Thabo Bester fires lawyers, tells court he will represent himself

According to The Citizen, convicted criminal Thabo Bester has dismissed his legal team and told authorities he intends to represent himself in the case over his alleged escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre.

Key claim and lawyer reaction

The Citizen reports that Bester has dismissed his lawyers and intends to represent himself in the prison-escape case. The article quotes his former counsel, Advocate MoAfrica wa Maila, saying:

“I did not consult with him about the termination.”

The Citizen also notes the piece does not state Bester’s reason for dismissing his lawyers and does not report whether a court has formally approved his decision to represent himself.

Allegations and charges

The Citizen lists the charges facing Bester and his co-accused as fraud, corruption, money laundering, assisting an inmate to escape, violation of a body, arson and defeating the ends of justice. The article names co-accused including Nandipha Magudumana, Magudumana’s father Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, and former G4S employees Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Tieho Frans Makhotsa, Zanda Moyo and Joel Makhetha.

The Citizen attributes to prosecutors the allegation that Bester escaped in May 2022 and faked his death in a cell fire; the article presents these as prosecutorial allegations rather than established findings.

Arrest and case timeline reported by The Citizen

The Citizen reports that Bester and Nandipha Magudumana were arrested on 7 April 2026, about 10km outside Arusha, Tanzania, after fleeing the hotel where they had been staying.

The article outlines previous court steps and scheduling: a Bloemfontein High Court appearance in June 2024, proceedings delayed in June 2026 when Bester’s legal team sought more time to consult, a virtual appearance in August 2026, and an upcoming challenge to his treatment in prison listed for 16 October 2026. The Citizen says the prison-escape trial is scheduled to run in the Free State High Court from 19 April–18 June 2027.

What the article does not confirm

The Citizen’s report does not provide Bester’s explanation for firing his lawyers, nor does it state whether the court has formally accepted his choice to represent himself. The article frames the escape and related conduct as allegations made by prosecutors.

Next steps

The Citizen account sets out the immediate procedural picture but does not record a court ruling on self-representation. Further court records or later reporting would be needed to confirm whether Bester is formally allowed to act as his own legal representative and to track developments in the scheduled trial.