- Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana urgently applied to stop Netflix’s Beauty and the Bester.
- They argue the documentary violates their rights and prejudices their upcoming trial.
- Judge Sulet Potterill reserved judgment, ruling to be delivered at 8.30am on Friday.
Netflix Docuseries Faces Courtroom Challenge
The Pretoria High Court was the scene of high drama on Thursday as convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester, alongside his alleged accomplice Dr Nandipha Magudumana, attempted to block the release of Netflix’s explosive true-crime documentary, Beauty and the Bester.
The three-part series is set to premiere on Friday, 12 September, but the disgraced couple claim it is riddled with inaccuracies that threaten their constitutional rights to privacy, dignity, and a fair trial.
Judge Reserves Ruling
After hours of heated arguments, Judge Sulet Potterill reserved judgment and confirmed she will hand down her ruling at 8.30am on Friday, just hours before the scheduled release.
The urgent application adds another twist to one of South Africa’s most sensational crime sagas, which continues to grip both local and global audiences.
Claims of Bias and Injustice
Bester’s lawyer, Lerato Moela, told the court that the documentary unfairly vilifies his client through “selective editing” and “falsehoods” without giving him the right to respond.
Magudumana echoed the concern, insisting that Netflix’s portrayal could irreparablydamage her reputation and prejudice her upcoming November 10 trial in Bloemfontein.
Their legal teams also criticised the involvement of retired Justice Edwin Cameron and Magudumana’s father, Zolile Sekeleni, saying their participation risks swaying public opinion.
Netflix Pushes Back
Representing Netflix, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi dismissed the claims as baseless, urging the court to throw out the application with costs. He also revealed that Magudumana was paid for her participation, with her lawyers negotiating the contract directly.
This isn’t the pair’s first attempt to silence the media. In 2024, they failed to stop Showmax’s Tracking Thabo Bester, which aired despite their objections.
Global Spotlight
Netflix has heavily promoted Beauty and the Bester as a gripping deep dive into Bester’s audacious prison escape and his complex relationship with Magudumana. Featuring interviews with Pearl Thusi, Penny Lebyane, and Magudumana’s father, the series promises unprecedented insight into the scandal.
As the world waits for Judge Potterill’s ruling, anticipation is at fever pitch. Whether the series airs as planned or not, South Africa’s most notorious couple remain firmly in the spotlight.