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Mail & Guardian
Daniel Steyn

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Daniel Steyn

Thabo Bester appears at Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on August 08, 2023 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Mchunu confirms Thabo Bester was detained and then released while he was on the run

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester showed police officers a fraudulent identity document after being apprehended for speeding in July 2022

Douglas Nicolas, Ngxiwa Khetho and Derrick Madini, founding members of the Mantusini Dairy Farm, say the government-funded dairy has not benefited the community. (Photos: Joseph Chirume)

How government abandoned a multi-million-rand community dairy farm

After catastrophic floods, minister Nomakhosazana Meth introduced a mysterious investor to the farm without any due diligence

Several non-profit organisations in Gauteng, including drug rehab centres, have had their funding cut after a forensic probe ordered by the Gauteng Department of Social Development. Graphic: Lisa Nelson

Gauteng non-profit organisations reject findings of province’s forensic probe

Six out of 13 drug rehabs previously funded by the Gauteng Social Development Department are now “under investigation”

This food bank, run by the Believers Care Society, closed this week due to delays in funding from the Gauteng Department of Social Development. Photo: Kimberly Mutandiro

Government payment delay forces Joburg’s biggest food bank to close

The provincial social development department said the food bank is ‘under investigation’, which has delayed signing of contracts

Many R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries are complaining of fraudsters taking their cellphone numbers, preventing them from accessing their grants. Archive photo: Nomfundo Xolo

Recipients blocked from getting R350 grant after fraudsters change their cell numbers

Sassa says the SRD grant has placed a massive burden on the agency and plans to implement new software to help prevent fraud

Many child support grant recipients left without money for January

Sassa spokesperson denies there is a problem, but officials speaking anonymously say otherwise

Hundreds of thousands of grant recipients will be affected by a decision to stop grant withdrawals at Post Office branches or cash paypoints. Illustration: Lisa Nelson

Sassa cash pay points to be phased out by April 2024

Black Sash predicts a ‘devastating’ effect on grant recipients in rural areas

Thabo Bester. Photo by Gallo Images/Frikkie Kapp

No sign of accountability for Thabo Bester escape

Promises by MPs to call further witnesses and to produce a report for debate in the National Assembly have not materialised

Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) provides services for older people in Cape Town. Photo: Noortjie van Wulfen, supplied by NOAH.

Old age funding not keeping up with ageing population, report finds

Family Caregiving calls on government to prioritise community-based care services

Dr Nandipha Magudumana at a previous court appearance. Photo by Gallo Images/Frikkie Kapp

Court dismisses Dr Nandipha’s application for leave to appeal

Magudumana had asked the court to declare her arrest in Tanzania and extradition to South Africa unlawful

The escape of a convicted criminal of Bester’s profile should serve as a wake-up call, urging us to address systemic weaknesses and demand accountability from those responsible for maintaining the safety and well-being of our communities.
(Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Bester case: court grants bail to suspended prison officer

Two other accused will return to court on 11 July for formal bail applications

From left: Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Motenyani Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa and Nastassja Jansen in the dock at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Photo by Becker Semela

Thabo Bester escape: no reason for bail to be granted, says prosecutor

Lawyers argued that the accused will not interfere with investigations and will not evade trial

The escape of a convicted criminal of Bester’s profile should serve as a wake-up call, urging us to address systemic weaknesses and demand accountability from those responsible for maintaining the safety and well-being of our communities.
(Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

International pressure on G4S after Thabo Bester escape

A Canadian pension fund has been questioned about its investment in the private prisons’ company

Nandipha Magudumana. Photo: Supplied

SAPS ignore evidence of Magudumana’s lavish trips

Bookings for luxury accommodation made in the name of ‘TK Nkwana’ reveal Nandipha Magudumana’s movements in the months leading up to Bester’s escape

Labour tenant claimant Mndeni Sikhakhane with his two granddaughters. Sikhakhane was one of the claimants in the Hilton College. Photo: Max Bastard

Signs of hope for apartheid labour tenants after long wait for land rights

Less than half the claims by former labour tenants, who were given access to land during apartheid in exchange for working on farms, have been finalised

(John McCann/M&G)

Government knew Thabo Bester had escaped, but did nothing

Authorities dragged their feet investigating the matter, documents tabled before Parliament reveal

Thabo Bester. Illustration: Lisa Nelson

This is how Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana conned even more people out of millions

The Department of Correctional Services will hold a media briefing on Thursday to provide an update on the intricately planned escape of the convicted murderer and rapist

Thabo Bester. Illustration: Lisa Nelson

Thabo Bester ran a glamorous media company from prison

Joburg high society attended the luxurious launch of Bester’s company