The rightful owner of the passports is Dr Mmereka Patience Martha Ntshani, also known as Dr Pashy. Magudumana was found in possession of the passports in question when she and Facebook rapist and murderer Thabo Bester were apprehended in Tanzania. According to the letter sent by Ntshani’s lawyers, they are of the view that during the press conference held by Motsoaledi as an update by his department on Bester’s escape, he alluded to false conclusions that Ntshani was involved in aiding and abetting Magudumana and Bester to abscond.

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The letter reads that they have since advised Ntshani to pay a visit to the Department of Home Affairs' offices in Akasia, Pretoria, to apply for a new passport, which she still has to collect. 

“Upon arrival at Akasia offices, she presented that she is no longer in possession of her passport, and presented an affidavit dated 27 March 2023,” reads the letter. It is also explained that a copy of the affidavit, dated 27 March 2023 and a further affidavit provided to the police deposed to on 12 April 2023, can be provided on request. The aforementioned affidavits deal extensively with the circumstances that led to Magudumana being in possession of Ntshani’s passports.

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Ntshani and her legal team are of the view that the statements made by Motsoaledi have affected her image negatively since the interview received widespread criticism through social media and selected media outlets, as she has been painted as a co-conspirator. 

According to the letter, Ntshani has only known Bester as TK Nkwana until 16 March 2023. It has been explained that some of Ntshani’s clients and colleagues are reluctant and some are refusing to work with her since Motsoaledi's statements.

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It is demanded that Motsoaledi issue a formal withdrawal/retraction of all defamatory statements, and that he have made and/or caused a public apology to be issued and publicised within five days from the receipt of the notice to the same media platform that he has issued the respective inciteful and defamatory statements. The letter concludes that he must provide the lawyers with a signed response that he has complied with and/or that he is taking measures to comply with the demands set out above by 15 May 2023, 17:00.

Ntshani has since opened a fraud case against Magudumana and Bester at the Sandton Police Station. She confirmed that Magudumana was one of the guest speakers at the organisation seminar in 2020. Magudumana was found with two of Ntshani's passports, one of which had been reported missing, prompting the issuing of the second document.

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