‘I’ve Never Escaped’: Thabo Bester Dismisses Prison Break As ‘Just An Allegation’ In Court Rant

Convicted murderer and so-called “Facebook rapist” Thabo Bester has once again launched a fiery courtroom attack, insisting that his infamous prison escape remains nothing more than an allegation.

Thabo Bester Challenges Super Max Transfer in Court

Bester appeared virtually in the Free State High Court on Thursday, where he criticised the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) for transferring him to the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility.

He argued that the move was unjustified, claiming he has never been formally convicted of escaping from custody and therefore should not be classified as a high-risk inmate.

Bester is serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of his then-girlfriend, Nomfundo Thyulu. He is also facing a separate criminal case relating to his escape from the G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in May 2022.

At the time, authorities believed he had died by suicide after allegedly setting himself alight in his cell.

‘I Have Never Been Convicted of Escape,’ Thabo Bester Tells Court

In a lengthy rant, Bester told the court he posed no security threat and accused correctional services of acting on unproven claims.

“I have never been convicted of escape. So you cannot classify me as a high risk on an allegation.

“In my conduct, with the file, the correctional service sits with it for 13 years.
I have not even been found of one infringement, my bringing to the center or other centers. There is no other conduct that they can state that this is what Mr Best has been convicted of in the facilities of correctional services.

” Well, this is what he has done. This is the threat he has posed. This is the contact he has made. I’ve done nothing,[sic]” Bester said.

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed his transfer on Friday last week, stating that the move followed routine procedures.

“Offender transfers are a routine practice, guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety, security and stability of correctional facilities and the broader criminal justice system.”

The department added that Bester would continue receiving “appropriate care” and would retain access to legal representation, family communication and court processes.

“All necessary logistical arrangements remain in place to ensure that court appearances and legal proceedings proceed without disruption,” the department said.

‘I’m Thabo Bester’: Accused Claims He Is Being Targeted

Bester further claimed that his high-profile status was the real reason behind his transfer, arguing that the department failed to properly inform him of the decision.

He told the court that the lack of notification showed the move was “irrational” and unfair.

“The only problem here is the proceedings before the criminal trial, and that is the reason they have raised this issue. Even in my transfer, out of CMax, I was surprised by the head of centre, the original commissioner said that I will only be transferred to a medium centre once the trial is concluded in Bloemfontein [sic].

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“But beyond and after that, I have no other security reasons that have arisen. It is just a profile issue, this Thabo Bester, this is the treatment he will receive,”[sic] Bester said.

[WATCH] #ThaboBester in the Free State high court virtually today.

“I have not been convicted of an escape. I can’t be classified as high risk on an allegation.”#eNCA pic.twitter.com/Pqgak5cL0H

— Silindelo Sebata (@Sli_Masikane) February 5, 2026

Escape Trial Set for 2026

In December last year, Bester filed multiple interlocutory applications across various courts, which his legal team said were necessary to prepare his defence in the main trial.

Bester and his co-accused — including Dr Nandipha Magudumana and her father — later appeared in the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing related to the prison escape case.

The matter was postponed to 18 March 2026 for case management and will proceed virtually.

The escape trial is scheduled to run from 20 July 2026 to 18 September 2026.