Question NW2054 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
21 June 2023 - NW2054
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
In view of Thabo Bester’s last appearance in court, on the virtual platform on 16 May 2023 where he appeared in civilian clothing that by all media accounts is exorbitantly expensive, what are the reasons that the convicted prisoner was allowed to appear in civilian clothing as he is a notorious convicted criminal and no amount of designer outfits can screen who he is from any court?
Reply:
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which governs internal and external security prescribes security measures for court appearances by a sentenced offender on further charges.
The SOP outlines that a sentenced offender appearing in court on further charges must be dressed in their own private clothing which is clean and neat. In the event an inmate does not have suitable private clothes they are to be provided with release clothes.
END.