By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tshireledzo Ndou, the instructing attorney representing convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, has been charged with attempted rape and assault.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State confirmed these charges,shedding light on the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the case.
NPA Free State spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Ndou’s next court appearance will be on 21 June.
“There is a case of attempted rape and assault against Ndou, said Shuping.”
Ndou is currently practising as a supplementary criminal defence attorney in Bester’s escape case, while out on R1 000 bail.
Meanwhile, the ninth accused involved in Bester’s prison break has been charged with violating a dead body, assisting an inmate to escape and fraud.
Zanda Moyo (31) appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, after being arrested on Sunday in Johannesburg.
During the court proceedings, Moyo said he did not have a legal representative and asked whether he could contact his family.
Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi granted his request and said that he can use LegalAid’s services, free of charge.
Police said more arrests are expected.
Bester escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre on 3 May 2022. He faked his death in a fire in his cell, leaving behind a burned body who police believe to be Katlego Mpholo.
During the bail hearings of five of the accused last month, the state alleged that Nandipha Magudumana, Bester’s accomplice, claimed three bodies from morgues in Bloemfontein, one of which was used in the escape.
The state alleged that while claiming the second body, Magudumana told officials at the morgue that it was the brother of her friend, Moyo. A fake funeral was held for the man and police later found that the buried coffin was filled with maize meal.
Meanwhile celebrity doctor Dr Mmereka “Pashy” Ntshani alleges she was swindled out of millions by Bester and Dr Magudumana to work with US media mogul Oprah Winfrey on a women empowerment initiative.
“I gave Magudumana permission to give TK Nkoana (one of Bester’s aliases) my number and he called me. He said he was TK Nkoana, a South African businessman who’s now based in the US, and he said he had good relationships with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, as he was part of the team that was organising her coming to SA for the Global Citizens, she said.
Ntshani said Bester sent her bogus contracts allegedly signed by Winfrey and her TV network OWN. He also claimed US TV personality Gail King would be one of the speakers during the initiative.
She said Bester swindled her out of millions of rand through Vibes Africa Incorporated International, a company allegedly owned by Magudumana.