State labels Thabo Bester a 'disgruntled' inmate
That's according to the state's counsel.
In a virtual hearing, Bester is appealing the dismissal of his Section 35 application in the Free State High Court.
He insists his prison conditions are preventing him from adequately preparing for trial. Bester is demanding up to 7 hours consultation time with his lawyers and access to an electronic device.
In February, Free State Deputy Judge President Nobulawo Mbhele dismissed his initial application. Bester is now appealing that decision.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
21-07-2025
- eNCA
State labels Thabo Bester a 'disgruntled' inmate
PRETORIA - Thabo Bester is a disgruntled inmate whose latest court application has no prospects of success. That's according to the state's counsel. In a virtual hearing, Bester is appealing the dismissal of his Section 35 application in the Free State High Court. He insists his prison conditions are preventing him from adequately preparing for trial. Bester is demanding up to 7 hours consultation time with his lawyers and access to an electronic device. In February, Free State Deputy Judge President Nobulawo Mbhele dismissed his initial application. Bester is now appealing that decision.
The South African
11-07-2025
- The South African
Step aside Thabo Bester! Vusi Matlala and wife wear Gucci to court
Flamboyant businessman Vusi Matlala is giving Thabo Bester a run for his money after appearing at the Alexandria Magistrates Court wearing a Gucci suit worth over R100 000. The 'tenderpreneur', his wife Tsakani, and two others are facing charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. Like Bester and his co-accused Nandipha Magudumana, Matlala and his wife are also awaiting trial. On Friday, Vusi Matlala, his wife Tsakani, and their co-accused appeared in the Alexandria Magistrates Court relating to charges of a 2023 attempted hit on his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. The case has been remanded to 26 August. Appearing before the court, Vusi Matlala wore a navy and pink Gucci monogrammed pinstripe suit, which retails for around $6 000 (R107 000). His wife Tsakani wore a grey skirt suit with matching Gucci spectacles and a Louis Vuitton belt. Like Thabo Bester's recent appearance, Matlala also sported a clean-shaven look with edgy, black glasses. Similarly to Bester – who has also worn high-fashion designers, Louis Vuitton and Burberry to court – the couple are known for their lavish lifestyles, flashy cars, and designer clothes. Matlala has been hailed as a ' tenderpreneur' for allegedly fraudulently acquiring multi-million rand government deals thanks to his high-ranking contacts. Thabo Bester and Vusi Matlala are fellow inmates at Kgosi Mampuru prison. Images via X In his previous appearance, Matlala wore a black and white Alexander McQueen jersey, no doubt showing off his wealth. Earlier this week, Correctional Services National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, confirmed that Thabo Bester and Vusi Matlala are inmates at Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max prison in Pretoria. Matlala was recently transferred to Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max after he was discovered in possession of a cellphone over the weekend. In 2023, Thabo Bester was also transferred to the maximum security facility after his prison escape from Magaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein a year earlier. During his incarceration, Bester unlawfully used the cellphones and laptops in his cell. In a follow-up raid this week, Matlala shared his concerns with the National Commissioner about his designer belongings. Thobakgale said of Matlala's complaints: 'He knows how he needs to channel the request. The same with Thabo Bester, he made a request. And the last time I was here, he submitted something to me in writing.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-07-2025
- The South African
Serial killers to flashy fraudsters: Kgosi Mampuru's infamous inmates
Kgosi Mampuru – the home of high-profile and dangerous inmates like Thabo Bester, Vusi Matlala, and Rosemary Ndlovu, among many others – is one of only two super-maximum security prisons in South Africa. With its 24-hour surveillance and solitary confinement, the correctional centre's C-Max division is cited as being 'impossible for a security breach'. Previously known as Pretoria Central Prison, it was renamed by former President Jacob Zuma in 2013. Housed in Kgosi Mampura is the C-Max division, a maximum security section of the correctional centre. Calling it home are several past and present high-profile inmates like… Apartheid-era assassin Eugene Terblanche Killer nurse Daisy de Melker Chris Hani killer Janusz Walus Serial rapist Ananias Mathe Serial murderer Rosemary Ndlovu 'Dros Rapist' Nicholas Ninow Reeva Steenkamp's murderer, Oscar Pistorius Murderer, rapist and fraudster Thabo Bester Also being held at Kgosi Mampuru is controversial tenderpreneur Vusi Matlala, accused of fraud, attempted murder, among many other charges. The hotshot businessman was recently moved to maximum security after he was found with a cellphone in his medium security prison cell over the weekend. In 2019, former Minister of Correctional Services Ronald Lamola reopened the doors to Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max division after a multi-million rand upgrade. The division can hold between 300 and 500 inmates. It is known for the following… 24-hour surveillance High-tech control both in and outside the prison. Round-the-clock contact with 'selected high trade correctional officers.' Inmates who spend 23 out of 24 hours inside their cells under solitary confinement and are shackled whenever they leave. Thabo Bester and Vusi Matlala are fellow inmates at Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max prison. Images via X Lamola said at the time: 'This place is a maximum facility where we house hardened criminals or inmates who are placed in the facility for behavioural modification, and to ensure that they conduct themselves in a disciplined manner in line with the Correctional Services Act'. Former Correctional Services National Commissioner, Arthur Fraser, added about Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max: 'This facility is designed in a way that makes it close to impossible for a security breach, especially with regard to escapes'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
