One of the three accused who were the latest to be arrested in the Thabo Bester case was granted bail by the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court today. G4S employees Thabang Mier, Joel Makhetha, and Moeketsi Ramolula were arrested last week in different locations in Free State. They made their second court. appearance today.

BAIL APPLICATIONS

Thabang Mier, who is accused number 10 was granted R10 000 bail and he is facing one count of aiding and abetting an inmate. The state did not oppose his bail after his details were verified. However,  accused number 11, Joel Makhetha, and accused number 12, Moeketsi Ramolula is facing schedule 5 offenses. Due to the seriousness of their charges, the state intends to oppose their bail applications. Their bail hearing will be on the 11th of July 2023. They will be facing several charges including, corruption, violation of a body, and aiding and abetting an inmate. Their bail hearing will be on the 11th of July 2023. Twelve people including seven G4S employees have been arrested in the case so far.

BESTER IS BACK IN COURT IN AUGUST

Bester, together with his lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana returned to South Africa in April, after their arrest in Arusha, Tanzania. Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year. Bester and his eight co-accused including Magudumana and her father Xolile Sekeleni will re-appear in court on 8 August 2023 after their case was postponed for further police investigation. Bester who has been attending court virtually since May will make his first physical appearance in August. Mier is the third accused to be granted bail in the matter and he will be joining the rest of the accused on the 8th of August 2023.