During March/April 2023 Mr Thabo Bester, referred to supra, was constantly in the news. He is, of course, the man who allegedly "burnt to death" in his cell at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. He first gained notoriety as the so-called Facebook rapist.

On 3 May 2022, Thabo is reported as dead after a fire had broken out in his cell - his death was, at the time reported by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and G4S as a suicide.

However, since then it was ascertained that the burnt remains of the body found in that cell, was not that of Thabo. As a result, it was alleged that he had escaped and that he is still alive.

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[This is an extract of a discussion about recently amended legislation as published in Pollex in Servamus: June 2023. If you are interested in reading the rest of the discussion, send an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or a WhatsApp or SMS message to: 078 712 1745 to find out what you need to do to acquire the article. Ed.]