Netflix reveals Dr Nandipha Magudumana's fall in true crime series
Netflix's new true crime documentary series, Beauty And The Bester , set to premiere on 12 September. It exposes her tumultuous and ill-fated relationship with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.
The three-part series chronicles how Dr Magudumana's seemingly perfect life unraveled following her connection to Bester, according to Netflix.
Bester infamously escaped from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison in 2022 by faking his death in a cell fire.
The documentary traces events from staged celebrity conferences and extravagant lifestyles to a viral photo of the pair shopping together in Sandton City. The photo is what triggered a massive manhunt.
Thabo Bester, known as the 'Facebook Rapist' for luring victims online, fled for nearly a year before authorities arrested him in Tanzania in April 2023.
Police arrested him alongside Dr Magudumana, his accomplice and partner in the eyes of the law. They extradited both back to South Africa in handcuffs, sparking widespread shock and disbelief.
Courtroom footage and exclusive investigative material reveal the bizarre bond between a respected doctor and one of South Africa's most notorious criminals.
Friends and family will also share their bewilderment and sorrow in interviews.
They struggle to comprehend how Dr Magudumana, a married mother of two who reportedly deserted her family, became entangled in Bester's web of deceit.
Police reports and court evidence suggest that Dr Magudumana willingly eloped with Bester. She abandoned her children and legal husband. Lt Colonel Tieho Flyman.
Flyman is an investigating officer, described her as a willing partner who rejected claims of being kidnapped or threatened.
'She chose to be with Bester,' he said, emphasising her complicity in the escape plan.
The documentary also sheds light on the couple's fraudulent business dealings, including a scam property company.
They first met in 2006 in the corridors of the University of the Witwatersrand. From there, their story unfolded dramatically. Their arrest abroad shocked many.
Beauty And The Bester promises to reveal a story of manipulation.
It is a story of a love turned sour, and corruption, one that has left South Africa questioning how such a dark chapter unfolded beneath their eyes.
Beauty And The Bester will resonate strongly with South Africans still grappling with the repercussions of this real-life thriller that unraveled their sense of security and justice. DO YOU BELIEVE LOVE OR MANIPULATION PLAYED A BIGGER ROLE IN THIS STORY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Menendez brothers face parole board seeking freedom after parents murders
Lyle and Erik Menendez appear before California's parole board this week, more than 35 years after killing their parents. Lyle and Erik Menendez will appear before California's parole board to seek freedom this week, more than 35 years after the shotgun murders of their parents in the family's luxury Beverly Hills home. The separate hearings — Erik on Thursday, Lyle on Friday — are the latest chapter in a long campaign waged by friends, family and celebrities like Kim Kardashian to get the brothers out of prison. They come after a Los Angeles judge this year reduced their original open-ended sentence to a term of 50 years, and as the men said, they accepted full responsibility for the grisly 1989 killings. Now the brothers will be seeking to convince parole panels that they are reformed and pose no danger to the public. 'For more than 35 years, they have shown sustained growth. They have taken full accountability,' said a statement from The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, a support group that includes family members. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'Africa not seeking aid, it's seeking partners,' Ramaphosa says 'They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service.' 'Mafia hit' Blockbuster trials in the 1990s heard how the men killed Jose and Kitty Menendez in what prosecutors said was a cynical attempt to get their hands on a large family fortune. After setting up alibis and trying to cover their tracks, the men shot Jose Menendez five times with shotguns, including in the kneecaps. Kitty Menendez died from a shotgun blast as she tried desperately to crawl away from her killers. The brothers initially blamed the deaths on a mafia hit, but changed their story several times in the ensuing months. ALSO READ: Dirco clarifies its response to US report that claimed racial minorities are abused in SA Erik, then 18, confessed to the murders in a session with his therapist. The pair ultimately claimed they had acted in self-defense after years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of a tyrannical father. During their decades in prison, changing social mores and greater awareness of sexual abuse helped elevate the men to something approaching cultural icons. This status was nourished by a parade of docudramas and TV shows, including the hit Netflix miniseries 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.' 'Horrific' The hearings in Sacramento, which will be closed to the public, are expected to last two to three hours each. One reporter will be present to act as a pool on behalf of the dozens of media outlets around the world which are expected to cover the hearings. ALSO READ: US-EU trade truce softens blow but clouds linger over growth Erik, 54, and Lyle, 57, will appear by video link from the San Diego prison where they are being held. Two or three panel members, whose identity is not being publicly released by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), will quiz the men on their behavior and their attitudes towards their crimes. 'The hearing panel will consider all relevant, reliable information available to the panel, which includes… criminal history, department records concerning the incarcerated person, and statements from the incarcerated person, victims' family, the district attorney's office, and the public,' the CDCR said. