Thabo Bester escape: State withdraws charges against three co-accused

The State has withdrawn charges against three former G4S employees who were accused of assisting Facebook rapist and murderer Thabo Bester when he escaped from prison.

This was confirmed by State Prosecutor Amanda Bester on Wednesday, 11 October as Bester and ten of his co-accused appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court.

STATE WITHDRAWS CHARGES AGAINST THREE ACCUSED OF ASSISTING THABO BESTER

Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Matthews Mier and Moeketsi April Ramolula are former G4S employees at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, where Bester escaped in May 2022.

Meanwhile, Bester’s lover, Nandipha Magudumana, did not appear in court due to ill health. Magudumana collapsed at the Park Road Police Station, holding cells ahead of the appearance.

As previously reported, Magudumana was arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, with her partner, convicted criminal and rapist Thabo Bester. They were deported to South Africa earlier in April.

She is accused of fraud, defeating the ends of justice, violating a body, aiding and abetting an inmate to escape from lawful custody, corruption and arson.

ALSO READ: Advocates Zandile Mshololo, Dali Mpofu join Thabo Bester’s legal team

According to Newzroom Afrika, Magudumana’s lawyers indicated that she is unwell, and arrangements were made for her to appear virtually.

Speaking to the news channel, the doctor’s lawyer, Mchini Motloung, said she was brought from Parkroad Police Station to the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court holding cells.

Motloung said accused persons fall ill whether they are out on bail or in custody.

“She is not well. She is literally on the floor. I don’t even want to divulge any information that might further humiliate her…She is being treated in the most inhumane manner just because she is Dr Nandipha Magudumana,” her lawyer said.

ALSO READ:  Adv Anton Katz: Who is Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s ‘top’ lawyer?

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