Three G4S employees appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Magistrates' Court today for their alleged involvement in the prison escape of convicted rapist Thabo Bester. The trio, accused number 10, 11, and 12 appeared in court following their arrest in Bloemfontein on Monday. This brings the total number of arrests to 12 since April this year when Bester and his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania.

CHARGES THEY FACE

Accused number 10, Thabang Mier is charged with aiding Bester during his escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year. Accused number 11, Joel Makhetha and accused number 12, Moeketsi Ramolula, are facing charges of violation of a body, aiding an inmate to escape and corruption.

CASE POSTPONED 

Magistrate Moholo Khabisi granted the state prosecutor's request to postpone the matter for bail application. "The three accused are set to return to court on 3 July," Khabisi said. Bester and his eight co-accused including Magudumana 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 physical appearance in August.