Convicted Facebook rapist Thabo Bester, his partner in crime Dr Nandipha Magudumana and their seven co-accused appeared at the Free State High Court on Wednesday.
This comes after a six-week postponement where Bester expressed in dramatic rant to the court. He complained that the Correctional Services was infringing his rights to a fair trial. The convicted rapist and murderer also asked for the death sentence. Due to Bester changing his legal representation, the matter was postponed.
During the court appearance on Wednesday, the state prosecutor said they have been ready since October 2023 to proceed with the pre-trial hearings.
Lawyer for accused 3 and 6 withdraws from case
The duo and the co-accused were in court for the pre-trial hearing. During the hearing, the lawyer for accused number three Senohe Matsoara and accused six Tieho Makotsa withdrew from the matter.
The reasons for the withdrawal were due to the fact that he had not received financial instructions. The two accused in the matter will now seek the services of legal aid.
Bester managed to get a new legal representative, Advocate Lerato Moela. Moela told the court that it was the first time that he was able to consult with his client. He also shared that he needed time to consult with his client. This is because he is only given two hours a day to consult with his client.
Bester’s lawyer complained about bad food for client’s diabetes
In February Bester’s then legal representative told the court that his client was served bad food. The said food was high in sugar and carbohydrates. And he felt that this type of food was inappropriate to serve to a diabetic.
Magudumana’s lawyers also highlighted that they were not happy with the conditions at the prison. She is housed in the Kroonstad Correctional facility.
The matter was again postponed to July 31 2024. This to allow Bester to consult with his legal team, and for accused three and six to be accessed and seek services of legal aid. Lawyers representing the other co-accused in the matter did not object to the postponement.
The matter will return on July 31 for another attempt at a pre-trial conference.
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