Cape Town – Celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana was remanded in custody for a formal bail application set for May 3 and 4, while her father, Zolile Sekeleni, was granted bail when they appeared in the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court on Monday.
The State said it did not oppose bail for Sekeleni, which was set at R10 000.
He is expected to appear again in court on May 16.
According to Times Live, Sekeleni initially faced charges of murder, assisting a convicted individual to escape from custody, fraud, and harbouring an escaped convict. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phaladi Supeng said the State decided to remove the charge of murder.
Sekeleni was told to report once a week to the Port Edward police station in KwaZulu-Natal and refrain from interfering with State witnesses.
In courtroom 17 on Monday, Sekeleni was seen comforting Magudumana as the two sat side by side before proceedings began.
Moments later, they were separated as the accused had to sit in the order they were listed on the indictment. Another suspect, IT expert Teboho Lipholo, then shuffled between father and daughter, News24 reported.
Once the court was in session, the prosecutor asked the magistrate to compel Magudumana to show her face fully.
Dr Nandipha Magudumana shows her face for the first time while in the dock. #ThaboBester @TheAgenda_SABC #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/FEk7U8c8OT
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) April 17, 2023
“The court itself must be satisfied with the identity [of the accused]. We might find that’s not the person. But the court needs to be satisfied that it is indeed the person being charged,” the prosecutor, Sello Matlhoko, was quoted as saying.
Magudumana’s mother and a friend were in court. Before proceedings, Magudumana could be seen interacting with the pair in a brief and emotional encounter.
WATCH: Dr Nandipha Magudumana blows kisses to her family. Her mother and sister become emotional. #ThaboBester #DrNandipha @ewnreporter pic.twitter.com/RtPdxs1Pwh
— Kgomotso? (@motso_modise) April 17, 2023
Dr Nandipha Magudumana waving and blowing kisses at her family and friends in the public gallery.
She and two of her co-accused have been remanded in custody until 3 and 4 May for their bail application.
Her father has been granted R10K bail@IOL pic.twitter.com/cB6phc23Bx— Kailene Pillay (@kailenepillay) April 17, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@56_Am_Blujay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Thabo Bester escape: Heavy police presence ahead of bail plea of accused
Cape Town – There was a strong police presence outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday ahead of the appearance of the four accused linked to the escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester in May last year.
The four included Bester’s girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, her father Zolile Sekeleni, IT expert Teboho Lipholo and dismissed G4S employee, Senohe Matsoara.
They were expected to apply for bail.
DR NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA & CO-ACCUSED IN COURT https://t.co/Y5rxtVfSvt
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 17, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@Chriseldalewis
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Thabo Bester escape: Nandipha Magudumana, her dad back in court
Cape Town – The girlfriend of “Facebook rapist” and prison escapee Thabo Bester, Dr Nandipha Magudumana is set to return to the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday morning, together with her father, Zolile Sekeleni, for a formal bail application.
Magudumana allegedly aided Bester in his audacious escape from custody at the G4S-run Mangaung prison, where he was serving a life sentence, in May last year.
IT expert Teboho Lipholo and dismissed G4S employee, Senohe Matsoara are also expected to appear.
They are facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and aiding and abetting a convict.
Magudumana made her first appearance in the same court flanked by heavily armed police on Thursday last week.
She also faces an additional charge of violating a dead body.
Bester and Magudumana returned to South Africa via a chartered flight from Tanzania last week.
ALSO READ | WATCH | ‘I’m so deeply hurt’ – Thabo Bester’s mom
The couple was tracked down while on the run in Tanzania and was brought back to South Africa to stand trial.
Bester had been sentenced to life in prison for rape, robbery and murder in 2012. He lured victims on Facebook before raping and robbing them. He killed at least one victim.
He escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre almost a year ago but police said they only found out last month.
In May 2022, the charred body of a man was found in Bester’s cell, leading prison authorities to believe at first that he had set himself on fire.
DNA evidence later revealed the body belonged to someone else, and police launched a murder investigation late last month.
Magudumana’s father has also been charged for his role in Bester’s escape, as well as a former G4S employee and a contractor at the prison who maintained and installed cameras.
Bester made an appearance in the same court on Friday and his matter was postponed to next month.
On Monday, the court will determine if the accused have any previous charges and convictions and confirm other details for bail, such as their residential addresses, EWN reported.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@WhyUfikelate
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional information by AFP
