Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester is once again making headlines, this time for demanding more lenient conditions behind bars.
According to African Insider, Bester has filed a new application in the Johannesburg High Court, arguing that his classification as a sentenced prisoner is ‘unconstitutional’.
He claims that his current treatment violates his rights and that he wants to be treated in a ‘more humane’ manner, similar to inmates who are still awaiting trial.
The application marks yet another attempt by Bester to challenge the strict conditions under which he is being held.
His latest move comes as part of his ongoing battle with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), both of which, he alleges, have failed to uphold his basic rights.
‘I respectfully submit that the department, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, never respected my rights as an accused person by law in terms of the charges being levelled against me and for which I was arrested,’ Bester stated in his court papers.
As reported by the City Press, Bester is demanding contact visits with his family and legal representatives, a privilege typically restricted for inmates serving high-security sentences.
He maintains that his classification as a maximum-security inmate unfairly limits his access to humane treatment.
This is not the first time Bester has challenged his prison conditions. He previously lodged complaints about his treatment at Kgosi Mampuru II C-Max Prison, where he alleged ‘inhumane conditions’, including 23-hour solitary confinement and minimal exposure to natural light.
In that earlier case, Bester claimed that he was denied adequate access to legal counsel and personal contact, arguing that such restrictions amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
The Department of Correctional Services has consistently rejected Bester’s claims. Officials have maintained that his treatment is appropriate for a maximum-security inmate.
According to statements cited by African Insider, the DCS said Bester is entitled to one hour of exercise, a shower, and legal consultations daily, the standard protocol for prisoners classified at his level of risk.
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