By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Thabo Bester, dubbed the ‘Facebook rapist’ and murderer has been re-arrested in Tanzania on Friday.
Tanzanian police could not confirm nor deny the arrest of Bester but we understand they made contact with South African police services.
Police Minister Bheki Cele comments gave an indication that Bester have been arrested.
“We are getting good news. I had people trying to ridicule police when we raided his house.
“Sometimes, people don’t understand investigations, things, clues that we get there,” Cele said.
Asked if he could confirm if Bester was in Tanzania, Cele said: “Not me, maybe the home affairs and Acsa can confirm that one.”
The criminal mastermind staged his own death and has been on the run with his socialite, doctor girlfriend, Nandipha Magudumana.
Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022 after it was initially believed he had committed suicide by setting himself alight in his cell.
However, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), which originally declared him dead, confirmed that the charred body found in his cell was not that of the convicted murderer and rapist.
Bester has in fact been alive and at large for the last nine months.
A case of escaping from custody was also registered when it was discovered Bester was no longer in the custody.
National police commissioner Lt-Gen Fannie Masemola is set to “brief the nation” after reports that Bester has been arrested in Tanzania.