Overview
- Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana appeared in the Bloemfontein High Court, where the pre-trial was postponed to March 18, 2026.
- Bester’s counsel said several linked cases must be finalized first, including a Pretoria High Court matter related to his deportation and an application to access funds for his defence.
- Magudumana continues her Constitutional Court bid to have her Tanzanian arrest declared unlawful, and her lawyer said she reached court late after a delay by police escorts.
- Prosecutors and the court indicated a trial date will only be considered once these outstanding legal issues are resolved.
- Bester, Magudumana and multiple co-accused face charges tied to the 2022 prison break, including aiding an escape, arson, violating a corpse, fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice, with allegations that a decoy body was used.