Authorities have confirmed that convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria to the eBongweni Super Maximum facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.
“Correctional Services confirms the transfer of offender Thabo Bester to eBongweni Maximum Correctional Facility. It has to be established that offender transfers are a routine practice guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety, security and stability of correctional facilities and the broader criminal justice system,” confirmed the Department of Correctional Services.
The department further highlighted that Bester will continue to receive appropriate care in line with the applicable legislative and policy prescripts, and will retain full access to legal representation, family communication, and court processes.
“All the necessary logistical arrangements will remain in place in order to ensure that court appearances and legal proceedings proceed without any form of disruption,” they added.
TRANSFER OF OFFENDER THABO BESTER TO EBONGWENI CORRECTIONAL CENTRE pic.twitter.com/DdpK0OEjy2
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) January 30, 2026
According to online reports, Thabo’s legal team says they were not formally informed and only learned of the move through a family friend who planned to visit him. His move to eBongweni comes shortly after the alleged crime kingpin, Vusimuzi Cat Matlala, was also moved to the super maximum facility in December.
X (formerly Twitter) users weighed in:
To Us Who Are Happy Thabo Bester and Cat Matlala are going to eBongweni Maximum Prison 🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂 pic.twitter.com/s9PHFoMwQr
— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) January 30, 2026
This move actually makes sense. Thabo Bester being sent to eBongweni Super Max isn’t a surprise
it’s a correction. Right place, right level of security.
Cat Matlala is already there. It’s clear the system has finally stopped taking chances.Some people have shown over and over…
— E.L.A stoneAI (@ELAstoneAI) January 30, 2026
Thabo Bester joining Matlala at Ebongweni making way for General Senona and General Sibiya at Kgosi Mampuru … pic.twitter.com/wGd1Rfus0f
— Tebza_FS🇿🇦🇧🇼🇳🇦 (@FsTebza) January 30, 2026
Also see: ‘I deserve better’ – Thabo Bester battles for luxury behind bars
