Thabo Bester, a convicted murderer and rapist, may as well have been invisible at his court appearance on Wednesday, as his former girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, entirely disregarded him as he entered Free State High Court.
The former couple, along with seven others, including Magudumana’s father, arrived in court for what was supposed to be the start of their pretrial hearing.
Magudumana enters the court wearing a black Nike sweatshirt and beige leggings, and the cameras focus on her as she walks to hug her father, Zolile Sekeleni, before taking her seat.
She doesn’t even turn to look at Bester, who enters and sits in the row behind her. Bester briefly speaks with the co-accused sat next to Magudumana, who takes a sip from her water bottle and looks ahead.
The accused, Bester, Magudumana, Sekeleni, Xando Moyo, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Teiho Makhotsa, Senohe Matsoara, and James Lipholo, are charged with Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, while the co-accused are charged with obstructing justice and assisting an inmate in escaping custody. They are also linked to the murder of Katlego Bereng, whose body was found in Bester’s cell after he escaped.
However, the matter had to be postponed until July 31. Two of the defendants in the case must also seek for legal aid.
Bester has also named Advocate Lerato Moela as his legal counsel.
Bester appealed for the death penalty during his last court appearance.
“I believe it is unfair for these folks, who are sitting here as my so-called co-accused, to be in court when I know they have nothing to do with anything.
“Your Honour, I say this as a broken man and I say this wholeheartedly, it tears me a part to see these people in this court, knowing well that they are suffering for something they know nothing about,” he told the judge.
He wanted the death penalty through a petition that the public would sign, using law that has since been revoked. The judge reminded Bester that South Africa does not have the death penalty.
