Bester’s lawyers determined to have him moved from eBongweni prison

Thabo Bester's legal team will bring another urgent application in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday morning to have him moved from the country’s only super maximum correctional facility.

The convicted murderer and rapist is contesting his move to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in Kokstad, saying it’s difficult to consult with his legal team ahead of his trial.

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He is facing charges related to his escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility in 2022, where he was serving a life sentence.

Bester has repeatedly raised concerns about the conditions of his incarceration since his capture in Tanzania in 2023.

Last week, he suffered another blow after the Free State High Court dismissed his application to have access to a laptop, among other things, claiming this was infringing his right to a fair trial.

He said conditions have only worsened following his transfer to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre.

The facility is known for keeping inmates in single cells for 23 hours, allowing them only one hour of exercise.

This is his second bid to be brought back to Gauteng.

In February, the Pretoria High Court struck the matter off the roll after finding that his legal team did not afford Correctional Services sufficient time to respond to their papers.

Bester’s lawyers are expected to argue that consultation has become increasingly difficult with him kept at eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre.

Moreover, they want him returned to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility or any facility in Gauteng.