No more lovey-dovey? Dr Nandi ignores Thabo Bester in court

“Facebook rapist” Thabo Bester and Nandipha “Dr Nandi” Magudumana are arguably one of South Africa’s most notorious criminal couples. The pair stunned locals with their incredulous prison break, illegal business schemes, and escape from SA. Since their capture in Tanzania in 2023, they have been in and out of courtrooms.

In September last year, the pair were reunited in court, where Dr Nandi couldn’t keep her eyes off her dangerous lover.

This year, they again headed to court together, but unlike last year, the pair did not speak and, in fact, looked like they were actively avoiding eye contact.

Criminal couple: Dr Nandi and Thabo Bester

Once upon a time, many young women aspired to be just like Nandipha Magudumana, a Wits University graduate who went on to be one of South Africa’s most popular doctors.

Young, successful and beautiful, Dr Nandi seemingly had it all. What many didn’t expect her to have was a secret relationship with a convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester.

The story of the couple quickly began to unravel after a shopper noticed Bester and Dr Nandi shopping in a Sandton Woolies while he was meant to be behind bars.

Not long after the story broke, they were nabbed in Tanzania and have since been shocking SA with their courtroom attire and behaviour.

Last year, the pair reunited in court for the first time in months and appeared to be smitten with each other.

No more lovey-dovey

For the first time this year, Dr Nandi and Bester sat in court together again, but there was no love in the air this time.

The disgraced doctor wore a full face of makeup and a new hairdo but refused to make eye contact with her criminal lover.

#ThaboBester the accused in the dock. #NandiphaMagudumana hugs her father. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/iWoMbhQ60C

— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) February 21, 2024

This is something that did not go unnoticed by social media users who pointed out that they were oddly cold toward one another — especially compared to last year.

“As for passing Bester as if she doesn’t know him,” one person said while another wrote:

“No more lovey-dovey.”