Convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester will remain at South Africa’s highest-security facility after his urgent court application to challenge his transfer was dismissed.
Bester had sought to contest his move to eBongweni Prison in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. He is serving a life sentence and faces charges related to his daring escape from the Mangaung Correctional Facility in May 2022.
The Pretoria High Court heard the matter on Tuesday, but before addressing the case’s merits, Judge Mamoloko Kubushi required the parties to argue the urgency of Bester’s application.
His legal team contended that the case was urgent, citing logistical challenges in consulting with him and preparing for proceedings while he is located 700 kilometres from Gauteng.
Correctional Services’ lawyers countered that Bester had not followed standard procedure, which allows respondents 10 days to file papers, and questioned why the matter should be considered urgent.
Judge Kubushi ruled in favour of Correctional Services, striking the matter from the court roll. Bester retains the option to submit a new application in the future.
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