Thabo Bester Escape | Safety concerns under spotlight as accused seek bail

May 16, 2023 127

The safety of some of the accused in Facebook rapist and murderer Thabo Bester’s escape saga took centre stage in today’s court proceedings.

The five former G4S employees charged for allegedly helping Bester escape from custody appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, applying for bail.

The Investigating Officer in the matter told the court that accused number 3, Tebogo Lipholo’s life could be in danger should he be released.

He says Bloemfontein Celtic fans don’t want the former G4S officer to be remanded in custody.

Celtic is the club that Katlego Bereng Mpholo, the man whose charred body was used as a decoy for Bester to escape from prison, avidly supported.

However, defence lawyer Kagisho Moruri poured cold water on the assertion, questioning how this was possible as the club no longer exist.

It’s alleged that Lipholo switched off the cameras and walked Bester out disguised as a G4S official in uniform when he escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year.

The Investigating Officer says Lipholo also fears for his life because it is now public knowledge that he spilled the beans on who was involved the audacious escape and what role they played.

An unexpected twist in the matter was the revelation that some of the witnesses are fearful of former G4S employee, Senohe Matsoara, for his alleged gang links.

The Investigating Officer stated that this information only became available to him during his probing of the accused’s role in the matter.

Matsoara is the man suspected to have known Bereng Mpholo, with some South Africans even suspecting he could have been involved in his death.

The case has adjourned for the day and the bail hearing will resume on Friday.

Meanwhile, the key role players in the matter, Bester and his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana will return to court on the 20th of June after their matter was postponed for further investigation.

The couple appeared virtually before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court earlier in the day.

Written by: Nokwazi Qumbisa

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