Thabo Bester moved to eBongweni Supermax in KZN, joins ‘Cat’ Matlala

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional facility in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is also being held at the facility.

DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo on Friday said: “The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirms the transfer of offender Thabo Bester to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility."

Nxumalo said offender transfers are routine and guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety, security, and stability of correctional facilities and the broader criminal justice system.

“The offender will continue to receive appropriate care in line with applicable legislative and policy prescripts and will retain full access to legal representation, family communication, and court processes,” he said.

He added that all necessary logistical arrangements remain in place to ensure court appearances and legal proceedings proceed without disruption.

Bester, who escaped from Mangaung Correctional Facility in May 2022 with the alleged assistance of Dr Nandipha Magudumana, was brought back to South Africa in April 2023 to face charges. 

Since his return, Magudumana has been engaged in a legal battle contesting her repatriation.

During his court appearances in December last year, Bester requested access to documents from the Presidency and Crime Intelligence, as well as cellphone records of International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, to prepare for his trial. 

He has also applied to the Pretoria High Court for funding to support his legal representation.

Bester and co-accused, including Magudumana, Senohe Matsoara, Zolile Sekeleni, Teboho Liphoko, Buti Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, Zanda Moyo, and Joel Makhetha, face charges of fraud, corruption, assisting an inmate to escape, violation of a body, arson, and defeating the ends of justice. 

Their matter is scheduled to appear before the Bloemfontein High Court in March 2026.

Meanwhile, Matlala, 49, was transferred to eBongweni Correctional Centre in December 2025 as part of heightened security measures for high-risk inmates. 

Authorities confirmed the facility is equipped to house dangerous and high-profile prisoners but declined to provide further details.

Concerns about Matlala’s detention were raised during his first pre-trial appearance in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday, alongside four co-accused, including his wife, Tsakani Matlala.

Matlala’s lawyer, Anneline van den Heever, said accessing her client at eBongweni, located in Kokstad, had become “a nightmare,” severely hampering trial preparation. 

She described the facility as confining inmates to their cells for 23 hours a day, with only one hour allowed for exercise.

“When you eventually consult, he sits behind thick glass where you can barely hear each other, with people around listening,” van den Heever said, alleging consultations were monitored or recorded.

She added that scheduled consultations were repeatedly blocked, with officials initially claiming Matlala had different legal representatives. 

Even after her status was confirmed, a consultation was cancelled following an order from the area commissioner.

Van den Heever argued that these restrictions threatened Matlala’s right to a fair trial and said the defence would seek a preferential trial date once pre-trial issues were resolved.

Senior state prosecutor Elize Le Roux said the decision to transfer Matlala was taken solely by DCS and not the prosecution.

Matlala faces 11 counts of attempted murder, linked to the 2023 shooting of actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane on the N1 highway near Sandton, and other attempted murders targeting high-profile figures. 

He stands trial alongside Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Tsakani Matlala, and Mabusela’s daughter, Nthabiseng Nzama.

Nzama faces a charge of money laundering, with the State alleging she facilitated the transfer of funds derived from criminal activity. 

The prosecution has consolidated three cases against Matlala, including the attempted murder of taxi owner Joe Sibanyoni in 2022, the shooting of Thobejane in 2023, and a botched hit on DJ Seunkie Mokubung, also known as DJ Vettys, in 2024.

Judge William Karam postponed the matter to 6 February to allow counsel to consult on efforts to have Matlala transferred to a correctional facility in Gauteng, closer to the court’s jurisdiction.

Tsakani Matlala and Nzama remain out on bail of R20,000 and R10,000, respectively, with bail conditions extended. Kekana, Mabusela, and Matlala remain in custody.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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