Bester is set to be charged with, among others, escaping from lawful custody and murder.

After staging a fire in his cell, he broke out from the Mangaung Prison in Bloemfontein in May 2022.

The charred body of an unknown person, who suffered blunt force trauma to the head, was found burnt beyond recognition after being planted inside his cell.

The body was allegedly planted so that Bester could make his well-executed escape from the private prison.

He was on the run for months before being caught in Tanzania last week. He and his girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, were returned to South Africa on Thursday morning.

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Bester was taken to the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Prison in Pretoria whilst Magudumana was transported to Bloemfontein under heavy guard, where she appeared in court.

ALSO READ: Magudumana appears in Bfn court

Magudumana appeared alongside 44-year-old Teboho James Lipholo, and both were remanded in custody until Monday 17 April. This was to allow them to appear alongside other suspects – including Dr Magudumana's father and a former G4S security guard who appeared in court on Tuesday already.

ALSO READ: Bester's girlfriend remanded in custody

So far. five people, including Bester, have been arrested following his escape. Other suspects include Magudumana's father, Zolile Sekeleni (65), former G4S security guards Seneho Matsoara (39) and Tebeho James Lipholo. 

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They are all likely to face similar charges – including defeating the ends of justice, murder, arson, fraud, aiding and abetting a prisoner and violating a dead body.

OFM News