Cape Town – Police on Sunday were said to have started quizzing Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s father, as they sought information that would assist their investigation into the prison-break of her partner, Thabo Bester.
According to EWN, police were “hoping that Magudumana’s father, as well as an employee, can shed light that will progress their investigation into the escape and allegations that have emerged in recent weeks”.
Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania on Friday night.
The two were apprehended along with a Mozambican national who was assisting them.
SABC said the Mozambican had been identified as Zacharia Alberto.
ALSO READ | Thabo Bester arrest: Suspects were in possession of several passports – Cele
The trio were arrested following joint efforts by Interpol and the police’s Crime Intelligence Unit. It was believed they were on their way to Kenya at the time of their arrest, News24 reported.
Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said last week, Crime Intelligence officials tracked Bester and Magudumana to Tanzania, the report said.
Private security company Fidelity Service Group (FSG) offered a R100 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of 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.
He escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre on May 3, 2022, as confirmed by the department of correctional services after it discovered that the burned body found in Bester’s cell was not the “Facebook rapist” but that of an unknown man.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
High-level govt delegation to depart for Tanzania to bring Bester back to SA
Cape Town – A high-level government delegation is expected to travel to Tanzania on Sunday to bring the convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester back to South Africa.
Bester and his socialite doctor wife Nandipha Magudumana were arrested in the east African country on Friday night.
The two were apprehended along with a Mozambican national who was assisting them.
According to SABC, the Mozambican has been named as Zacharia Alberto.
“I had a discussion with the Justice Minister in Tanzania who has confirmed to us their willingness to help us in the process to bring them to SA as soon as possible. A delegation from SA, comprising of senior officials from police, justice and correctional services will depart of Tanzania tomorrow (Sunday).
“We are confident that we will receive maximum co-operation from our sister nation to bring these fugitives to justice and to serve their sentence, particularly, Mr Bester,” Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said during a press briefing on Saturday.
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PICTURES | Thabo Bester wore Muslim headwear when he was arrested in Tanzania
Cape Town – Facebook murderer Thabo Bester and his socialite doctor wife Nandipha Magudumana are spending Easter Sunday behind bars in Tanzania after they were arrested on Friday.
The two were apprehended along with a Mozambican national who was assisting them.
They were found in possession of several passports, with different names, and none of the passports had been stamped.
It is believed that they were on their way to Kenya at the time of their arrest.
Bester seemingly tried to disguise himself as a local when he was arrested in Tanzania – he wore Muslim headwear.
Thabo Bester should be returned to South Africa to face justice without delay. This murderer and rapist needs to go back back to prison without delay. All all those who aided and abetted his escape, including officials, need to be arrested and jailed also. pic.twitter.com/U0WUTaAphx
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 8, 2023
The Minister of Police Bheki Cele and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola confirmed the arrest on Saturday.
“We have confirmed with all the relevant authorities in Tanzania, which includes the National Commissioner of Police in Tanzania and Interpol, that the fugitives are being processed. An official delegation from South Africa comprising of senior officials from the police, justice and Correctional services will depart for Tanzania tomorrow, they will be received and assisted by the office the High Commissioner in Tanzania.
“We are confident that we will receive maximum cooperation from our sister nation of Tanzania, to assist us to bring these fugitives to justice. The level cooperation has been exemplary thus far,” the ministers during a press briefing.
On 26 March 2023, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola ordered the prioritisation of investigations into the Mangaung prison escape case.
3 people were arrested last night in Arusha, Tanzania, on being in the country illegally. Currently detained at Arusha Central Police Station. Among the arrested, 2 suspected to be Thabo Bester & Dr Nandipha…@pmcafrica pic.twitter.com/zfUy7DbxOU
— Peché Africa ?? (@pmcafrica) April 8, 2023
Detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) and the Organised Crime Investigations (OCI) units in the Free State and Gauteng provinces were appointed to work round the clock on this investigation with track and tracing teams of Correctional Services and Crime Intelligence, police said.
A case of murder is under investigation following the outcome of the DNA analysis that confirmed that the body of the deceased which was found, was not of Thabo Bester. The autopsy report went on to further reveal that the deceased had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, and was already dead, prior to the arson incident.
A case of escape from lawful custody was also registered on confirmation by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) that Bester was not in their custody.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
