The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, has apologised for not letting the public know that convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester was on the loose. “We take full responsibility that we did not let the public and victims know that this murderer was on the loose.”
Minister Lamola led a strong departmental delegation to Parliament, compromising the Deputy Minister, Mr Phathekile Holomisa, and the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Thobakgale. They came to brief the committee on the circumstances surrounding Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) had earlier told the committee that Bester did not have a South African identification document. Committee member Ms Nomathemba Maseko-Jele asked if the police were sure they had the correct man in custody. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola told the committee that they are relying on the police’s criminal record database for positive identification.
“The Tanzanian authorities sent us his fingerprints, so we were able to positively identify him against our criminal record database. Thabo Bester does not have an ID, but it is him. There are another two Thabo Besters out there. We verified him through his criminal record. The criminal record centre of the SAPS has a database of those who have served time. We were able to verify him through that process.”
Seeking further information on collecting bodies from mortuaries, as Bester’s alleged accomplice in his escape, Ms Nadipha Magudumana, is said to have done, the committee heard that Ms Magudumana claimed the first body was her father, the second an uncle and the third her customary husband. Committee member Ms Nomathemba Maseko-Jele asked if collecting bodies from mortuaries is commonplace. General Masemola replied by saying that the possibility of claiming the bodies for insurance was investigated, but found not to be the case.
Committed member Ms Yoliswa Yako queried the police response and their level of commitment to finding and charging Bester and Dr Magudumana. The committee then heard that this is a difficult investigation and that SAPS needs to be sure they have the right evidence, otherwise the case could be thrown out of court. The police investigation is now at an advance stage and charges will follow. The committee also heard that the police still do not know whose body was found in Bester’s cell and this inquiry forms part of the ongoing investigation.
Sibongile Maputi
14 April 2023
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