Cape Town — The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says it is looking into a leaked document of an investigation into a criminal sydnicate that has allegedly been running the Manguang Prison, where convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, was imprisoned.
It is believed that the syndicate is responsible for the escape of Thabo Bester, EWN reported.
Bester broke out of prison in May 2022, and he was re-arrested along with his associate, Nandipha Maguduma, in Tanzania. The pair are facing multiple charges that include murder, fraud and violation of a charred body used as a decoy.
The Correctional Services Department says it’s looking into a leaked document of an investigation into a criminal syndicate that has allegedly been running the Mangaung prison.
The syndicate is said to have aided convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, to escape. pic.twitter.com/fdUWwYMW1H
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 12, 2024
Reports suggest the investigation uncovered shocking practices at the prison, including prison guards who prostituted themselves for between R1 000 and R1 500, which Bester was alleged to have made use of, and a ‘boy-wife’ movement to organise sex between prisoners, The Citizen reported.
The leaked document compiled by the DCS said it is also believed that Bester was high up in the syndicate, which also included a senior prison manager. It also revealed that an inmate was asked to poison Bester’s former cellmate, Zwelinzima Nquru, after he shared suspicions that Bester may not be dead.
“I was approached by a G4S security manager in June 2022 [a month after Bester’s escape] who gave me a blue substance in a bag. He told me to put it in the food of prisoner Zwelinzima Nquru,” an inmate, who was later removed from the prison, said.
The department confirmed such a report but said it could not investigate it further.
“Some aspects also relate to the Thabo Bester escape incident, [which is] now before the court and [in respect of which] investigations have not been closed”.
Female prison guards moonlighted as sex workers under the control of a syndicate run by officials and “influential” inmates at Mangaung Prison, from which Thabo Bester notoriously escaped in 2022.. pic.twitter.com/Q5yQaF3AUs
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 11, 2024
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Am_Blujay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
