Bester and Dr Nandi appeared in court along their co-accused in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. Image- X@Notify King,
Thabo Bester: SA’s Bonnie and Clyde reunite, alleging inhumane treatment
The infamous couple were briefly reunited in court for the first time since their deportation in Tanzania. They allege to receiving inhumane treatment while in custody.
Bester and Dr Nandi appeared in court along their co-accused in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. Image- X@Notify King,
On 08 August 2023, lawyers representing Thabo Bester and his accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, informed the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court that they suffered inhumane treatment during custody, reported GroundUp.
Alongside seven co-accused, they faced 16 charges tied to Bester’s May 2022 prison break in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court.
ALSO READ:Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha documentary ‘in the works’
THABO BESTER CLAIMS HE WAS SUBJECTED TO “INHUMANE” TREATMENT
In court, Attorney Kabelo Matee, representing Bester, stated that his client endured 23-hour daily handcuffing in a Kgosi Mampuru prison cell.
Matee mentioned Bester’s instruction to file a High Court application about the “inhumane conditions.”
Bester, furthermore, voiced grievances about facing inhumane prison circumstances within Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Correctional Centre.
ALSO READ: THABO BESTER SAGA: Here is what has happened in the last few court appearances
He said he is being locked inside the cell for at least 23 hours a day, in cuffs. Matee said that a case has since been opened at the Lanseria Police Station.
CLAIMS MILLIONS WORTH OF POSSESSIONS WERE STOLEN
Bester, through his lawyer Kabelo Matee, informed Magistrate Estelle de Lange that the valuables were stolen or are missing.
A list of 10″stolen” items, among many others:
- iPhone 14 Pro Max, worth R36,000
- Ipad 16, worth R18,000
- Macbook pro 16, worth R34,000
- Burberry Card Holder, R15,500
- Bravery sunglasses, R11,500
- Tom Ford sunglasses, R9,500
- HP Laptop, R41,000
- Louis Vuitton laptop bag, R51,000
- Marriage ring, R350,000
- 2 x Apex 2 watches, each worth R2.5-million
ALSO READ: Three G4S employees joined to main case in Bester’s escape
Dr Nandipha’s arrest “had all the ingredients of indignity”
Magudumana’s lawyer, Machini Motloung, also raised a concern. Magudumana stated that she was transported handcuffed in a police van from Kroonstad Correctional Centre.
Machini Motloung, representing Magudumana, criticised her transportation to court, deeming it both undignified and inhumane.
ALSO WATCH: Trending Twitter video: Thabo Bester and his lover Dr Nandipha reunited in the dock
THREE IN CUSTODY, SEVEN GRANTED BAIL
Magudumana, Bester, and Zanda Moyo remain the sole detainees, while three co-accused were given bail.
After the state refrained from contesting their bail request, seven more were granted bail.
ALSO READ: ‘Forever yena’: Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha cosy in court [watch]
Motanyane John Masukela became the final suspect to receive bail.
The suspects confront diverse charges such as aiding, abetting, fraud, corruption, and desecrating a corpse.
The case has been postponed to 11 October for further police investigations.
ALSO READ: Dr Nandipha said to give details on missing domestic employees
