Cape Town – Police on Wednesday arrested another G4S employee in connection with the prison escape of convicted murder and rapist Thabo Bester.
This brings the number of people arrested for aiding Bester to escape to five.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the 51-year-old G4S security guard was arrested on Tuesday at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.
“A security guard employed by G4S is expected to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He faces charges of assisting an inmate escape from lawful custody as well as defeating the ends of justice,” Mathe said.
[DEVELOPING] #ThaboBester Another G4S employee has been arrested and will be appearing in court on Thursday. #DrNandipha #eNCA pic.twitter.com/Kj6nWX7K97
— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) April 19, 2023
Other people who have been arrested in connection with Bester’s escape include his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana; her father, Zolile Sekeleni; G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara; and CCTV technician Teboho Lipholo.
Dubbed the “Facebook rapist”, Bester – who was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 – lured victims on the social media platform before raping and robbing them. He killed at least one victim.
He escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in 2022 – but police said they only found out last month.
In May 2022, the charred body of a man was found in Bester’s cell, leading prison authorities to believe that he had set himself on fire, but DNA later revealed the body belonged to someone else.
After fleeing South Africa, Bester was arrested last Friday by Tanzanian police, along with Magudumana and a Mozambican accomplice.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
