Fugitive Thabo Bester has been re-arrested in Tanzania on Friday night. This was confirmed during a press briefing today by Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, accompanied by Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Brigadier Fannie Masemola. 

 ARREST CONFIRMED 

Lamola said he had a telephone conversation with Tanzanian officials where they confirmed the arrest. "The Minister of Police and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services can confirm that escapee, Mr Thabo Bester, his accomplices Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and a Mozambican national, have been arrested in Arusha, Tanzania late last night" Lamola said.

FUGITIVES TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO SA 

Lamola added that officials in Tanzania have confirmed their cooperation and willingness to help bring the three back to South Africa as speedily as possible. Minister Cele said the arrest was conducted by Interpol, Crime Intelligence and Tanzanian police. "They were in the country illegally and they were found with a lot of passports on them with no stamps," Cele said. He added that the couple were followed as they were leaving the hotel in a black SUV and were arrested 10 km from the Kenyan border, and authorities believe they were heading to another country. "We are doing everything in our power to bring them back safely. Our police are going to Tanzania tomorrow," he said. Minister Lamola also confirmed that a warrant of arrest has been issued for Dr Nandipha, but he did not say what she was charged with. " A police delegation will be going to Tanzania to extradite the two and we are confident that the good relationship we have with the authorities in Tanzania will help us reach a mutual agreement." Lamola added.

 THE ESCAPE 

Bester escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year and has been in hiding since. He allegedly staged his escape with his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana by bringing in a dead body in prison which was claimed to be of Bester. It was believed at the time that Bester committed suicide by setting himself alight under a mattress. News of his escape surfaced last month, and the fugitive has been on the run since.