This marks another legal setback for Magudumana, who faces a series of serious charges linked to her alleged involvement in aiding the escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester. 

Magudumana’s legal team had approached the SCA after the Free State High Court ruled in June 2023 that she had consented to her return to South Africa, despite her claim that she was abducted by the police. The Supreme Court’s decision now upholds that original ruling. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the SCA’s ruling. “The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissing the deportation appeal by Dr Nandipha Magudumana, which was delivered today (Friday). 

“We have also noted the minority judgment upholding the appeal,” said NPA national spokesperson Adv. Mthunzi Mhanga. “In June 2023, Judge Loubser dismissed Magudumana’s application for her arrest and deportation from Tanzania in April 2023 to be declared unlawful and set aside,” he added.

The prosecution is now focused on preparing for the upcoming trial, set to commence on 21 July and expected to run until 19 September in the Free State Division of the High Court in Bloemfontein.

Magudumana, her boyfriend Bester, and several co-accused face a total of 38 charges. These include fraud, corruption, money laundering, assisting an inmate to escape, violation of a corpse, arson, and defeating the ends of justice.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh