How did Thabo Bester open a bank account without an ID?

With a bank balance of over R800 million, ActionSA has questioned how convicted rapist Thabo Bester was able to open his bank account. The party’s Free State chairperson Patricia Kopane, has written to the commissioner of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Unathi Kamlana to seek clarity on the matter.

REVEALING BESTER’S IDENTITY

On Monday, Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that Bester has been officially registered on the National Population Register, 36 years after his birth.

Born in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto in 1986, Bester was not issued a birth certificate following his birth, and he never applied for an ID after turning 16.

Motsoaledi also said that investigations by his department into confirming the identity of Bester, included conducting a DNA test against him and his mother Meisi Maria Mabaso (born Bester) and records from the hospital.

JUST IN: Dr Motsoaledi has announced that #ThaboBester was officially issued a with a SA ID on 17 May 2023.

His name has officially been entered into the national population register. @motso_modise https://t.co/gduAlVJVe1 pic.twitter.com/iGREVQByGP

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 22, 2023

ALSO READ: Proof? Thabo Bester ID revealed – but number is blurred out [photo]

FICA REGULATIONS

Suspicions around Besters finances arose after having his accounts frozen following his arrested and also the expensive clothes he has been seen wearing during his court appearances.

In a statement ActionSA’s Kopane has said, “FSCA must provide clarity about the status of Thabo’s finances and whether or not there is a violation of lawful financial practices which would have allowed him to bankroll his original escape.”

ALSO READ: [PHOTOS] – More court glam: Thabo Bester’s Burberry hoodie costs R18k

Kopane adds, according to Section 29 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001(FICA), which requires institutions to report all suspicious financial activities, the announcement made by the Minister of Home Affairs brought into question how his bank verified the client in order to open a bank account that reportedly had a balance of R872 million whilst the requisite FICA documents were not furnished.

“ActionSA would like to get clarity on this seemingly brazen violation of FICA specifically the ‘Know Your Client’ requirements by a major corporate in South Africa. Furthermore, we would like to know whether actions would be taken to get clarity on how this financial institution rubber-stamped the opening of a bank account by Mr. Bester in, what appears to be, a contravention of FICA regulations.” she says.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester update: Closing arguments in bail applications on Tuesday

This article was originally published by APHIWE NGWENYA.