Correctional Services must account for alleged cover-up of Facebook rapist’s escape

24 March 2023

The DA takes note of serious allegations made around the alleged cover-up of the escape of convicted rapist, Thabo Bester.

These allegations were made by a Correctional Services official at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. Apparently, an inmate identified as Bester burned to death on the 3rd of May 2022. The inmate could however not be Bester as he allegedly escaped prior to 3 May with the assistance of Correctional Services officials.

The inmate that burned to death had purportedly died from blunt force trauma before being set alight. The official that made these allegations claims that he informed the Deputy-Minister about these events and further alleges that he has since been victimized and transferred to another facility.

Should these allegations be factual and if the Deputy-Minister had been informed, the situation points to very serious criminal activities by officials, executive shortcomings and possible obstruction of justice from the Deputy-Minister.

The DA has requested the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS) to launch an urgent investigation into the matter. Furthermore, the Police service must investigate the alleged criminal activities, which includes murder.

Official questions to the Minister will be submitted to obtain more details on the matter.

Issued by Janho Engelbrecht, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services, 24 March 2023