Nandipha Magudumana assaulted in jail

The Department of Correctional Services is investigating circumstances that led to disgraced celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana being assaulted in prison.

Magudumana was allegedly assaulted by an inmate on Saturday, 16 March at the Kroonstad Correctional Centre in Free State.

CORRECTIONAL SERVICE PROBING ASSAULT ON DR NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA

As previously reported, Magudumana was arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, with her partner, convicted criminal and rapist Thabo Bester. They were deported to South Africa in April 2023.

She is accused of fraud, defeating the ends of justice, violating a body, aiding and abetting an inmate to escape from lawful custody, corruption and arson.

On Monday, 18 March, Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Magudumana laid a complaint of assault by another inmate.

Nxumalo said the department is investigating the circumstances following what was said to be a prayer meeting in a different cell from Magudumana’s.

“Reports of an alleged altercation and a push against the grills can be confirmed. DCS officials advised Magudumana to open a criminal case when she reported that she was allegedly assaulted. Magudumana opted to discuss it with her lawyers first.

“Furthermore, DCS Healthcare officials conducted an examination on her and found no visible injuries,” Nxumalo explained.

[BREAKING NEWS] Nandipha Magudumana has allegedly been assaulted in prison by two inmates. She's being held at the correctional facility in Kroonstad. eNCA reporter Moloko Moloto spoke to her lawyer, advocate Machini Motloung. More details on #eNCA #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/F2CXgajM2B

— eNCA (@eNCA) March 18, 2024

CELEBRITY DOCTOR ALLEGEDY THREATENED IN PRISON

In an interview with eNCA, Magudumana’s lawyer, Advocate Mochini Motloung, confirmed the incident.

Motloung said he was informed on Monday morning that fellow inmates assaulted Magudumana; apparently, one is a sangoma, and the other is mentally challenged.

“I received a call from my client informing me of the incident. I tried to do a follow-up with the head of the prison but to no avail,” Motloung explained.

Furthermore, the lawyer said there have been threats of violence against Nandipha Magudumana for some time. Even though the celebrity doctor reported this to the relevant authorities, nothing was done.

As previously reported by The South African, in October 2023 Magudumana collapsed ahead of a court appearance.

According to her lawyer she was dragged out of her prison her prison cell despite reporting that she was not well.

“She is not well, she is literally on the floor. I don’t even want to divulge any information that might further humiliate her…She is being treated in the most inhumane manner just because she is Dr Nandipha Magudumana,” he said at the time.