The defence lawyers for the five accused’s bail application in the Thabo Bester escape case, heard in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s court, will today begin with their closing arguments.

The state prosecutor closed its re-examination of the state witness. The defence lawyers argue that it’s in the interest of justice that magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi grant the accused bail, despite several allegations by the state witness.

The police official attached to the Free State provincial organised crime unit gave testimony at the bail application of the five suspects linked to Bester’s escape on May 3, 2022 from the Mangaung Correctional Centre. The state witness, a captain with over 15 years of experience, made several allegations against some of the accused, including accused 1 and former G4S security supervisor Seneho Matsoara and Integriton technician Teboho James Lipholo.

The witness previously told the court the Bester’s cell fire victim Katlego Bereng’s body, which was burnt inside cell 35 in Broadway, at the Mangaung Prison, was placed in a trolley dustbin before it was taken to Bester’s cell.

The body was allegedly brought inside the premises of the Mangaung Prison on April 29, 2022 by Matsoara, while driving a vehicle hired by accused 2 Zolile Sekeleni, who is the father of accused 4 Dr Nandi Magudumana.

Matsoara reportedly gained entry to the premises with Bereng’s body, without being searched. Later it was allegedly placed in cell 35 by him and Lipholo before it was burnt as a decoy for Bester to escape.

Thus far eight people have been arrested in connection with Bester’s escape. He allegedly lived in the lap of luxury in Johannesburg before his recapture in Tanzania alongside Magadumana.

The accused includes Matsoara, Sekeleni, Lipholo, Magudumana, Bester, suspended G4S guard Motanyane John Masukela, Teiho Frans Makhotsa and Nastassja Jansen.

Matsoara, Makhotsa and Jansen are the only three fired G4S employees.

Seven employees were suspended from the company following Bester’s escape. It’s understood that 23 officials were on duty on the night of the escape.

Source: OFM News