Central SA
Thabo Bester escape case: Dropped charges a sign of justice system’s collapse?─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:00 Tue, 24 Jun 2025
The DA has expressed concerns over the recent withdrawal of charges against one of the accused in the Thabo Bester escape case.
The charges were dropped against Motanyane Masukela, a former G4S security employee at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, during a pre-trial hearing in the High Court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday (17/6).
Masukela was initially charged for his role in the daring escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, who orchestrated an elaborate plot to break out of prison in 2022.
The escape shocked the nation, especially since the Mangaung Correctional Centre is operated by the private security company G4S, which was supposed to maintain tight security.
The DA is alarmed by the increasing number of dropped charges in the case, which they view as an ominous sign of the prosecution’s ability to pursue justice in the matter.
This marks the fourth instance of charges being dropped against an accused individual in the high-profile escape case. As it stands, only half of the original eight defendants will now stand trial.
DA Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson, Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach, raised critical concerns about the state of the NPA. “This marks the fourth instance of charges being dropped against an accused in the case – only half of the original eight defendants will now stand trial in the matter. 
“The DA fears that this may signal the collapse of yet another high-profile prosecution, further supporting the DA’s calls for urgent reform of the NPA.”
“This is a matter of great concern. South Africa needs a functional NPA to combat crime and provide citizens with a safe environment and access to justice.”
Despite the growing concerns, National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Shamila Batohi has publicly stated that “all is well at the NPA”. However, the DA spokesperson is not convinced.
“The institution Adv. Batohi is tasked with leading, is collapsing around her. It is clear for all to see that the NPA is failing in its mandate, both concerning ‘ordinary prosecutions’ and more prominent high-level prosecutions,” said Breytenbach.
The trial for Thabo Bester, his girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana, and co-accused was initially scheduled to begin in July 2025. However, the start of the trial has since been delayed to 19 September for a case management hearing.
Magudumana has also launched a separate legal challenge, contesting the legality of her 2022 arrest and subsequent deportation from Tanzania, arguing that her arrest was unlawful.
