JOHANNESBURG - A 31-year-old man accused of aiding convicted murderer and rapist, Thabo Bester, escape from prison is set to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
africa
June 13, 2023
News24
2 min read
Zimbabwean national arrested in connection with Bester escape case
SA "Facebook Rapist", Thabo Bester
Story highlights
The suspect was arrested in Johannesburg on Sunday
Last week Monday, police confirmed one of the investigators in the case has died
The suspect, identified as a Zimbabwean national, was arrested in Johannesburg on Sunday.
This brings the number of arrests in the case to nine.
Bester was re-arrested in Tanzania in April after escaping from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State in May last year.
He, alongside his lover and alleged accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, are set to return to the same court next week.
Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe said: "At this stage, he faces a charge of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody. The suspect is likely to face additional charges. The possibility of police affecting more arrests cannot be ruled out."
Last week Monday, police confirmed that one of the investigators in the case has died.
“Circumstances surrounding the senior officer's death, who is also the provincial head of organised crime in the Free State, remains the subject of a police investigation.
“The SAPS management wishes not to discuss this matter in the public domain.
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“In-house employee health and wellness experts which includes chaplains have been dispatched to provide psychosocial services to the family and colleagues of the deceased member,” police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said.
Mathe did not want to confirm media reports that the officer had committed suicide.
But sources close to the investigation told the media that he had shot himself.
National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola described the officer as a hardworking, loyal and dedicated detective with 31-year-service.
“Over the years he has proven himself to be a highly skilled detective with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the detective environment. His departure leaves a void in the SAPS detective environment,” Masemola said.
No further details were given. TimesLive/News24
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