Pearl Thusi Reveals Terrifying Near-Death Encounter with Thabo Bester on Netflix’s ‘Beauty and the Bester’ — Mzansi Divided
Pearl Thusi Reveals Terrifying Near-Death Encounter with Thabo Bester on Netflix’s ‘Beauty and the Bester’ — Mzansi Divided
Pearl Thusi shared how she narrowly escaped death after an encounter with Thabo Bester on the Netflix documentary, Beauty and the Bester
Netizens expressed mixed reactions, with some questioning Pearl Thusi’s version of events
Pearl Thusi isn’t the only South African celebrity who had an encounter with Thabo Bester as revealed by the Netflix documentary
South Africans shared mixed reactions after renowned media personality Pearl Thusi shared her near-death encounter with Thabo Bester on the Netflix docuseries Beauty and the Bester.
Netflix had teased viewers that Pearl Thusi would share details of her relationship with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester. The docuseries premiered on Netflix on Friday, 12 September 2025, after the Pretoria High Court tossed Bester and his alleged accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s bid to block it.
The three-part docuseries shared details about his life, including how he allegedly faked his death and escaped from prison. It also featured Pearl Thusi sharing a terrifying knife incident with Thabo Bester.
Pearl Thusi recalls near-death encounter with Thabo Bester
Netflix SA shared a snippet of Pearl Thusi sharing how she escaped a near-death encounter with Thabo Bester. She alleged that Bester lured her with the promise of a TV presenting gig.
“He’s genuinely crazy. I don’t know what specifically drew him to me. Back then, Facebook was a big thing. That is how Thabo got hold of me. It was some sort of a TV hosting gig,” she said.
When she arrived at the rendezvous, Thabo Bester got into the car. She shared how the drive quickly turned terrifying after he told her to turn left, and she realised they were driving towards a dead end.
“As I turned to look at him, he’s already drawn the knife. My mind is racing, my adrenaline is pumping. I’d never felt so stupid,” she added.
Despite the threat, the former Scorpion Kings actress shared how she remained calm and encouraged Thabo Bester to see her pastor.
“I think I asked him, ‘Why are you doing this?’ or he starts a monologue about his life and how hard it has been. For me, as a young Christian woman, this was a huge opportunity to do the right thing, and I really believed that I was about to help someone. I said, ‘Give your life to God or do speak to my pastor,’ and at some point, he agreed. He sold his story to Pastor Gift as well,” Pearl Thusi said.
Watch the video below:
Pearl Thusi should have never agreed to be part of Beauty and The Bester 💀
— Jabulani Macdonald ⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) September 14, 2025
