Lerato Mbhiza
THE Bloemfontein High Court has dismissed Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s appeal to be released on bail, finding that she was the main role-player in the escape of convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
In her judgement, Acting Judge Melissa Jordaan found that the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court was correct in denying Magudumana bail, saying that she was the main role-player in Bester’s escape from prison.
Judge Jordaan also found that Magudumana’s arrest in another country without a stamped passport makes her a flight risk.
Magudumana’s lawyer Machini Motloung had argued that the Magistrate erred in finding that when she left the country, she knew that she would not return.
However, Jordaan dismissed this argument, saying the evidence brought forward by the state was convincing enough to prove that Magudumana is a flight risk.
Magudumana and Bester were arrested in Tanzania and deported back to South Africa to face charges.
Magudumana is currently being held at the Bloemfontein Correctional Centre.
She has since filed assault charges against the Department of Correctional Services and the Free State police have confirmed a common assault case was opened at the Park Road police station .
Magudumana alleged that she was assaulted at the Kroonstad Correctional Centre where she is being held in the hospital wing after she collapsed while in the holding cells.
The incident happened before her appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court where it is alleged she undressed while being taken from prison to court.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the matter has been transferred to the Kroonstad Detective Services for further investigation and no arrests have been made.
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