Dr Nandipha decides not to apply for bail after crucial evidence emerges

Six accused persons who allegedly helped convicted serial rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, escape appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court for a bail application on Thursday, 11 May. Dr Nandipha Magudumana appeared as Accused number 4.

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FIVE CO-ACCUSED APPEAR IN COURT FOR BAIL APPLICATION WHILE DR MAGUDUMANA POSTPONES HER MATTER

Bester’s lover and the alleged mastermind behind the May 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, appeared as Accused number 4.

Magudumana’s lawyer asked the court to postpone her matter to 16 June – when “the main matter is heard”, as he put it. Bester and Magudumana’s father, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni return to court on that date.

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The lawyer stressed that the accused was not abandoning her right to bail but wished to keep it abeyance due to the emergence of crucial evidence.

“I also need to place it on record that accused number 4, because of the nature of the importance of that particular information, is also looking at the possibility of exploring other avenues of ventilating her rights outside this particular court by way of other processes, amongst other applications.”

“All that we are saying, is we are not abandoning the right of accused number 4 to apply for bail… her right to apply for bail exists throughout proceedings… we are merely saying let that right be held in abeyance,” said the lawyer.

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STATE RECEIVED REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM LEGAL TEAM

The State confirmed that it had received a request for information from Magudumana’s legal team, which would inform the team’s decision on the way forward. The State said the request was received on Thursday, 11 May.

After consulting with both legal parties, the judge agreed to postpone Magudumana’s matter and remanded her in custody. The reason for the postponement was cited as further investigation.

The bail applications for the give others continued, while the doctor went to the court holding cells. The court told the media that it would not allow proceedings to be livestreamed.

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This article was originally published by STORM SIMPSON.