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman opposed resentencing this year, and is expected to oppose parole. He has insisted that the men's shifting explanations for the double deaths — they gave five different accounts in the course of the murder investigation — means they have not truly admitted their guilt. ALSO READ: 'Not being accused of any wrongdoing,' says MTN CEO on Iran investigation 'The Menendez brothers have never fully accepted responsibility for the horrific murders of their parents,' Hochman said in a statement Wednesday. 'Instead continuing to promote a false narrative of self-defense that was rejected by the jury decades ago.' Even if the panel grants parole, the men will not be freed immediately, with the decision subject to review by the board's top lawyer in a process that can take up to four months. After that, the final decision rests with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days in which he 'may affirm, reverse, modify, or refer back to the Board any parole grant,' the CDCR says. In 2022, Newsom rejected a parole recommendation in the case of Sirhan Sirhan, who shot and killed Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. NOW READ: Agricultural exports doing well so far despite US tariffs – but farmers dread next season – By: © Agence France-Presse
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
'Miss Governor': Tyler Perry's political dramedy mixes laughter, power plays and family feuds
The cast of "Miss Governor". Image: Netflix If you are looking for something new and casual to watch, then Tyler Perry and Niya Palmer's political dramedy "Miss Governor" should be on your radar. "Miss Governor" follows Antoinette Dunkerson, brilliantly executed by actress and director Terri J. Vaughn, as she navigates life as a working mother who unexpectedly gets thrust into the role of Mississippi's first black Lieutenant Governor. Alongside Vaughn is rising star Drew Olivia Tillman, who is cast as Dunkerson's rebellious teenage daughter, Lola. Tré Boyd plays her son, Titus, and Jo Marie Payton plays her mother, Cleo. Jade Novah as Shamika, Dyon Brooks as Basil and Robert Craighead as Governor Harper round off the main cast. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Tré Boyd, Drew Olivia Tillman, Jade Novah, Terri J. Vaughn, Karon Riley and Dyon Brooks in "Miss Governor". Image: Netflix. Upon winning a government seat, Dunkerson finds herself struggling to make a substantial difference for black lives in a state still grappling with its past, governed by the old-school, white supremacist attitudes of Governor Harper and his mostly white government. Dunkerson needs to figure out how to thrive under this sexist and condescending governor, as well as keep her family in line now that they're in the public eye. It's a real feat for a single mother. After being put through many degrading situations, like going viral for snarling like a pig and eating a dozen pork hot dogs, Dunkerson finally stands up to Governor Harper, but their confrontation lands the governor in the hospital. With Harper incapacitated, Dunkerson seizes the moment to step into his shoes and finally put her vision for Mississippi's future into action, but it doesn't last very long.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Beyoncé scores first Primetime Emmy for ‘Beyoncé Bowl'
Global superstar Beyoncé has won her very first Primetime Emmy Award. The accolade came from the Television Academy's announcement on 12 August, recognising excellence in juried categories. Beyoncé was honoured for her outstanding costume design in the Netflix special Beyoncé Bowl. The award acknowledges Beyoncé's work alongside costume designer Shiona Turini. The singer also worked with assistant designers Erica Rice and Molly Peters, according to Billboard. Costume supervisor Chelsea Staebell, and head of workroom Timothy White were also honoured. This marks a significant milestone for Beyoncé, who has long been a dominant force in music and entertainment. The 'Beyoncé Bowl' special captured worldwide attention when it aired on Christmas Day as part of Netflix's first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday. Beyoncé performed a spectacular halftime show at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. This was during the NFL game between the Baltimore Texans and the Baltimore Ravens. The singer told reporters, 'Winning this Emmy for costume design feels incredible. It's a testament to the creativity and hard work of our entire team. From conceptualising designs to bringing each look to life, we poured our hearts into this project.' Beyoncé's Emmy victory arrives as she vies for two other Emmy awards. The singer earns nominations for outstanding variety special (live) as both performer and executive producer. Additionally, she is up for outstanding directing for a variety special with co-director Alex Rudzinski. These nominations boost her chances of further wins at the upcoming Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, scheduled for 6 and 7 September. While her dominance in music is well known, she holds 35 Grammy Awards. This is a record in history, the Emmy win marks her continued success on screen. She also earned an Oscar nomination in 2022 for co-writing the original song Be Alive for the film King Richard . Beyoncé's creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence resonate deeply. Her work inspires local artists and performers aiming for global recognition. With the Emmy win boosting the profile of 'Beyoncé Bowl', local streaming services and broadcasters can expect growing interest for similar live spectacle performances. The singer's success proves that excellence in costume, directing and production goes hand in hand with outstanding artistry and showmanship. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
