The Star Late Edition

I visited Thabo Bester in prison only one time, says Simz Ngema

- ANITA NKONKI

IN A now-deleted statement posted on social media, popular actress Simphiwe “Simz” Ngema said she had on one occasion visited Thabo Bester in prison.

Ngema said Bester lured her in by introducin­g himself as TK Motsepe, a businessma­n who had connection­s and could organise major events.

She detailed how their business connection occurred in the statement.

The actress said the visit happened five years ago and when she visited him in prison in 2018, it had been to demand answers.

The actress took to Instagram explain how they were linked.

“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,” said 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.

“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 said someone needed to make the communicat­ion records public as many innocent people were being hurt.

“My family can’t deal with again. After five years,” she said.

Ngema spoke out after there had been guesses on social media about who the suspected celebrity who visited Bester was.

Shauwn “Mamkhize” Mkhize, known for her flamboyanc­e, also found herself embroiled in the tale and later denied the claims linking her with the Facebook rapist.

Mkhize took to Instagram to address the allegation­s, saying that she did not know Thabo Bester.

“How is my name affiliated with Thabo Bester? Does this mean I am the only well-known celebrity in South Africa?

“Please do me a favour and go buy my book. That is the only thing that you can talk about. Stop putting me in things that I am not involved in,” she wrote.

Dr Nandipha Magudumana also had a list of celebritie­s she had been close with, such as Moshe Ndiki, who expressed regret on social media after finding out about her alleged criminal acts.

Ngema deleted the statement shortly after her name became the centre of discourse on social media, with numerous people demanding answers to claims that she made about her visit to the prison.

 ?? SIMPHIWE “Simz” Ngema. | INSTAGRAM ??
SIMPHIWE “Simz” Ngema. | INSTAGRAM

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