Minister of Police Bheki Cele and Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola at a press briefing on 13 April 2023. Archive photo: Daniel Steyn GroundUp published the first story about Thabo Bester’s possible escape from prison on 8 November 2022. Then the bombshell exposé on 15 March 2023, which seemingly confirmed the suspicion that Bester escaped. It sounded far-fetched, but … [Read more...] about Where were they? State failure and Thabo Bester
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Thabo Bester saga: Police fail to collect evidence of Magudumana’s Bloem trips
Illustration of Dr Nandipha Magudumana by Lisa Nelson Bookings for luxury accommodation made in the name of “TK Nkwana” reveal Nandipha Magudumana’s movements in the months leading up to Thabo Bester’s escape. An invoice found in Magudumana and Bester’s abandoned Hyde Park house proves that Magudumana visited Bloemfontein in March and April 2022. The police have been informed … [Read more...] about Thabo Bester saga: Police fail to collect evidence of Magudumana’s Bloem trips
Why we investigated the Thabo Bester story
Illustration of Thabo Bester by Lisa Nelson Thabo Bester’s escape is one of those stories that is both immensely interesting to the public and of immense public interest. It has captured the public imagination because his escape was so audacious and absurd. The love interest with celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana adds to this. But GroundUp is not known for covering … [Read more...] about Why we investigated the Thabo Bester story
Recaptured Thabo Bester returns to the courtroom
Thabo Bester in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Photo: Becker Semela Recaptured in Tanzania and brought back to South Africa, convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Friday. He was charged in connection with his escape from G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre on 3 May 2022. The case was postponed until May … [Read more...] about Recaptured Thabo Bester returns to the courtroom
Judgment reserved in case to decide future of Zimbabweans in South Africa
Judge Colleen Collis of the Pretoria High Court said she was mindful of the 30 June deadline for the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit when she reserved judgment on Friday. Archive photo: Ashraf Hendricks Civil society organisations have challenged the decision by government to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit system on 30 June. Their arguments, and counter-arguments by the … [Read more...] about Judgment reserved in case to decide future of Zimbabweans in South Africa
