State projects Thabo Bester prison escape trial to run for at least 24 weeks
The Thabo Bester prison escape matter was scheduled for pre trial-proceedings on Wednesday but that could not happen due to some of the accused, including Bester himself, changing lawyers.
Nandipha Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni greets Thabo Bester at the Bloemfontein High Court on 21 February 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The prison escape trial involving convicted killer, Thabo Bester, is expected to run for half a year.
The State made this projection during his appearance in the Bloemfontein High Court on Thursday.
Bester is accused of escaping from custody at the Mangaung correctional facility in May 2022, where he was serving a life sentence.
His lover and accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, also made an appearance together with her father, Zolile Sekeleni, and six others who are accused of aiding in the escape.
The Thabo Bester prison escape matter was scheduled for pre trial-proceedings on Wednesday but that could not happen due to some of the accused, including Bester himself, changing lawyers.
The State now wants the defence to disclose whether they have been paid by the accused in order to establish their commitment to the case.
But the defence said it was too early to establish what the financial implications would be without knowing how long the trial would run.
Prosecutor Amanda Bester has given her projection: "I look at the 212Bs that we did receive and I can’t see that we can do it in less than 24 weeks because mainly everything is in dispute."
While the matter has been postponed to June for a pre-trial hearing, the State has promised to hand over copies of the dockets to the accused by 29 March in order for them to prepare.