The Department of Correctional Services says there’s nothing unusual in the transfer of convicted rapist and jailbird, Thabo Bester, to super maximum eBongweni Correctional Facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.
This following criticism from Bester’s legal team, that they were not informed nor consulted about his transfer, from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria.
“It has to be emphasised that offender transfers are a routine practice, guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety, security, and stability of correctional facilities and the broader criminal justice system.
The offender will continue to receive appropriate care in line with applicable legislative and policy prescripts and will retain full access to legal representation, family communication, and court processes,” said the department spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo.
Furthermore, Nxumalo said the department also transfer inmates, to control prisoner population, adding that necessary arrangements are made to ensure that all their needs are met, including legal consultations.
“All necessary logistical arrangements remain in place to ensure that court appearances and legal proceedings proceed without disruption,” explained Nxumalo.
His legal team however says it’ll soon approach the Pretoria High Court, to challenge his transfer and seek an order that he be returned to the Pretoria facility.
They argued that they’ll have to travel a long-distance to consult with him, adding that access will be heavily restricted.
Bester mysteriously escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Facility in 2022 where he was serving a life sentence for several counts of rape and murder.
He was eventually re-arrested and was re-arrested in Tanzania along with co-accused Nandipha Magudumana.
The trial against Bester and co-accused is expected to be heard in July at the Bloemfontein High Court.
Bester will join another high-profile inmate, Vusimuzi Cat Matlala, who was transferred to the same facility last month from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
The high-risk maximum-security facility is managed on Closed Maximum Principles and houses some of the country’s dangerous criminals.
