Thabo Bester escape: Three suspects granted bail after successful appeal

The Bloemfontein High Court granted three of the suspects accused of helping convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester escape from prison bail on Wednesday, 5 July. The trio were denied bail in a lower court on 29 May.

READ: Bester escape: G4S employee granted bail, State to oppose application of others

HIGH COURT OVERTURNS BAIL DENIAL

Former G4S employees Senohe Matsoara and Tieho Makhotsa, and former Integritron camera technician Teboho Lipholo were granted bail upon appeal.

The court found that the appellants are not a flight risk, and there is no likelihood that they would interfere with witnesses or undermine the criminal justice system.

READ: BREAKING: Three more G4S employees arrested in Thabo Bester case

The Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court decision to deny bail was set aside and the accused were released on R10 000 bail each.

As part of the bail conditions, Matsoara, Makhotsa and Lipholo must appear in the Magistrate’s Court on each date their case is called and must report to the Kagisanon Police Station every Monday between 6:00 and 18:00.

READ: Lamola explains why Bester wears flashy designer clothes in court

“The appellants shall not directly or indirectly have contact with any state witnesses,” read the order. They may also not leave Bloemfontein without permission from the investigating officer.

Six of the 12 suspects arrested in the Bester escape have now been released on bail. Eight of them are linked to private security company G4S.

Bester escaped the G4S-managed prison in May 2022 and was rearrested in Arusha, Tanzania, earlier this year. All suspects are due back in court on 8 August for the continuation of the matter.

WHO ARE THE 12 SUSPECTS IN THE THABO BESTER ESCAPE CASE?

• Accused 1: Senohe Matsoara (bail)
• Accused 2: Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni (bail)
• Accused 3: Teboho Lipholo (bail)
• Accused 4: Nandipha Magudumana
• Accused 5: Thabo Bester
• Accused 6: Motanyane Masukela
• Accused 7: Tieho Frans Makhotsa (bail)
• Accused 8: Nastassja Jansen (bail)
• Accused 9: Zanda Moyo
• Accused 10: Thabang Mier (bail)
• Accused 11: Joel Makhetha
• Accused 12: Moeketsi Ramolula

READ: Zanda Moyo: Ninth Thabo Bester accomplice appears in court – this is how he allegedly helped