Pearl Thusi has shared her harrowing account of encountering a knife-wielding Thabo Bester – popularly known as the “Facebook Rapist”, back in 2011. The actress and presenter relived the experience in Netflix’s new docuseries Beauty and the Bester, which was released on Friday, 12 September
Bester is a convicted rapist, murderer, and fraudster who is facing an upcoming trial for his prison escape in 2022. Alongside his co-accused Nandipha Magudumana, the duo are also facing charges of defrauding the public and violating multiple bodies.
PEARL THUSI RELIVES THABO BESTER ORDEAL
In episode one of Beauty and the Bester, Pearl Thusi revealed how she came face-to-face with Thabo Bester in June 2011.
The mother-of-one received a Facebook invite from Bester to audition for a TV gig in Sandton that paid R70 000 a month.
Pearl accompanied Bester to the audition in her car, but soon realised that Bester had lured her under false pretences. In the car, Bester pulled out a knife and threatened her life.
She said: “My mind is racing, my adrenaline is pumping. I’d never felt so stupid. I asked him, ‘Why are you doing this?’”.
Pearl Thusi convinced Thabo Bester to visit her pastor and even gifted him a Bible.
Although she declined to call the police, she claims that Bester ended up in the back of a police van.
She added, “I had no clue what I was dealing with; he is a psychopath. I couldnt have helped him.”
Pearl stated that she regretted not reporting the incident. She added, “Maybe I could’ve gotten him locked up [sooner] and I could’ve saved someone’s life.”
MURDER OF MODEL THREE MONTHS LATER
Just three months after his encounter with Pearl Thusi and being linked to the alleged rapes of several models, Thabo Bester murdered his girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu.
In September 2011, Bester took Nomfundo – a part-time model – to Cape Town with the promise of a professional shoot.
Bester had met the car saleswoman a few months earlier after he purchased a brand new BMW 1 Series from a dealership where she worked.
At the time, Bester had just been released from jail for committing fraud.
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News
According to GroundUp, the couple stayed in the five-star One &Only and later the Roman Retreat B&B. In the early hours of 21 September, Bester stabbed Nomfundo Tyhulu in the chest after they had a heated argument about their relationship status.
He would later tie her hands behind her back with a T-shirt and demand the password to her laptop, which he stole along with her cellphone.
Leaving her body at the B&B, Thabo Bester would go on the run from the police. Using multiple aliases, cell phones, and Facebook accounts, Bester undoubtedly had authorities guessing his next move.
“Catch me if you can”, he infamously posted on one account.
