Dr Nandipha Magudumana and her partner, convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester, have faced a setback in their attempts to prevent Netflix from airing the documentary “Beauty and the Bester.” The High Court in Pretoria struck off their urgent application on Thursday, citing a lack of urgency, much to the disappointment of Magudumana’s attorney, Dinana Reid.
The couple’s legal team argued that the documentary, produced by Storyscope, presented defamatory content and would infringe upon their right to a fair trial, which is set to resume in November. However, presiding judge Sulet Porterill dismissed their application, stating that it did not meet the court’s requisite level of urgency and ordered the couple to pay costs.
Reid revealed that prior to the court proceedings, an agreement had been in place between Magudumana and Storyscope regarding the use of their stories in the documentary. “We initially sought to settle the matter outside court,” Reid stated, expressing disappointment that discussions with the production agency fell through. “It’s not an easy one; it has been struck off the roll, but we really tried by all means to meet the agency and negotiate,” she added. Reid lamented the lack of cooperation from Storyscope, indicating that they were informed that their legal standing was weak, which left the couple with little recourse.
The public has remained intrigued by the story, particularly following the couple’s notorious escape from the Mangaung prison in the Free State, which has generated considerable media attention. With the release of “Beauty and the Bester” now imminent, questions arise regarding the portrayal of their story and its implications on their upcoming trial.
This latest development highlights the ongoing clash between the couple’s legal troubles and the media’s relentless pursuit of their story. The airing of the documentary is anticipated to shed new light on the circumstances surrounding their criminal activities, further stirring public interest.