Thabo Bester prison escape

Here are our articles on the notorious prison escape on 3 May by convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester.

See also this timeline published on 3 April.

Court to hear arguments on prisoners’ computer rights

Documents were filed before the Thabo Bester revelations

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Law | 25 April 2023

Thabo Bester escape: G4S guard in court

Motanyane John Masukela will be able to apply for bail on 3 and 4 May

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News | 20 April 2023

Thabo Bester escape: POPCRU urges government to do away with private prisons

Bester saga is an embarrassment, says union president after visit to Mangaung Correctional Centre

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Brief | 19 April 2023

Where were they? State failure and Thabo Bester

Thabo Bester has been arrested, nearly a year after escaping prison. Should the state be praised for prompt action?

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Opinion | 17 April 2023

Thabo Bester saga: Police fail to collect evidence of Magudumana’s Bloem trips

Nandipha Magudumana used Bester’s alias to stay in luxury accommodation in Bloemfontein and Ballito in the weeks before he escaped

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News | 16 April 2023

Recaptured Thabo Bester returns to the courtroom

Bester charged with escaping from Mangaung prison

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Brief | 14 April 2023

Why we investigated the Thabo Bester story

This was a story that was both immensely interesting and of immense public interest

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GroundView | 14 April 2023

Thabo Bester escape: ministers and officials scramble to answer MPs’ questions

“I did everything I was supposed to do” says Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola

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Parliament | 14 April 2023

Nandipha Magudumana appears in court for first time

Bail application postponed until 17 April after Thabo Bester’s lover and alleged accomplice returned to South Africa

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Brief | 13 April 2023

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana back in South Africa - and behind bars

Magudumana charged with murder and violation of bodies

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Brief | 13 April 2023

Thabo Bester saga: MPs from all parties grill G4S

Private prison company claims it cooperated with state’s investigation

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Parliament | 13 April 2023

Government knew Thabo Bester had escaped, but did nothing

Authorities dragged their feet investigating the matter, documents tabled before Parliament reveal

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News | 12 April 2023

Thabo Bester prison break: two men in court, charged with murder

Former prison warder and father of Bester’s partner remanded in custody

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Brief | 11 April 2023

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana arrested in Tanzania

The couple had several passports in their possession with different names

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News | 8 April 2023

Parliamentary briefing on Thabo Bester postponed after G4S no-show

“Accountability to Parliament is not optional,” says committee chair

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News | 4 April 2023