Manhunt for “Facebook Rapist”, Thabo Bester, Escaped from South African Prison

Thabo Bester Fakes His Own Death to Escape Prison

Thabo Bester, known as the “Facebook rapist,” has allegedly escaped from a maximum security prison in the Free State province in South Africa. Officials had previously reported that he had died in a fire in his cell last year. However, it has now been revealed that Bester faked his own death amid the fire to escape from captivity.

Bester was found guilty in 2012 of raping two women and killing one after luring them with the social media platform. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for these crimes. While serving his sentence, Bester used a laptop he had for studies to run an event and production company in prison. He even addressed a conference from his prison cell at one point.

DNA Testing Reveals the Charred Remains Did Not Belong to Bester

Last May, a fire broke out in Bester’s prison cell at Mangaung Correctional Center. Prison guards assumed that Bester had perished in the blaze, leaving behind charred human remains. DNA testing was conducted on the corpse found in Bester’s cell against samples provided by his mother. The results revealed that the remains belonged to another male who had died of blunt force trauma to the head before the fire started.

An autopsy report also suggested that the unidentified male had died before the blaze began and there were no signs of smoke inhalation in his body. It is uncertain how Bester managed to escape from his cell during or after the fire.

Manhunt Launched for Thabo Bester and All Persons of Interest

After discovering that Bester had faked his own death, prison officials opened a case of escape from lawful custody since he was not under their authority anymore. South African authorities have launched a manhunt for Bester and all persons of interest in this case. It is unclear whether Bester had any assistance from other inmates or individuals outside of the prison.

The revelation of Bester’s escape has sparked an outcry from human rights groups, who assert that the South African government does not do enough to protect victims of sexual violence. Between October and December last year, police recorded over 12,000 rapes across the country, according to Al Jazeera.

Bester’s Escape Rekindles Calls for Action on Sexual Violence

Bester’s escape has rekindled calls for action on sexual violence against women in South Africa. Women’s rights groups have long accused the government of not doing enough to tackle violence against women, and the case has sparked outrage in the country.

Local media outlet GroundUp raised doubts about Bester’s death last November before Saturday’s announcement. Women have since alleged that the con artist contacted them on social media. The revelations of Bester’s escape have also drawn criticism from opposition parties like Economic Freedom Fighters who blamed the incompetence of the Correctional Services system and the endemic corruption in the sector for his escape.

Authorities are implored to recapture Thabo Bester and establish exactly how he faked his death, promising that there will be serious consequences for any party involved.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons