By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Illustration: Lisa Nelson.
Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that Thabo Bester also know as the “Facebook rapist” is still alive. The DCS further confirmed Besters escape from custody on May 3, 2022.
In a statement released on Saturday, the department spokersperson Singabakho Nxumalo said a post-mortem report has revealed that the body does not match the DNA of a woman identified to be Bester’s biological mother.
He said that last year, they received a report from Mangaung Correctional Centre, a public-private partnership (PPP) facility contracted to Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts, operated by G4S, indicating that offender Thabo Bester committed suicide by setting himself alight in his cell in the early hours of the morning.
“This incident attracted media attention and it was confirmed to various media houses as received from G4S. Recorded as an unnatural death, the Standard Operating Procedures dictated that an investigation be launched and the incident be reported to police.
In line with the concession contract, two officials from the DCS were appointed by the Controller (an official of DCS) to conduct an investigation into the incident.”
DCS is now in a position to bring forth findings of its investigation on Thabo Bester, an offender sentenced to life and 75 years imprisonment, running concurrently. It has to be stated that this statement only provides an account from DCS, as SAPS is still seized with the matter and conducting its own investigation,” Nxumalo said.
“He said a post mortem conducted on the body that burnt beyond recognition in Cell 35 at Mangaung Correctional Centre, revealed that it was an adult male with blunt force trauma to his head.
“The post mortem report further revealed that there were no signs of smoke inhalation in the body. Furthermore, it uncovered that the pancreas and the spleen in the body were in the early stages of decomposition. Over and above that, the DNA sequencing with a person identified to be the mother of Bester failed to indicate a common ancestor, or a match,” Nxumalo said.
This is the basis upon which the DCS investigation report concluded that Bester escaped from lawful custody on May 3, 2022. Critical at this stage is for Thabo Bester to be found. DCS is appealing to the public to assist with any information that may lead to the re-arrest of Bester. Such information should be provided to the nearest police station or a correctional services facility,” the DCS said.
Nxumalo explained that the department has signed an agreement with the contractor, Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts to design, construct, operate and maintain a correctional centre for 2 928 bed spaces, just outside Bloemfontein for a contract period of 25 years.
This contract commenced with operations on July 1, 2001, ending on June 30, 2026. DCS has no intention of extending the contract beyond the expiry date.
Speaking outside the Law Society’s annual conference, Minister of Justice Lamola said that investigations into Bester’s possible escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility in the Free State are ongoing.
Lamola added that he believes justice will prevail for his victims.
“Justice will prevail whatever the circumstances or whatever has happened we will ensure that the law takes its course.”
Bester was convicted of murder and rape after it found that he lured women through Facebook, promising them successful modelling careers.