The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the withdrawal of charges against three of the people implicated in the jailbreak of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, is strategic.
When the case against the 12 accused resumed in the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court in Wednesday, the state announced it had withdrawn charges against Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Mier and Moeketsi Ramolula.
Speaking to TimesLIVE Premium, NPA spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the withdrawal of the charges was part of their “strategic approach to the entire case, which aimed to ensure accountability for those suspected of committing crimes related to the case”.
The three were employed by G4S, which was contracted to manage the Mangaung Correctional Centre, from which Bester launched an audacious escape last year. A burnt body, initially believed to be Bester’s, was found in his cell. Investigations revealed that the body was that of Katleho Bereng.
Mier faced a charge of assisting an inmate escape and the state indicated it had no intention to oppose bail when he appeared in court on July 4, after his arrest on June 26. His bail was set at R10,000.
Ramolula faced charges of violating a body, aiding an inmate to escape from prison and corruption.
During the July 11 bail proceedings, Ramolula abandoned his bail application. However, the state indicated it was not opposed to him being released on bail and it was set at R10,000 on July 14.
Jansen was charged with arson, defeating the ends of justice and with assisting Bester’s escape. She was alleged to have opened the prison doors on the night of Bester’s escape.
When applying for bail in May, Jansen’s lawyer Gary Botha told the court his client was not the only person who had access to opening and closing the electronic doors which Bester is believed to have walked through during his escape.
Botha named two other people who he said could open the electronic doors from their cellphones. “There is also a master key that can open all doors during load-shedding,” he said.
After she was granted R10,000 bail on May 29, Jansen told SABC News: “I’m innocent. There’s no way that I would let a convicted rapist out of prison when I have daughters. My daughters believe me, they know my character. There’s no way I would even think of doing that.”
The people I work with — they know my character. I’m very strict when it comes to my work. It hurts a lot.
— Nastassja Jansen, former G4S employee
Jansen said she only learnt of the incident in August last year.
“It was a big shock. I was told by one of the investigators that they did a DNA test and it showed it wasn’t Thabo Bester [who allegedly died in the cells]. I don’t know anything, I didn’t even see an inmate running out. It’s really disappointing that I’ve been drawn into this thing, my family too, it’s painful,” she said.
Jansen said at the time she believed she had been framed. “The people I work with — they know my character. I’m very strict when it comes to my work. It hurts a lot,” she said.
The nine who still face charges are Bester, his lover Nandipha Magudumana who was arrested alongside Bester in Tanzania after they fled the country, Magudumana’s father Zolile Sekeleni, Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, Zanda Moyo and Joel Makhetha.
Magudumana, Bester and Moyo are still in custody, while the rest are out on bail of R10,000 each.
The court learnt on Wednesday that Bester was beefing up his legal team by bringing in advocates Zandile Mshololo and Dali Mpofu to represent him alongside the lawyers he already has.
Both Mshololo and Mpofu were not yet willing to comment on their involvement in the case.
The matter is set down for trial in February 24.
Additional reporting by Shonisani Tshikalange
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