The five former G4S employees accused of aiding and abetting Thabo Bester in his prison escape, will reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, alongside Bester, Dr Nandipha Magudumana and Zolile Sekeleni, on Tuesday 16 May.
Bester, however, will not be making his court appearance in the flesh…
Thabo Bester: Virtual appearance due to security risk concerns
This after the Department of Corrections Services (DCS) applied last week for Bester to have a virtual appearance due to security risk concerns.
According to a Tweet by eNCA reporter Silindelo Masikane, acting Chief Magistrate Lindiwe Mbassa has confirmed Bester’s virtual court appearance.
BREAKING #ThaboBester The acting Chief magistrate in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court has confirmed that Bester will be appearing virtually in court on Tuesday.
More details to follow on @eNCA #DrNandipha #eNCA pic.twitter.com/1WSWv8vnaw
— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) May 15, 2023
eNCA further reported that sources claim there were concerns about the security risks posed by transporting Bester from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility, in Pretoria, to court.
After the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has dropped the murder charge against Bester and his girlfriend, Magudumana, the convicted criminal is still facing multiple charges, including fraud, defeating the ends of justice, escaping, and violating a body.
Court hears police evidence of smuggling in body decoy and bribes
The bail hearing of former G4S guards Senohe Matsoara, Motenyani Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, and Natassja Jansen, as well as Integritron Integrated Solutions technician Teboho Lipholo, was postponed until Tuesday for further evidence and cross-examination of police witness Tieho Flyman.
The police evidence was presented over a two-day period on Thursday and Friday last week.
GroundUp reported on Flyman’s testimony on how Bareng‘s body was smuggled into Mangaung Correctional Centre, as well as how thousands of rand changed hands before and after the escape on 3 May 2022.
The 30-year-old Katlego Bereng’s body was set alight in Bester’s prison cell to fake the Facebook rapist’s death.
Court to hear ‘New information’
Magudumana was the only one of the accused who provisionally abandoned her bail application on Thursday, as reported by the publication.
BREAKING #ThaboBester #DrNandiphaMagudumana is NOT proceeding with her bail application today, her lawyers say.
‘We are not abandoning it. Let her matter be rolled over to May 16 as there is new material that has come to light which needs to be ventilated. ‘#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Z4PfIHzPyH
— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) May 11, 2023
This after her lawyer, Adv Frans Dlamini, indicated that “new information” has come to light.
The five co-accused indicated last week that they intend to plead not guilty.
Dr Nandipha’s father to reappear in court
Sekeleni made a brief appearance alongside his daughter, Magudumana, on 17 April. He was released on R10 000 bail.
The 65-year-old father of the disgraced doctor has been charged with defeating the ends of justice, aiding and abetting a prisoner to escape, and fraud in the sensational prison escape saga which has gripped South Africans.
In other news – Cute video of baby Netha gushing over his beautiful mother, Minnie Dlamini
South African media personality and presenter, Minnie Dlamini‘s relationship with her baby boy Netha, has proved a mother is really a son’s first love.
The actress shared a cute clip celebrating Mother’s Day, which featured an unexpected surprise from her son. Minnie and ex-Quinton Jones are parents to two-year-old Netha. In the clip, Minnie Dlamini was photobombed by a pint-sized visitor. Learn More