Cape Town – The Department of Home Affairs officials have followed legal procedures to ensure that Thabo Bester, a serial rapist and murderer who escaped from prison, applies for an Identity Document (ID).
Bester was issued an ID card on 17 May, 2023.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said Bester’s ID card was delivered to him at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre by departmental officials.
This came after the Department of Home Affairs conducted an investigation, including interviewing Bester’s biological mother and reviewing birth records and data in their systems to establish the identity of Bester.
“The DHA conducted an extensive investigation, which included interviewing the biological mother of Thabo Bester, namely Meisie Maria Mabaso (born Bester). The investigation also involved reviewing the birth records of Thabo Bester at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and data stored in the DHA systems,” Motsoaledi said.
It was discovered that Bester, despite being over 16 years old, had not applied for an ID card as required by law.
Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says he got permission from Thabo Bester to show the public a copy of his ID which was issued on 17 May 2023. pic.twitter.com/pbceuAWNhJ
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) May 22, 2023
“Acting in terms of the said section, the Director-General addressed a letter dated 15 May 2023 to Thabo Bester advising him that he had been assigned relevant officials to assist him in his application for an identity card. Thabo Bester co-operated with the said officials, who also required his mother to sign the necessary application forms,” Motsoaledi said.
Bester’s name has now been entered into the National Population Register, thus, ending his status as an unidentifiable person.
“The Thabo Bester saga has brought into sharp focus the issue of other inmates incarcerated in various correctional services facilities who are in a similar position as Thabo Bester.
“The DHA has agreed with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to be provided with a complete list of such inmates. Thereafter, the DHA will take steps to ensure that such inmates are issued with identity cards,” the Minister said.
Bester and his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania after fleeing South Africa, and efforts were made by senior government officials to facilitate their return.
In April Motsoaledi said that the department was unable to trace key details of Bester’s identity.
The minister said at the time that Bester “simply doesn’t exist in our system”, adding that he did not have an ID document, birth certificate or a passport issued by the department.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
