Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has told the Free State High Court that the decision to move him to the high-security eBongweni Prison in Kokstad is unjustified.
Appearing via video link, Bester disputed the Department of Correctional Services’ claim that his transfer was due to security risks. He argued that the move was based on allegations rather than a formal security assessment and noted he has no recorded misconduct during his 13 years in prison.
Bester is currently serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of his girlfriend, Nomfundo Tyhulu. He is also awaiting trial for his 2023 escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, with case management set for March 2026.
He further claimed the transfer limits his access to legal consultations. The court is expected to deliver a ruling on the matter next week.