Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has not eaten since he was brought back to the country on Thursday morning, citing trust and safety concerns. A frail looking Bester appeared briefly at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court and asked his defence to relay his concerns.  

HEAVILY GUARDED 

Bester arrived in court in a police convoy just after 10am today. He soon walked inside the courtroom with his feet chained together and heavily guarded by more than ten private security. After the judge addressed him, he was instructed to leave before court adjourned for security reasons and risks.  Bester told his defence that he did not feel safe and doesn't want to be kept at the Mangaung Maximum Prison. "My instruction is that my client hasn't eaten since he was incarcerated fearing for his safety. He asked to be provided food by his legal team that he trusts. The accused would also wish to be furnished with the extradition documents of how he was brought back to South Africa." The accused did not agree with the ID number in the temporary passport, his defence lawyer said.  

SHOCKING SUBMISSIONS  

The state prosecutor said he was surprised by the accused's submissions. "I'm surprised by these submissions, before his escape he was in the very same prison for about eight years, and he was fed and kept safe. Once a person is a convicted prisoner, he is the responsibility of the Department of Correctional Services not the court. He cannot be treated differently from other inmates. When he was moved from Tanzania, he was supposed to articulate his concerns. Now he is correctly placed where he is supposed to be. He must take up the issues of the ID number with home affairs." The Magistrate said, in simple terms, he could not authorise the Correctional Services to keep the accused at a particular place because he is concerned about his safety. "Address these issues with the relevant authorities and not this court." Bester faces charges of escaping from lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, violation of a body and fraud. The case was postponed to May 16 for further investigation.