From left: Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Motenyani Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa and Nastassja Jansen in the dock at the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 23 May. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.
Thabo Bester: Four out of five bail applicants to remain in prison
Four individuals accused of helping Thabo Bester escape from prison were denied bail and will remain in custody until the next court date.
From left: Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Motenyani Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa and Nastassja Jansen in the dock at the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 23 May. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.
On Monday, 29 May, five suspects accused of helping Thabo Bester escape prison appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court to hear the verdict in their bail applications.
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Suspect Nastassja Jansen granted bail due to ‘porous’ case against her
Magistrate Khabisi granted one of the suspects, Nastassja Jansen, R10 000 bail. The Magistrate said he was not convinced that the State had a strong case against the former G4S employee, which counted in her favour to be released on bail.
Jansen faced schedule one charges, which meant the onus to prove whether it was in the interest of justice for her to be released on bail rested with the State.
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The other accused – Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Motenyani Masukela, and Tieho Makhotsa – faced schedule five charges, which meant the onus was reversed.
Four of Bester’s co-accused denied bail
Khabisi said the interest of justice did not permit the release of Matsoara, Lipholo, Masukela and Makhotsa on bail as the applicants did not deal with various factors effectively in their applications. He also said he was convinced that there was prima facie evidence of the case against the accused.
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Khabisi also rejected the applicants’ submissions that they did not know any of the State witnesses. Some of the witnesses are believed to be former coworkers at the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
Matsoara, Lipholo, Masukela and Makhotsa were remanded in custody until 20 June, when the matter returns to the same court. It was previously postponed for further police investigation.
Jansen is due back in court on the same day. As part of her bail conditions, she was ordered to report to the Heidedal police station between 6:00 and 18:00 every Friday and instructed not to have any contact with State witnesses.
Jansen also cannot leave Bloemfontein without the permission of the investigating officer.
