Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s mother, Nokuzola Sekeleni, passed away on Thursday, 26 March 2026, at her home in Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. The loss arrives at one of the most turbulent chapters of Magudumana’s life, as she currently awaits trial at Bizzah Makhate Correctional Services in the Free State — a deeply painful situation made even more devastating by the fact that she cannot be at her family’s side during their time of grief. The news has drawn significant public attention, reigniting complex conversations about justice, humanity, and the far-reaching consequences of crime on families.
Magudumana was informed of her mother’s passing by senior prison officials and social workers at the correctional centre. Her brother, Nkosinathi Sekeleni, described the moment as deeply shocking, saying she was taken aback and is trying to come to terms with the loss. The family has publicly appealed for strength and compassion during this period, with her lawyer, Machini Motloung, taking steps to ensure his client receives psychological support and remains adequately informed about funeral arrangements.
According to the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, Magudumana may be eligible to apply for compassionate leave to attend the funeral. Such temporary release would be subject to an individualised assessment considering factors like risk classification, security concerns, behavioural record, and the nature of the bereavement. The question of whether she should be allowed to attend sparked fierce debate on social media, with some expressing sympathy for her grief while others pointed to the gravity of her alleged crimes.
The Sekeleni family released a statement urging the media and public to respect their privacy, describing Nokuzola as “the heart of our home” who deserved a send-off as peaceful as the love she gave. The family also moved to dismiss circulating rumours that they had approached government ministers to secure Nandipha’s attendance at the funeral, stating clearly that no such conversations had taken place and that they were simply a family in mourning trying to find their way through the darkness together.
Magudumana, a former celebrity aesthetics doctor whose medical licence was revoked, has been imprisoned since her arrest in Arusha, Tanzania in April 2023, alongside convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester. Their criminal trial, alongside several co-accused, is currently scheduled to take place at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein from 20 July to 18 September 2026. As the trial date draws closer, the death of her mother adds yet another painful layer to a story that has gripped South Africa — a reminder that behind every high-profile case, there are human beings carrying losses that no courtroom can fully address.
