Thabo Bester escape: Police arrest Zimbabwean man in Joburg

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made another arrest in connection with Thabo Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC), taking the number of suspects arrested for their alleged role in the prison break to nine.

ANOTHER BESTER ARREST

A 31-year-old Zimbabwean man was arrested in Johannesburg on Sunday morning, 11 June, said national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

“At this stage, he faces a charge of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody. The suspect is likely to face more charges,” said Mathe.

READ: Police confirm no foul play suspected in Bester detective death

The arrested suspect is expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13 June, on the mentioned charges.

The arrest comes two days after national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said SAPS expects to make more arrests in connection with the Bester escape. The convicted serial rapist and murderer slipped out of the MCC after faking his death in May 2022.

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“There are no other arrests. But we are still investigating the matter, and yes we expect there will be further arrests in the matter because there are quite a lot of people that are involved in this investigations. It is quite a wide investigation and we are busy with that,” said Masemola on Friday, 9 June.

The national police spokesperson said the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out. Bester’s alleged accomplices, who have already appeared in court, are Nandipha Magudumana, Cornelius Sekeleni, Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipho, Tieho Frans Makhotsa and Nastassja Jansen.

Jansen and Sekeleni are currently out on bail. All accused are due back in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 25 June.

READ: Police expect more arrests in Thabo Bester escape case, says Masemola

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