315:
convicted at the age of 17, when he would have been eligible to get an ID. Bester has become infamous for his criminal activities and con artistry. He has used multiple aliases throughout this criminal career. At the age of 19, he spent two years in jail for fraud before breaking parole and raping two models and murdering his girlfriend, Nomfundo
Tiyhulu. He pleaded guilty to the rapes in 2011 and to the murder in 2012. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
339:
In
October 2022, South African news agency GroundUp published an article by Marecia Damons raising questions about the investigation into Bester's death. In January 2023, GroundUp published another article by Damons citing post-mortem results on the body found in Bester's cell, which found that the body was dead before the fire broke out. The GroundUp article also revealed that the police had started to investigate a murder.
327:. While in prison, Bester ran a sham media and events company called 21st Century Media, which posed as a subsidiary of multinational media group 21st Century Fox. The sole director of the company was Phumudzo Thenga, but Bester is believed to have played a hands-on role in the company, sending instructions via text message while in prison. In 2018, the company became the subject of a media outcry after it falsely advertised
338:
On 3 May 2022, Bester was declared dead after a fire broke out in his cell at
Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein and a body was found, burned beyond recognition. The Department of Correctional Services announced his death to the public on the same day and said that he had committed suicide.
314:
told the media in 2023, that Maria Mabaso, the mother of Thabo, was never able to register her son after giving birth to him. Mabaso was not registered herself, due to her own mother working on farms and not registering her birth. The Home
Affairs Minister also said that Thabo Bester was first
361:
Private security firm, Fidelity, took to
Facebook to offer a R100,000 award for any information that led to the arrest and conviction of Bester. It was later confirmed by police in April 2023 that the burnt body was that of Katlego Bereng Mpholo who had gone missing in April 2022.
384:
On 8 April 2023, Bester and
Magudumana were arrested by Tanzanian authorities in Arusha, Tanzania. The couple was deported and arrived back in South Africa several days later. As of May 2023, eight people have been charged in connection with Bester's escape.
381:, Johannesburg, with Nandipha Magudumana. He used the pseudonym TK Nkwana. Bester and Magudumana ran a scam property company, Arum Properties, and convinced several people to pay deposits for construction projects which were never completed.
342:
On 15 March 2023, GroundUp published a third article, by
Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn, revealing evidence that Bester had faked his death in the fire and escaped from prison. The article also mentioned a court case brought by
417:
on 13 June 1986, he was never registered on the
National Population Register. On 22 May 2023, Motsoaledi announced that Bester had been added to the National Population Register and had been furnished with an ID document.
842:
1241:
294:. Bester had become known as the "Facebook rapist" because he used the platform to lure models with fake job opportunities. He pleaded guilty to two rapes and one murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
968:
347:, a celebrity doctor, to get the body found in the cell, which was believed to be that of Bester at the time, returned to her. In her court papers, Magudumana claimed to be Bester's customary law wife.
335:
as guest speakers of an event. Henson and Berry rubbished the claims on
Twitter and the event never took place. Thenga later distanced herself from the company, saying that she was scammed by Bester.
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751:
711:
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958:
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450:
935:
511:
609:
1284:
323:
Bester was imprisoned at
Mangaung Correctional Centre in South Africa, a private maximum security prison owned and run by multinational security company
488:
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after faking his death in a fire in his prison cell in May 2022. He was on the run for almost a year before being caught in
358:. A week later, after public outcry, the Department of Correctional Services admitted that Bester had escaped from prison.
