Bester will be placed in a maximum security prison under constant observation, while Magudumana is being held in custody for her initial court appearance.
Thabo Bester, a serial rapist who escaped custody, and his accomplice and girlfriend, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, were verified to have returned on Thursday, April 13, by Ministers of Justice and Correctional Services and Police Ronald Lamola and Bheki Cele.
After the “high-level” delegation led by Home Affairs successfully secured the deportation of the fugitives, Bester and Magudumana arrived from Tanzania early on Thursday.
“We can confirm that these fugitives have been returned to South Africa. Mr Thabo Bester has been readmitted into the Kgosi Mampuru Central Maximum correctional facility, and Dr Nandipha Magudumana is under arrest, pending her first court appearance,” said Lamola.
Dr Nandipha Magudumana will face numerous charges, including aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner. That’s according to the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. #eNCA #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/frp3yCU2b9
— eNCA (@eNCA) April 13, 2023
Kgosi Mampuru II is a C Max – maximum security – prison specifically designed for violent and dangerous prisoners. Bester was serving life plus 75 years when he escaped from the G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre. According to Correctional Services, he will be under surveillance 24 hours a day.
Magudumana is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where she will be charged.
On Wednesday, a 44-year-old technician, who allegedly worked for the company that installed and maintained CCTV cameras at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, was arrested for his involvement in the escape.
Here comes #DrNandiphaMagudumana pic.twitter.com/BmytOMh8jO
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) April 13, 2023