Thabo Bester at the High Court in Bloemfontein
BLOEMFONTEIN - The much-anticipated pre-trial of convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester unfolded on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 at the Bloemfontein High Court, drawing significant attention.
At the appearance, the prosecution and defence discussed the trial’s direction.
Pre-trial hearings can sometimes stretch out, much like this case, which was initially expected to resolve quickly but is now projected to take a full term.
The preliminary hearings provide a sneak peek at the case and ensure enough evidence exists to proceed.
While trials aim to determine guilt or innocence, these preliminary hearings act as a filter for unfounded charges, allowing both sides to size each other up without revealing their full hands.
Bester’s lawyer raised jurisdictional issues with Judge Cagney Musi, but the judge noted that the case wasn’t ready for hearing due to missing replies and deficiencies in the submitted papers.
As a result, the matter was postponed, setting the stage for more legal wrangling.
Social media, of course, had its own take on the unfolding drama. This is what the X users had to say:
So the next time we will see Nandipha is next year in February? 🤔🤔🤔
So sad for her kids. I’m sure she regrets abandoning bail the first time.
Life ke skorokoro! One minute you a successful doctor and next day an inmate..
#ThaboBester— MmaPhoka (@L3rato_Mofokeng) July 31, 2024
#ThaboBester Want special treatment while he is a dangerous criminal who was arrested in Tanzania at the time he was supposed to be in jail. Sies.
— @Proudly012 🇵🇸🇨🇩🇸🇩 (@Proudly012) July 31, 2024
But #ThaboBester is arrogant to think he can just speak whenever he wants to. pic.twitter.com/lPRBNtASaT
— KimmieKool ✨ (@RaeesaK) July 31, 2024
Gudu Gudu’s hair is disappearing Bathong 💀💀 #ThaboBester pic.twitter.com/fLh5LPzXgM
— MaNyambose (@thandietash) July 31, 2024
By Tshenolo Khaile