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Katlego Bereng’s family seeks justice as his body is laid to rest
The perplexing case of Katlego Bereng, whose burnt body was used as a stand-in corpse in Thabo Bester's prison escape, leaves his family grieving and seeking justice as he is laid to rest.
Late Katlego Bereng’s father Batho Mpholo speaks to The Citizen at his home at Tembisa in Johannesburg, 23 April 2023, about his son’s body that was burnt in Thabo Bester’s cell at Mangaung Correctional Centre. Photo: The Citizen/Nigel Sibanda
Katlego Bereng, the man whose burnt body was used to help Thabo Bester escape from prison, was laid to rest in Mangaung on Sunday.
Bereng had been missing since March last year, and two weeks ago, DNA results confirmed that the charred remains found in Bester’s cell were his.
Katlego Bereng laid to rest
Bereng’s loved ones gathered in Bloemfontein as the burnt remains of the 31-year-old found in Bester’s cell were laid to rest.
Speaking to The Citizen in April, Bereng’s father Batho Mpholo said there is “a lot we are not being told about this whole case”.
“It is, for this reason, we decided that we should go and open a case with the police against the State, Bester and Dr Nandipha.”
He said Bereng’s entire family felt “betrayed by government, and the manner in which the Thabo Bester saga was handled”.
Bereng’s loved ones rely on family, God
Ahead of Bereng’s funeral, Mpholo spoke to Newzroom Afrika about the family’s emotional state.
Mpholo expressed the family’s mixed emotions and their reliance on support from relatives on both sides, as well as their faith in God to help them through this challenging time.
Many South Africans still hope that Bereng will receive justice, with some expressing their frustration over the failed justice system and the tragic circumstances of his death.
Taking to social media, some said they are praying for Bereng’s spirit to fight for justice. Others expressed their sorrow for his tragic demise.
The case continues to unfold
In related news, Thabo Bester’s notorious prison escape continues to affect more families.
The family of the eighth accused, Natassja Jansen, was visibly upset outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, May 3, during her bail hearing.
The circumstances surrounding how Bereng’s body arrived at the Mangaung Correctional Centre remain a mystery.
A postmortem report revealed that the 31-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head, not the staged fire in the prison cell.
READ: Get ‘justice faster’: Thuli Madonsela advises Bereng family to ‘sue for millions’
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