The bail hearing for the five alleged conspirators in the Thabo Bester prison escape case, including Bester’s partner Nandipha Magudumana and her father, continued on Tuesday in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. Meanwhile, Bester himself appeared via video conference from Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria. During cross-examination of the investigating officer, the state revealed that it opposes bail for one of the accused linked to gangs. The bail hearing was postponed to 20 June for further investigation. Bester’s lawyer expressed concern that he is unable to take confidential instruction while his client appears virtually, and requested that the man in the dock be verified as Thabo Bester. The request was dismissed, and the hearing also included the appearance of Magudumana and her father and the cross-examination of the investigating officer by the other accused’s lawyers.
The Thabo Bester escape case has gained significant attention since Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre on 3 May 2022. All eight accused in the escape saga appeared at the latest court hearing. They face a total of 16 charges with the main criminal trial set for 20 June. The hearing has revealed multiple details of the alleged escape plan and the role of the accused conspirators. The case has also highlighted concerns over prison security and gang activity. The court hearing is set to continue on Friday, 19 May, when the bail hearing for the four former employees of Mangaung Correctional Centre, Senohe Matsoara, Motenyani Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, and Nastassja Jansen, and CCTV technician and former employee of Integritron Security Services, Teboho Lipholo, will resume.
