Thabo Bester’s lawyer tells court he’s not ready for pre-trial

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Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester appears before the Johannesburg High Court on 24 March 2026.

Image Credits :

Neria Hlakotsa

19 June 2026, 16:51 [SAST]

Convicted rapist Thabo Bester’s legal representative, Advocate Moafrika Wa Maila, has told the Free State High Court that Bester is not ready for pre-trial.

Advocate Moafrika Wa Maila says since his transfer to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in KwaZulu-Natal, Bester has not been allowed to consult with his legal team, nor has his case docket been given to the legal team.

Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana appeared virtually in the Bloemfontein High Court on Friday for the assessment of the readiness of their pre-trial set for 20 July until 18 August.

Responding to Advocate Maila, Judge Lani Opperman said: “I cannot accept that a prison or a correctional centre obstructs an accused from consulting with his legal representative. I have never experienced it in a trial, and I would want to know the details of the obstruction and why the obstruction exists. This cannot be the reply every time we sit on a case management hearing. This must be resolved here and now.”

Pre-trial hearing for Thabo Bester and co-accused at the Free State High Court: 

 

-Report by Abigail Visagie

Author

SABC

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