Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s bail request has been met with a resounding denial by the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court. This decision means she will remain in custody while awaiting further legal proceedings.
Magistrate Estelle De Lange, in handing down her judgement, firmly stated, ‘The applicant is a flight risk, and no bail conditions will assist. I find that she didn’t satisfy the court that she be released on bail.’
This development comes two weeks after Magudumana initially applied for bail following her arrest in April. Her partner, Thabo Bester, a convicted rapist and murderer, was also taken into custody. Bester had previously feigned his own death at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, managing to escape in May of the previous year.
Also read: Dr Nandipha allegedly stole 3 bodies to aid Thabo Bester’s prison escape
Allegedly, Magudumana played a pivotal role in orchestrating and coordinating Bester’s escape, with the prosecution labelling her as the mastermind behind the operation.
Magudumana is currently facing a litany of charges, including fraud, violating a body, corruption, arson, aiding an inmate’s escape, harbouring and concealing an escaped prisoner, and obstructing the course of justice.
In response to the bail denial, defence lawyer Machini Motloung expressed, ‘She is equally dismayed but not despondent.’ Motloung further commented that Magudumana is ‘feeling disheartened but not without hope’ regarding the result of her bail request.
[WATCH] #DrNandiphaMagudumana‘s legal team says they are dismayed but not despondent. They will study the judgement and map a way forward. @LindA_MniSii pic.twitter.com/aEnGBUswf2
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 11, 2023
Magistrate Estelle de Lange’s ruling highlighted that bail conditions wouldn’t prevent Magudumana from potentially assisting Bester in escaping. Additionally, there was evidence suggesting that she had the means and knowledge to leave the country.
Currently detained in the Bizzah Makhate Prison in Kroonstad, Free State, Magudumana’s legal team is considering the possibility of an appeal, pending a thorough analysis of the judgement’s reasons.
Also read:
Picture: Lisa Nelson