In a recent development surrounding the Thabo Bester prison escape saga, three individuals linked to the case made their appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
UPDATE: On Tuesday, 11 July 2023, Accused 11, Joel Makhetha, was granted R10 000 bail. On the other hand, co-accused Moeketsi Ramolula abandoned his bail bid. All suspects linked to the Thabo Bester escape case are expected back in court on 8 August 2023.
Thabo Bester escape: Ex-G4S guards received mixed bail outcomes
Joel Makhetha, Moeketsi Ramolula, and Thabang Mier, all G4S employees, were apprehended on Monday, 26 June 2023, at their respective residences in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo.
With their arrests, the total number of individuals implicated in Bester’s escape has risen to 12, including Bester himself. It should be recalled that Bester staged his own death and successfully evaded the G4S-operated Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.
However, he was recaptured by Tanzanian authorities in Arusha in April 2023, after fleeing the country alongside his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana.
During their initial court appearance on Wednesday, 28 June 2023, the case was adjourned until Monday, for bail-related discussions.
State prosecutor Sello Matlhoko informed the court that Mier faced charges of aiding a prisoner’s escape. Given Mier’s clean criminal record and absence of pending legal matters, the State did not oppose granting him bail.
Mier voluntarily surrendered his passport to the investigating officer, a detail that was officially documented in court.
To ensure responsible release, the State requested specific bail conditions for Mier. Consequently, Mier was granted bail in the amount of R10 000.
The conditions of his release include mandatory court appearances, refraining from communicating with or intimidating state witnesses, obtaining permission from the investigating officer before leaving the Mangaung district, and weekly reporting to the local police station between 08:00 and 16:00.
Ramolula, Mier’s co-accused, who had been represented by a Legal Aid lawyer previously, has acquired new legal counsel. His newly appointed lawyer promptly joined the case.
Why the two G4S guards delayed bail applications
Ramolula, along with Makhetha, faces charges of violating a corpse and corruption. The State has classified these charges as Schedule 5 offences and, as a result, has opposed their release on bail.
A bail application on behalf of the duo will be presented before the same court on Tuesday, 11 July 2023. Until then, they will remain in custody.
Mier is scheduled to return to court alongside his co-accused, including Bester, Magudumana, former G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara, Zanda Moyo, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, former Integritron Integrated Solutions camera technician Teboho Lipholo, suspended G4S employee Tieho Frans Makhotsa, former G4S guard Buti Masukela, and suspended G4S employee Natassja Jansen. Sekeleni and Jansen were previously granted bail in the amount of R10 000.
The entire group is expected to reconvene in court on August 8 as the legal proceedings progress.