Media Statement: Justice and Correctional Services Committee to Meet Department of Correctional Services Regarding Thabo Bester

Parliament, Wednesday, 29 March 2023 - The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has noted with grave concern reports of the alleged escape of convicted "Facebook" rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester. The committee will meet with the Department of Correctional Services (DSC) on Tuesday next week to be briefed on these allegations.

Committee Chairperson, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe, said: "At this stage the committee is only aware of the information that it gathered from media reports about the alleged death in a fire of the inmate which is now alleged to have been a scam with the new allegations that he escaped from Manguang Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein."

Mr Magwanishe said the committee has not been briefed by the DCS regarding this very serious allegation. "We have scheduled an urgent meeting on Tuesday at 10:00," he said.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR BULELANI MAGWANISHE.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: [email protected]