Pic: Lucky Nkuyane
Bail has been denied for four of the five suspects linked to the escape of Thabo Bester from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.
The Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday denied bail to accused 1, Senohe Matsoara, accused 3, Teboho James Lipholo, accused 6, Motanyane John Masukela, and accused 7, Tieho Frans Makhotsa.
Former G4S employee, Nastassja Jansen was granted bail of R10 000.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the accused are facing charges that include assisting an inmate to escape, defeating the ends of justice, arson, fraud and corruption. It is alleged that they were involved in assisting Thabo Bester to escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre on 03 May 2022.
Matsoara, Masukela, Makhotsa and Jansen were employees of Mangaung Correctional Centre and Lipholo was a CCV technician for Integriton, a company contracted to G4S.
The case was postponed to 20 June when Bester and his accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana are also expected to appear.
NPA spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping said Matsoara, Masukela, Makhotsa and Jansen were employees of Mangaung Correctional Centre and Lipholo was a CCV technician for Integriton, a company contracted to G4S.
The case against the five accused was postponed to 20 June 2023 for further investigations.
They will, on that day, appear together with Nandipha Magudumana and Thabo Bester who did not apply for bail.
