Unlike previous encounters, Nandipha Magudumana showed little interest in her former flame, Thabo Bester, after they both appeared in the Free State High Court on Wednesday, 24 July.
The former couple and seven others are facing charges relating to a wild criminal spree, which includes orchestrating a prison escape, running fraudulent businesses, and violating multiple bodies.
The accuseds pre-trial hearing was postponed yet again over delays relating to funding and access to legal representation.
They will make their next appearance again on 31 July
THABO BESTER GETS THE COLD SHOULDER IN COURT
While Nandipha Magudumana greeted her father, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni – one of the accused – with a warm hug in court, she gave her alleged boyfriend, Thabo Bester, the silent treatment.
The celebrity doctor avoided eye contact and physical contact with the man she allegedly helped escape his Mangaung prison cell almost two years ago.
When the court was adjourned, Thabo Bester attempted to get Nandipha’s attention, but to no avail. The former couple were then forced to go their separate ways, Nandipha to the Kroonstad Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein and Bester to Pretoria’s Kgosi Mpuru.
Watch the frosty exchange in the clip below…
@newsnexussa #incaseyoumissedit #newsnexus #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #newsstories #newsnexussa ♬ original sound – NewsNexusOfficial
Last month, Thabo Bester was caught on camera mouthing sweet nothings to his rumoured girlfriend.
Before being ushered out of the courtroom, he was seen saying to Nandipha: “I love you too. I got you”.
He then asked her: “You ok?”, to which Nandipha nodded her head.
thabo bester, nandipha magudumana
Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana share a ‘romantic’ moment after court. Images via X: @sli_masekane
WHERE DID NANDIPHA MEET THE CONVICTED CRIMINAL?
According to GroundUp, Nandipha Maguumana began visiting Thabo Bester in prison in 2017. At the time, Bester was serving three concurrent life sentences, which he was handed down in 2011 and 2012. They were for two counts of rape, one count of murder, and armed robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“She visited him several times over the coming years. There was even one booking on Valentine’s Day”, claimed journalist Daniel Steyn in Tracking Thabo Bester.
However, in her sworn statement since her arrest, Nandipha claims she met Thabo Bester at Wits University in 2006, where he allegedly studied theology. The Department of Home Affairs has since revealed that Bester only has a grade 7 education.
Nandipha also claims that she and Bester began dating in 2017, and he paid lobola for her in 2020.
In 2022, weeks after Bester’s escape, Nandipha approached the Free State High Court, claiming she was Bester’s “customary wife. The doctor had demanded to collect his “body” after the prison fire where he had faked his death.
Authorities have since revealed that the body in question actually belonged to Bloemfontein resident Katlego Bereng.