By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
A 39–year-old former G4S employee and a 65-year-old man from Port Edward, in the Eastern Cape are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 11 April 2023, following their arrest as investigations into the Thabo Bester escape from prison unfold.
The multi-disciplinary team investigating Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre arrested the duo over the past weekend.
According to Saps national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the former G4S employee was arrested at his residence in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 08 April 2023, while the 65-year-old man was arrested on Friday, 07 April 2023 at his home in Port Edward.
“Both suspects have been charged with aiding and abetting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody,” said Mathe.
Meanwhile, the delegation led by the SAPS’ Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania.
“The team is currently engaged with their Tanzanian counterparts to finalise all legal processes required towards bringing escapee Thabo Bester and his accomplices to justice in South Africa,” Mathe said.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the latest arrests and confirmed that the possibility of more arrests could not be ruled out.
Masemola has again reiterated the appeal to media and the public to exercise patience and allow the investigators the space to conduct the investigations with no undue pressure and expectation.