By: Natasha Archary
The Department of Correctional Services has responded to Thabo Bester’s cries over “inhumane” detention conditions since his re-arrest in April 2023 after his brazen escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility in May 2022.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 31 July the DCS dispelled Bester’s assertions in his legal challenge where he claimed he was being treated with the utmost disdain, disrespect and unfairness, being forced to show up in court without his luxury branded clothing.
Bester claimed he was placed in solitary confinement and constantly being shackled, and stated that he was not being allowed access to his legal representation.
The DCS rubbished Bester’s claims regarding solitary confinement, stating that there is no such practice in South Africa.
While the Department is adopting stricter measures with Thabo Bester, it is only because he had previously escaped, and DCS says they are duty-bound to prevent him from once again orchestrating another elaborate escape from lawful custody.
“Apart from these security measures aimed at preventing as escape, the Department has, since Thabo Bester’s admission at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility, treated him in the same manner that it treats other inmates at the said facility.
Equally, the Department recognises that the conditions of detention of inmates should be consistent with human dignity including at least an opportunity to exercise and provision of adequate accommodation, nutrition, reading material and the opportunity to access legal advice.
That said, inmates are not entitled to be imprisoned with all the comforts they have enjoyed before their incarceration.
A Correctional Centre is not akin to one’s own private residence. Therefore, those amenities that a person would ordinarily enjoy outside the Correctional Centre are not necessarily available in a correctional facility. That is an invariable consequence of being imprisoned. Solitary Confinement: It is incorrect and fallacious for Thabo Bester to say he is being kept in solitary confinement for twenty-three (23) hours per day and only allowed one hour of exercise. C-Max, at Kgoši Mampuru, is a high security facility. It comprises only of single cells. Hence, all inmates in the facility do not share a cell.
Therefore, the impression created by Thabo Bester that he is in a single cell, as a form of solitary confinement, is, with respect, disingenuous.”
The DCS has also shed clarity on Bester’s claims that he is being denied access to his legal representation, and said that the convicted murderer and rapist has reasonable opportunity to access legal advice and representation.
Bester’s request for access to electronic gadgets and equipment will not be permitted as DCS believes it will pose a security risk to the centre and might enable him to orchestrate another escape.
Before his arrest in Tanzania with his alleged accomplice and lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana, Bester lived in the lap of luxury whilst serving time at the Mangaung Correctional Center.
South Africa’s Bonnie and Clyde couple enjoyed romantic prison getaways, and took multiple 5-star trips with the assistance of G4S security officials.
The private security company reportedly served as Bester’s personal chauffeur service, driving the convicted rapist and murderer from Bloemfontein to Ballito, where he would meet Dr Nandipha and her daughters.
Whilst still in prison, Bester and Dr Nandipha enjoyed trips between April 2021 and March 2022, shortly before the fugitive faked his death and escaped from the facility in May 2022.
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