Case against Thabo Bester, Magudumana postponed to June

Bester and his co-accused appeared in the High Court in Bloemfontein this morning.

Nine people, including Bester's girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana and her father, face various charges related to the convicted murderer’s escape from prison. 

Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.

Katlego Bereng’s body was allegedly used as a decoy after it was snuck into the privately run facility and then later set alight in Bester’s cell.

Thabo Bester's lawyer, Advocate Mohamed Seedat, told the court that Bester is diabetic and requested the provision of food that is conducive to his condition.

This comes after state prosecutor Amanda Bester told the court that Bester had refused to eat the food that was offered to him in prison.

“The issue is not him wanting to have the meal, your worship, the issue here in is if he does have that meal…my client is a diabetic, and the food that was provided to him will spike his sugar levels. They have not taken that into consideration. If they have, they would offer him food, which is consistent with someone with diabetes. He has medication that he has to consume. Unfortunately, he has not taken the medication because he hasn’t consumed any food thus far,” said Seedat.

The accused are set to remain behind bars until the next court appearance.

“The matter is postponed to the pre-trial date of 5 June 2024. The status quo remains in respect of accuseds 1, 7 and 8; they’ll remain in custody, and the status quo will remain the same in the remaining accused, and their bail is extended,” said Judge Mhlambi.

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