Thabo Bester prison escape trial postponed to July 2026

The provisional trial date for the high-profile Thabo Bester prison escape case has been moved to July next year.

Bester, his alleged accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and five others appeared in the Free State High Court today on charges that include fraud, arson, and corruption. They are accused of orchestrating Bester’s brazen escape from the Mangaung Private Prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder and rape.

The court heard that several pending matters before other courts, including Magudumana’s extradition battle in the Constitutional Court, could affect the timing of the main trial.

Prosecutor Amanda Bester addressed the court on how these matters would impact proceedings:

“We don’t know at this stage if there is going to be a hearing, which is why we suggest holding another case management trial. We arranged a date among ourselves - the 18th of March. I think really, by the 20th of July, in the third term, everything is supposed to be finalised.”