No-show for G4S at escaped rapist meeting in South Africa

Outraged South African MPs have had no choice but to postpone a key committee meeting about a high-risk prison escapee, because representatives for British-owned security company G4S failed to turn up.

G4S employees are accused of helping the jailed serial rapist Thabo Bester to escape from his prison last May - allegations the firm has not commented on.

Local reports allege that a dead body was placed inside Bester's prison cell which was then set on fire, to make it look as if Bester had died in the blaze.

Bester has been at large ever since. A woman who had been dating the escaped convict without knowing his true identity only realised who he was when she saw his photo publicised.

Subsequent DNA tests on the charred corpse from the prison confirmed it was not that of Bester.

The case has shocked and angered many in South Africa.

Explaining its absence from Monday's meeting, the security firm said "G4SCS SA is bound by statutory confidentiality obligations … and contractual confidentiality obligations.

"In order to enable G4SCS SA to fully and properly engage with the portfolio committee, it would need to be afforded the same protections which ordinarily would apply to those attending parliamentary committees."

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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