Ministers Ronald Lamola and Bheki Cele update on escapee Thabo Bester and accomplice

12 April 2023

The Ministers responsible for Justice and Correctional Services and Police Ronald Lamola and Bheki Cele would like to thank the government of Tanzania for its unequivocal co-operation in the matter which relates to the arrest and process of deportation of Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana.

We will endeavour to emulate this level of co-operation with other countries in areas of mutual legal assistance and related matters.

The high level delegation led by the Department of Home Affairs sent to Tanzania on Monday 09 April 2023 has successfully concluded the deportation of the fugitives.

We can confirm that these fugitives have been returned to South Africa. Mr Thabo Bester has been readmitted into the Kgosi Mampuru Central Maximum correctional facility and Dr Nandipha Magudumana is under arrest, pending her first court appearance.

We are grateful to all the role players seized with this matter thus far, this includes state agencies and members of the public who have shared information that has assisted in the detention of the two fugitives, following an extensive man hunt. Thus far there is considerable progress with a number of arrests being effected.

Issued by Department of Correctional Services, 12 April 2023