Bester's Bid to Be Considered Awaiting Trial Prisoner Rejected With Costs, SA Asks: “Who Funds Him?”
- The Johannesburg High Court has ruled on Thabo Bester's attempt to be reclassified as an awaiting trial prisoner
- Bester, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven others will stand trial in relation to his May 2022 escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on Bester's latest big, with some questioning how his finances were handled
Don't miss out! Join Briefly News Sports channel on WhatsApp now!
Source: Twitter
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG – The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed Thabo Bester’s application to be reclassified as an awaiting trial prisoner.
Bester, who is a convicted rapist and murderer, wanted to be classified as an awaiting trial prisoner, as he faces 38 charges related to his May 2022 escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre. Bester, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven others will stand trial for the escape, though Bester has maintained his innocence.
Judge says Bester’s argument has no merit
In dismissing the application with costs, Judge WJ Du Plessis described Bester’s argument as having no merit.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
Judge du Plessis noted that Bester’s application sought to do away with his original sentence and his status under the Act, which was not possible.
“If Mr Bester is acquitted of escaping prison in a criminal court, that court might need to determine what, if anything, the impact of the acquittal has on his original sentence. To grant the relief he seeks here will usurp the functions of the criminal court and pre-empt the legislative scheme in the Act,” Judge du Plessis said.
The judge also noted that even if Bester were acquitted of the escape charge, it would not mean he could be considered a ‘free man’, as his 2012 sentence remains. Bester is serving a life sentence for murder and rape.
“An acquittal on the escape charges does not extinguish those sentences,” Judge du Plessis noted.
South Africans react to Bester’s failed bid
Social media users shared mixed reactions to Bester’s latest legal failure, with some questioning how he was able to afford the numerous appeals.
@Mbojunior999 suggested:
“He’s going to the International Court next.”
@modisemoletsane asked:
“Does he have that kind of money? Who’s running his finances since he’s in jail?”
@Sunflowerreal questioned:
“Who is financing Thabo Bester?”
@BhekuyiseM31516 said:
“Thabo Bester was just taking chances in this case. The question is: who is behind all of this nonsense?”
@Thato7Mk asked:
“Who's funding him, or how does he afford these litigations?”
@KagiSpeaks added:
“Thabo doesn't know what to do with his money anymore. He's just flushing it down the drain with all these applications.”
@Real_RIvolution agreed:
“Bester has too much money to play around with.”
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.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
