By Ntombi Mhlongo
The Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in South Africa’s Free State Province has denied bail to four people accused of helping Thabo Bester escape prison.
The court on Monday denied accused number 1,2,6, and 7 bail and they were ordered to remain in custody. Only accused number 8, Nastassja Jansen was granted bail fixed at E10 000 during the bail hearing.
The four who have not been granted bail are former G4S employees Senohe Matsoara, Buti (Motenyane John) Masukela, Tieho Frans Makhotsa, and Integriton CCTV technician Teboho James Lipholo.
READ MORE: Details of Thabo Bester’s escape emerge
Bester escaped from G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year after it was initially believed that he had died after setting himself alight in his cell. It was reported that an investigation revealed that the charred body that was used as a decoy in the escape was that of Free State resident Katlego Bereng.
A witness previously informed the court that there was evidence linking the accused individuals to Bester’s escape and detailed the specific roles each individual played in the incident.
He also claimed that releasing the accused on bail would likely result in unrest and intimidation of witnesses. The defence lawyers, on the other hand, argued for the release of their clients.
Among their arguments, they denied that the accused were involved in Bester’s daring prison escape, saying they were not flight risks and would not intimidate witnesses or evade trial.
READ MORE: Two more arrests in the Thabo Bester case
Last week, Bester and his alleged accomplice Dr Nandipha Magudumana made a virtual court appearance and their case was postponed to June 20 to allow for further police investigations.
The pair were remanded in custody until then, while another accused in the case, Magudumana’s father, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, is out on E10 000 bail.
Magudumana has also challenged her arrest in Tanzania, claiming she was unlawfully arrested and abducted.
