Bester makes urgent application challenging escape charges

File Image: Thabo Bester consulting with his legal team

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester is expected to appear in the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday. This follows his urgent application challenging charges linked to his escape from custody.

Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022 after faking his death in a prison cell fire. The escape was allegedly carried out with the assistance of celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana and several prison officials.

Earlier this month, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Bester’s urgent application for the second time. He had sought to be transferred from the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal to the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

Bester was moved to the KwaZulu-Natal facility by the Department of Correctional Services in January this year, citing security concerns.