Police probe how fugitive evaded checkpoints

Tanzanian police are reportedly conducting an inquiry to determine how convicted South African rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and his girlfriend, Nandipha Magudumana, managed to slip into that country and move around without being detected, reports The Citizen. Bester and Magadumana were arrested on 7 April, about 10km out of Arusha, after fleeing the hotel they were staying in. They were arrested with Mozambican national Zacharia Alberto, believed to be the driver who helped them cross different borders during their escape. According to a Tanzanian source, authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the couple’s movements in the country and how they managed to evade the checkpoints and without their ‘passports’ being stamped. ‘Tanzanian police are compiling reports to corroborate their statements. It’s now evident that Thabo Bester and Nandipha first stayed at the White Sands Hotel in Dar-es-Salaam from 31 March to 3 April 2023, and then moved to the Kibo Palace Apartments in Arusha. ‘An inquiry is open in Tanzania on how he was able to navigate through all the checkpoints, including the borders, with the fake documents and the multiple passports carried by the couple.’ the source said. The fugitives, were dressed in Islamic clothing to disguise themselves, when they were arrested by the Tanzanian police. Bester and Magudumana were brought back to SA on 13 April by Department of Justice officials and the police.