Thabo Bester's lawyers stand by argument he's not necessarily a prison escapee

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for Thabo Bester have stood by their argument that Thabo Bester is not necessarily a prison escapee and that must be proven in court.

Bester’s lawyers made this argument on Thursday when challenging the release of a documentary about him titled Beauty and the Bester.

READ: Lawyers for Bester & Magudumana disappointed with court decision on Netflix doccie

They told the court that the documentary creates the impression that Bester had been convicted of a prison escape.

Bester, who was serving a life sentence at Mangaung Prison, was arrested in Tanzania in April 2024 with his lover and accomplice, Nandipha Maguduma.

On Thursday, during arguments, Thabo Bester’s lawyers submitted to the court that the fact that Thabo Bester somehow made his way out of prison while he is serving a life sentence does not necessarily mean that he escaped.

Bester’s attorney, Inolofatseng Morero, has echoed this view.

"We cannot be allowed to make pronouncements on issues that are before a court that are yet to be tested, where evidence is yet to be led, where even a plea is yet to be entered, so advocate Maile was mistaken in what is in effect there are many ways to depart from a place, you don't necessarily have to go out running."

They argued that the documentary defamed him as a prison escapee.

But the court ruled that Bester had redress in that he could sue if he suffered defamation.

Beauty and the Bester was released on Netflix on Friday morning, minutes after the court ruling.