Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana back in SA

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana are back in South Africa.

It is understood the plane carrying the pair from Arusha in Tazania to South Africa landed at the Lanseria Airport in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The duo were arrested in Tanzania, just 10km from the Kenyan border with several passports – with multiple identities – in their possession

A South African delegation consisting of the Department of Justice and police officials departed for the East African country on Sunday to bring the fugitives back to South Africa.

A Mozambican national Zakaria Alberto who was “assisting” them has also been arrested.

Dr Nandipha is soon expected to make her first appearance in court on possible charges of defeating the ends of justice, aiding and abetting a fugitive and murder.
Bester is also expected to face additional charges in relation to the daring prison escape.

ALSO READ: Nandipha and Thabo: Was it love or extreme infatuation?

Back in SA

After landing on South African soil, Bester and Dr Nandipha were ushered directly from the plane into two separate vehicles amid heavy police presence.

Bester was reportedly taken to Kgosi Mampuru Prison and The Citizen understands that Dr Nandipha is on her way to Bloemfontein were she will face her first criminal charges.

She is expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court soon.

A South African delegation consisting of the Department of Justice and police officials departed for the East African country on Sunday to bring the fugitives back to South Africa.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana arrested in Tanzania

Update

Meanwhile, Police Minster Bheki Cele and Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola will on Thursday morning update the nation surrounding the return of Bester and Dr Nandipha’s arrival back in South Africa.

Several accomplices have to far been arrested in the saga surrounding Bester and Dr Nandipha.

On Thursday, Police confirmed that a 44-year-old employee contracted to a company that installs CCTV cameras at the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) where convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester escaped from, has been arrested while another who was allegedly driving Dr Nandipha’s car is in custody and being questioned by authorities.

ALSO READ: Government knew Thabo Bester had escaped, but did nothing

Escape

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

However, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), which originally declared him dead, confirmed that the charred body found in his cell was not that of Bester who was convicted in 2012.

Bester had in fact been alive and at large for the last nine months.

According to the autopsy report, the deceased had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, therefore, was already dead prior to the arson incident.

Police have since registered a case of murder, which is currently under investigation.

ALSO READ: Thabo Bester arrest: These are the names he and Nandipha Magudumana travelled under

WATCH: Plane carrying fugitive couple Dr Nandipha and convicted rapist Thabo Bester