Convicted killer Thabo Bester launches legal bid for phone records of Lamola and documents from Ramaphosa

Lawyers for convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester say they will apply to have access to Minister Ronald Lamola's phone records and for documents from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Bester returned to the Free State High Court today with his five accused for his prison escape case.

The matter started without Dr Nandipha Magudumana-Bester’s accomplice, with lawyers telling the court that there were delays by correctional services officials in picking her up.

Bester- Magudumana and some former G4S employees are accused of staging his brazen escape from the Mangaung prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder.

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Bester's lawyers have addressed the court on six applications that he plans on bringing in several courts, which he claims have a direct bearing on his main trial.

One of those matters is an access to informationapplication.

His legal representative did not explain the nature of the documents they intend to access from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"That will include some documents that are in possession of the president of the Republic of South Africa. That will include the phone records of some of the politicians. I can name Mr Ronald Lamola, that will also include some of the classified information of national intelligence," said his lawyer, Moafrika Wa Maila Maila.

At the time of Bester's arrest, Lamola was justice minister.

It's unclear when this application to be heard, but his lawyers insist the outcome of this will inform the next step in his main trial.

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