Thabo Bester in court. eNCA/Silindelo Masikane
JOHANNESBURG - The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed Thabo Bester's bid to be reclassified as an awaiting trial detainee.
Last week, the convicted murderer and rapist represented himself in court, saying his rights were being violated.
He argued that Correctional Services has found him guilty of escaping from prison, even though his trial hasn't begun. This is despite facing escape-related charges.
"I would never be in a position where I am found guilty of an escape because the escape is not a typical escape where a person broke out of a wall and jumped.
"It is a situation where somebody has been out for a very long time, and they decided that this person has escaped," he told the court.
He wanted the court to be reclassified from a sentenced prisoner to just a remanded detainee.
On Wednesday, court found his arguments had no merit.
He also told the court he was “on holiday” in Tanzania when he fled South Africa.
The state rejected the application as baseless.
Bester remains a sentenced prisoner, held at Ebongweni Correctional Facility, facing further charges linked to his escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.