Simz Ngema releases statement dismissing visit to Thabo Bester in prison
Ngema shares her side of the story regarding Bester
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0 Actress Simphiwe ‘Simz’ Ngema has been linked to the infamous Facebook rapist, Thabo Bester, after prison records revealed that she had visited him. This is on the heels of suggestions that Bester had a slew of high-profile figures that visited him while incarcerated using the alias “TK Motsepe”.
The Thabo Bester case has been trialed in the courtroom as well as on public platforms, with the developing story unraveling each time new evidence is unveiled. Social commentators have dragged anyone who is affiliated with Bester for their possible involvement in business dealings with the caught fugitive, prompting many to make a response to the allegations.
Shaun ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize is another popular figure that was also accused of visiting Bester at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. The businesswoman turned reality star has since refuted those claims via her social media accounts.
Ngema shares her side of the story regarding Bester
Simz broke her silence after social media went ablaze at the news that she’s one of the celebrities that visited the disgraced scammer. She used her Instagram account to express how her meeting with Bester came about.
“Thabo Bester was working in the entertainment industry and introduced himself as TK Motsepe, and that’s how we made contact. He seemed well connected and was able to organise meetings and big events, which I and many other public figures were booked for,” stated Ngema.
“Till this day, I was never paid for some of the events that I was booked for in the 21st Century. In 2018, I went to the prison to demand answers; it was a difficult time in my life, and he owed me money.
Ngema defends her innocence by adding, “I’ve been extremely open about everything to those that have been investigating, and I have nothing to hide. I am not the person that went there on a regular basis, nor was I the last person to visit before his escape.
“This was five years ago, and I have supporting documents at my disposal that prove I had only visited on one occasion. Dated: April 5, 2018. The media should stop vilifying his victims and using us as a tool for distraction because we also want answers.”
Ngema put further distance between herself and the disgraced convict by suggesting that someone needed to make the communication records public, noting that people’s livelihoods could be affected by the alleged association with Bester.
“Stop using his victims as a tool for distraction. Someone needs to make those records public. So many innocent people are getting hurt from all of this. My family can’t deal with this again. After five years.”
The social media post would later be deleted; however, the damage had already been done.
Thabo Bester & 21st Century Media
Through 21st Century Media, one of the many businesses that he was pedaling while in prison, Bester was able to solicit the buy-in of high-profile celebrities under the name ‘Tom Motsepe’. The company was aptly named to assume the identity of a subsidiary of the American-based media and entertainment company, 21stCentury Fox.
As chairman of 21st Century Media, Bester made a daring spectacle in 2018 by promoting a ‘Women in Media’ conference, which listed Hollywood darlings Halle Berry and Taraji P Henson as guests. After the stars spoke out against the event, it was revealed to be a sham.
Ngema was amongst the star-studded guestlist that were present at the launch of 21st Century Media, with some of the notable attendees including Mzwanele Manyi, Amanda Du Pont, and Yvonne Chaka Chaka. The luxurious event was held at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton.
With the court proceedings underway, it remains to be seen whether Simz will be called to testify. Stay tuned.
