Thabo Bester during his trial more than ten years ago. (Photo: Provided)
The so-called Facebook rapist and convicted murderer Thabo Bester has apparently been caught in Tanzania.
Bester’s girlfriend, Nandipha Magudumana, and another unidentified South African were arrested in the city of Arusha according to unconfirmed rumours.
Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, and Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, will address the media regarding the latest developments at 14:00.
Bester has been at large since May last year after he faked his death and escaped from the maximum security prison in Bloemfontein.
However, it only came to light last month that it was not Bester who died, but that the body of an unknown person was apparently smuggled into the prison and set on fire in Bester’s cell.
Earlier this week, the Gauteng police raided the mansion in a luxury Johannesburg neighborhood where Bester is believed to have been hiding weeks ago.
However, there was no sign of Bester when police officers arrived at the home in Hyde Park.
eNCA it report the house worth around R12 million is the last known place where Bester found himself.
Bester apparently went to the four-bedroom house with Magudumana, a medical doctor, before they fled again.
Many police officers arrived at the house on Monday afternoon where some of the couple’s belongings were apparently still found.
EWN report forensic investigators loaded plastic bags, believed to contain evidence, into government vehicles on Monday afternoon.
A temporary manager was appointed at the end of last month for the maximum security prison in Bloemfontein from which Bester escaped. The initial manager was associated with the security company G4S. The interim manager is Patrick Ali Mashabathakga.
Investigators concluded that Bester’s escape was “well planned and organised”.
On the day of Bester’s alleged death and eventual escape, a private vehicle entered the prison gate without a valid entry permit. Investigators suspect that the vehicle transported the body, which later charred in Bester’s cell.
The result of the DNA analysis of the charred body has already confirmed that it is not Bester’s remains. Apparently, the prison’s CCTV was also tampered with.
Three officials, including the director of contract management at the department’s head office, and two other custodians have already been suspended for their alleged involvement in the case.
