NPA drops murder charge against Thabo Bester, co-accused

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed it has dropped the murder charge in the case against Facebook rapist, Thabo Bester.

Bester, his lover doctor Nandipha Magudumana and her father Zolile Sekeleni had initially been charged with the murder of 31-year-old Katlego Bereng.

Bereng’s charred body was found in Bester’s prison cell at the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) where he was serving a life sentence.

Bereng’s autopsy showed that he had paraffin in his trachea when he was set alight.

Murder charge dropped

Free State NPA spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said they will no longer prefer a charge of murder against the accused after further evidence was presented by the investigating team.

“At this early stage, prosecutors can only bring charges based on the evidence presented by the investigators.

“The current investigation reveals that there was a post-mortem report that was performed on the body of the unidentified deceased person found in cell 35 at Mangaung Correctional Centre and the cause of death was registered as unnatural death,” Shuping said.

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Investigations

He said the cause of “this unnatural death” is still being investigated.

“At this stage, there is insufficient evidence for the NPA to pursue a charge of murder hence the NPA has taken a decision not to prefer a charge of murder against the accused pending further investigation.

“The NPA does not conduct investigations and therefore has to engage with the Saps to ensure that all the required evidence is included in the docket,” he said.

Shuping added that the NPA will work closely with police to ensure that they prioritise in getting the required additional evidence so that “a broader range of charges could be included.”

Escape

Bester escaped from the G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022, after it was initially believed he had committed suicide by setting himself alight in his cell.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester: ‘Dr Nandipha said she was being held against her will’