The lawyer for convicted murderer and serial rapist Thabo Bester has withdrawn from his case. Advocate Lerato Moela officially withdrew during the pre-trial hearing, which is under way in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein.

Bester’s new lawyer, Advocate MoAfrica Wa Maila, has notified the High Court that he has now taken up the matter.

Bester is in court for a case management hearing in preparation for the trial, together with his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana and their co-accused, who include former Mangaung Correctional Services employees.

They are facing charges including aiding a convicted criminal to escape from lawful custody, fraud, money laundering, arson and violating a corpse.