Correctional Services Commissioner Sam Thobakgale has rubbished claims by convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.that he's being ill treated in jail. Thobakgale said the human rights concerns raised by convicted rapist and escape accused have been addressed but his request for laptop access is absurd.

A FLIGHT RISK

In an Interview with eNCA Thobakgale said Bester is kept at super max because he is a dangerous criminal and a flight risk.

"He is a danger not only to the correctional system but to communities out there. In the super max you are given your own cell which conforms to the standards of the centre. The inmate is allowed exercise, to go and get food and also given access to psychologists, social workers and even books to read," said Thobakgale. He said that he found it absurd that he wants a laptop considering Bester's charge sheet and what he was sentenced for.

"He used gadgets to kidnap, rape and murder defenceless women out there, but he expects us to adhere to those requests. He has been writing to the Department with other requests that he had and we adhered to them. Unfortunately, we are not going to compromise the security of the country by allowing Thabo Bester to do what he was doing in Mangaung," said Thobakgale.

NOT URGENT

On Tuesday the Pretoria High Court struck off the roll the  application for Bester to have access to a laptop and Internet for it's lack of urgency.

Bester said he needed his laptop so he could prepare for his trial set for February 2025 alongside his co-accused in the matter. 

He claimed the allegations of the prison escape and fraud levelled against him are just that "allegations" and "have not been tested by any court." 

"It's allegations. At this current stage I am one inmate with numerous allegations in public".