TIMELINE: Thabo Bester, the prison break & endless court challenges

Convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester made headlines when he escaped from prison in May 2022. Bester escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre by faking his death in a cell fire with the help of celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana and several prison officials.

19 April 2023 Public Protector blames Correctional Services for prolonging Thabo Bester's escape 

The Public Protector finds that there was “undue delay” in the way the Department of Correctional Services handled convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester’s prison escape. 

21 February 2024 Thabo Bester changes lawyers yet again in his prison escape case 

Bester instructs new lawyers once again in his prison escape case. 

5 June 2024 Bester begs court to reinstate and apply death penalty on him 

Bester begs the Bloemfontein High Court to reinstate and apply the death penalty on him during his pre-trial hearing. 

31 July 2024 DCS denies keeping Thabo Bester in solitary confinement 

The Department of Correctional Services denies keeping Bester in solitary confinement at the Kgosi Mampuru C-max facility. 

Thabo Bester hires 6th lawyer to represent him in his prison escape case

31 July 2024 Judge dismisses Thabo Bester’s application on his prison conditions 

The presiding judge in the Bester prison escape matter dismisses his application on the conditions of his imprisonment as half-baked and unripe. 

17 September 2024 Thabo Bester makes court application to have access to a laptop and modem 

Bester applies to have access to a laptop and modem in the Pretoria High Court, arguing that he needs the devices to prepare for his case before the Bloemfontein High Court. 

28 February 2025 Deputy Justice Minister Nel vows SA won’t experience repeat of incident similar to Thabo Bester escape 

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Department, Andries Nel has vowed to make sure the country never experiences an incident similar to that of convicted murderer, Thabo Bester. 

Court warns Zolile Sekeleni that Thabo Bester trial will proceed whether he has legal representation or not

16 May 2025 Supreme Court of Appeal dismisses Magudumana's bid to have her arrest declared unlawful 

Disgraced Dr Nandipha Magudumana's bid to have her arrest declared unlawful has been dismissed with costs by the Supreme Court in Bloemfontein. 

17 June 2025 Magudumana's father turns to her lawyer after legal aid dropped him 

Nandipha Magudumana's father seeks legal representation from his daughter's lawyer after being rejected by legal aid.  

18 June 2025 Court warns Zolile Sekeleni that Thabo Bester trial will proceed whether he has legal representation or not 

The Bloemfontein High Court has warned Nandipha Magudumana's father that the trial concerning the escape of Thabo Bester would proceed whether he had legal representation or not. 

9 July 2025 Thobakgale reassures public Bester securely locked up in SA's most heavily guarded prison 

National Commissioner Samuel Thobakgale says Bester is under constant monitoring at Kgosi Mampuru C-Max, locked up securely to avoid another escape. 

Magudumana escalates her fight for freedom to ConCourt

NPA fully armed for ConCourt battle should Magudumana choose to escalate bid for freedom

12 September 2025 Bester, Magudumana's bid to halt airing of Netflix documentary dismissed 

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismisses an urgent application to stop a Netflix documentary on Thabo Bester and his accomplice, Nandipha Magudamana, from airing. 

13 September 2025 Magudumana's lawyers deny she received direct payment for Netflix doccie 

Lawyers for Doctor Nandipha Magudumana deny that she received any direct payment for the Netflix documentary about her and her accomplice, Thabo Bester. 

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

Thabo Bester's lawyers argue Netflix production will influence witnesses