DCS rubbishes Bester 'solitary confinement' claims
The Department of Correctional Services has rubbished claims by Thabo Bester that he is being kept in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane.
The convicted murderer and rapist, who was set to go on trial for an elaborate escape from the Manguang correctional centre in 2022, released a statement on Tuesday, claiming his rights to a fair trial were being violated.
Bester appeared in the Free State High Court on Wednesday – where his case along with his co-accused – was postponed to February for trial.
READ MORE: Thabo Bester asks court to relax prison conditions
In a statement, the department described Bester’s claims of solitary confinement as fallacious and incorrect, as the centre only has single cells for all inmates.
Furthermore, the department says Bester's request for a seven-hour consultation with his lawyer is unreasonable; adding he – like all prisoners – has the right to telephonic consultation with his lawyer and visits from his family.
Bester's request for a laptop has been flagged as a security risk, as some claims against him involve his alleged use of the internet to scam unsuspecting victims.
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