Former G4S prison officials Moeketsi Ramolula, Thabang Mier and Natsassja Jansen in the dock at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.
Bester: NPA ‘Strategic move’ drops charges on three accused
Lucky day for three suspects in the Thabo Bester as they walk off scot-free as they don’t form part of NPA’s plans for trial.
Former G4S prison officials Moeketsi Ramolula, Thabang Mier and Natsassja Jansen in the dock at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.
In a surprise move by the National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) in the Thabo Bester case, is its release of three of the 12 accused in aiding and abetting prison escapee Thabo Bester.
NPA DROPS CHARGES
The NPA has dropped charges levelled against three former G4S employees Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Mier and Moeketsi Ramolula.
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NPA spokesperson in the Free State, Phaladi Shuping says dropping the charges is a strategic approach.
“As part of a strategic approach to the entire case, aims to ensure accountability for those suspected of committing crimes relating to this serious matter”, says Shuping.
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Jansen, Mier and Ramolulu were all released on R10 000 bail three months ago.
WHAT WERE THE THREE ACCUSED OF?
Jansen had continuously maintained that she did not know that it was Bester that had walked out of the Mangaung Correctional Centre(MCC) in March 2022.
She was initially arrested as a suspect as she was in charge of opening an closing doors electronically at the facility.
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In CCTV footage which shows Bester walking out of the facility, however he is dressed as a G4S employee and not in the sky-blue uniform worn by inmates at MCC.
While Ramolula and Mier faced charges of assisting an inmate to escape, violation of a body, and corruption.
CASE MOVED TO HIGH COURT
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The case against the remaining nine accused has been moved from the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court to the Bloemfontein High Court.
It has also been postponed to 21 February 2024, for pre-trial conference.
The remaining nine accused are, Thabo Bester, Nandipha Magudumana, Senohe Matsoara, Zolile Sekeleni, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, Zanda Moyo and Joel Makhetha.
