Cape Town – Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane has challenged the government to use the resources that were used during the EFF’s national shutdown, to find “Facebook rapist” Thabo Bester, who escaped from prison last year after faking his own death.
Correctional services confirmed that Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre after it was believed he had committed suicide by setting himself alight in his cell.
“We need a new minister of police immediately! Bester held livestreams from prison, faked his death, and was living large in Sandton, and the government is now asking the public to help them catch him. They showed us drones on Monday. Use that technology to catch this murderer!,” said Maimane.
He called on Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and Police Minister Bheki Cele to hold a press briefing on how they will protect the public.
“Heads must roll, we are not safe! Who else is out?
“The killers of Kiernan Jarryd Forbes (AKA) are still on the loose. The killers of Cloete Murray and Thomas Murray are still on the loose. Thabo Bester is on the loose, a convicted rapist and murderer. We are living in a Nkabi nation under this administration,” Maimane said.
We need a new minister of police immediately!
Thabo Bester held livestreams from prison, faked his death, was living large in Sandton and the gvt is now asking the public to help them catch him.
They showed us drones on Monday. Use that technology to catch this murderer! pic.twitter.com/IYGVbp4wyJ
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 25, 2023
Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Service (DCS) said it is seeking the public’s help to find Bester.
Bester was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 for the murder of one woman and rape of two models before he was reportedly found dead in his single cell in May last year.
Bester used Facebook to lure models before kidnapping and raping them.
However, the DCS has confirmed that Bester actually escaped from maximum prison after an investigation revealed that the body found in his cell at the time was not his, reported TimesLIVE.
According to DCS spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo a report received from the prison indicated that Bester committed suicide by setting himself alight, the report said.
ALSO READ | Dubbed ‘Facebook rapist’ found dead in his prison cell
The report said an investigation was launched into the incident and a post-mortem conducted and the findings revealed that the body burned beyond recognition was not that of Bester.
“Furthermore, it uncovered that the pancreas and the spleen in the body were in the early stages of decomposition. Over and above that, the DNA sequencing with a person identified to be the mother of Bester failed to indicate a common ancestor or a match.” the report quoted Nxumalo as saying.
IOL reported that the DCS investigation report concluded that Bester escaped from lawful custody on May 3 in 2022.
The report said the DCS is now asking for the public’s help for information that may lead to the arrest of Bester.
Media uncovered the scandal, with claims that Bester was spotted living his best life in Sandton with famous celebrity doctor.
DCS claims that the reason for the long investigation into the escape of Bester was due to the complicated nature of the investigation, News24 reported.
The report said so far, two officials who were on duty on the day Bester escaped, have been suspended and dismissed.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
