Thabo Bester hires 6th lawyer to represent him in his prison escape case
Thabo Bester, his accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, and seven others, including her father, returned to the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday.
Convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester in the Bloemfontein High Court on 24 July 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Convicted killer rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, has hired his sixth lawyer to represent him in his prison escape case.
Bester, his accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, and seven others, including her father, returned to the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday.
They are facing charges ranging from fraud, money laundering and violation of a corpse in connection with Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility over two years ago.
In his appearance last month, Bester ranted over his living conditions at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, including not being allowed to consult with his lawyers.
On Wednesday, his new lawyer, Lerato Moela, thanked Judge Cagney Musi for allowing a consultation just before proceedings began.
"For the very first time, I met my client. In Kgosi Mampuru, I was meeting him behind glass and the telephone - this is the consultation that we envisage and I hope that after this court [appearance], we are going to get more information so we can move forward."
#ThaboBester
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 24, 2024
JP Cagney Musi says the other parties cited in this application, such as Correctional services & the police minister must be given an opportunity to respond before the application is heard.
Judge Musi says this application should be parked pending the responses.
#ThaboBester Judge Musi has postponed the matter to next Wednesday to allow for the accused to apply for legal aid. The decision will be communicated in court next week. #drnandiphamagudumana @motso_modise
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 24, 2024