Magudumana’s bail appeal dismissed, court finds she was main player in Bester’s escape 

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