A second G4S guard has been arrested for allegedly helping convicted rapist Thabo Bester escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein last year. Four other people were arrested two weeks ago and charged with aiding and abetting an inmate to escape from lawful custody and defeating the ends of justice. 

ARRESTED ON DUTY  

 The 51-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, 18 April 2023 at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspect faces a charge of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody and defeating the ends of justice. "The security guard is expected to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 20 April 2023," said Mathe.  

CLOSING IN ON BESTER'S ACCOMPLICES

The police have been closing in on those who assisted Bester escape from prison. So far, four people including Bester's lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana, her father Zolile Sekeleni, former G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara and Tebogo Dipholo, a technician who manipulated cameras at Mangung prison on the day Bester escaped have been arrested. Sekeleni was granted a R10 000 bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday when he appeared alongside his co-accused. Free State National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the suspects who appeared in court on Monday are likely to join Bester in the dock when he makes his second appearance on 16 May. "The request was that his case be postponed to 16 May so we are hoping that as soon as we sort out the bail application for these four accused, we will also make a request that this matter be postponed on the same date so that all five of them can appear in court together," said Shuping.