NPA drops murder charge against Thabo Bester and co-accused

The murder charge against Thabo Bester, his partner in crime Nandipha Magudumana, and co-accused have been dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Murder charges dropped

This was revealed on Wednesday when Magudumana, Nastassja Jansen, Tieho Makhotsa, Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo and Buty Masemola appeared in the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court. It relates to their alleged roles in Bester’s elaborate escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.

The group was first charged with murder, after it was unearthed that the charred body left in Bester’s prison cell, was that of Katlego Bereng Mpholo. Bester, Magudumana and her father, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, were then charged with murder.

In April, the state withdrew the murder charge against Sekeleni.

SA’s Bonnie and Clyde

30-year-old Mpholo’s body was used to orchestrate what is now know as one of the most horrifying and audacious prison escapes in South African history. Bester reportedly collaborated with prison officials to fake his death. A body was brought to his cell, and he allegedly set it alight. All before making his escape in early May.

The Bester and his girlfriend, Magudumana face charges ranging from corruption, arson, fraud, defeating the ends of justice and the violation of a body. They do not, however, face charges for the murder of Mpholo.

The Bonnie and Clyde-esque pair were arrested in Tanzania last month. It came after investigations confirmed that the body in the cell was not that of Bester.

During Wednesday’s court proceedings, state prosecutor Sello Matlhoko requested the matter be postponed to May 11 & 12. Magudumana and her co-accused are expected to apply for bail then.

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Katlego Bereng Mpholo

A family member of Katlego Bereng Mpholo was shocked to learn that the murder charge was dropped from the official charge sheet, reports EWN. Mpholo reportedly went missing in April last year – a month before Bester busted out from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.

Reports indicate that his body was unlawfully claimed from a mortuary and smuggled in Bester’s prison cell, before being set alight. Mpholo will be laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Sunday. A memorial service will be held in his honour on Thursday afternoon.