Pearl Thusi Shares Chilling Encounter With Thabo Bester in Netflix Docuseries

Pearl Thusi has opened up about her terrifying encounter with convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester in Netflix’s new docuseries, Beauty and The Bester.

The three-part series, which premiered on 12 September, takes viewers through the shocking story of the so-called “Facebook rapist.” Among those who shared their experiences is media personality Pearl Thusi, who recalled how she narrowly escaped a potentially deadly situation with Bester.

Pearl explained that her desperate attempt to survive pushed her to reach out to her pastor, Gift, who later negotiated with Bester and gave him a Bible. She also revealed that police eventually stepped in to help her escape.

Pearl Thusi reveals terrifying knife encounter with Thabo Bester in new Netflix documentary

In the new Netflix documentary Beauty and the Bester, actress and media personality Pearl Thusi recounts a chilling encounter with convicted criminal Thabo Bester that occurred in 2011.…

Recalling the ordeal, Thusi said, “I don’t know what specifically drew him to me. Back then, Facebook was a big thing and that is how Thabo got hold of me. It was some sort of a TV hosting gig. I got there and he got into the car. After about 25 minutes of driving, he said turn left here and I realised it’s a dead end. As I turn to look at him, he’s already drawn the knife. My mind is racing, adrenaline is pumping. I never felt so stupid. I asked him why he’s doing this and he starts a monologue about his life and how hard it has been.”

Despite facing the threat of violence, Thusi said her faith carried her through. “For me, as a young Christian woman… I really was about to help someone,” she said. She encouraged Bester to surrender to God and eventually took him to her pastor.

In an emotional moment, Bester reportedly confessed, saying: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. I don’t know what got into me.” Pearl and the pastor prayed with him before she left. Her involvement ended when she spotted a police van nearby and suggested that Bester be taken away. That was the last time she ever saw him.

The documentary also explores Bester’s manipulative ways and the disturbing web of relationships he built. Pearl’s testimony adds a personal and emotional layer to the story, showing the psychological toll of crossing paths with a dangerous criminal. Beauty and The Bester is now streaming on Netflix.

However, not everyone is convinced by Pearl’s account. On X, some users questioned her story.

@Calidonny commented: “That came out more as scripted to dramatise the documentary. It is too unreal. Pearl is an actress; she MIGHT have played another role; it’s just a paying gig.”

@SthembiD wrote: “I’m struggling to believe her narrative.”

@Dbanj25 added: “That is pure lie. The story doesn’t make sense at all.”

@xayo246 questioned: “So he threatens you with a knife, but you managed to stop him and voluntarily take him to church? You then both leave the church together and end up never telling the police what happened to you? I just want to make sure I got that right #BeautyAndTheBester.”

The series continues to stir strong reactions online, with Pearl’s story at the centre of the debate.