350:
On 17 March 2023, Damons and Steyn published another article containing pictures of Bester and Magudumana shopping in a
1052:
927:
1294:
481:"Escapee Thabo Bester arrested in Tanzania with long time friends Thabiso Christopher Mahlangu Obakeng boyfriend"
414:
303:
835:"Murder at Mangaung Prison: Leaked report shows 'Facebook rapist' was dead before a fire broke out in his cell"
480:
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290:, Tanzania on 8 April 2023. He was arrested along with his partner and alleged accomplice, celebrity doctor
1234:"Motsoaledi rubbishes Dr Nandipha's court bid to have her arrest in Tanzania declared "unlawful""
351:
263:
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said that when Bester was caught in Tanzania in April 2023, he was found in possession of an
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278:(born 13 June 1986) is a South African convicted rapist and murderer who escaped from the
8:
365:
In testimony before parliament in April 2023, Inspecting Judge for Correctional Services
344:
291:
194:
413:
under the guise of Tom Williams Kelly. Motsoaledi said that although Bester was born in
378:
171:
752:"Born at Bara to mom of four, but Thabo Bester was never registered with home affairs"
253:
158:
963:
641:"Thabo Bester: South Africa celebrity doctor's father charged over rapist's escape"
406:
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311:
100:
1022:"Thabo Bester escape: Many unanswered questions about the death of Katlego Bereng"
990:
640:
575:
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1053:"Thabo Bester escape: ministers and officials scramble to answer MPs' questions"
543:"Thabo Bester was born in SA, but not registered with Home Affairs – Motsoaledi"
959:"Private security firm offers R100 000 reward for information on Thabo Bester"
1263:
1146:"Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana back in South Africa - and behind bars"
737:
Thabo Bester never registered as an SA citizen with home affairs - Motsoaledi
673:"Thabo Bester: A timeline of what you need to know, from escape to re-arrest"
366:
105:
512:"G4S provides obscure answers on Bester prison escape to convince irate MPs"
991:"Thabo Bester: Body used in South African rapist's prison break identified"
355:
283:
55:
47:
610:"Who is Thabo Bester? Everything to know about the South African fugitive"
332:
866:"Did the Facebook rapist die in his cell? Or did he escape from prison?"
451:"Did the Facebook rapist die in his cell? Or did he escape from prison?"
576:"Thabo Bester: South Africa's 'Facebook rapist' deported from Tanzania"
136:
1115:"Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha made millions from construction company"
1082:
Steyn, Daniel; Damons, Marecia; Mutandiro, Kimberley (23 March 2023).
802:"Many mysteries surround the death of 'Facebook rapist' Thabo Bester"
704:"Many mysteries surround the death of 'Facebook rapist' Thabo Bester"
1084:"Thabo Bester saga: Nandipha Magudumana abandons her rented mansion"
1177:"Magistrate denies bail to four accused in the Thabo Bester escape"
645:
1207:"THABO BESTER NEVER REGISTERED AS AN SA CITIZEN WITH HOME AFFAIRS"
51:
377:
After escaping from prison, Bester lived in a rented mansion in
369:
said that he was the source of information leaked to GroundUp.
307:
287:
95:
897:"More evidence links Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana"
90:
324:
1290:
Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by South Africa
771:"Thabo Bester ran a glamorous media company from prison"
310:, South Africa on 13 June 1986. Home Affairs Minister
1310:
South African prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment
1081:
485:
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
142:
2011 - two counts of rape 2012 - one count of murder
1020:Steyn, Becker Semela and Daniel (25 April 2023).
957:Patrick, Alex; Panchia, Yeshiel (30 March 2023).
769:Damons, Mareciia; Steyn, Daniel (24 March 2023).
372:
1261:
1144:Steyn, Daniel; Damons, Marecia (13 April 2023).
1113:Damons, Marecia; Steyn, Daniel (29 March 2023).
1051:Damons, Marecia; Steyn, Daniel (14 April 2023).
895:Steyn, Daniel; Damons, Marecia (17 March 2023).
864:Damons, Marecia; Steyn, Daniel (15 March 2023).
956:
1175:Steyn, Daniel; Simela, Becker (29 May 2023).
928:"Government admits Thabo Bester has escaped"
731:
729:
393:Bester was never officially documented as a
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1285:People convicted of murder by South Africa
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1300:South African people convicted of murder
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573:
1305:South African people convicted of rape
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1275:Escapees from South African detention
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750:Ngcobo, Khanyisile (14 April 2023).
