ANC reacts to case of Thabo Bester and his accomplices

11 April 2023

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes reports about the arrest of escaped convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester with his partner Dr. Nandipha Magudumana along with a Mozambican national suspected of aiding the couple's escape. They were succesfully apprehended in Arusha, Tanzania.

The ANC commends joint efforts led by South African and Tanzanian law enforcement authorities which delivered this positive result. The reported succesful arrest which was undertaken through a joint operation between different entities bodes well for building confidence in our police and criminal justice system. The ANC calls on the Security Cluster to emulate this experience as a constant standard in all efforts they undertake.

Thabo Bester escaped from prison on 03 May 2022 after faking his death in a cell. A burned corpse maliciously presented as his body was found in the cell and collected by Dr Nandipha Magudumana who claimed to be the customarily married wife.

ANC will closely monitor this case. We are invested in seeing Thabo Bester and his accomplices face the full might of the law.

Issued by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, National Spokesperson, ANC, 11 April 2023