By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Justice Adv Glynnis Breytenbach cornered a hat-less — and defenceless — Police Minister Bheki Cele during day two of the Parliamentary inquiry into the escape of “Facebook rapist” and murderer Bester from Mangaung Correctional Centre on 3 May 2022.
Bester staged a brazen escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre by faking his own death in a cell fire.
The centre is a privately-managed prison that is operated by G4S.
Bester was re-arrested along with his accomplice Dr Nandipha Magudumana in Tanzania at the weekend.
While G4S has denied any culpability in the escape, the company has confirmed serious security oversights leading to Bester’s escape.
Breytenbach came out guns blazing, tearing into Cele and Lieutenant General Baile Brenda Motswenyane with her rapid-fire questions and damning observations.
The prosecutor — who only had 15 minutes to her disposal — wasted no time in poking gaping holes in their testimony.
“The police sat on their hands and did nothing for six months so that DCS could run through the prison in Mangaung and see if Thabo Bester wasn’t in another cell?”
Cele was not taking the critique laying down, saying don’t lecture me on what the police do and don’t do.
At one point, a clearly unnerved Cele refused to answer one of her questions about the seemingly pointless justification for chartering a private jet to repatriate Bester and Magudumana.
According to Cele, the decision to return fugitive Bester and Magudumana, to South Africa in a chartered jet rather than a state aircraft was part of negotiations with Tanzanian officials.
This vague response left Breytenbach confused.
“Chairperson, simply put, it was part of the negotiations with the officials on the other side that it would be their pleasure if it’s done the way it was done, so we had to respect those negotiations with them.”
Breytenbach then asked if Cele was saying it was the Tanzanians who wanted to fly to South Africa in a private jet, adding that it was a “yes or no” question, to which Cele hit back that he wouldn’t respond if she put it like that.
He then again explained it was the negotiation team that left on April 9 that advised the Tanzanians would be more comfortable using a private aircraft.
So far. five people, including Bester, have been arrested following his escape. Other suspects include Magudumana’s father, Zolile Sekeleni (65), former G4S security guards Seneho Matsoara (39) and Tebeho James Lipholo.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of Parliament.