Ex-prison warder who played major role in Thabo Bester’s escape says he can’t pay legal fees

The man who allegedly received the most money from the Thabo Bester prison escape told the Bloemfontein High Court that he could not pay for his legal fees.

Bester and his eight co-accused made a court appearance on Wednesday where they face charges ranging from fraud, money laundering, tampering with a corpse as well as aiding and abetting a prisoner escape.

This is in connection with Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility over two years ago where he was serving a life sentence for rape and murder.

According to the State, former prison warder, Senohe Matsoara, played a pivotal role in Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Prison.

Matsoara is accused of receiving several tranches of money from Bester and Nandipha Magudumana, using his girlfriend Thembeka Willem’s bank account.

The deposits ranged from R8,000 to R485,000, which he allegedly used to pay many of those involved in the escape.

Previously the Sunday Times reported that Matsoara bought a new car months before Bester’s escape but on Wednesday, his lawyer, Kagisho Moruri, withdrew from the case, saying he had not been paid.

Moruri has also withdrawn as the lawyer for accused number six, Tieho Makhotsa. Both accused will apply for Legal Aid representation.

-EWN

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