Thabo Bester Prison Escape: Ruling on Bail Application of Co-Accused To Be Delivered on Monday, SA Eager

Thabo Bester Prison Escape: Ruling on Bail Application of Co-Accused To Be Delivered on Monday, SA Eager

  • Thabo Bester's co-accused appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court for their bail application
  • The matter was postponed till next week Monday after the defence lawyer made their closing arguments
  • South Africans on social media said they are eager to see if the judge will give bail to the accused

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Thabo Bester's co-accused appeared in court for their bail hearing
Thabo Bester's co-accused appeared in court for their bail hearing. Image: @Newzroom405
Source: Twitter

BLOEMFONTEIN - Magistrate Motlholo Khabisi will deliver a ruling on the bail application of the five people accused of helping Thabo Bester escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre on Monday, May 29.

According to SABCNews, one of the accused was in charge of installing CCTV cameras at the Mangaung maximum prison, and the other four are fired employees of private security company, G4S.

Defence and state lawyers make their closing statements in Thabo Bester's co-accused bail application

Read also

Dr Nandipha Magudumana details her "abduction" from Tanzania in court papers, SA weighs in

The state argued that Bester pulled off the brazen escape on May 3, 2022, with the assistance of the prison staff.

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The lawyers of the accused told the court that Motenyani Masukela, Nastassja Jansen, Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, and Tieho Makhotsa are not flight risks and will not interfere with the investigation, reported ENCA.

They are facing charges of aiding and abetting a convicted criminal to escape from prison, defeating the ends of justice and fraud.

Citizens discuss possible outcome of the bail application of Bester's co-accused

Gezani Ndavani said:

"Still a mystery how Bester was jailed, but they say he didn't have an ID and somehow had bank accounts."

Rabietitus Shilakoe wrote:

"They all going to be released on bail. The state doesn't have any ground whatsoever to hold them in prison."

Read also

Thabo Bester escape: Defence of accused No 1 argues for client's release, claiming there won’t be outcry

Thuso Dahile mentioned:

"Life sentence, no bail no parole."

Bongile Mdleleni added:

"No bail for all of them plus Thabo and Nandipha for life."

Mxolisi Lucky commented:

"But Nandipha must be set free."

Neo Mokgosi said:

"I don't see any reason why they should not get it."

Legal experts weigh in on Dr Nandipha’s “abduction” claims, immigration lawyer says she might win her case

In another story, Briefly News reported that a border control expert and immigration lawyer have weighed in on Dr Nandipha Magudumana's claim that her arrest in Tanzania and subsequent deportation to South Africa were unlawful.

Magudumana was arrested alongside her boyfriend, Thabo Bester, while on the run from South African authorities after escaping from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Hilary Sekgota avatar

Hilary Sekgota (Deputy Human Interest HOD) Hilary Sekgota is the Head of Desk for Evening and Weekend content at Briefly News. She completed a BA in Communication Science from Unisa in 2018 and a Diploma in Journalism from Varsity College in 2010. She also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. Hilary joined the Briefly News team in 2022 and started her journalism career at Tshwane Sun. She has 12 years of experience covering current affairs and human interest topics. Email: hilary.sekgota@briefly.co.za