Following Thabo Bester’s brief appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court for his bail application on Tuesday (16th May 2023). Bester’s new legal representative argued insufficient evidence for the man at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre to be the real Bester.
At the beginning of the month, Thabo Bester was dropped by his legal representative, due to failure to settle his legal costs. However, on Tuesday, Bester appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court represented by advocate Tsoeunyane Jeremiah Pela.
Whilst the whole of Mzansi was angered following Bester’s appearing via Zoom but advocate Pela told the court to have never agreed on Bester’s virtual court appearance.
“Adv Pela for #ThaboBester says they never agreed to the virtual appearance of their client. ‘We wanted to consult with our client before proceedings. It’s important for our client to be here.’ It was difficult for us to speak to our client virtually’ #sabcnews” wrote Chriselda Lewis, SABC
It is a known fact that Bester does not possess a valid South African Identity Document. And what has seemed to be premeditated tactics is that advocate Pela is ready to argue the true identity of the man claimed to be Bester.
Reportedly by News24, advocate Pela has already implied that the man detained at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre may not be Thabo Bester.
“Thabo Bester’s new advocate, Tsoeunyane Jeremiah Pela, has implied the man locked up at the Pretoria Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional facility might be someone other than Bester. On Tuesday, appearing for Bester, Pela said he needed to “raise the issue with the court” that there had not been a correct identification of the man appearing in court. This had to do with Bester not having an ID book or card” wrote News24
After Dr. Nandipha Magudumana was asked to remove her hoodie before the court, it appears to advocate Pela plans to piggyback on that, where he would challenge the court to properly identify Bester, who is without an Identity Document
“Pela said because Dr. Nandipha Magudumana was told to remove the mask and hood she hid behind so the court could identify her, Bester should also be properly identified by the court. We will also raise the issue to ensure that the man who appears in court is the correct Thabo Bester. “[We] want to satisfy the court that the man in front of the court is indeed Bester.”
Both Dr. Nandipha and Bester are expected to appear again in court on the 20th of June 2023.
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