Correctional Services denies Bester’s claims of ill-treatment

The Correctional Services Department has refuted convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester’s claim that he’s being ill-treated in prison.

Bester made the allegations during his appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

He and others, including his girlfriend Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, face various charges relating to his escape from prison.

Bester also said he was not allowed to consult with his legal team.

The Department’s National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale says Bester’s claims are unfounded.

Thobakgale says, “The problem is with regards to requests that we won’t be able to accede to. For instance, in court, he was granted an opportunity to consult…This is an offender that must still be transported from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. We cannot allow that because we need to transport him whilst we are still able to handle any security risks that we might be contracted with.”

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