Latest on Thabo Bester: Katlego Mpholo’s family wants to sue State

The family of Katlego Mpholo whose charred remains were found in Thabo Bester’s cell when he faked his death at the Mangaung Correctional Centre says they are planning to sue the State.

It has been confirmed that the body belonged to Katlego Mpholo from Bloemfontein who went missing in 2022 after a DNA match with his mother.

BURNT BODY IN THABO BESTER’S CELL IDENTIFIED

A body brought into the prison was burnt beyond recognition. Initially, authorities believed Bester had set himself alight. However, an autopsy revealed that the individual died from blunt force trauma and was already dead before the fire.

Police confirmed the charred body found in the cell was identified after a direct match with the biological mother of the deceased.

“The family has been notified by the Investigating Officer. No further comment will be provided. As difficult as these [sic] news are [sic], the SAPS is pleased to bring closure to the family,” national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said on Saturday.

ALSO READ: ‘Own bed sheets’: Thabo Bester led a life of luxury in prison [PICS]

KATLEGO MPHOLO’S FAMILY IS PLANNING TO SUE THE STATE

In an interview with eNCA Katlego’s father Batho Mpholo described his son as a staunch supporter of the Bloemfontein Celtics Football Club who loved making friends and was very active on social media.

According to the father, they realised in April that Katlego was missing as he was not responding to calls and texts and was no longer posting on social media as he used to.

Mpholo said he does not believe that his son collapsed in town, was rushed to hospital and later died due to shortage of blood as he was told by police.

“I suspect that he was kidnapped and later killed and his body was kept somewhere so that it can decompose and they then took it to Mangaung,” he said.

ALSO READ: A Thabo Bester documentary might be on the way

The father said he cannot confirm whether his son knew Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana, however he said there are rumours that Katlego knew one of the security guards who worked at the Mangaung Correctional Centre as they supported the same team.

“We are now suspecting that the mentioned security guard is also implicated in this case because maybe he wanted to lead a luxury life as maybe he is earning less..still I cannot confirm up until we go to Bloemfontein and do our own investigation with the police and the parties that are helping us as well to know exactly what happened,” he explained.

Katlego Mpholo's family says they're suing the state. Mpholo’s burnt remains were discovered in Thabo Bester's prison cell. He was identified after DNA results matched with his mother. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/cnuF7jiluS

— eNCA (@eNCA) April 24, 2023

As previously reported by The South African, Magudumana is said to have claimed three bodies from a government mortuary in Bloemfontein. One of the bodies was found at a river by a local.

DR NANDIPHA COLLECTED INSURANCE FOR THREE DEAD BODIES 

According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, Dr Nandipha collected insurance for three dead bodies. The Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions owner claimed that the bodies belonged to her brother, father, and customary husband. She allegedly collected over R1 million in each payout.

In a media briefing following Bester and Nandipha’s arrest, Cele claimed that authorities were alerted after the latter was asked to reveal the men’s identities.

Mpholo said they are planning to sue the State.

“Yes, we are going to sue because we are receiving calls from high level legal teams offering to help us,” he said.

This article was originally published by Nokwanda Ncwane.