Pretoria – Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has filed an urgent application in the Johannesburg High Court challenging his transfer from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Pretoria to the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in Kokstad.
Bester argues that the move is unlawful, invalid and unconstitutional, and is seeking to be transferred back to Gauteng, though not necessarily to his previous prison.
He also wants the Department of Correctional Services prevented from returning him to eBongweni while his criminal case continues.
JUST IN#ThaboBester
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester is expected to challenge in court his transfer from Kgosi Mampuru Correctional services centre to one of the country’s tightest prison, Ebongweni in Kokstad. The matter is expected to be heard in the High Court in… pic.twitter.com/b0NDgmQ7vj
— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) February 3, 2026
Bester is the second high-profile inmate to contest a transfer to the Kokstad facility, following Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose lawyers claim the move is hindering preparation for his defence.
The application will be heard next Tuesday.
