CONTROVERSIAL couple Thabo Bester and his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana have appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 8 August.
The two appeared alongside other accused in the highly anticipated Bester escape saga which tracks back to April 2023.
Bester and Nandipha were sitting,who were both wearing white tops and looked cozy, next to each other as well as accused number four and five.
Magudumana's lawyer, Machini Motloung submitted to the court that the manner in which his client was transported from Bhiza Makhethe Correctional Service in Kroonstad to Bloemfontein for her appearance was inhumane.
The lawyer said she was tightly handcuffed and the car that she was transported in was driving at high speed and stopped badly.
The state prosecutor, Advocate Sello Matlhoko said the National Prosecuting Authority has committed to address the matter.
The court ruled that the defence should make an application to the relevant department.
ALSO READ: 'Till death do us part' friend dies!
The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court was full to capacity during the appearance.
The defence lawyer for accused six and seven, Attorney Masilo Koenane, said the regular postponements of the case showed that the state was not ready for trial.
"We will oppose another postponement after this one. We don't want further postponements," he said
The accused in the case are Senohe Matsoara, Motanyane Masukela, Teboho Lipholo, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, Thabo Bester, Tieho Makhotsa, Natassja Janssen, Joel Makhetha, Moeketsi Ramolula and Thabo Mier.
Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022 where the body of Katleho Mothusi Bereng was used as a decoy for him to escape.
The accused, including Bester, have been arrested and charged with various charges, such as defeating the ends of justice, fraud, assisting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody and violation of a dead body.
All the accused are out on bail except Bester, Magudumana and Zimbabwean national, Zanda Moyo.
The case has been postponed to Wednesday, 11 October for further investigations.
