“I shower in a cage” – drama as Thabo Bester argues with judge, demands laptop

PRETORIA – There was drama at the Pretoria High Court in South Africa on Tuesday as convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester alleged that he was showering and exercising in a cage, as he demanded material that he said would allow him to represent himself best at his trial.

Bester, dubbed the Facebook rapist after a spate of robberies, rape and murder, was sentenced to 50 years in jail by the Durban Magistrate’s Court in 2011.

Bester and high-profile co-accused Dr Nandipha Magudumana now face a range of charges related to his escape from the Mangaung Prison two years ago.

Appearing under heavy police guard, Bester tried to bring an application for access to the internet so he could prepare his defense in another matter.

After he was denied access to a laptop, Bester got into a heated argument with the judge, as he claimed that his rights were being infringed upon.

“Students in prison have access to laptops,” argued Bester.

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“Are you a student? I’m giving you access to law books and all the material you need, it will just not be electronic,” the judge replied.

Bester then claimed to have been the subject to inhumane conditions.

“I have lived without access to newspapers, radios and watches. I did not even know the time over the past 16 months. I am in a position where I am disprivileged because of the fact that I have two visits a month, which is 30 minutes a visit and I’m also limited to legal resources because every legal counsel that has to see me must make a legal booking based on availability, then it will be granted.

“If I have to submit any information, my resourcefulness in accessing information is limited because of the rules and regulations enforced on me at C-Max. I am not asking for free access to the internet. Access can be limited and secured in an environment that I am in.

“It has been proven by other prisons. In Finland, Denmark and Belgium there are systems in place for limited access. I am asking the department to put in the same measures.”

The case was dismissed and struck off the roll.

“The application before me is lacking urgency and cannot be entertained. The application is struck off the roll for lack of urgency,” said the judge, who cannot be named following a ruling.