Nandipha Magudumana denied bail

Nandipha Magudumana denied bail

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  • September 11, 2023
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Dr Nandipha Magudumana is set to spend more time in jail after the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court denied her bail on Monday.

Magudumana, who was arrested alongside her boyfriend Thabo Bester in Tanzania in April, applied for bail for the first time two weeks ago.

Her legal team has argued she should be granted bail as she has strong family ties in the country. They also argued has no reason to evade trial.

Magudumana claimed that she had not escaped the country with Bester but insted she said Bester kidnapped her. They were arrested in Arusha more than 3,000 kilometres away from Johannesburg.

DR NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA DENIED BAIL

Dr Nandipha Magudumana denied bail
Nandipha Magudumana and Thabo Bester

Magistrate Estelle de Lange said she was not convinced any bail conditions would ensure she attends trial.

She also added that Magudumana had failed to satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit her release on bail.

“You are the one who hired vehicles. Even after the body of Katlego Bereng was burned, you went to claim and went as far as going to court to say the deceased had no relatives. Even though his mother was alive,” said the magistrate.

“The court finds that no bail conditions would make her stand trial. When she was arrested, she was found with her passport. Which had no record of her leaving the country, even though she went through three border posts.”

Magudumana is facing multiple charges of fraud, violating a body, corruption, and arson. Assisting an inmate to escape, harbouring and concealing an escaped prisoner, and defeating the ends of justice.

“After weighing up the person circumstances and the interests of the applicant and her constitutional right to freedom against the interest of justice. I find that she did not satisfy the court for her to be released on bail.”

More to follow….

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