‘I love you’: Thabo Bester, Nandipha share ‘romantic’ moment
‘I Love You’: Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana Share ‘Romantic’ Moment in Court [Video]
Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana – dubbed South Africa’s “Bonnie and Clyde” – shared a “romantic” moment after their court appearance on Wednesday, 5 June. The couple appeared in the Free State High Court, facing charges alongside seven others for assisting Bester’s prison escape, fraud, corruption, and violating multiple bodies. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 24 July.
THABO BESTER AND NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA SHARE SWEET WORDS
Despite maintaining distance during the courtroom proceedings, Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana shared a tender moment once the session concluded. In a video circulating on social media, Bester can be seen mouthing affectionate words to his alleged girlfriend.
“I love you too. I got you,” Bester said, followed by, “You ok?”, to which Nandipha nodded in affirmation.
In March, Bester referred to Nandipha as his “former girlfriend” in court documents. The convicted rapist and murderer had filed an urgent application to block Showmax from airing its documentary, Tracking Thabo Bester.
Late last year, the couple appeared in court, sharing hugs, jokes, and even holding hands.
WHERE DID THEY MEET?
According to GroundUp, Nandipha Magudumana began visiting Thabo Bester in prison in 2017 while he was serving three concurrent life sentences for rape, murder, and armed robbery. Journalist Daniel Steyn revealed that Nandipha visited Bester several times over the years, including on Valentine’s Day.
However, Nandipha’s sworn statement since her arrest claims she met Bester at Wits University in 2006, where he allegedly studied theology. Contradictorily, the Department of Home Affairs revealed that Bester only has a grade 7 education. Nandipha also asserted that they started dating in 2017, and Bester paid lobola for her in 2020.
THE PRISON ESCAPE AND ITS AFTERMATH
In 2022, shortly after Bester’s escape, Nandipha approached the Free State High Court, claiming she was his “customary wife” and demanded to collect his “body” following the prison fire. Authorities later disclosed that the body belonged to Bloemfontein resident Katlego Bereng, not Bester.
NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S MARRIAGE STATUS
Nandipha married Mkhuseli Magudumana, a fellow medical doctor, in 2013. They have two daughters, Ayana and Aziza. Conflicting reports emerged regarding her marital status; some sources claim she divorced Mkhuseli in 2022, while others assert they are still legally married. This was confirmed during Nandipha’s bail application, where she mentioned being separated from her husband.
South African law prohibits being in both a customary and civil marriage with two different people simultaneously. IOL reports that Mkhuseli has initiated divorce proceedings in recent months and has avoided media interviews.
Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumane ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love thrives #ThaboBester #NandiphaMagudumane pic.twitter.com/uMxM9FeOId
— A Pure African (@Peter_Mphahlele) August 8, 2023
