Thabo Bester Transferred to eBongweni Prison, Will Join Vusimuzi Matlala at Super Maximum Facility

• Thabo Bester has been moved to a super maximum facility in KwaZulu-Natal without his legal team's knowledge
• The convicted murderer was previously incarcerated at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre (C-Max) in Pretoria
• The Department of Correctional Services said that the transfer of prisoners was a standard operational practice

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Thabo Bester has been moved to the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.

Bester, the convicted murderer and rapist, was previously incarcerated at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre (C-Max) in Pretoria. eBongweni Super Maximum is regarded as the most secure prison in South Africa. Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala was also transferred there recently.

Bester’s legal team was not informed

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According to Bester’s legal team, they were not aware that their client had been moved. They only found out after a family friend, who was planning to visit Bester, was informed of the transfer.

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed the decision, saying that the transfer of detainees and sentenced offenders between correctional facilities was a standard operational practice. It said this was informed by a range of considerations, primarily security, safety, and operational requirements.

It emphasised that Bester’s legal rights would not be prejudiced by the move, saying that he would still have access to services and receive the appropriate care. The move will also not affect his consultation with his legal team or future court appearances, according to the department.

Matlala also moved to eBongweni

Like Bester, Cat Matlala was also transferred to eBongweni without any prior notice. The attempted murder accused, who is also accused of being a criminal cartel kingpin, was also incarcerated at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.

Matlala's legal team has since asked that he be transferred to another centre in Gauteng, due to his upcoming trial being held there and the conditions at eBongweni.

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During his latest court appearance, the judge found that his incarceration in KZN was against the interests of justice.

What you need to know about Thabo Bester's case

• Dr Nandipha Magudumana claimed that Bester forced her to flee South Africa.
• The Bloemfontein Magistrates' Court denied Magudumana bail, stating that she was a flight risk.
• The state dropped its case against former G4S employee Natassja Jansen in October of the same year.
• Documents leaked in February 2024 exposed an array of criminal activities in prison linked to Bester.
• An analyst said that Magudumana was distancing herself from Bester after they appeared in court in June 2024.

Bester is unhappy with prison conditions

Briefly News reported that Bester expressed unhappiness with his conditions behind bars ahead of his upcoming trial.

The convicted murderer and rapist is currently incarcerated in Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Facility's C-Max section.

South Africans shared their thoughts on social media about Bester's application and his complaints about prison.

Source: Briefly News