Staff Reporter.
A G4S security guard arrested in connection with ‘Facebook rapist’ Thabo Bester’s escape from prison will remain behind bars until his next court appearance.
Buti Masukela briefly appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning, and is facing a charge of assisting an inmate to escape and defeating the ends of justice.
According to his legal representation, Masukela has no prior convictions or previous cases.
The 51-year-old was arrested on Tuesday at the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
Masukela is linked to the escape of convicted rapist and murderer Bester in May last year.
He is the fifth accused in the Bester case, together with Dr Nandipha Magudumana, her father Zolile Sekeleni, IT expert Teboho Lipholo and dismissed G4S employee Senohe Matsoara.
Masukela has been remanded in custody until 3 and 4 May for a formal bail application.
“Your case is remanded until 3 and 4 May in the same court for the co-accused and for your possible bail application. You will remain in custody until then,” said magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi.
Bester also appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court last week, where his case was postponed to 16 May, for further investigations.
The convicted murder and suspect abandoned his bid to be released on bail.
Bester was believed to have died in a fire that broke out in his cell at the prison on 3 May 2022.
It, however, emerged that the DNA of the body found in the cell did not match that of Bester, who was convicted in 2012.
Police have since registered a case of murder, which is currently under investigation.
According to the autopsy report, the deceased had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, therefore, was already dead prior to the arson incident.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.