The ninth accused in the Thabo Bester escape saga appeared briefly at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court today. Zanda Moyo (31) a Zimbabwean national was arrested on Sunday for his alleged involvement in the escape of convicted rapist and murderer in May 2022. It's reported that the Moyo was Dr Nandipha Magudumana's driver and gardener.

Moyo, who had no legal representation, told the court that he needs to speak to his family first before deciding to take legal aid or paid-for defence. Moyo is due back in court on the 20th of June 2023 with the other co-accused in the matter. In the meantime, the state will verify his info for a possible bail application. Bester, together with his lover Magudumana returned to South Africa in April, after their arrest in Arusha, Tanzania.

It's alleged that Moyo helped Magudumana to claim the body that was used as a decoy during Bester's prison escape in May 2022. The body has since been identified as that of Katlego Bereng who went missing in March 2022, two months before Bester's daring escape. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Moyo was arrested on Sunday morning in Johannesburg during a sting operation with crime intelligence. "At this stage, he faces a charge of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody, the suspect is likely to face more charges. The possibility of police effecting more arrests cannot be ruled out."

Moyo's co-accused former G4S employees Senohe Matsoara, Buti Masukela, Tieho Frans Makhotsa, and Integriton CCTV technician Teboho James Lipholo were denied bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court three weeks ago. Jansen and another accused Zolile Sekeleni ,who is Magudumana's father, were granted R10 000 bail each. "On the evidence presented before me, I am convinced that there is a prima facie case against applicant number one, two, three, and four. The court is also concerned about these allegations as it appears that the offence was committed in cahoots with the people whom trust was bestowed and the offence was committed at a place expected to be secured and safe. It is hard, if not possible, to find the personal circumstances of the applicants outweighing the interests of justice in this case. I, therefore, find that the interests of justice do not permit the release of applicants number one, two, three, and four on bail, and as such, bail is denied," Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi ruled. All the accused including Bester and Magudumana will appear in court again on 20 June 2023.