The police have conducted a forensic search in the last known hideout of fugitive Thabo Bester, dubbed the Facebook Rapist, and his partner Dr Nandipha Magudumana.
Sunday World understands the police started searching the couple’s multi-million rand property in Hyde Park, Johannesburg from Tuesday after it emerged that the body of a domestic worker was allegedly buried in the yard.
Police sources who are close to the investigation alleged that they embarked on the search operation after it appeared that the maid had disappeared.
It is alleged that her last location was at the house, which the couple fled a few weeks ago.
“We are doing this operation to establish the fact that the maid went missing. We are following all the leads in this regard,” said the police source.
“We have sniffer dogs and our forensic team working on this, and even on Wednesday we are still going to investigate.”
Another source alleged that it was mind-boggling that the maid could vanish into thin air.
“We are going to dig at this yard and also let our sniffer dogs help us get to the bottom of this,” he said.
Police national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “As the SAPS, we are reiterating that we will not, at this stage, give a blow-by-blow update on the progress of investigations. We once again urge the media to give the detectives space to do their work.
“Such investigation is sensitive, and it is our policy not to divulge our investigative techniques except to say we are investigating to get all the answers and hold those responsible accountable.”
Briefing the media on Thursday last week, Correctional Services commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale said a tracking and tracing team has been put together to hunt for Bester following his escape in May 2022.
Thobakgale also pleaded with the public to come forward with any lead, noting that the department is aware that Bester was aided to flee from captivity.
“We remain confident that we will arrest the fugitive and bring him to justice,” Thobakgale said, adding that a report into Bester’s escape has revealed that the director of the Mangaung Correctional Services Centre had lost control of the facility.
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