Simphiwe Ngema, also known as Simz, said she visited Bester for the sole purpose of getting answers on when she would receive what is due to her. 

Ngema said the visit was five years ago, it was a difficult time in her life and she needed money. The two met while Bester was still invested in the entertainment industry and passed himself off as TK Motsepe. “He seemed well connected and was able to organise meetings and big events, which I and many other public figures were booked for,” said Ngema.

She stated that she has supporting documents at her disposal that can prove that she visited on one occasion, which was on 5 April 2018. “I have been extremely open about everything to those that have been investigating and I have nothing to hide. I am not the person that went there regularly nor was I the last person to visit before his escape.” 

Ngema said up until today she has not been paid for some of the events that she was booked for by 21st Century, which is the media company Bester allegedly owns.

ALSO READ: Breaking News: DCS to cut ties with G4S in 90 days

21st Century has in 2018 hosted a “Women in Media” conference that had allegedly promised attendees appearances from international celebrities. It was alleged that Bester delivered his address as TK Motsepe through a video call. Bester at the time was in prison, however in the video he appeared in front of a white wall wearing a suit. The conference is understood to have taken place on 13 June 2018.  At the time of the event, he was at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, serving his term for rape and murder.

On 3 May 2022, news broke that there has been a body found burnt in a cell believed to have been Bester’s. It has recently been revealed that it was not Bester’s body in the cell, it was instead Katlego Bereng Mpholo's. The autopsy report showed that Bereng had paraffin in his trachea when he was set alight. It was also revealed that he had died due to blunt force trauma to the head and was already dead before the prison caught fire.

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Bester was caught with celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana in Tanzania in April. It is alleged that the two have been living a high life together since Bester escaped from prison. Allegations have surfaced that Magudumana illegally obtained at least three bodies from the Free State government mortuary. It is alleged the bodies were obtained to aid Bester’s escape from the G4S-ran prison. The charges of those accused of aiding and abetting Bester’s escape include:

•Corruption – Matsoara, Magudumana, Bester, Makhatso, Lipholo, Sekeleni
•Fraud – Matsoara, Magudumana, Bester, Masukela, Lipholo, Sekeleni
•Violating Katlego Bereng’s body – Matsoara, Lipholo, Magudumana, Sekeleni, Bester
•Magudumana faces harbouring and concealing an escaped offender
•Bester faces escaping from prison
•All face charges of aiding Bester’s escape
•All face charges of arson

The two are not the only ones who have been included in Bester’s prison break. Magudumana’s father, Zolile Sekeleni, who is currently out on bail, is also alleged that he has played a role in Bester’s escape. 

A former G4S security guard, Senohe Matsoara, has also been included. The two are charged with murder, arson, fraud, defeating the ends of justice, and aiding and abetting Bester’s escape. The two were arrested during the same weekend Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania. Sekeleni was arrested at his home in Port Edward, while Matsoara was arrested at his residence in Bloemfontein.

ALSO READ – Breaking News: Charred body in Thabo Bester's Cell 35 identified

More arrests have followed since Bester arrived in South Africa. Another arrest was of former G4S technician, Teboho James Lipholo, as it has been stated that the cameras around the prison were not working during Bester’s escape. The state has also added suspended G4S guard, Motenyane John Masukela, to the list. In the latest, two more suspects have been arrested and will appear alongside Magudumana, and others.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has given the Bloemfontein Correctional Services (BCC) 90 days to wrap up their business at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. It is understood that BCC subcontracted private security company G4S to run the prison. According to DCS’ spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, in line with the concession agreement, a termination notice for 90 days has been given to BCC. 

The notice of termination follows the announcement on 20 April 2023 by DCS that it had referred its contract with BCC for a legal opinion. “It has been deemed that BCC is neither competent nor suitable to continue with the concession contract,” read the statement.

OFM News