By: Natasha Archary

Convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester has expressed concerns for his safety.
The notorious criminal now faces a slew of additional charges after his brazen escape from the Mangaung Correctional Center on 05 May 2022.
Bester who was apprehended in Tanzania on Friday, 07 April, together with his alleged accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, made his first appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday, 14 April.
The escaped convict now faces charges for escaping lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, violation of a dead body and fraud.
Bester’s request to address the court was denied by the presiding magistrate who made it clear that the fugitive’s legal representative speak on his behalf.
[WATCH] Handcuffed #ThaboBester arrive for his appearance this morning at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. #ThaboBesterArrested #KayaNews MK pic.twitter.com/ghGJNJvNKo
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) April 14, 2023
Concerns for his safety
The lawyer representing Bester expressed concern for his client’s safety, saying since his incarceration in Tanzania, the convict hasn’t eaten because he’s afraid he will be poisoned.
Bester requested that the court grant his request for food to be provided to him by his legal team.
“The safety concerns that the accused has are valid and not frivolous. His concern is that he is now in the custody of the same institution that he escaped from which is why he is scared.
He hasn’t eaten since he was extradited from Tanzania and requests that he be provided food from his legal team, as he trusts the people he has appointed to represent him.”
Bester’s lawyer expressed concerns for his client’s safety
In addition, Bester also requested that he be presented with the extradition documents which was used to bring him back to South Africa because he is contesting the ID number that was used on the paperwork and the passport.
According to Bester’s lawyer, the convicted criminal does not have a South African ID.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that Bester didn’t register for an ID because he chose a life of crime.
However, the Minister said Bester was registered at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital when he was born on 13 June 1986.
Bester abandoned bail and his case has been postponed to 16 May to allow a month for further investigations.



