Latest news with #ThaboBester
News24
3 days ago
- Business
- News24
ICYMI: Dr Nandipha Magudumana is taking her fight for freedom to the Constitutional Court
Dr Nandipha Magudumana, a once-respected medical practitioner, has found herself at the centre of a high-profile scandal. Her arrest, detention, and subsequent trial have captivated the nation, and it has once again taken the nation by storm following her latest move of challenging the Supreme Court of Appeal's (SCA) majority ruling on her extradition from Tanzania as legal as she says it wasn't. Read more | Wife of attempted murder accused Vusi Matlala released on R20,000 bail in Tebogo Thobejane case; husband remains in custody In a high-profile case that has garnered a lot of media attention and had the country captivated, Magudumana is accused of helping convicted felon Thabo Bester escape from prison, who was serving time for alleged rape and murder charges. In 2023, Dr Magudumana was arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, alongside her convicted felon boyfriend, Thabo Bester. The pair was detained and later deported to South Africa, where they face multiple charges related to fraud and deception. The two are accused of operating a construction company, Arum Properties, which allegedly scammed numerous people out of millions of rands, as the two are said to have promised clients luxurious homes and renovations, only to deliver nothing. Read more | Mqanduli teen's life cut short over stolen bread, jam and porridge - 'He was desperate and hungry' Dr Magudumana's trial, scheduled for July 21, 2025, at the Bloemfontein High Court, promises to be a dramatic and closely watched event where the prosecution is expected to present evidence of the alleged scams. Moreover, in a surprising move, Nandipha's appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal was dismissed in May 2025. Undeterred, she has announced plans to take her case to the Constitutional Court, arguing that her arrest and detention in Tanzania were unlawful. The case is still ongoing and still under development, however, a debate has been sparked on social media with many holding their breaths and eager to see justice prevail.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Magudumana escalates her fight for freedom to ConCourt
JOHANNESBURG - Disgraced doctor Nandipha Magudumana has escalated her fight for freedom to the Constitutional Court. This is where she is seeking to have the latest ruling against her overturned. In May, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed her bid to have her arrest in Tanzania declared unlawful in a majority judgment in the State's favour. ALSO READ: Magudumana remains an accused in Thabo Bester prison escape case after SCA judgment Magudumana was arrested in Tanzania with her lover and accomplice, Thabo Bester, who staged a brazen escape from the Mangaung prison, where he was serving a life sentence. While the SCA ruled in the State's favour against Magudumana's bid to have her arrest in Tanzania declared unlawful, there was a dissenting view from Justice Tati Makgoka. In his view, the handing over of Magudumana by Tanzanian authorities to South African home affairs officials was unlawful, with him arguing that there was no such procedure in international law. He also agreed with Magudumana that this process was a disguised extradition, which was unlawful, as South African authorities had not taken the steps for an extradition. This is the argument that Magudumana's lawyers will make - that a disguised extradition violates the rule of law. But first, they will have to apply for leave to appeal the SCA's ruling in the Constitutional Court.
Mail & Guardian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Mail & Guardian
Spinning out of control: McKenzie's formula for disaster
Chequered career: Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture, is making a bid to host a Formula One race in the country. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy Apart from convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, who faked his death in a bid to escape prison, no jailbird in South Africa has shown more chutzpah than Gayton McKenzie, the flamboyant minister of sport, arts and culture. Since taking on the role in South Africa's much-heralded government of national unity on 3 July last year, Patriotic Front leader McKenzie has made several audacious promises that have left many scratching their heads. The one-time gangster and convicted bank robber has boldly pledged to elevate spinning as a sport for car enthusiasts. Spinning involves driving cars in circles at speed and performing stunts in and out of the vehicle. It began in Soweto in the late Eighties and was often performed as a funeral ritual. 'I will make spinning one of the biggest sports in this country. Spinning and stance [customising] are not crimes. Spinning is going to enter its rightful place. 'To all the spinners, I am here, and I'll make sure you get recognised,' McKenzie proclaimed. Youngsters from Phoenix to Polokwane can start dreaming of getting national colours for spinning, if McKenzie spins his way. Not content with his spinning vision, the fast-talking minister dreams of putting the country's name into the hat in a bid to host Formula One races here. If Africa joins the crowded F1 calendar, it could happen by 2027, when Sir Lewis Hamilton is in the final year of his lucrative new Ferrari contract. While this could ensure a fairy-tale race that brings down the curtain on the seven-time champion's career in South Africa, let's be real — it's a pipe dream. (That's also assuming Ferrari retains the under-performing multiple champion, who has more fashion sense than driving vooma these days.) South Africa has no right to host Formula One if it cannot fix the many things that keep the country broken. For starters, robots and potholes? There are too many. Leaving aside the daily frustration for ordinary people — what about the cost to the economy? The government successfully hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup but the legacy of white-elephant football stadiums and projects to benefit communities that never got off the ground remains. As part of McKenzie's remit, the bid committee, appointed by him in December, has called for promoters to enable the country to compete against Africa's cleanest capital city, Kigali, Rwanda, for the rights to bring F1 to the continent. Rwanda's bid is driven by President Paul Kagame, who has undertaken to build a circuit to match the expectations of the FIA, the