Thabo Bester challenges legality of his return to South Africa in new court hearing
Thabo Bester is embroiled in a legal battle over the circumstances of his return to South Africa, as the Bloemfontein High Court sets a new date for their pre-trial hearing
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The Bloemfontein High Court has set a new date for the pre-trial hearing of Thabo Bester and his co-accused.
In a new legal twist, Bester is now joining Dr. Nandipha Magudumana in contesting the circumstances surrounding his return to South Africa. Bester, who allegedly escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022 with the help of Magudumana, was apprehended in April 2023.
The pair were subsequently extradited to South Africa to face multiple charges. Since their return, Magudumana has been engaged in a legal battle over the legality of her repatriation. Bester now appears to be taking a similar route.
During his court appearance on Friday, Bester informed the court that “he wanted to access certain documents from the Presidency and Crime Intelligence as well as the cellphone records of International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, to prepare for his trial.”
He has since filed an application with the Pretoria High Court to obtain these records. Additionally, Bester “wants to apply for funding to finance his legal representation.”
Bester, Magudumana, and seven others, Senohe Matsoara, Zolile Sekeleni, Teboho Liphoko, Buti Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, Zanda Moyo, and Joel Makhetha, face a range of charges including fraud, corruption, assisting an inmate to escape, violation of a body, arson, and defeating the ends of justice. The matter is scheduled to return to court in March next year.