Probe into Thabo Bester escape from prison was delayed by DNA, postmortem reports: DCS

Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre on May 3 2022, the department confirmed, after it was initially believed he had committed suicide by setting himself alight in his cell.

Security company G4S insisted Bester died in the fire, but confirmed it had dismissed three employees for their conduct on the day.

Correctional services has suspended a director of contract management based at the department's head office, the DCS controller at Mangaung and the deputy controller.

Thobakgale explained why it took nearly a year to finalise a report on the matter. 

“The investigation took long. We were furnished with the DNA results and the postmortem report in October [last year] while we were doing the investigation. A draft report was submitted to the director of contract management in December and the final report was submitted to the office of the national commissioner on March 22 2023.