By Kopano Dibakwane
Thabo Bester appeared before the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court on 14 April, to face various charges which include,escaping from lawful custody. The convicted rapist and murderer walked into the packed courtroom with handcuffs, his legs shackled and he was heavily guarded by police. He sat quietly and oblivious to cameras flashing as journalists scrambled to get a picture of his face before court processes resumed.
Bester’s case will be joined with that of his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, Zolile Sekeleni, former G4S officials (Senohe Motsoara and Tebogo James Dipholo) as accused number five, following his brazen escape from the Mangaung correctional centre last year. However, the cases will be heard separately.
Magudumana appeared before the same court yesterday alongside co-accused Dipholo and their case was postponed to 17 April for bail hearing, meaning that she will share the dock with her father( Sekeleni) and the two G4S officials, who will also appear on the same date facing similar charges.
Bester made an attempt to address the court, to complain that he had not eaten in 24 hours since arriving in the courty after he was extradited from Tanzania on Thursday morning. He also raised concern for an ID number that was used on the extradition documents, stating that he does not have an ID, but the magistrate Mohlolo Kgabisi refused to hear his complaint and said that Bester can address the court through his legal representative Marvin Carpede.
” My instruction is that the accused has not eaten eaten since he was incarcerated, he also requested that he be provided with food by his legal team that he has entrusted to represent him. My immediate concern is the issue of his safety. He also wishes to be furnished with the extradition document,” said Carpede.
Carpede told the court that his client fears poisoning, but the state lawyer, Sello Matlhoko, contested Carpede’ submission saying that no special treatment should be afforded to Bester.
” I’m rather surprised by these submissions on the basis that, before his(Bester) alleged escape which forms part of the charges before him, he has been in the very same institution of correctional services for a period of about 8 years. He was fed for that duration. Once a person is now a sentenced prisoner, the responsibility shifts from this court. This court cannot order that he be treated differently,” said Matlhoko.
Bester’s next appearance was set for 16 May.
