Tanzanian authorities have arrested a murderer who feigned his death in order to escape from prison – nearly a year after a fire which was supposed to have killed him.
South African Thabo bester, 35, was nicknamed the “Facebook Rapist” because he used Facebook to lure at least two of the women for whom he was convicted. He was also convicted of murdering one.
In 2012, he was sentenced to death. He was sentenced to life in 2012.
Then, reports surfaced that he was seen in Johannesburg. DNA samples revealed that the body had been burned beyond recognition.
Police raided a luxury house Bester was renting in Johannesburg before he fled to Tanzania.
Local news outlet GroundUp reported that Bester enjoyed a lavish lifestyle for almost a year following his escape from prison.
Two-week-long manhunt was over when Bester and his girlfriend were arrested. A Mozambican national, believed to have assisted them in crossing borders and evading police, was also taken into custody.
They were discovered with several fake passports six miles away from the Tanzanian border with Kenya.
The expulsion process of the group has begun to South Africa. They are likely to face multiple charges.
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GroundUp reported that Bester used the laptop he had been using for his studies while in prison to manage an event and production company.
One time, he spoke from prison and told conference attendees that he was from the US.
The elaborate prison break of Bester has raised questions about possible prison officials’ involvement.
Local reports claim that at least three officials were fired from the Mangaung Correctional Centre prison Bester fled from.
G4S Security, a British security company, managed the maximum security prison. However, the South African government now manages the prison.
