Dr Nandipha Magudumana, a medical doctor who is accused of aiding the prison escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, reportedly fainted in the holding cells of the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, 11 October 2023.
Magudumana was supposed to appear in court with Bester and nine other co-accused, but the proceedings were delayed after she collapsed. Her lawyer, Machini Motloung, claimed that she was ill and had been forcefully transported from Bizzah Makhate Correctional Centre in Kroonstad, where she is detained in the hospital wing.
Magudumana has also opened a case of assault against the Department of Correctional Services, alleging that she was beaten up by prison officials at the Kroonstad facility. The police confirmed that they are investigating the matter.
Magudumana faces charges of fraud, corruption, arson, violation of a body and defeating the ends of justice for her alleged role in helping Bester escape from G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre on 4 September 2023. Bester is serving a life sentence for raping and killing model Nomfundo Tyulu in 2011.
The state has withdrawn charges against three G4S employees who were initially arrested in connection with the escape. They have denied any involvement and said they were framed. The remaining accused include Bester, Magudumana, her father Zolile Sekeleni, Senohe Matsoara, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, Zando Moyo and Joel Makhetha.
Magudumana’s fainting incident has sparked scepticism and criticism from some South Africans on social media, who accused her of faking her condition to avoid facing justice. Some also questioned how she managed to get involved with Bester and what motivated her to allegedly assist him.