Thabo Bester prison escape

Here are our articles on the notorious prison escape on 3 May by convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester.

See also this timeline published on 3 April.

Thabo Bester escape: trial to start in February 2024

Charges against three of the 12 accused have been withdrawn

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Brief | 11 October 2023

Book extract: How Thabo Bester murdered Nomfundo Tyhulu

The Thabo Bester Story is on sale today

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News | 11 October 2023

Bester and Magudumana threaten court action to stop book release

Thabo Bester wants to “avoid being prosecuted by and in the media”, according to his lawyers

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Brief | 11 October 2023

GroundUp reporters win prestigious journalism award

Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn win 2023 Nat Nakasa Award for Thabo Bester prison escape story

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GroundView | 17 September 2023

Nandipha Magudumana denied bail

Bloemfontein magistrate says “nothing would stand in her way” to assist Bester escape again

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News | 11 September 2023

Nandipha Magudumana’s kidnapping claim questioned by state

Magudumana has “a right to liberty” until convicted, court told

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Brief | 4 September 2023

“No one was looking for her”: Magudumana’s lawyer hits back at state

Fraud cases against Magudumana not relevant to bail application, says lawyer

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News | 30 August 2023

Analysis: The troubled history of Mangaung prison

The high-security prison is in the spotlight again after the suicide of an inmate this week

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Analysis | 24 August 2023

Mystery surrounds black empowerment gains from G4S prison contract

Dividends were supposed to address needs of local community

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News | 23 August 2023

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana allege inhumane treatment while in custody

Bester says possessions, which he claims are worth R40-million, were confiscated during his arrest

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Brief | 8 August 2023

G4S in last-ditch bid to keep Mangaung Prison contract

Employees uncertain if they will still have jobs at the prison where Thabo Bester escaped

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News | 27 July 2023

Court dismisses Dr Nandipha’s application for leave to appeal

Judge finds Nandipha’s appeal has no reasonable prospect for success

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Brief | 18 July 2023

Thabo Bester escape: Dr Nandipha says she did not consent to her extradition

“She wanted to come home, she came home,” argues police advocate

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News | 14 July 2023

Thabo Bester escape: state expects to call about 18 witnesses

Another accused is granted bail of R10,000

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News | 11 July 2023