The trial of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and his co-accused over his 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre has been postponed again.
The Free State High Court has set a new trial window from 19 April to 18 June 2027.
Bester faces charges alongside several co-accused, including his former girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and her father, Zolile Sekeleni.
Trial moved to April 2027
The State and the various defence teams agreed to move the trial date to allow other pending legal matters involving counsel to be dealt with first.
Judge Mareena Opperman subsequently set the new trial period.
The court warned accused people who are currently out on bail that they must appear in court on 19 April at 09:30 or risk having their bail cancelled.
Bester and accused number seven will be required to attend the trial in person.
During Friday’s proceedings, Bester appeared virtually before the court.
Technical problems disrupted parts of the hearing, although the proceedings were able to continue.
Charges linked to 2022 escape
The case centres on Bester’s escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in 2022.
Bester is accused of staging his death by using the charred body of Katlego Bereng to create the impression that he had died during a fire in his prison cell.
His co-accused face charges connected to the circumstances surrounding the escape.
Bester and Magudumana were later arrested after leaving South Africa.
The latest postponement means the criminal trial linked to the prison escape will now only begin next year.
Separate prison treatment case continues
Bester is also involved in separate legal proceedings concerning his treatment while in prison.
He has challenged the conditions under which he is being held.
The Department of Correctional Services has denied allegations concerning his treatment.
The prison escape trial remains one of the country’s most closely watched criminal cases, with Bester and his co-accused now expected to return for the scheduled trial period beginning in April 2027.