Cape Town – Police Minister Bheki Cele says more arrests are expected in connection with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester’s prison escape.
The minister said police will leave “no stone unturned” until all those implicated were brought to book.
“… What has become very clear here is that the investigation will have to go much deeper, much higher and sideways. Everything is going to be investigated, there will be no stone left unturned.
“We believe, by the look of things, that many, many people, may will have to answer on this matter… As the investigation continues, you will expect that more people will be arrested,” said Cele.
[ARRESTS] Quizzed by reporters about whether the @SAPoliceService are or will be investigating recent reports that #ThaboBester had multiple visits outside the Mangaung Correctional Services while incarcerated there. Minister Cele says there’s no doubt more arrests will follow. pic.twitter.com/7xRij1mxqE
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) April 17, 2023
Four people have been arrested for assisting Bester escape from the Mangaung prison, including his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana, her father Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, former G4S employee Sehone Matsoara and CCTV technician Teboho Lipholo.
They all appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday and Sekeleni was granted R10 000 bail on condition he reports to the Port Edward police station once a week, remains within the magisterial district of Port Edward and does not contact any of the state’s witnesses, Times Live reported.
Meanwhile, Magudumana together with two other accused were remanded in custody.
The three will return to the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 3 and 4 May for their formal bail applications.
According to EWN, State prosecutor Sello Matlhoko told the court that they would be opposing bail for Magudumana as well as Matsoara, and Lipholo.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s Phaladi Shuping said that they would be opposing bail for the trio in two weeks’ time, the report said.
“If there is any person found to have a previous conviction and offence that relates to the same offence that that person is facing, the chances are that as prosecution, we are going to oppose the release of that person on bail,” the report quoted Shuping as saying.
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By Betha Madhomu
