The state, whose prosecution is being led by the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), announced that Bester's alleged accomplices will now face five charges. These include murder, fraud, defeating the ends of justice, and arson, among others. Sekeleni and Matsoara are seen as the masterminds behind Bester's well-executed escape from lawful custody in the Mangaung Prison in May 2022.

According to the NPA Free State's regional spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, the duo faces these charges after a burnt body was found inside Bester's cell at the prison.

"The accused are currently facing five charges and one of those charges is murder, as the evidence presented to us as the prosecution is that there was a body that was burnt in one of the units in that correctional centre. We decided to add that charge against the accused," Phaladi said.

On Tuesday, Sekeleni and Matsoara briefly appeared in court before the Bloemfontein Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi.

During the brief court proceedings in a packed courtroom 17, the Magistrate postponed the matter to 17 April 2023 for a formal bail application. He ordered that accused (1) Matsoara should be detained in the Brandfort Correctional Centre and accused (2) Sekeleni should be detained at the Bainsvlei Police Station's prison cells at Bloemfontein.

Matsoara is being kept in Brandfort following a plea by his legal representative Kagisho Moruri. Moruri and his colleague Adv. Themba Diba representing the father of Dr Magudumana, pleaded with the court that there was an agreement between the defence and prosecution team, led by Sello Matlhoko, for a formal bail hearing to be held on Monday 17 April 2023.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester accomplices remanded in custody – VIDEO

According to the police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, the multi-disciplinary team investigating Bester's escape from the Mangaung Prison arrested the duo over the past weekend.

He said the former G4S employee was arrested at his residence in Bloemfontein on Saturday 8 April 2023, while the 65-year-old man was arrested on Friday 7 April 2023 at his home in Port Edward.

"Meanwhile, the delegation led by the SAPS' Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania. The team is engaged with their Tanzanian counterparts to finalise all  legal processes required to bring escapee Thabo Bester and his accomplices to justice in South Africa.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the latest arrests and confirmed that the possibility of more arrests could not be ruled out, Makhele added.

Bester allegedly lived the high life in Johannesburg after his escape, staging his death in a well-calculated fire in his cell.

In March, the national commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale announced that the contract between the multi-national security company G4S and the Department of Correctional Services has been referred for a legal opinion. 

ALSO READ – Thabo Bester saga: DCS refers G4S contract for legal opinion 

Thabakgale said the department has appointed a temporary manager, Ali Mashabathakga, at G4S to control the day-to-day running of the controversial security company in Mangaung.

“The contractor has been duly informed of this decision. Mashabathakga will be supported by other officials I have appointed in order to ensure that the Mangaung correctional facility is able to render the required services without experiencing shortcomings.

Restoring control and prudent management systems are key priorities to ensure that the institution is run in an efficient manner. Critical to this is the enforcement of standard operating procedures where rules and regulations are aligned toward the human treatment, safety and security of inmates, officials and service providers," he added.

OFM News