WATCH | ‘I’m so deeply hurt’ – Thabo Bester’s mom

Thabo Bester

Cape Town – Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester’s mom says it is painful to watch the series of events unfolding in her son’s life, adding that she won’t visit him in prison.

“I’m so deeply hurt.

“I will allow some people to go and see him, I will never visit him, I don’t have that heart. I don’t, I don’t … I’m sure it will be my death.

“I can’t handle what I’m seeing on TV, what will happen when I see it live? … What will happen to me when I see it live? … I have other kids to live for,” Maria Mabaso said during an interview with eNCA.

She added: “This child will kill me, he will kill me, this is a death sentence of a child, he won’t die, he’s still young. I’m old, I’m going to die.”

Mabaso said this, as she confirmed that Bester was indeed her son.

She gave birth to Bester at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in June 1986.

Bester, who broke out of jail and left a burnt corpse in his cell, appeared before the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court on Friday,  a day after being flown back from Tanzania.

The 37-year-old was heavily guarded at the Bloemfontein magistrates’ court, surrounded by a hefty police presence.

He request to address the court was rejected by the magistrate.

His lawyer said Bester had not eaten in more than 24 hours and would only accept food provided by his legal team, citing fears and safety concerns.

Bester’s lawyer requested to have him back in court as soon as possible, but lost the bid as the state said it needed a month to investigate and ensure safety protocols were in place for Bester’s next court appearance.

The case has been adjourned to May 16.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told a press conference on Friday that the department was unable to trace key details of Bester’s identity.

Motsoaledi said 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.

Bester and his accomplices were arrested in Tanzania with several passports in their possession.

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