DCS to brief MPs on action plan to comply with public protector's report on Thabo Bester's escape
It’s been three years since Bester escaped from the privately run Mangaung Correctional Centre, but the matter is still not finalised.
Convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court on 21 February 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles / Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The Thabo Bester prison escape is again back before Parliament's agenda on Tuesday morning, with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) briefing on the public protector's remedial action.
The department will brief the correctional services committee on its action plan to comply with the public protector's report on Bester's escape, which happened over three years ago.
The public protector launched the probe in March 2023 after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.
It’s been three years since Bester escaped from the privately run Mangaung Correctional Centre, but the matter is still not finalised.
Bester escaped in May 2022 by faking his death in a cell fire.
He managed to flee with the help of Doctor Nandipha Magudumana and several prison officials.
The escape was followed by investigations, including one by the public protector.
The public protector found that there was "undue delay" in the department’s handling of Bester’s escape.
Despite being informed of the escape in June 2022, it wasn’t until January 2023 that the DCS formally opened an escape case with the police.
The report ordered the department to submit an action plan for the remedial actions, and it is expected to give details when it appears before members of Parliament (MPs).