Thabo Bester requests the death penalty in court
‘If it means that this court can accept the petition and the public can sign it, then we can put all this to rest’: Thabo Bester rants.
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has requested that the court considers imposing a death penalty on him.
During an outburst in the dock at the Free State High Court on Wednesday, 5 June, the “Facebook rapist” claimed he was being treated unfairly and his co-accused were innocent.
‘THEY ARE SUFFERING FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT’
Bester, who brazenly escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022, was representing himself after his latest legal representatives recused themselves from the trial. He has seven days to appoint a new legal representative.
“I feel it’s unfair for these people who are sitting here as my so-called co-accused to be in court when I know very well that they have nothing to do with this,” Bester said.
He appeared alongside his co-accused; Nandipha Magudumana, Zolile Sekeleni, Xando Moyo, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Teiho Makhotsa, Senohe Matsoara and James Lipholo. They are accused of aiding and abetting, as well as defeating the ends of justice.
“Your Honour, I say this as a broken man and I say this wholeheartedly, it tears me apart to see these people in this court, knowing well that they are suffering for something they know nothing about,” he added.
THABO BESTER ASKS FOR A PETITION FOR A DEATH PENALTY
Further addressing the court, Bester suggested that the public should sign a petition for him to be handed the death penalty.
“I request that the public and the prosecution, if they are so convinced that I am a waste in these people’s lives that this section be enforced on a petition. That under the previous Criminal Prosecution, Act 126 of 1992, a death sentence be given as a petition that the public be given a petition and I be given a death sentence and I will immediately agree to it so we end this matter.”
He went on to blame the “backhand of political watchdogs” for the treatment he has been receiving.
“I came here with 80 cars, I woke up at 2am. I’ve been having chains on my feet. My feet are ice. I cannot feel my toes at this point. This is not the way I want to proceed, your Honour.
“If it means that this court can accept the petition and the public can sign it, then we can put all this to rest. I am at peace. I know what I’ve done and what I have not done,” Bester told the court.
The case has been postponed to 24 July.