The Department of Home Affairs says it has followed due processes required by law to ensure that serial rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester applies for an Identity Document (ID).
Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre last year and fled South Africa upon detection but was later rearrested this year, 2023. Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that Bester has since been issued with an official identity card on 17 May 2023.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday, the Home Affairs Minister said Thabo Bester’s ID card was delivered to him at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre by departmental officials.
This comes after the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) was enlisted by law enforcement agencies to establish the identity of Thabo Bester.
“The DHA conducted an extensive investigation, which included interviewing the biological mother of Thabo Bester, namely Meisie Maria Mabaso (born Bester). The investigation also involved reviewing the birth records of Thabo Bester at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and data stored in the DHA systems,” Motsoaledi said.
The outcome of the investigation, Motsoaledi stated, showed that Thabo Bester had not applied for an identity card after reaching the age of 16, as required in terms of the law.
In that regard the Director-General took immediate steps in terms of section 17 (2) of the Identification Act 88 of 1997.
“Acting in terms of the said section, the Director-General addressed a letter dated 15 May 2023 to Thabo Bester advising him that he had been assigned relevant officials to assist him in his application for an identity card.
“Thabo Bester co-operated with the said officials, who also required his mother to sign the necessary application forms,” the Minister told reporters.
Bester’s name has now been entered into the National Population Register thus ending his status as an unidentifiable person.
