Bester back in court, claims rights violated Zandile.Khumalo Wed, 03/25/2026 - 07:38
JOHANNESBURG - Dressed in a Louis Vuitton shirt and shackled in leg irons, Thabo Bester made an appearance in the High Court in Johannesburg. This time, the convicted murderer and rapist was representing himself. He argues that his rights have been violated because Correctional Services has found him guilty of escaping from prison, even though his trial hasn't begun. "I would never be in a position where I am found guilty of an escape because the escape is not a typical escape where a person broke out of a wall and jumped.
READ | 'My rights are being violated' - Thabo Bester
"It is a situation where somebody has been out for a very long time and they decided that this person has escaped," he told the court. Bester further made a damning allegation that some of the country's leaders let him out of prison. "They do not want me to have a fair trial. I have been put in a situation where if I speak, I am transferred to Ebongeni Correctional Facility and if a do this I am treated in this manner," he argued. The state argued Bester's application was nonsensical.
READ: Parliament snubs Thabo Bester’s attempt to appear before MPs
Questions now arise if Bester could be reclassified from a sentenced prisoner to just a remanded detainee? Legal expert Elton Hart weighed in saying the chances of winning this application is zero. Judgment has been reserved. The state wants the court to strike the matter off the roll and slap Bester with a cost order.
