Thabo Bester

Thabo Bester
Born (1986-06-13) 13 June 1986 (age 38)
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Other names
TK Nkwana
Katlego Tom Motsepe Nkwana
William Kelly
Known for
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)[3]
Criminal statusIncarcerated
Conviction(s)2011 - two counts of rape 2012 - one count of murder
Criminal chargeRape, Murder
PenaltyLife imprisonment (sentenced in 2012)
Reward amount
R100 000 (Fidelity ADT)
Capture status
Arrested
Partner(s)Nandipha Magudumana
Time at large
11 months
Escaped3 May 2022[1]
Escape end8 April 2023[2]
Details
VictimsNomfundo Tiyhulu
CountrySouth Africa
Location(s)Pretoria, Gauteng
Imprisoned atKgosi Mampuru II Management Area

Thabo Bester (born 13 June 1986)[4] is a South African convicted rapist and murderer who escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in South Africa after faking his death in a fire in his prison cell in May 2022.[5][6] He was on the run for almost a year before being caught in Arusha, Tanzania on 8 April 2023.[7] He was arrested along with his partner and alleged accomplice, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana.[8] Bester had become known as the "Facebook rapist" because he used the platform to lure models with fake job opportunities.[9] He pleaded guilty to two rapes and one murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

  1. ^ Steyn, Marecia Damons and Daniel. "Did the Facebook rapist die in his cell? Or did he escape from prison?". News24. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Escapee Thabo Bester arrested in Tanzania with long time friends Thabiso Christopher Mahlangu Obakeng boyfriend". Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  3. ^ Swarthout, Iris. "G4S provides obscure answers on Bester prison escape to convince irate MPs". City Press. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. ^ Lekabe, Thapelo (14 April 2023). "Thabo Bester was born in SA, but not registered with Home Affairs – Motsoaledi". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  5. ^ Fihlani, Pumza (13 April 2023). "Thabo Bester: South Africa's 'Facebook rapist' deported from Tanzania". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  6. ^ Mueni, Priscillah (11 April 2023). "Who is Thabo Bester? Everything to know about the South African fugitive". Briefly. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  7. ^ Fihlani, Pumza (12 April 2023). "Thabo Bester: South Africa celebrity doctor's father charged over rapist's escape". BBC News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Thabo Bester: A timeline of what you need to know, from escape to re-arrest". Eyewitness News. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  9. ^ Damons, Marecia (8 November 2022). "Many mysteries surround the death of 'Facebook rapist' Thabo Bester". GroundUp News. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.