Thabo Bester, dubbed the Facebook rapist, was arrested in Tanzania yesterday, confirmed Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, during a media briefing on Saturday afternoon.

Lamola said Bester’s girlfriend, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, along with a Mozambican citizen were also arrested.

Lamola said Magudumana helped Bester to escape, and she will face charges in this regard.

Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022. At first it was believed that he had committed suicide in his cell.

Later it was confirmed that the body found in his cell was not that of Thabo Bester.

Minister Ronald Lamola confirms that Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha were arrested last night

Briefing live on SABC pic.twitter.com/AwMS9ySezQ

— SITHALE✍🏿 (@SithaleKgaogelo) April 8, 2023

Bester was sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of rape and murder in 2012.

The convicted rapist would lure women on Facebook, promising them a modeling contract. He would then rob and rape them while threatening them with a knife. At least one victim was murdered.

Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, on Saturday afternoon could not confirm from which border post Bester left South Africa.

“Investigations are continuing,” Cele said.