Thabo Bester case pushed back another week after two co-accused fail to pay lawyers
Bester, his accomplice and lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven of their co-accused returned to the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday.
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester, and those who allegedly helped him escape, in the Bloemfontein High Court on 24 July 2024: former G4S employee Senohe Matsoara, Nandipha Magudumana's father Cornelius Sekeleni, G4S CCTV technician Teboho Dipholo, former G4S security guard Buti Masukela, and former G4S employee Teiho Frans Makhotsa. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
BLOEMFONTEIN - The exit of lawyers for some of the accused in the Thabo Bester prison escape case has caused further delays in the Bloemfontein High Court.
Bester - his accomplice and lover - Dr Nandipha Magudumana and seven of their co-accused returned to the dock on Wednesday.
They face over 30 counts of fraud, corruption, arson, violating a corpse, and aiding and abetting a prisoner escape.
The court was expected to decide on a trial date but that has been stalled again due to administrative hiccups.
In stark contrast to his demeanour and emotive address last month – Bester took his seat quietly in court where his new lawyer - Lerato Moela - appeared on his behalf.
The pre-trial proceedings in the prison escape case have been severely delayed over the last few months – from him changing lawyers five times to his co-accused doing the same.
On Wednesday, the lawyer for the third and sixth accused – Senohe Matsoara and Tieho Makhotsa - withdrew from the matter after he was not paid.
Both accused told Judge Cagney Musi that they would apply for legal aid.
“We now have Mr Mururi’s clients who do not have any legal representation. I intend to postpone the matter for a week or so in order to sort that out,” said the judge.
The matter will return to the court next week where a decision will be communicated on Matsoara and Makhotsa’s legal aid application.