…Researched and contributed by Gift BADEWO.
Thabo Bester Re-Arrested and Appears in Court
Thabo Bester, also known as the Facebook rapist, made a brief appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 14 April, after being re-arrested in Tanzania.
Bester faces charges of escaping from custody, defeating the ends of justice, violation of a corpse, and two counts of fraud.
According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phaladi Shuping, Bester will not join his co-accused in court on Monday, 17 April, for a possible bail application since he is currently serving a life sentence for rape and murder.
Safety Concerns and Hunger Strike
Bester’s legal team expressed concerns about his safety, and they reported that he has not eaten anything since he was returned to the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
Bester had previously escaped from the same prison after faking his death in May 2022.
Postponement of Case
The State requested that Bester’s case be postponed to 16 May for further police investigation, and he is remanded in custody.
The four other accused, including Bester’s lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, will appear in court on Monday, 17 April, for a possible bail application.
Appearance with Co-Accused
Shuping stated that Bester will eventually appear alongside his co-accused when preparing for the trial.
The accused will appear together when the trial starts.
Deportation from Tanzania
Bester and Magudumana were deported from Tanzania on Thursday after being arrested over the weekend.
The State initially planned for Bester to appear in the Bloemfontein Court via video link.
However, Bester’s appearance in court was changed.