The highly anticipated Thabo Bester prison escape trial will not commence this year in the Free State High Court, as ongoing legal hurdles continue to stall proceedings.
Bester, his alleged accomplice Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven other co-accused appeared in the Bloemfontein court on Friday for an update on the trial’s readiness. They face charges relating to the daring escape from Mangaung Prison in May 2022, where Bester was serving a life sentence.
More than two years after his re-arrest, the case remains mired in delays. A key factor has been Bester’s repeated changes of legal representatives. On Friday, he dismissed his most recent attorneys and appointed a fifth legal team since 2023.
Another obstacle is Magudumana’s ongoing Constitutional Court challenge, in which she is contesting the legality of her deportation to South Africa. The outcome of that matter is expected to have a direct impact on the start of the main trial.
According to the prosecution, the case is unlikely to proceed before next year. The matter has been postponed to 5 December, when the court will receive updates on Magudumana’s legal bid and the overall trial readiness.
Facebook Comments