Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has been moved to the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, following a decision by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The transfer was confirmed on 30 January 2026, and comes amid heightened security concerns and ongoing legal proceedings related to his high-profile case.
Bester’s relocation has sparked controversy, particularly because his legal team was reportedly not informed beforehand. His lawyers have indicated that they plan to approach the relevant court urgently to challenge the move and seek his return to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he was previously incarcerated.
Routine Transfer or Tactical Move?
The DCS has defended the transfer as a routine operational practice, saying such moves are guided by security risk assessments designed to uphold the safety and stability of correctional facilities across the country. According to the department, these assessments help determine the appropriate placement of offenders based on risk profiles and institutional requirements.
In an official statement, DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said that Bester will continue to receive appropriate care consistent with legal and policy standards. He also emphasised that the inmate will retain full access to legal representation, communication with family, and participation in court processes, and that logistical arrangements are in place to ensure his scheduled court appearances are not disrupted.
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Background: The Bester Case
Bester became infamous after orchestrating one of South Africa’s most dramatic prison escapes. In May 2022, while serving a life sentence for murder and rape, he staged his own death at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein by setting fire to his cell and faking his death. After disappearing, he was eventually recaptured in Tanzania in 2023, alongside his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, a former medical doctor implicated in the escape plan.
The couple was extradited to South Africa and faced fresh legal challenges, with Bester’s trial for the escape and related offences scheduled to take place later in 2026.
Legal and Public Reaction
Bester’s transfer has already drawn criticism from legal representatives, who argue that the move could prejudice his ability to prepare for ongoing court proceedings. They have raised concerns about the lack of consultation prior to the transfer and its potential impact on access to legal counsel and other resources. (eNCA)
Despite these objections, the DCS maintains that the decision is justified on security grounds. The eBongweni facility is known for its high level of security and is designed to house offenders deemed to pose significant risks. It is also the location where other high-profile detainees, such as alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, have been held following their own transfers from other facilities.
Looking Ahead
As legal challenges to Bester’s transfer proceed, attention will remain on how South Africa’s correctional system manages high-risk offenders and balances security considerations with inmates’ legal rights. For now, Bester remains at the eBongweni Supermax facility, where he will await further developments in his complex and closely watched case.
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