Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester and co-accused Nandipha Magudumana have requested additional time to finalise pending legal matters during a pre-trial hearing at the Bloemfontein High Court.
The duo faces multiple charges, including aiding Bester’s prison escape, arson, and violating a corpse. Bester’s lawyer, Moafrika Wa Maila, told the court that six pending cases, including applications to access Bester’s funds to finance his defence, are directly linked to the main trial and could also impact a deportation case in the Pretoria High Court.
Magudumana, meanwhile, aims to finalise a Constitutional Court case seeking to declare her arrest in Tanzania unlawful. Her attorney, Machini Motloung, said she could not appear on time as she was collected late by the South African Police Service, despite being ready earlier in the morning.
The pre-trial hearing has now been rescheduled for March 18, 2026.