THE state has withdrawn charges against Motanyane John Masukela (53), a former G4S prison employee accused of playing a role in the infamous escape of convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester.
Masukela, identified as accused number five, appeared on Tuesday, 17 June, in the Bloemfontein High Court alongside Bester, his girlfriend and disgraced doctor Nandipha Magudumana, her father Cornelius Sekeleni, and two fellow G4S employees, Senohe Matsoara and Teboho Lipholo.
"I am going to withdraw the case against one of the accused. We can excuse him, and he can go in peace, and that is against accused number five," announced state prosecutor Advocate Amanda Bester during proceedings.
The decision came without explanation, and no objections were raised by the defence or prosecution.
It's unclear whether Masukela has turned state witness or if new evidence cleared him.
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Masukela was previously among the accused in the sensational 2022 prison break that saw Bester, dubbed the "Facebook rapist", escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre by faking his own death in a staged cell fire.
The escape was described by the Department of Correctional Services as "elaborately planned and well executed".
The case, which has gripped the nation, is set to resume on 19 September.
The remaining accused still face a slew of serious charges including fraud, corruption, and aiding an escape from lawful custody.
Public interest in the case remains high due to its dramatic twists, alleged corruption inside a privately-run prison, and the involvement of Magudumana, once a respected medical professional-turned-fugitive.
