Thabo Bester & Dr Nandipha: The Notorious Couple Returns to Court!

THE trial of convicted Facebook rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, alongside his co-accused, is set to resume in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Monday, 21 July.

The trial has been delayed due to unresolved legal matters that had been outstanding for a long-time including Bester’s demands for specific detention conditions, access to his laptop, specific foods, clothes as well as legal representatives.

Bester, his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana, G4S employees Senowe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Tieho Makhotsa, Joel Makhetha as well as Dr Nandipha’s father Zolile Sekeleni and Zimbabwean foreign national Zanda Moyo are facing a range of charges including fraud, corruption, violation of a dead body, assisting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody amongst others.

Dr Nandipha Magudumana has on numerous occasions challenged her arrest in the Republic of Tanzania and subsequently deportation to South Africa in 2023.

Magudumana wanted the court to declare her arrest unlawful.

The Supreme Court of Appeal has recently dismissed her application with costs and sided with the previous judgment of the High Court. The state has since argued that Magudumana has voluntarily requested to come back to reunite with her kids.

In the recent court appearance, state prosecutor Advocate Amanda Bester surprised the country when she announced that charges were being dropped against another G4S Security officer, Motanyane Masukuela.

The court will intensively debate on how Bester faked his death and escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre in 2022. It has been stated during Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s bail hearing application in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court that she played a significant role in her boyfriend’s dramatic escape. She has allegedly facilitated the disappearance of Katleho Bereng, whose body was recovered burnt beyond recognition in Bester’s cell.

The highly anticipated trial is expected to run until Friday, 19 September.