Dr Nandipha Magudumana challenges her ‘illegal’ arrest and deportation in Tanzania

Dr Nandipha Magudumana seems to have a grand plan up her sleeve. She has filed an urgent application with the Free State High Court to declare her arrest in Tanzania unlawful.

Magudumana was arrested in Tanzania last month together with her lover, convicted rapist Thabo Bester who was on the run after his daring escape from Mangaung prison in May 2022.

In her previous court appearances, her legal team had reserved her right to apply for bail, telling the court that they were looking into new information that had come to light.

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WANTING HER FREEDOM 

In the court papers filed late yesterday, Magudumana lists Police Minister Bheki Cele, Captain Tieho Flyman, and Magistrate Mohlolo Khabisi as respondents, among others. She believes that her arrest was carried out in an incorrect and illegal manner. In addition, she is requesting the court to dismiss all legal proceedings that have been initiated against her. Magudumana also wants the court to invalidate the orders and warrant issued by the Magistrate, which led to her arrest. Finally, she is asking for her immediate release.

CONTESTING HER ARREST AND EXTRADITION

Magudumana, who is currently in custody at the Kroonstad Prison, wants to be removed and discharged from the matter. She also wants the court to declare the apprehension, arrest, and her “abduction” in Tanzania on 7 April and the transportation to Mzansi be declared unlawful. She is also requesting the High Court to dismiss all legal proceedings that have been initiated against her. She also wants the court to invalidate the Orders and Warrants issued by a magistrate which led to her arrest in Tanzania. The application brought forward also demands that the celebrity doctor be discharged immediately from custody and this is directed at the head of the Department of Correctional Services, Buza Makhado. The matter will be heard before the Free State High Court on 25 May.

CHARGES

Magudumana, her father Xolile Sekeleni, and five G4S guards were arrested for their involvement in aiding Bester’s escape in May 2022. They face multiple charges of fraud and corruption, as well as violating a corpse, harbouring and concealing an escaped offender, and defeating the ends of justice. Sekeleni is out on R10 000 bail while the other accused are still in custody. On Tuesday, Bester and Magudumana made a virtual appearance in court and their case was postponed to 20 June to allow for further police investigations.