PRETORIA - Thabo Bester's never-ending legal battles are overshadowing the human cost of his elaborate 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State.
Katlego Bereng’s body was used as a decoy and set alight in Bester's cell to facilitate the escape.
While Bester’s latest urgent court bid has been struck off the roll, Bereng's father shared his exhaustion from the numerous trial delays.
WATCH: Thabo Bester escape | Katlego Bereng’s mother pleads for justice
Batho Mpholo believes there's a deliberate attempt to delay the trial so that it will never be known how his son's body ended up in the Mangaung Prison as part of the escape.
"You know this is emotionally draining, everything about this case ...it will be a miracle if it starts this year," he said.
Meanwhile, Bester's lawyers received a tongue-lashing in the Pretoria High Court.
The judge labelled their latest urgent court bid to have Bester transferred back to Gauteng as sloppy.
READ: Court dismisses Thabo Bester's bid to be transferred back to Gauteng
Questions have been raised about how Bester is funding his legal challenges.
A final pre-trial sitting is set for 18 March in Bloemfontein.
Bester and his co-accused are expected to find out whether their trial will go ahead in July.
- eNCA's Silindelo Sebata reports.