Nandipha Magudumana appearing virtually from Kroonstad Prison with Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi sitting in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.
Magudumana accuses SAPS of abduction and illegal arrest in Tanzania – urgent application for release to be heard
Dr Nandipha Magudumana seeks to have her arrest and detention declared unlawful. The NPA is opposing her urgent application.
Nandipha Magudumana appearing virtually from Kroonstad Prison with Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi sitting in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Image: Becker Semela/GroundUp.
Thabo Bester’s girlfriend and alleged accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, is seeking to have her arrest in Tanzania and detention in South Africa declared unlawful. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is opposing her urgent application in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 26 May.
READ: Dr Nandipha Magudumana files urgent application to have arrest declared unlawful
Magudumana alleges South African Police arrested her in Tanzania
Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, last month after the convicted rapist and murderer escaped from prison in May 2022. The pair allegedly fled the country after it became apparent that Bester was not dead – he had faked his death during the escape.
In court papers for the urgent application, Magudumana alleges that the South African Police Service (SAPS) abducted and arrested her in Tanzania.
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According to SABC News, the accused will argue that SAPS had no jurisdiction to arrest and charge her in a foreign country.
Magudumana also claims the police blindfolded her during the journey back to South Africa and contends that her imprisonment at Bizzah Makhathe Correctional Centre in Kroonstad is unlawful.
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NPA says the application has no merit
NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhanga said the State would oppose the urgent application brought by the accused because they believe it is without merit.
“…our team will unpack the grounds upon which we are basing our opposition during the hearing,” said Mhanga.
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