603:
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833:Damons, Marecia (20 January 2023).
800:Damons, Marecia (8 November 2022).
702:Damons, Marecia (8 November 2022).
608:Mueni, Priscillah (11 April 2023).
13:
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555:from the original on 14 April 2023
449:Steyn, Marecia Damons and Daniel.
14:
1321:
926:Staff, GroundUp (25 March 2023).
683:from the original on 19 July 2023
598:
586:from the original on 19 July 2023
541:Lekabe, Thapelo (14 April 2023).
448:
118:170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
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814:from the original on 12 May 2023
781:from the original on 8 June 2023
714:from the original on 12 May 2023
639:Fihlani, Pumza (12 April 2023).
574:Fihlani, Pumza (13 April 2023).
522:from the original on 31 May 2024
491:from the original on 12 May 2023
461:from the original on 31 May 2024
264:Kgosi Mampuru II Management Area
1232:Damons, Marecia (22 May 2023).
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304:Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
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373:Life after prison and rearrest
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302:Thabo Bester was born at the
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280:Mangaung Correctional Centre
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740:, ewn.co.za, April 14, 2023
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77:Katlego Tom Motsepe Nkwana
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319:Imprisonment and escape
1295:South African escapees
174:100 000 (Fidelity ADT)
16:South African criminal
429:Tracking Thabo Bester
395:South African citizen
345:Nandipha Magudumana
292:Nandipha Magudumana
195:Nandipha Magudumana
161:(sentenced in 2012)
260:Imprisoned at
202:Time at large
997:. 23 April 2023.
510:Swarthout, Iris.
487:. 13 April 2023.
411:American passport
354:grocery store in
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254:Pretoria, Gauteng
159:Life imprisonment
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329:Taraji P. Henson
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137:Conviction(s)
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43:(age 38)
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1246:. Retrieved
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1215:. Retrieved
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1189:. Retrieved
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360:
356:Sandton City
349:
341:
337:
322:
301:
284:South Africa
276:Thabo Bester
275:
274:
243:South Africa
222:8 April 2023
150:Rape, Murder
126:Incarcerated
101:con artistry
56:South Africa
48:Johannesburg
41:13 June 1986
25:Thabo Bester
18:
1270:1986 births
548:The Citizen
389:Citizenship
333:Halle Berry
249:Location(s)
63:Nationality
1264:Categories
756:Times Live
516:City Press
436:References
352:Woolworths
298:Early life
214:3 May 2022
190:Partner(s)
37:1986-06-13
397:with the
379:Hyde Park
75:TK Nkwana
1242:Archived
1217:14 April
1211:Archived
1185:Archived
1154:Archived
1123:Archived
1092:Archived
1061:Archived
1030:Archived
1005:24 April
999:Archived
995:BBC News
969:Archived
936:Archived
905:Archived
874:Archived
843:Archived
812:Archived
807:GroundUp
779:Archived
712:Archived
681:Archived
657:13 April
651:Archived
646:BBC News
618:Archived
584:Archived
580:BBC News
559:14 April
553:Archived
526:15 April
520:Archived
489:Archived
465:15 April
459:Archived
422:See also
184:Arrested
687:19 July
624:19 July
614:Briefly
590:19 July
240:Country
232:Victims
227:Details
211:Escaped
155:Penalty
52:Gauteng
1248:8 June
1191:8 June
1160:8 June
1129:8 June
1098:8 June
1067:8 June
1036:8 June
975:12 May
964:News24
942:8 June
911:8 June
880:8 June
849:8 June
818:12 May
785:8 June
718:8 June
495:12 May
455:News24
308:Soweto
288:Arusha
115:Height
96:murder
1250:2023
1219:2023
1193:2023
1162:2023
1131:2023
1100:2023
1069:2023
1038:2023
1007:2023
977:2023
944:2023
913:2023
882:2023
851:2023
820:2023
787:2023
720:2023
689:2023
659:2023
626:2023
592:2023
561:2023
528:2023
497:2023
467:2023
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