By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has been remanded in custody until May 16, 2023, for further investigations.
Bester appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court a short while ago.
During his court appearance, Bester’s lawyer revealed that the convict had not eaten in 24 hours since he was deported to South Africa on Thursday and kept in custody in the maximum-security section of Kgosi Mampuru II Prison.
“He said this was because he feared for his life and wanted to be provided food by his own legal team he trusts.
“The accused hasn’t eaten since he was incarcerated. He is afraid to eat the food provided by this very same institution.
“The accused also requested that he be provided food preferably by this legal team, which he actually trusts to represent him… I just need to bring it to the court’s attention that the accused has raised concerns for his safety,” he said.
The lawyer also said Bester wanted to be furnished with his extradition documents, confirming he does not have a South African identity document (ID).
However, the state said the court could not interfere with matters of the Department of Correctional Services and that Bester should have dealt with the ID number issues in Tanzania.
He abandoned his bid to be released on bail.
In May last year, it was reported he had been found dead in his cell after apparently setting himself on fire in a single, isolated cell next to an emergency exit at the prison.
The charred body of an unknown person, who suffered blunt force trauma to the head, was found burnt beyond recognition after being planted inside his cell.
The body was planted so that Bester could make his well-executed escape from the private prison.
He was on the run for months before being caught in Tanzania last week. He and his girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, were returned to South Africa on Thursday morning.
Magudumana appeared alongside 44-year-old Teboho James Lipholo, and both were remanded in custody until Monday 17 April. This was to allow them to appear alongside other suspects – including Dr Magudumana’s father and a former G4S security guard who appeared in court on Tuesday already.
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.