Thabo Bester Prison Escape Case Set For Pre-Trial Proceedings In Free State High Court
The long-delayed case involving Thabo Bester, Nandipha Magudumana and several others is expected to return to court on Friday.
Pre-trial proceedings in the Thabo Bester prison escape matter are expected to begin in the Free State High Court on Friday, as the case continues to face delays linked to outstanding legal challenges.
Bester, who was serving a life sentence for murder and rape, allegedly escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.
The authorities said a body was used in a fire inside his prison cell to create the impression that Bester had died, enabling his escape.
Thabo Bester And Co-Accused Face Multiple Charges
Bester, his girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana and several other accused face charges arising from the alleged escape.
The charges include escaping from lawful custody, aiding and abetting an escape, corruption, arson, fraud and the violation of a body.
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Bester remained at large for almost a year before he and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania in 2023.
The matter has not yet proceeded to trial, with various legal challenges contributing to repeated postponements.
Court To Consider Readiness For Trial
Friday's proceedings are expected to deal with the outstanding legal issues and establish whether the matter is ready to move towards trial.
Bester and Magudumana are expected to participate in the proceedings virtually.
The case concerns events surrounding the alleged escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre and the subsequent efforts to locate Bester after authorities believed he had died in the prison fire.
