JUST IN: Thabo Bester: ‘No threats to his life and Bester taking meals’ – DCS

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that convicted rapist murderer Thabo Bester has not been returned to the Manguang Correctional Centre and is eating his food despite him telling the Bloemfontein Magistrates court that there were threats on his life.

This comes after reports that Bester was returned to the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) where he audaciously escaped from from in May last year.

Bester eating

DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the Department of Correctional Services has noted the “false information” circulating on various platforms.

“We can state that Bester was transported to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional facility.

“In addition, DCS can confirm that there is no complaint filed about threats to his life and that offender Bester is taking meals,” Nxumalo said.

Poisoned food

During Bester’s first appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday after he was arrested in Tanzania with his Girl Dr Nandipha Magudumana, , Bester’s lawyer revealed that the convict had not eaten since he was deported to South Africa on Thursday.

Threats

He said this was because he feared for his life and wanted to be provided food by his own legal team he trusts because there was allegedly poison in his food.

“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.

Magudumana court appearance

Magudumana, who appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday afternoon, has been remanded in custody after making her first court appearance.

While she has not been formally charged yet, according to the NPA, she will face charges of aiding and abetting an escape from prison, murder, violation of bodies and fraud.

Extradition

Bester and Magudumana arrived back in South Africa on Thursday.

Bester, faked his own death with Magudumana’s help to facilitate the prison escape from the MCC.

The pair have been on the run since photos of Bester and Magudumana shopping for free range chicken in an upmarket Joburg Woolworths, surfaced online earlier this year.

Bester and Magudumana were caught in Arusha, Tanzania on Wednesday and were extradited to South Africa on a private jet on Thursday morning.

Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe

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