The Thabo Bester Story

Thabo Bester, once known as the “Facebook Rapist,” shocked South Africa when news broke that he had escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in 2022 — a private prison managed by G4S. What followed was a gripping saga of deception, luxury living, and international manhunts.

Who Is Thabo Bester?

Thabo Bester was convicted in 2012 for rape and murder. He lured victims through social media, earning him the infamous nickname. He was serving a life sentence when it was believed he died in a cell fire in May 2022.

The Escape

Initially ruled a suicide, the “death” turned out to be a well-planned prison break. Investigations revealed that the body found in his cell was not Bester’s — it was someone else, planted to fake his death. He had in fact escaped and was living lavishly in Johannesburg under a false identity.

Did you know? After escaping, Bester ran a fake media company and lived in a rented mansion with his partner, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana.

Who Is Dr. Nandipha Magudumana?

Dr. Nandipha is a well-known aesthetics doctor and influencer. She was romantically linked to Bester and allegedly played a major role in the escape. She even claimed the unidentified body used in the escape as her husband’s.

The Arrest

In April 2023, after public pressure and investigative journalism, Bester and Dr. Nandipha were arrested in Tanzania. They had crossed borders using fake documents and were allegedly en route to Kenya.

Fallout & Repercussions

The case triggered national outrage. South Africans questioned the competence of G4S and the Department of Correctional Services. Parliamentary inquiries were launched, and the scandal exposed flaws in private prison operations and government oversight.

Where Are They Now?

Thabo Bester is back in custody in a maximum-security prison. Dr. Nandipha is also detained and facing multiple charges, including aiding an escape, fraud, and corpse violation. Their legal proceedings are ongoing, attracting massive media coverage.

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