Speaking in a media briefing this morning, Thursday, 13 April 2023, The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, and Minister of Correctional Service, Ronald Lamola, confirmed the arrested of Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana.
In a statement read by Lamola stated that “ As an update from the government on the escape, Thabo Bester and his accomplice, the ministers responsible for justice and correctional services and police, Ronald Lamola and Bheki Cele would like to thank the government of Tanzania on behalf of the government of South Africa for its unequivocal cooperation in the matter which relates to the arrest and the process of deportation of Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana.”
“ We will endeavour to emulate this level of cooperation with other countries in areas of mutual legal assistance, related matters.
The high-level delegation led by the Department of Home Affairs sent to Tanzania on Monday the 9th of April 2023, and successfully concluded the deportation of the fugitives.”
“ We can confirm that these fugitives have been returned to South Africa. Mr Thabo Bester has been readmitted into Kgosi Mampuru Central Maximum Correctional Facility, and Dr Nadipha Magudumana is under arrest pending her first court appearance this morning.”
Lamola went on and thanked all those who participated in capturing the fugitives saying “ we are grateful to all the role players.”
Bheki Cele confirmed that the couple left ‘illegally’ as they were no documents showing they left the country legally.
Cele also stated that the forensics that were sent to Tanzania did in fact take fingerprints of Bester and Magudumana to confirm their identity.
“The technical team that was sent to Tanzania took his fingerprints and it matched the fingerprints on file. This satisfied Tanzanian officials. It has been forensically approved that it’s him and officials granted permission for him to leave Tanzania. And when he appears in court, you will see it’s him,” Cele said.
The couple were brought back from Tanzania to South Africa, as they landed in Lanseria Airport this morning and immediately transported to their respective prisons.
“We are grateful to all the role players seized with this matter thus far, this includes state agencies and members of the public who have shared information that has assisted in the detention of the two fugitives, following an extensive manhunt. Thus far there is considerable progress with a number of arrests being effected.”
Main Image: Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana| Twitter
