Thabo Bester's pre-trial hearing hits another snag
The hearing was meant to take place at the Bloemfontein High Court on 21 July, but it's been postponed to 19 September.
JOHANNESBURG - The pre-trial hearing of convicted rapist and murder accused, Thabo Bester, his lover, Nandipha Magudumana, and his seven co-accused has hit a snag.
The hearing was meant to take place at the Bloemfontein High Court on 21 July, but it's been postponed to 19 September.
They face charges including fraud, corruption, aiding an escape, violating a corpse, and defeating the ends of justice.
Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania following his 2022 escape from the Mangaung prison.
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One of the reasons for the delay in the case is to allow Magumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni, an opportunity to appeal Legal Aid's rejection to represent him.
Bester, Magudumana and another suspect, Zando Moyo, remain in custody while the rest are out on bail.
However, in a turn of events on Tuesday, accused number five, a former G4S employee, had the charges against him withdrawn.
The judge presiding over the matter, Lani Opperman, said: "The matter is then postponed to the 19th of September 2025 again here at the high court in Bloemfontein and that is for a case management hearing."
The judge told Sekeleni that the matter would continue whether or not he gets legal representation.