By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Bloemfontein High Court has granted bail to three accused of aiding the escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.
Senohe Matsoara, Tieho Makhotsa and Teboho Dipholo were released on R10 000 bail each.
Judge Joseph Mhlambi on Wednesday (5/7) granted the trio bail after they petitioned the High Court to overturn the decision of the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court to deny them bail.
“The appellants shall report to the Kagisanong Police Station on Mondays between the hours of 06h00 in the morning and 18h00 in the afternoon. The appellants shall not directly or indirectly have contact with any state witnesses.
“The appellants shall not leave the area of Bloemfontein without the written permission of the investigating officer.”
Lawyers representing the accused, including Kagisho Moruri, argued that Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi errored when he ruled that the applicants are flight risks, that they will interfere with witnesses, and that there will be public outrage if they were to be released on bail.
The three co-accused are facing strings of charges in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, including aiding, abetting, and violating a corpse. Accused 6, Motanyane John Masukela, is not part of those who are appealing their bail refusal at the High Court.
According to the police, Matsoara, Lipholo, and Makhotsa all received thousands of rands for aiding and abetting Bester to escape.
Only Bester’s accomplice Magudumana and Moyo are yet to apply for bail. Moyo, during his last court appearance, abandoned his right to apply for bail, whilst Magudumana reserved her right to apply for bail in one of her previous appearances.
Bester was arrested in Tanzania alongside Magudumama after they allegedly went on the run from the police. It’s said that after his escape from G4S, Bester had a lavish lifestyle in Johannesburg. But after being re-arrested in Tanzania, he and his girlfriend were both brought back to South Africa.
Bester was sent to the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Correctional Centre, whilst Magudumana was brought to Bloemfontein where she appeared in court on 13 April 2023.