The bail hearing for the five individuals accused of aiding convicted rapist and killer Thabo Bester in his prison escape has been postponed for the third time, leaving them awaiting a decision on their bail application.
Witness claims Motsoara was tied to gangs and KNEW Katlego Bereng
The accused will have to return to the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 19 May 2023 for further proceedings.
The court still needs to complete three cross-examinations related to the case.
The accused individuals include former G4S guards Senohe Matsoara, Motenyani Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, and Natassja Jansen, as well as former Integritron Integrated Solutions camera technician Teboho Lipholo.
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During the hearing, advocate Kagisho Moruri, representing accused one and Makhotsa, conducted a cross-examination of a witness who identified Matsoara as the person responsible for bringing Katlego Bereng‘s body into the prison to serve as a decoy for Bester.
The witness alleged that Matsoara had helped Bester escape the cell and leave the prison.
Advocate Moruri stated that the accused would contest the witness’s statements, but the witness maintained that the evidence supported his testimony.
The witness also revealed alleged connections between the accused and criminal gangs, a claim disputed by Moruri. Additionally, the witness stated that the accused had known Bereng and had been seen drinking with him in taverns, countering Moruri’s arguments.
Furthermore, discrepancies arose concerning Matsoara’s travel history, as the witness acknowledged that Matsoara had made four trips to Lesotho rather than eight, as previously claimed.
Here’s why witness warned Thabo Bester pawns to not seek bail
Advocate Tshotlego Makamedi, representing accused three, Lipholo, questioned the witness about his opposition to granting bail to the accused.
The witness cited community concerns and potential threats to his life if the accused were released. Makamedi challenged the witness’s definition of the “community at large,” referring to the Bloemfontein Celtic FC fan club, which supported Bereng’s memorial despite the team’s dissolution in 2021.
The witness’s assertion that Lipholo feared for his life was also questioned by Makamedi, who pointed out that the witness did not contact the police but was instead called to meet them at a mall, where he was subsequently arrested.
The witness argued that it was unusual for the police to arrange a meeting at a mall rather than the police station. He reiterated concerns that the community would pose a threat to Lipholo if he were granted bail, emphasising that Lipholo expressed fear for his life.
The bail hearing will resume on Friday, 19 May 2023 as the court continues to evaluate the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defence.
