PEN1502
Assignment 4
Semester 2 2024
DUE 3 September 2024
, Question 1
1.1 Sentencing Recommendation for Thabo Bester
Aspects Supporting the Recommendation:
• Seriousness of the Crime: Thabo Bester’s escape from Mangaung
Correctional Centre involved significant criminal activities, including the
alleged involvement of security personnel and an accomplice, Magudumana,
in orchestrating his escape. The gravity of the crime, coupled with the murder
of an individual whose body was used to facilitate the escape, underscores
the seriousness of the offense.
• Breach of Trust and Security: The escape involved high-level breaches of
trust and security within the correctional system. The alleged collusion of G4S
and Integriton employees, alongside other accomplices, highlights a severe
lapse in security protocols.
• Subsequent Criminal Activities: Bester’s activities post-escape, including
falsifying identities and the possession of multiple passports, indicate
continued criminal behavior. This suggests that a stringent sentence is
necessary to prevent further criminal activities.
• Impact on the Correctional System: The escape and the subsequent
revelations of mishandled investigations and false claims by Magudumana
have had a detrimental impact on the integrity of the correctional system and
law enforcement. A severe sentence would serve as a deterrent against
similar breaches.
Recommended Sentence:
Given the severity of the crime and the breaches involved, a sentence of life
imprisonment would be appropriate. This reflects the seriousness of Bester’s
escape, the murder of the individual whose body was used in the escape, and the
ongoing criminal activities post-escape. Life imprisonment would also serve as a
deterrent for others contemplating similar actions and address the need for justice for
the victims and the correctional system’s integrity.
1.2 Ensuring Internal and External Security