Thabo Bester: Overview of the charges against the eight suspects

Eight suspects have been arrested for Thabo Bester’s escape from the then-G4S-managed Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) in May 2022. Six of the eight individuals are expected to apply for bail on Thursday and Friday, 11 and 12 May.

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POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO THABO BESTER’S ESCAPE CONTINUES

A body, which has now been identified as Bloemfontein man Katlego Bereng, was set alight in Bester’s cell when he made his escape.

The convicted serial rapist and his lover, the disgraced celebrity doctor, were arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, last month after fleeing from South Africa.

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According to the Sunday Times, the number of accused people in the matter is expected to grow longer, and police are combing cellphone records to find more accomplices.

The eight suspects nabbed thus far face charges of fraud, corruption, defeating the ends of justice and more.

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KEY PLAYERS AND THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM

This is how the charges stack up:

Accused 1: Senohe Matsoara, 39, a former G4S prison warder. He faces charges of fraud, violation of a body. He is accused of being the leading participant in the escape scheme.

Accused 2: Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, 65, Magudumana’s father. He is accused of claiming Bereng’s body. He also faces charges related to the fire in Bester’s cell and defeating the ends of justice.

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Accused 3: Teboho Lipholo, 44, a former Integritron Integrated Solutions camera technician. He is accused of disconnecting the prison’s cameras to aid in the escape.

Accused 4: Dr Nandipha Magudumana, 36, Bester’s lover who allegedly masterminded the escape. She faces 11 charges, including fraud, corruption, intentionally harbouring and concealing an escapee and more. She is also accused of offering bribes to prison staff. She also faces charges related to the corpses she obtained.

Accused 5: Thabo Bester, 36, the convicted serial rapist and murderer. Bester is accused of escaping, arson, violation of a body, defeating the ends of justice and fraud, and more.

Accused 6: Motanyane Masukela, 51, a suspended G4S employee, is charged with fraud, arson and defeating the ends of justice.

Accused 7: Tieho Frans Makhotsa, a suspended G4S employee, faces charges of corruption, arson and defeating the ends of justice.

Accused 8: Natassja Jansen, a suspended G4S employee, is charged with arson, defeating the ends of justice and aiding Bester’s escape.

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This article was originally published  by Storm Simpson.