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South African Govt Hearings on Thabo Bester Escape Postponed

GroundUp reports that the parliamentary investigations into Thabo Bester's escape has been postponed after the private security firm G4S, responsible for managing centre, was a no show at the hearings. The firm at first denied the convicted rapist and murderer's escape, sticking to their story that he died in his prison cell.

The police conducted a raid on April 4, 2023 at the last known residence of Thabo Bester, eNCA reports.

He escaped by allegedly disguising himself as a prison warder - with the assistance of prison officials - soon after a fire broke out in his prison cell. Reports indicate that a body was found burnt beyond recognition.

Meanwhile, the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr) called for Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola to resign. The organisation calling for additional high-level investigations to be conducted. "That [Mangaung Correctional Centre] is a private prison. That prison is never overcrowded or undercrowded. So, it is not possible that Thabo Bester could just disappear into thin air," said Sapohr's Golden Miles Bhudu.

Lisa Nelson/GroundUp

While in prison in Mangaung, Thabo Bester ran a business and even appeared by video link at an event.

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