Thabo Bester’s casual court appearance makes mockery of South Africa’s Justice System

8 August 2023

ActionSA believes the casual manner in which convicted criminal, Thabo Bester, and his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court has made a mockery of South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Instead of the duo being treated as the serious criminal and co-accused that they are- standing accused of grave criminal acts - including fleeing the country and escaping prison - police treated them with kids' gloves, allowing them to converse and laugh together.

Bester, who is guilty of two counts of rape and murder, also entered the court with expensive clothing and without any handcuffs - despite being found to be a high flight-risk and already serving time at correctional facilities.

That is why ActionSA believes their appearance again highlights how criminals in South Africa appear to have more rights than law-abiding citizens and the victims of crime. Their appearance before the court sets a poor example for those following the proceedings, sending the message to thousands that crime in South Africa pays.

How can the country begin to turn around our disastrous crime rate when convicted criminals and accused are not treated with the severity of the crimes for which they are accused? It is the ANC which has allowed the country to descend into a situation where criminals are not afraid of going to prison.

As a party which values the rule of law, ActionSA believes that prisoners should not be indulged, but should be subjected to the consequences of their actions. At our upcoming Policy Conference from 12-14 September 2023, we will be unpacking our proposals to reform our criminal justice system.

ActionSA will work tirelessly to ensure that people again respect the rule of law, and therefore fear breaking it. We cannot let down our communities by allowing the mockery of our justice system to continue.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, ActionSA President, 8 August 2023