Johannesburg – Thabo Bester, the convicted rapist and murderer infamous for his daring prison escape, and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, his accomplice, are taking urgent legal action to prevent the release of a new Netflix documentary titled "Beauty and the Bester". The documentary is scheduled to air on 12 September and promises to delve into their scandalous story.
Bester's lawyers have confirmed they've been instructed to file an urgent application in the High Court. They claim the documentary contains serious, unfounded, and defamatory statements against Bester. They also dispute the accuracy, fairness, and legitimacy of the documentary's contents, arguing that Bester wasn't given a chance to respond to the allegations made against him. They've labelled the production as “character assassination” disguised as a documentary.
The saga of Bester and Magudumana captivated South Africa in April 2023. Bester faked his death and escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in 2022. He was later recaptured in Tanzania alongside Magudumana, a once-respected medical doctor. Their case is expected to be heard later this year.
The legal battle is intensifying as Bester's legal team demands an urgent hearing to prevent the documentary from airing. The outcome of this case will determine whether Netflix can proceed with the release of "Beauty and the Bester" and whether the public will get to see the streaming platform's perspective on this headline-grabbing case.
Key Points of Contention:
- Bester's lawyers argue the documentary is defamatory and inaccurate.
- They claim Bester was denied the opportunity to respond to allegations.
- The documentary is scheduled to air on Netflix on 12 September.
- The urgent court application seeks to interdict the documentary's release.
What's Next?
The High Court will need to decide quickly whether to grant the interdict. The legal arguments presented by Bester's team will be crucial. The public awaits the court's decision with bated breath, keen to see how this dramatic chapter unfolds.