The Bloemfontein Magistrates' Court has transferred the Thabo Bester's case to the High Court for pre-trial conference. Bester, his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana and nine other suspects who are charged in his escape matter appeared in court today. Acting Chief Magistrate Estelle de Lange transferred the matter to the Free State High Court.
De Lange ,who is presiding over the matter, set the pre-trial to start on the 21st of February in 2024 but in the meantime Bester, Dr Nandipha, Zanda Moyo-a Zim national who was her gardener and driver will remain behind bars. Moyo abandoned bail while Magudumana was denied bail last month. They are facing charges relating to Bester's escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility. The charges range from fraud, corruption, aiding and abetting a prisoner escape and tampering with a corpse.
A sigh of relief in the accused faces was visible when the state Prosecutor Amanda Bester told the court that charges were withdrawn against Natassja Jansen, Moeketsi Ramolula and Thabang Mier. After this announcement the trio that was out on R10 000 bail each left the dock. The remaining nine accused include Bester, his girlfriend Magudumana, former G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara, Moyo, Magudumana's dad Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, former Integritron Integrated Solutions camera technician Teboho Lipholo, suspended G4S employee Tieho Frans Makhotsa, former G4S guard Buti Masukela.
Magudumana did not make it to court today even though she was transported from the Kroonstad prison to Bloemfontein. Her legal representative said that she collapsed at the Park Road Police Station holding cells just before her court appearance. The lawyer added that she was forced to come to court even though NPA was aware that she was not feeling well. NPA confirmed that they received a report about her sickness yesterday but that she refused to be checked by doctors at the facility. She did not make it to court and the state says they will deal with the matter at a later date.
