Fugitives Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana have been arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, after they were caught allegedly driving towards the Kenyan border in an attempt to evade justice.
According to IOL, the couple is believed to have entered Tanzania through the Namanga border crossing, which is a well-known crossing point for car smugglers, human traffickers and drug dealers.
Zakaria Alberto, a Mozambican national, was also arrested for allegedly assisting Bester and Magudumana in their escape, and it is believed that he was their designated driver.
The fugitives had been on the run for nearly two weeks after it was revealed that Bester was hiding in a R12 million mansion in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.
Bester was serving a 30-year sentence for a crime he committed when he escaped from Mangaung maximum security prison on 3 May 2022.
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He faked his death by burning an unidentified body in a cell fire, and Magudumana reportedly fetched the burned corpse from Mangaung and attempted to cremate it. The police, however, confiscated the body after suspecting foul play.
During a media briefing in Pretoria, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and Police General Bheki Cele confirmed that Tanzanian authorities had arrested Bester and Magudumana.
Cele stated that the police had launched a broad investigation because Magudumana could not have acted alone in aiding Bester’s escape from prison and avoiding justice.
Lamola expressed confidence that the Tanzanian government would deport Bester back to South Africa to complete his sentence, but they may need to go to court to secure Magudumana’s extradition.
Alberto’s fate would also be determined after an investigation determined his role in the matter.
Cele stated that Bester and Magudumana were found in possession of several passports that had not yet been stamped. The two were arrested 10 000km away from Kenya while driving a black SUV.
The Tanzanian police spokesperson, David Misime, issued a press statement confirming the arrest of the three individuals.
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Picture: Illustration of Thabo Bester by Lisa Nelson
