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| ©Mlungisi Louw/Netwerk24 |
Dr Nandipha Magudumana, accused of helping Thabo Bester escape prison, has been denied bail in her criminal trial. Magudumana, allegedly aiding Bester to escape, was caught with him in Tanzania. She faces charges of fraud, corruption, violating a corpse, defeating the ends of justice, and aiding and abetting a prisoner escape from prison.
During her bail application, Magudumana claimed that Bester had threatened her and taken her to Tanzania against her will. However, Magistrate Estelle de Lange denied her bail, stating that she could assist with another escape for Bester if she were out of prison. Magudumana had also claimed the bodies they planned to use as decoys in Bester's fake suicide and escape.
De Lange stated that although Magudumana had demonstrated strong ties in the country, the State had proved a strong case against her, and if convicted, she might face a lengthy prison sentence. The court believed no bail condition would be enough to ensure that Magudumana stood trial.
Magudumana was found with her passport, which had no record of her leaving the country, even though she went through three border posts. The court found that no bail conditions would make her stand trial. Magudumana bowed and nodded in disagreement as the magistrate went through the State's damning evidence against her. Her brother was the only family member to attend court, and he held her hand and told her to be strong.
