No more aliases: Thabo Bester Receives ID Card From Home Affairs
Sunday World reveals that “Facebook Rapist” Thabo Bester has finally received a South African identity document (ID) card from the Department of Home Affairs, bringing an end to the controversy surrounding his numerous aliases.
Background of the Identity Issue
The publication reports that a home affairs official visited the Kgosi Mampuru correctional centre last week to hand over the South African ID to Thabo Bester. This follows recent developments where Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed that a DNA test conducted on Bester and a woman claiming to be his mother resulted in a 99% positive match. Furthermore, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital verified that Bester was born there in 1986.
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According to Motsoaledi, Bester was registered through the “late registration of birth” process, suggesting that he might not have had a birth certificate or ID card before. This process involves gathering documents from hospitals, crèches, and other sources to establish one’s birth details and then obtaining a birth certificate through a special tribunal at the Department of Home Affairs.
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Confirmation of Thabo Bester’s South African Citizenship
“DNA testing of Bester’s mother confirmed that he was indeed a native South African citizen who was born at Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto,” adds the publication. Although Motsoaledi did not explicitly mention the visit to Kgosi Mampuru to provide Bester with a new SA ID, an anonymous source confirmed that officials had visited to put an end to doubts about Bester’s citizenship and real identity, establishing that he is indeed 100% South African.
Multiple Identities Unveiled
In April, it was revealed that convicted murderer Thabo Bester had been using up to 13 aliases during his time at Mangaung Correctional Centre. These aliases included Thomas Bester, Tom Bester, Tom Motsepe, Thabo Tom Bester, Tom Kelly, Thomas Kelly Bester, Thomas Berter, TK Nkwana, Robert, Thomas Kelly Young, Tommy William Kelly, Thomas Magagula, Thabo Magagula, and Rufus Mahopo.
Also Read: ‘Thabo Bester Or Impostor?’| Minister Of Home Affairs Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi Addresses The Identity Question
Under the guise of TK Nkwana, Bester was known to have spent time with Magudumana in a boutique hotel near the prison. As Tom Motsepe, he posed as the chairperson of a bogus events and production company called 21st Century Media, even attending meetings via video call while claiming to be in New York.
As Thomas K Bester, he introduced himself as the CEO of TV channel MTV Base to a Cape Town salon owner named Nomaxabiso Xhotyeni. Furthermore, Bester used the name Tommy William Kelly when he was arrested in Tanzania, presenting an American passport.
The revelation of these multiple identities shocked Bester’s childhood friends, who had known him as “Robert.”
With the issuance of the South African ID card, the Department of Home Affairs has put an end to Thabo Bester’s various identities, establishing his true identity and confirming his South African citizenship.
