With his charm and gift of the gab, Thabo Bester has repeatedly deceived the public into believing he was a hotshot businessman. The convicted criminal is also thought to be well-connected to several celebrities and politicians who have directly or indirectly crossed paths with him.
Thabo and his co-accused, former girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana and seven others, are facing a slew of charges, including aiding his 2022 prison escape, running fraudulent businesses, and violating multiple bodies.
His trial is set to begin on 10 November at the Bloemfontein High Court.
THABO BESTER: CELEBRITIES LINKED TO CONVICT?
In 2023, Thabo Bester was first linked to celebrity aesthetics doctor Nandipha Magudumana. However, his “contact list” reportedly contains many more prominent names…
Through his own admission and via media reports, these celebrities’ names have been linked to Thabo Bester…
In 2012, a year after his sentencing for rape and murder, Pearl Thusi went public about coming came face to face with the man dubbed the “Facebook Rapist” in a chilling encounter. In a police affidavit shown to Sunday World, the star revealed how she had survived an attack by the convict.
Pearl allegedly introduced Bester to actor Tumisho Masha and later singer-turned-preacher Kabelo Mabalane. Masha later told the media that Thabo Bester was a “textbook definition of a psychopath”.
In a letter written from prison in 2013, Bester claimed he had been “abandoned” by his celebrity pals and wrote about feeling “loneliness, rejection, and judgment.” In the letter, Thabo Bester name-dropped a reported friendship with media personality Bonang Matheba.
Addressing the star directly, Bester wrote: “I was the one who believed in you from the days of UJ (University of Johannesburg). Through me, you got your dream job. From that Fiat to Mini, I was with you.”
Images via YouTube screenshot/ Instagram: @bonang_m
He added: “It’s ok because God knows me, and I love you as a sister in God…Bonang, God bless you with more work”.
Bonang reportedly clapped back at Bester’s wild allegations. She told the media: “This is bizarre because I don’t know him at all.”
BIRTHDAY BASH WITH CELEB PALS?
In investigations published by GroundUp, Thabo Bester ran an elaborate, multi-million rand scam while in prison.
Under an alleged accomplice – he registered an event and production company called 21st Century Media in 2018. This, while he was imprisoned at the Magaung Correctional Centre for his murder and rape sentence.
The company held a grand launch party at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, attended by celebs like Amanda du Pont, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and politician Mzwanele Manyi.
Bester – using the alias Tom Motsepe – told his company employees and the public that he was based in New York. He also claimed that he was related to SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe.
In a video clip that has since gone viral, Nomzamo Mbatha and Thabile Ngwato were captured singing Happy Birthday to “Tom,” who was seen laughing via a video link.
SIMZ NGEMA, MAMKHIZE, AND JACOB ZUMA
Following his rearrest in 2023 alongside Nandipha Magudumana, Thabo Bester’s name was once again linked to several more high-profile people.
On the X platform, actress Simz Ngema and businesswoman Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize were accused of visiting Bester in prison. Both women vehemently denied the allegations of knowing the criminal.
Images via Instagram: @simzngema/ Twitter: @am_blujay
The same year, a seemingly Photoshopped image of Bester with former president Jacob Zuma went viral on social media.
Ironically, the Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi – who labelled the image a “malicious attempt to tarnish the former president” – has been criticised for being duped by Bester years earlier.
INTERNATIONAL STARS TOO?
In 2018, Thabo Bester’s fraudulent company, 21st Century Media, posted images of an event titled the “Women In Media Conference.” The event had a star-studded line-up: Bonang Matheba was booked as the MC, and US actresses Taraji P. Henson, Halle Berry, and singer Ashanti were advertised as speakers.
Local actress and media mogul Connie Ferguson and presenter Claire Mawisa were also billed to appear.
But things took a turn for the worse when the women were alerted to the scam a month before the event. They have all denied being booked for the event.
PRISON VISITS FROM HIGH-PROFILE PALS
In 2023, investigative reporter Karen Maughan told Newzroom Afrika that a “well-known celebrity” was linked to Thabo Bester. She alleged that a “billionaire” businesswoman had visited Bester at the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
“We’ve been phoning a number of the people who’ve been visiting him, and a number of the people he listed as contacts – including a very well-known celebrity, who we know. We’ve seen her on TV”, she said.
She added: “He was receiving visits from a woman who he claims to be this successful billionaire after the start of his relationship with Nandipha, which began in 2017”.
DO YOU BELIEVE THABO BESTER HAD LINKS WITH CELEBRITIES AND POLITICIANS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
