Another suspect arrested in the Thabo Bester prison escape case. A second suspect has been arrested and accused of aiding convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester in escaping from Mangaung Prison on May 3, 2016, according to the charges filed against him. The man, a 31-year-old citizen of Zimbabwe, was taken into custody early on Sunday in Johannesburg.

Another suspect arrested in the Thabo Bester prison escape case

The most recent arrest takes the total number of people detained in connection with helping Bester escape from prison to nine. According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a police spokesperson, the defendant will probably be charged with further crimes.

“At this stage, he faces a charge of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody. The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday,” Mathe said, adding that the police cannot rule out the possibility of more arrests.

Others arrested in connection with Bester’s escape include his accomplice and lover, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, Magudumana’s father Zolile Sekeleni (65), former G4S employee Senohe Matsoara (39), CCTV technician Teboho Lipholo (44), suspended G4S employees Motanyane Masukela, (51), Tieho Frans Makhotsa and Natassja Jansen. The suspects, including Bester, are facing charges ranging from arson, defeating the ends of justice and aiding Bester’s escape.

The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court granted R10,000 bail to Sekeleni and Jansen but denied it to the other suspects. On June 20, they will all reappear in court, including Bester and Magudumana. Bester is being imprisoned in Kgosi Mampuru II Prison at the moment.