The father of Thabo Bester’s girlfriend has been released on R10 000 bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi granted Zolile Sekeleni (65) bail.

Sekeleni is accused number two in the matter where five people, Bester included, face many charges related to Bester’s fake death and escape from a maximum security prison in Bloemfontein.

Sekeleni’s case was postponed to May 16, when he is set to appear alongside Bester and the other acussed.

The state prosecutor indicated that Sekeleni faces a schedule one offence – aiding and abetting an escapee.

The three other co-accused – Bester’s partner Dr Nandipha Magudumana, former G4S security guard Senohe Matsoara, and former G4S technician Teboho James Lipholo – will remain in custody. They will reappear in court on May 3 and 4 for their bail hearing.

The four were arrested on different days following the leaked revelation that Bester faked his death by fire in his prison cell.

The Tanzanian police arrested Magudumana and Bester after being on the run from SAPS after this information came to light. Matsoara was arrested at his residence in Bloemfontein, while Sekeleni was arrested at his home in Port Edward. Lipholo was also arrested in Bloemfontein.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, has previously said the state has a strong case against Bester and his alleged accomplices.

On Friday, Bester appeared in court and was charged with escaping from lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, violation of a dead body, and fraud. He was added to the charge sheet of the four others.

The charred body of an unknown person, who suffered blunt force trauma to the head and was burnt beyond recognition, was found in his cell after being planted there. This was done for Bester to make his well-executed escape from the private prison.

It is alleged the bodies were obtained by Magudumana with the purpose of aiding Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein. One of the bodies was found in a river with the mortuary’s identification tag attached.

Free State Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the department is aware of the allegations, but because it is the subject of a police investigation, the department cannot comment on the matter.

Source: OFM News