When and how did they die? Cops looking into corpses linked to Thabo Bester escape

According to a Sunday Times report, two of them are believed to have been earmarked for Bester’s previous failed prison break plans from Mangaung maximum security prison. The third body, which was ultimately used as the decoy in Bester’s successful escape on May 3 last year, has still not been identified, according to the report.

Asked whether police were investigating how the bodies ended up at the morgues, Mathe said: “Investigation is ongoing on how long those bodies were in the mortuary and whether they were murdered then claimed back.

“Remember, the autopsy report says the person who was found died as a result of blunt-force trauma to the head and didn’t pick up smoke inhalation.”

Magudumana's father, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, and former G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara also face murder charges in connection with Bester's escape.

According to the charge sheet, the state alleges that on or around March 3 2022 the pair were involved with the killing of an unknown man in or around Bloemfontein.