Bester escape highlights Lamola’s failure

THE Justice and Correctional Services Ministry’s failure to act quickly on recommendations such as granting paroles and on sensitive information such as Thabo Bester’s escape has been attributed to Minister Ronald Lamola’s alleged lack of innovation. These were the assessments of legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala and prison rights activist Golden Miles Bhudu following revelations that Lamola had failed to act speedily after Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (Jics) head Judge Edwin Cameron had informed him about the escape of killer and serial rapist Bester. Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, defended the minister, saying he was taking his work seriously. “Even during the parliamentary meeting, Justice Cameron on several occasions said at the time he informed the minister he was not certain about the occurrence of this incident (Bester’s escape),” said Phiri.…