The National Prosecution Authority said Nandipha Magudumana is looking at a lengthy jail term for her alleged role in aiding a convicted rapist and murderer from lawful custody. State prosecutor Sello Matlhoko, representing the state in the bail application of Magudumana at Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court, said the suspect has no regard nor respect for the law.

He said if released on bail there is a likelihood that the suspended doctor could evade trial or interfere with state witnesses. Magudumana faces a string of charges which include fraud, corruption, aiding, and abetting Bester to escape from lawful custody, and violating a corpse.

Magudumana is facing a Schedule 5 criminal offence 

Where Schedule 5 or 6 is applicable the onus is on the applicant. Different requirements between schedules 5 and 6 must be met by the applicant before bail is granted. In Schedule 5 offences, the bail applicant must satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit his or her release. Despite the lengthy jail term sought by the state against her, it has been further indicated to the court that six civil lawsuits of fraud were registered against her.

Six civil lawsuits of fraud were registered against Magudumana. Photo: Lucky Nkuyane

Monies involved in these cases range from R15 million, R5.112 million, R1.2 million, R900 000, R500 000, and R150 000. She fraudulently claimed at least two bodies from the state mortuary in Bloemfontein, including that of Katlego Bereng, which was used as a decoy for Bester to escape from G4S in May 2022. 

These bodies were fraudulently claimed and fake funerals were held in Phase 2 Bloemfontein. The police found bags of rotten meat and flour inside the one casket upon examination. She allegedly is the mastermind of the Bester escape. The state has since refuted the claims that she was threatened, forced, or pressured to flee with Bester to Tanzania. 

A state witness in his affidavit said Magudumana fetched Bester from KwaZulu-Natal after he made a daring escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.  

State prosecutor Sello Matlhoko opposes Magudumana's bail application at Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court. Photo: Lucky Nkuyane

She and Bester rented a place where they made renovations and also had security personnel. Later on, Magudumana and Bester fled the country via Zimbabwe and were arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, in transit to Kenya. They were then brought back to the country in April 2023 where she appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court and was remanded in custody. Bester was then transferred to the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Centre in Pretoria. 

The two appeared together in court on 8 August for the first time since their arrest. They appeared in good spirits. However fast forward from that court appearance, Magudumana has told the could that Bester threatened, forced, and pressured her into the car. She is among 12 suspects arrested for aiding Bester to escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022. 

Nine suspects, including accused 1, Senohe Matsoara, are out on R10 000 bail. It is only Magudumana, Bester, and an illegal immigrant from Zimbabwe Zando Moyo who remain in custody.

The suspects face charges ranging from aiding, abetting, defeating the ends of justice, violating a dead body, and fraud. Most of the suspects were arrested by the police’s provincial organised crime unit in June and July whilst more are former G4S security guards.

Accused 1, Matsoara; accused 3, Teboho James Lipholo; and accused 7, Tieho Frans Makhotsa, allegedly all received thousands of rands for aiding and abetting Bester to escape.

The bail application will continue on Wednesday. The defence for Magudumana will submit his closing argument this morning after the state delivered its head of argument yesterday.

OFM News