The family of the man whose body was found in Thabo Bester’s jail cell describe him as a loving father who battled bouts of unemployment but remained determined to overcome his financial hurdles.
Katlego Bereng, 31, was raised in Ipopeng, Bloemfontein. He had two children, aged five and three.
His grandmother, Matsietsi Ralilateng, 73, said he went missing in March last year. His family began a search and contacted various government mortuaries to no avail until police this month did DNA tests to confirm his identity.
His body was used to orchestrate what is believed to have been one of the most elaborate prison escapes in South African history. Bester, in collusion with prison officials, allegedly faked his death in prison after a body was brought into his cell. He apparently set it alight before his escape on May 3 last year. Bester and his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania earlier this month.
Thandiwe Boleme, the mother of Bereng's youngest child, said she had broken up with him in 2021 but he continued to support her financially.
“He loved his children. He would get odd jobs at a tavern and buy his child goodies. Last year I was surprised when he stopped visiting us until his family told me he had disappeared. I didn’t know what to tell my child. I’m not sure how we will move on now that it has been confirmed he passed away,” said Boleme.
Ralilateng said she last saw Bereng in March last year at a family traditional ceremony in Botshabelo.
“He looked so handsome. He was dressed neatly as he usually did and his hairstyle looked even nicer. He had an S-Curl and it suited him. I paid him so many compliments that day.”
Ralilateng said her grandson had aspirations of joining the police or the army because he wanted to support his family. He applied for several positions but was never successful. He then joined the hospitality industry where he worked at a waiter in Bloemfontein but lost the job in 2020 due to Covid-19.
“That did not discourage him because he started talking about starting his own business as a bar or a restaurant owner.
“He dreamed big and we supported him throughout. He was a humble and respectful boy,” said the grandmother.
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