The technician arrested for his alleged involvement in the Thabo Bester escape case feared for his life before his arrest.  This is as the state witness testified during the bail application of five suspects involved in the rapist and murder convict Bester's escape case at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday,11 May 2023.  

Teboho James Lipholo operated cameras at G4S security when Bester escaped allegedly called and asked to speak to trusted police officials. He told the officer that he feared for his life following the exposure of Bester's escape. He said he was scared that his colleagues and residents might harm him.

Lipholo is said to have mentioned the people involved in the daring escape of Bester on 3 May 2022 and also told of his involvement. Lipholo is among the accused appearing at the court to apply for bail. The state has since called a state witness from the SAPS organised crime to testify about the police's investigation into the matter. The state is opposing their release on bail citing serious charges. The court also heard that accused number 1 Senohe Matsoara had traveled to Lesotho 16 times from October to November 2022.

So far, eight people including Bester who escaped from lawful custody after staging a fire in his cell 35, have been arrested.

Since the matter of Bester’s escape from prison came to light, G4S has dismissed three employees and suspended seven others following their internal investigations. The three dismissed officials have all been arrested – including Matsoara, a woman who worked as an operator in the control room, and a man who also worked there.

During the G4S officials' appearance at the Justice and Correctional Services Portfolio Committee earlier, it was explained how some of the accused might have been involved in Bester's infamous escape.

Whilst addressing members of Parliament, the G4S officials said a television cabinet was brought in and according to their investigation, it was under the instruction of Matsoara.

Matsoara further allegedly moved two employees from their standing positions. He also allegedly left the prison's premises several times and at one point came back 10 minutes before the CCTV worked properly again.

The officials revealed that Matsoara, who was dismissed on 29 September 2022, could not explain how some of the accused might have been involved in the escape.

The two officials who were arrested by the Free State police on Monday were later dismissed by G4S on 6 December 2022 and January 2023 respectively.

OFM News