“I Am Not the Worst Enemy In This Country”: A Look Into Thabo Bester’s Court Outburst
Thirty-seven-year-old convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester made a court appearance on the 5th of June 2024, taking up the dock alongside a host of his co-accused, including his doctor-turned-fugitive girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana. His appearance before the judge at the Free State High Court was not without controversy, as the incarcerated Thabo went on a wild rant regarding his arrest and the alleged injustice behind the mistreatment he was suffering because of the case.
Stressing the point of representing himself in court, Bester’s emotional outburst, accompanied by Nandipha’s apparent distress as she seemed to hold back tears during the address, included allegations against the justice system being against him and the involvement of political powers against him.
“I am not the worst enemy in this country. I don’t have the highest counts – I have three counts, but I’m the most popular inmate in this country for no reason [other than] because of the political carnage and because of the political issues I have in my own personal capacity, which have nothing to do with these legal proceedings.” he said.
Amid his harangue, he also came to the defence of his co-accused, including his lover Magudumana, alleging that they “had nothing to do” with the matters being brought before the court, while doubling down on his position of being a victim of unnamed political big shots stirring the pot in the background.
Thabo Bester pictured with Nandipha Magudumana
“I feel that it’s unfair for these people that are sitting here as my so-called accused to be in court when I know very well they have nothing to do with this. When I know very well that they were not present in any of these issues that I was indicted for. That people that are being protected by the investigating team are very clearly known. I have more than enough evidence to prove that this thing is much more than just average people that are working at an institution called G4S that just decided one day to release me. It’s highly impossible for them to do that without political power or other high office involvement in this issue,” Bester said.
The con artist also decried the legal alienation he was suffering, grieved about being blackballed to the point of him not being able to find legal representation. Forced to taking up the route of self-representation, Thabo even pled with people to sign a petition to have him executed if that meant he didn’t have to deal with the system he was altogether adamant was against him.
“Even in the legal fraternity, your honour, it’s very difficult for me to appoint an attorney […] “I don’t want to be associated with Thabo Bester because the media will attack me.” I’ve had five counsels who told me that. That I’d love to be on your desk but I’ll be in the background. Because I cannot be seen in front because you are Thabo Bester.” he said.
Watch Bester below:
Court appearance footage | SUPPLIED
Also known as the “Facebook rapist”, Bester came back into the limelight in 2022, when it was discovered that not only had escaped prison, but that he’d fled to Tanzania under an alias. This was after he’d been falsely declared dead when a fire had broken out in his cell in Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.
The accused cohort is expected to make their next court showing in July 24, 2024.