G4S Thabo Bester Lamola

Thabo Bester in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.

Court proceedings to shed more light on Thabo Bester’s escape

Rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and his eight alleged accomplices return to the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

G4S Thabo Bester Lamola

Thabo Bester in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.

Thabo Bester and the eight individuals accused of helping him escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) will return to the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 20 June. The matter was postponed for further investigation, and another suspect was arrested during this period.

READ: Inside Thabo Bester’s scams: Dr Pashy says she paid millions for Oprah connection

BESTER AND CO RETURN TO COURT

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester is expected to appear virtually again from the Kgosi Mapuru II prison in Pretoria, while the other accused, including his lover Nandipha Magudumana, are expected to be physically present.

More details about the escape are expected to be revealed on Tuesday. Five of the accused are linked to the security company G4S, which managed the prison at the time of Bester’s escape. They are Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Motanyane Masukela, Tieho Frans Makhotsa and Natassja Jansen.

READ: Bester’s escape: A look at the charges against the eight suspects

NINTH SUSPECT ARRESTED

Zanda Moyo, 31, was arrested in Johannesburg last week and made his first court appearance seven days ago. He is charged with aiding and abetting a convict, harbouring an escaped convict, violating a body and fraud – many of the accused face the exact charges.

Zanda Moyo in court. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.

Sekeleni and Jansen are the only two accused to be granted bail. Moyo and Magudumana have yet to apply, while Matsoara, Lipholo, Masukela and Makhotsa’s applications were unsuccessful.

READ: Zanda Moyo: Ninth Thabo Bester accomplice appears in court – this is how he allegedly helped

Magudumana recently attempted to have her arrest in Arusha, Tanzania, declared illegal in the Bloemfontein High Court. The case was dismissed with costs. However, her lawyers have indicated they will be appealing the outcome.

READ: Dr Nandipha to appeal Bloemfontein High Court judgement

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