THE number of accused in the Thabo Bester's mysterious prison escape has increased to 12.
This after the three more accused briefly appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court, Free State on Wednesday, 28 June.
The accused, Joel Makhetha (47), Moeketsi Ramolula (47) and Thabang Mier (37), are the employees of the controversial G4S security company that was contracted to the Mangaung Correctional Centre were convicted Bester escaped.
Mier was charged with assisting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody and both his co-accused face a charge of violation of a corpse as well as assisting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody.
The SunTeam has learnt that the trio was suspended by G4S a couple of months ago after Bester's escape saga gained media attention.
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The trio has joined their jailed colleagues Senohe Matsoara, Motanyane Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, and CCTV camera installer Teboho Lipholo, as well as Zimbabwean national Zanda Moyo, Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana.
The case has been postponed to Monday, 3 July for possible bail application.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Phaladi Shuping said the state will decide after thorough investigations whether to oppose bail or not.
Phaladi has also confirmed that the three new accused will join the other co-accused in the main trial on Tuesday, 8 August.
"The investigations are still underway. We won't rule out the possibility of more suspects being arrested," he said.
Bester and Magudumana have both reserved their rights to apply for a bail.
The senior investigator in Bester's case died mysteriously after Magudumana's unsuccessful high court bid in May.
Facebook rapist and murderer Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, Free State on Tuesday, 3 May 2022.
The body of Katleho Bereng was used as a decoy for Bester to escape.
