By: Natasha Archary

Where’s Bester? That’s the question most South Africans asked on social media on Friday, 26 April after a fire broke out at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Center where Thabo Bester is being held.
While the cause of the fire which gutted parts of the facility is unknown, City of Tshwane Emergency Services say 4 people are being treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire tore through staff living quarters, and 26 tenants have reportedly lost their belongings.
A cat which was found unresponsive on the scene was resuscitated by paramedics and given oxygen.
The Department of Correctional Services say an investigation will be underway to determine the cause of the blaze at it’s Pretoria Correctional Center.
Gauteng authorities are investigating the cause of a fire which broke out at the #KgosiMampuruCorrectional facility in Tshwane.
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) April 26, 2024
The incident which occurred yesterday left 2 units destroyed.#KayaNews JJ
📸 Supplied pic.twitter.com/YYWqywLkQU
Kgosi Mampuru is home to notorious Facebook rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester who previously escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Center in Bloemfontein, Free State in May 2022.
Bester escaped from his prison cell by faking his death in a fire, using the body of Katlego Bereng Mpholo as a decoy.
Although there are no reports that the fire reached holding cells of inmates, there were concerns over Bester’s whereabouts when news of the situation broke.
It is believed Bester escaped in 2022 with the help of his alleged lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana who reportedly fled the country with him last year.
South Africa’s Bonnie and Clyde couple were arrested in Tanzania.
Bester, Dr Nandipha and seven others, including the doctor’s father Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni will be back in court on 05 June 2024 for their pretrial.



