Bester joins ‘Cat’ Matlala in eBongweni Super Max in KZN

January 30, 2026 2

Convicted Facebook rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, has been transferred to South Africa’s highest-security prison, the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says his transfer is part of routine practice, guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety and stability of correctional facilities.

Bester was previously detained at the Kgosi Mampuru C Max facility following his dramatic escape from Mangaung Maximum Prison in May 2022. He is serving a life sentence for two counts of rape and one count of murder.

The convicted criminal infamously faked his death during the escape, fleeing the country with his partner, Nandipha Magudumana. The pair staged a fire at the prison using the body of Katlego Bereng as a decoy. Bester was later rearrested in Tanzania alongside Magudumana after the two were reportedly spotted shopping at a Woolworths store.

Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said transfers of offenders between facilities are standard practice within the department.

TRANSFER OF OFFENDER THABO BESTER TO EBONGWENI CORRECTIONAL CENTRE pic.twitter.com/DdpK0OEjy2

— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) January 30, 2026

eBongweni has previously been in the spotlight after DCS confirmed last month that alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was also transferred to the facility from Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.

Matlala returned to the headlines this week following a brief appearance at the Johannesburg High Court, where his newly appointed legal team argued that his detention in KwaZulu-Natal was hindering consultations and trial preparation.

The matter has been postponed to next Friday to allow both legal teams to engage with authorities on the possibility of transferring Matlala to a correctional facility within Gauteng.

Meanwhile, social media reaction to Bester’s transfer has been mixed, with some users speculating about the reasons behind the move, despite Correctional Services insisting it was part of routine procedure.

Something is happening and they are not telling us

— salomemoletse6 (@salomemorudumo1) January 30, 2026

Thabo Bester : I’m being treated badly at Kgosi Mampuru in solitary .

Cat Matlala: they are keeping me in solitary I’m losing my mind at Kgosi Mampuru.

Correctional Service : Bester you killed a woman in cold blood and raped then robbed many wena ,Cat you are involved in many… pic.twitter.com/Lajo7upR3f

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) January 30, 2026

I salute him 🙌Pieter Groenewald is doing what Ronald Lamola failed to do six years ago, Criminals like Cat Matlala and Thabo Bester are going to eBongweni Maximum Prison,Jailbirds don’t have access to Cellphones or Laptops anymore
Take this man to Union Buildings 🌹⚘️💐👏👏 pic.twitter.com/ks4hpKWIRo

— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) January 30, 2026

@mseazar2196

Replying to @Bellstone Thabo Bester have been transferred to eBongweni prison #zulu #saps #hawks #generalnhlanhlamkhwanazi #thabobester

♬ original sound – Mseazar ✂️ 📂