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One has to wonder what kind of game Thabo Bester is playing by asking the court to consider imposing a death sentence on him and releasing his co-accused.
The convicted murderer and Facebook rapist’s drama continues in the Free State High Court, where he made an impassionate plea for the death sentence on Wednesday, 5 June.
Stepping up to the docks, dressed in spiffy clothes, Bester represented himself after his latest legal representatives recused themselves from the trial, allegedly over unpaid fees.
The murderer and rapist, with an unwavering taste for high-end designer duds, told Judge Cagney Musi that being escorted by 80 cars for his court appearance, waking up at 2AM with chains around his ankles and frozen feet, was not “the way I want to proceed”, per The Citizen.
Bester, along with his former girlfriend and alleged accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven co-accused—including the disgraced former doctor’s father, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni—returned to court on Wednesday to face the charges related to the notorious conman’s escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.
With the camera panning to show an emotional Magadumana clutching a Bible, Bester told the court that it pained him to see his co-accused on trial for something “they knew nothing about”.
“Your Honour, I say this as a broken man and I say this wholeheartedly. It tears me apart to see these people in this court, knowing well that they are suffering for something they know nothing about.”
Quoting legislation that has since been abolished, he requested that he be given the death penalty via a petition that will be signed by the public.
“Immediately I will agree to it and we can end this matter. I came here with 80 cars, I woke up at 2am. I’ve been having chains on my feet. My feet are ice. I cannot feel my toes at this point. This is not the way I want to proceed, your Honour.
“If it means that this court can accept the petition and the public can sign it, then we can put all this to rest. I am at peace. I know what I’ve done and what I have not done,” Bester told the court.
Known as the “Facebook rapist” for luring women into his evil clutches after making grand promises to them on social media, Bester faked his death to get out of serving a life sentence for murder and rape at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State. And that is the least of it.
According to him, “none of this” would have happened if there was “no backhand of political watchdogs”.
At some point he also complained about being advised not to flash his luxury brand clothing in court because of the impression it made on the public, stepping up from his holding cell dressed in a camel-coloured mid-length Melton jacket, a crisp white shirt and a black crew-neck jersey.
He then whined about the hardship imposed on him by the state at the Kgosi Mampuru II Central Maximum correctional facility in Salvokop, Pretoria.
An impassioned Bester criticised the Department of Correctional Services, alleging that his calls with his legal team were being recorded. He expressed concerns for his mental well-being, citing a lack of contact with anyone besides the guard outside his cell for the past 15 months. Additionally, he condemned the media for their portrayal of him and the articles written about him.
This man clearly has zero understanding or regard for consequences. Someone else commented that he is merely “Thabo Bestering the court.”
VIDEO: Thabo Bester is conducting self-defence in court, and he has asked for a death sentence in order to end the case and his suffering once and for all. @ScrollaAfrica pic.twitter.com/TD2zezGQXf
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) June 5, 2024
Thabo was also ridiculed for complaining about the treatment he has been subjected to, especially when showing up so snazzy. Saffa’s have no sympathy, so Thabo should really be careful what he wishes for.
“Jirre dramatic… yes, give it to him. Where do we sign…Who is going to start the petition? For his victims.” (@Dellie108)
“He’s a coward for wanting a death sentence. Let him serve his time in jail until the day he dies. Wanting the easy [way] out?” (@KG_Mulelwa)
“We don’t want him dead. We want him alive and suffering for what he has done. Families have lost loved ones while he and his co-accused lived largely.” (@Spar)
The case has been postponed to 24 July with Bester given seven days to appoint new legal counsel.
[source:citizen]
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