South African police have launched a manhunt for convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, who escaped under bizarre circumstances from a privately run maximum-security prison in the Free State province.
Bester, known as the “Facebook rapist,” was found guilty in 2012 of raping two women and killing one after luring them to the social media platform. In March last year, officials reported that he died in a fire in his cell at Mangaung Correctional Center near Bloemfontein.
But now it appears Bester has escaped his cell amid the fire and lived lavishly in Johannesburg’s posh suburb of Hyde Park.
PROTESTS CONTINUE IN SOUTH AFRICA WHILE DEMONSTRATORS DEMAND THE PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION
According to information first released by South Africa’s GroundUp news agency and confirmed by police, the body burned in the cell was not Bester, according to DNA results. Autopsy results have revealed that the person found dead in the cell died as a result of blunt trauma to the head from before the fire.
The fire appears to have been part of Bester’s elaborate prison escape, which has raised many questions about the possible involvement of prison officials.
A collage of newspapers tells the story of South African police who have launched a manhunt for Thabo Bester, who escaped from a privately run maximum security prison. Bester was found guilty in 2012 of raping two women and killing one after luring them with Facebook. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
SOUTH AFRICA REPORTS FIRST CHOLERA DEATH AS CASES RISE TO 5
“A case of murder is being investigated after the result of DNA analysis confirmed that the body of the deceased found was not that of Thabo Bester,” police spokeswoman Motantsi Makhele said.
The identity of the man found dead in the cell is still unknown, she said.
A case of escape from lawful detention has also been opened as prison officials have confirmed Bester is not in their custody, Makhele said.
“A manhunt has been launched for anyone of interest in this particular case,” she said.
According to media reports, Bester was spotted shopping in Johannesburg’s upscale Sandton district and has been romantically linked to a prominent doctor.
According to the GroundUp report, while in prison, Bester used a laptop he had for study purposes to run an events and production company. He once spoke from his jail cell at a conference, wearing a tie and telling the other attendees that he was speaking from the United States, the report said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Mangaung Prison is currently run by UK-based private security firm G4S, which has been given a contract to manage the facility until 2026, according to South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services. The department has no intention of renewing the contract, it said in a statement.
“We will leave no stone unturned to investigate Thabo Bester’s escape and there will be severe consequences for all involved,” said Correctional Service spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo.
Source : www.foxnews.com