Court withdraws charges against accused No. 5 in Thabo Bester escape case

CHARGES against accused number five in the Thabo Bester escape case, John Masukela, who is a former G4S employee, have been officially withdrawn.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

This revelation emerged during a court session where the State prosecutor announced the decision, stating: "I am going to withdraw the case against one of the accused. I think we can excuse him, and he can go in peace, and that is accused number five, John Masukela."

Bester and his eight co-accused appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court for a pre-trial hearing over charges linked to his 2022 prison escape.

The group is facing charges including fraud, corruption, aiding an escape, violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice.

Bester and his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, were arrested in Tanzania following his 2022 escape from Mangaung Prison.