The case of Thabo Bester, the notorious Facebook rapist who escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022, and his girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana, a medical doctor who allegedly assisted him, resumed in the Free State High Court on Wednesday. The couple and seven of their co-accused appeared for a pre-trial hearing, where they faced charges of escaping from lawful custody, aiding and abetting an escapee, corruption, and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Bester, who was serving a 50-year sentence for raping and robbing women he met on Facebook, was recaptured in Johannesburg in January 2024 after a year-long manhunt. Magudumana, who met Bester online while he was on the run, was arrested along with him at a luxury apartment in Sandton. She claimed that she was unaware of his criminal history and that he had lied to her about his identity.
The state alleged that Bester and Magudumana had used fake names and documents to evade the authorities and that they had received help from several prison officials and other accomplices. Some of the co-accused were former or current employees of the Mangaung Correctional Centre, who allegedly accepted bribes to facilitate Bester’s escape and provide him with weapons and cellphones.
The defence lawyers argued that the state had failed to provide sufficient evidence to link their clients to the charges and that some of the witnesses were unreliable and had ulterior motives. They also requested more time to study the case docket and prepare for the trial.
Watch Video:
#ThaboBester the accused in the dock. #NandiphaMagudumana hugs her father. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/iWoMbhQ60C
— Silindelo Sebata (@Sli_Masikane) February 21, 2024
The case has attracted widespread public attention and outrage, as Bester’s crimes and escape exposed the flaws and corruption in the criminal justice system. Magudumana’s involvement also raised questions about her professional ethics and judgment, as she was a respected and successful doctor who had worked at several hospitals and clinics.