Topic: Prisons | GroundUp

G4S booted from control of Mangaung prison after Thabo Bester escape

Prison department says that the director of Mangaung prison has lost control of the facility

By Daniel Steyn, James Stent and Marecia Damons

News | 30 March 2023

Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha made millions from construction company

Bester used an ID and driver’s licence in the name of “TK Nkwana” after escaping from prison

By Daniel Steyn and Marecia Damons

News | 29 March 2023

Thabo Bester ran a glamorous media company from prison

Joburg high society attended the luxurious launch of Bester’s company

By Daniel Steyn and Marecia Damons

Feature | 24 March 2023

Thabo Bester saga: Nandipha Magudumana abandons her rented mansion

Landlord tried to stop associates of Magudumana from removing some of the household contents

By Daniel Steyn, Marecia Damons and Kimberly Mutandiro

News | 23 March 2023

Facebook rapist: Deputy Minister was informed by warder that Thabo Bester escaped

Nothing appears to have been done about it

By Oliver Meth

News | 22 March 2023

Thabo Bester saga: Prison department denies it has autopsy report. Here it is!

The autopsy was completed a day after the fire and found that the man was dead before his body was burnt

By Daniel Steyn and Marecia Damons

News | 18 March 2023

Man resembling Thabo Bester spotted in Sandton, nearly two months after his supposed death in prison fire

Woman in photo could be celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana

By Daniel Steyn and Marecia Damons

News | 16 March 2023

Did the Facebook rapist die in his cell? Or did he escape from prison?

Extraordinary evidence raises doubts about the claim that Thabo Bester died in a fire at Mangaung prison in May 2022

By Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn

Feature | 15 March 2023

Murder at Mangaung Prison: Leaked report shows ‘Facebook rapist’ was dead before a fire broke out in his cell

Leaked documents show that Thabo Bester was already dead before a fire broke out in his cell

By Marecia Damons

News | 20 January 2023

Prisons watchdog needs sharper teeth

Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services is struggling for independence

By Edwin Cameron

Opinion | 28 November 2022

End solitary confinement, Edwin Cameron tells Parliament

Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services calls for extensive reforms to prison system

By Daniel Steyn

Parliament | 11 November 2022

Man spent two years in prison before charges were dropped

He contracted HIV and was forcibly tattooed while in jail. Now he has been awarded R2-million in damages.

By Tania Broughton

Law | 10 November 2022

Many mysteries surround the death of ‘Facebook rapist’ Thabo Bester

SAPS says the outcome of DNA tests to determine the body’s identity can be expected “at any stage”, six months on from the fire.

By Marecia Damons

News | 8 November 2022

Pollsmoor wardens picket for higher wages and better working conditions

“Minister Lamola can you work eight hours everyday for 11 days without a rest?”

By Vincent Lali

Brief | 12 October 2022

Abortion behind bars: women in prisons have extra obstacles to overcome

Prison policies must be changed

By Rebecca Gore

Opinion | 8 June 2022