bester
Thabo Bester’s letter name-dropping Bonang Matheba. Image via Drum

Bester also-name dropped other celebs, allegedly including actors Tumisho Masha, Pearl Thusi, and Amanda du Pont. He added: “I am sorry for disappointing you…I pray for you all the time”.

ALSO READ: Forget Thabo Bester: Dr Nandi practising ILLEGALLY, says HPCSA

To Pearl, he added: “You are an amazing soul. God opens the door to heaven.”

According to Drum, Bonang reportedly clapped back at Thabo Bester’s wild allegations. She told the publication: “This is bizarre because I don’t know him at all.”

“I don’t even know his real name – I only know him as the ‘Facebook Rapist’ because I read about him and his association with Pearl. I don’t know him from a bar of soap.”

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester, Dr Nandi: Gayton predicts their death as ‘cover up’

In investigations published by GroundUp, 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: Dr Nandi: Meet the woman allegedly linked to rapist Thabo Bester

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. He also claimed that he was related to SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe.

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.

BONANG 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.

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.