Thabo Bester case moved to High Court for pre-trial conference

The matter was postponed to 21 February 2023 for a pre-trial conference.

Nine people face charges for their alleged involvement in aiding the escape of the convicted rapist and killer in May 2022.

This is after charges against three others, Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Meir, and Moeketsi Ramolula were dropped in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

READ: Thabo Bester saga: State withdraws charges against three accused

Magistrate Estelle de Lange warned the six accused who are out on bail to present themselves in relevant court: “The matter is transferred to the high court. It will be courtroom one at the Bloemfontein High Court.

“The date will be 21 February 2024. Accused number four [Nandipha Magudumana], five [Thabo Bester], and nine [Zanda Moyo] are in custody. Accused number one, two, three, six, seven, and eleven are on bail. The accused that are on bail are warned to be at the court…at 08:30 am.”

Proceedings ended with the magistrate advising that the transfer regarding Magudumana would still be dealt with.

The 34-year-old and her lawyer did not attend proceedings amid reports she had collapsed while in the holding cells of the Park Road police station.

Meanwhile, speaking to the SABC at the end of proceedings, Nastassja Jansen’s lawyer, Masilo Koenane, said he would await instructions from his client if she would like to take steps against the state.

“We’re happy that the matter’s been withdrawn [and] we will be taking instructions from Ms Jansen and possibly may just consider civil action in this matter. But we’re quite happy that justice has been done,” he said.

Jansen, a former control room operator at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, was accused of allegedly opening the doors for Bester on the night he escaped.

She was out on R10,000 bail after her arrest in May.

Jansen has continually insisted that she is innocent.

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