Thabo Bester’s girlfriend Dr Nandipha assaulted in prison

Disgraced Dr Nandipha Magudumana was allegedly assaulted by two inmates at the Kroonstad Prison in the Free State over the weekend.

The Department of Correctional Services have also confirmed the allegations and says they are investigating. Her lawyer Advocate Machini Motloung said he received the news this morning when Nandipha called him from the facility informing him about the assault that took place on Saturday.

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According to Motloung, Nandipha was assaulted by fellow inmates, a sangoma and a mentally unstable woman in the cells and she was left with “serious bruising, pain and suffering”.

Motloung alleges that the two women, especially the sangoma, would frequently attack Nandipha when she sings and pray with the other inmates in the cell.

“This has been coming – she has in the past made another complaint to the internal coordinator. The course of the assault is because of her incessant praying and singing with other inmates,” Motloung said. He added that as her lawyers, their biggest concern is the inequality in the centre.

“We will lay a complaint with the Human Rights Commission; her safety is of serious concern as the moment. She continues to be placed in a cell with mentally challenged, drug addicted and physically bedridden inmates,” he said.

Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, confirmed that they were probing the allegations after Nandipha filed a complaint of assault by another inmate.

“The department is investigating the circumstances following what was said to be a prayer meeting in a different cell from Magudumana’s. Reports of an alleged altercation and a push against the grills can be confirmed on Saturday, 16 March 2024. Officials advised Magudumana to open a criminal case when she reported that she was allegedly assaulted but she opted to discuss it with her lawyers first,” Nxumalo said.

He added that the department’s health care officials conducted an examination on Nandipha and found no visible injuries.

He added that the safety and well-being of inmates is a priorityand they take such allegations seriously. This is not the first time Nandipha has reportedly been assaulted at the correctional facility.

Her lawyer said she filed a case against prison staff in October 2023 after she was allegedly assaulted and mistreated.