governing body of motor sport — and its greedy aspirations. Final flag: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (above left and right) at the Formula One Grand Prix in Miami, in the US, on 3 May. Some hope that he will end his career in a race in South Africa in 2027. Photos: Marta Lavandier /AP and Rebecca Blackwell/AP Kagame and Rwanda played host to the FIA general assembly and annual prize giving in November —where that four-time world champion Max Verstappen was penalised for swearing. Given his tendency to operate at a snail's pace, one must credit President Cyril Ramaphosa for not hijacking the Formula One bid like Kagame has. Indeed, a charismatic driver is needed. Ramaphosa's slow decision-making won't cut it in the fast-paced Formula One world. McKenzie wants to show nobody has more vooma than a streetwise gangster who has done time, right? He recently took a dig at Rwanda, questioning whether the East African nation, whose GDP is 30 times less than South Africa's, has what it takes to host an F1 race. Some argue that size does not count. Rwanda has promoted itself to the global football audience for years, albeit via a London team with an overrated Spanish coach that constantly flatters to deceive. They have been the bridesmaid for several seasons in England, poor Arsenal. But at least they guarantee a suitable plug for a visit to Rwanda. Despite having considerably more in its arsenal than little Kigali, South Africa has failed to earn its Spurs amid controversy over spending money on marketing. Rwanda is clean, relatively safer and has much more going for it than a minister spinning in cloud-cuckoo-land. According to those in the know, there are fewer potholes in Kigali than in Johannesburg and they can keep the lights on — at least in the capital, which is renowned for its cleanliness. It pains one to call derelict Johannesburg the pigsty it is. And that's being kind. The FIA is concerned about safety in South Africa, given its high crime rate. To add to this, any government officials are tainted by corruption. McKenzie ignored crime in his briefing, yet the committee might struggle to sell the country's bid without addressing safety concerns. According to the Global Organised Crime Index, Rwanda is considered among the continent's safest and most stable states. Only someone who has spent time behind bars would conveniently disregard the crime issue. South Africa could also find itself in competition with Morocco, a North African nation that last hosted an F1 race in 1958. In its favour is the news it will become the second African nation to host a Fifa World Cup. Morocco, Saudi moneybags, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Spain are to co-host the 2030 event. Morocco is also hosting this year's Africa Cup of Nations in December. Join the dots. South Africa does not have much going for it. The country last hosted a Formula One race in 1993 at Kyalami in Johannesburg. At least the country has a circuit and much investment has already been made to bring it up to speed with the requirements of hosting a grand prix. Moderate estimates suggest staging a grand prix would cost around R5 billion — money the government does not have. Does anyone expect the private sector to cough up this money? And should the government, with its poor record on service delivery, excellence in corruption, failure to tackle crime and inability to leave the lights on or fix potholes, advise on the bid to host Africa's first F1 race in over three decades? Ironically, on 8 January, the ANC celebrated its umpteenth birthday amid opulence and messages that paid lip service to the poor. The government of national unity, which holds South Africa together with a piece of string, has pledged to dedicate the next five years to driving inclusive growth and jobs, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living. But it seems the sport minister is spinning a yarn. Where does F1 fit into these lofty goals? Furthermore, McKenzie must remember that South Africa owes the International Monetary Fund $310 billion in loans after the Covid pandemic. If the FIA, which is all about money, chose South Africa to host a grand prix, where would the funds come from? However, the organisation is looking beyond South Africa. In December, it hosted its general assembly in Kigali. Asian countries, India and South Korea, which hosted failed grand prix in 2012 and 2013, respectively, losing millions, are bidding to return to the calendar. Having been a motorsport fan since the rivalry between Alain Prost and the late Ayrton Senna, and the dominant days of Michael Schumacher, I would welcome F1 to South Africa. It would bring tourism and help to create jobs. But if the minister was honest with himself, he would admit that there is more chance of hosting the Gayton McKenzie Inaugural Spinning Contest and bringing the dead back to life a la Thabo Bester than witnessing Hamilton's F1 swansong in South Africa. The FIA should stop stringing fans along — South Africa is on a hiding to nowhere. Rwanda is the continent's best bet.
Eyewitness News
17-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Magudumana remains an accused in Thabo Bester prison escape case after SCA judgment
JOHANNESBURG - Disgraced doctor, Nandipha Madumana, will remain on the list of accused in the Thabo Bester prison escape case after the SCA dismissed her appeal. Magudumana's bid to have her arrest in Tanzania declared unlawful failed on Friday when the appeals court delivered a majority judgment in the State's favour. She was arrested while on the run with her lover and accomplice, convicted killer Thabo Bester who had escaped from the Manguang prison where he was serving a life sentence. ALSO READ: NPA welcomes Supreme Court ruling on Magudumana's arrest While four out of the five supreme court judges dismissed Magudumana's bid, Justice Tati Makgoka had a dissenting view. In his view, the handing over of Magudumana by Tanzanian authorities to South African home affairs officials was unlawful, arguing there was no procedure in international law. He also agreed that this process was a disguised extradition, which was unlawful as South African authorities had not taken the steps for an extradition. Had Makgoka's view been that of the majority, Maguduma would no longer be on the list of the accused. But following a majority judgment dismissing her appeal, she will have to stand trial in July in the Free State High Court.
News24
16-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Ramaphosa to meet Trump; Magudumana's legal loss: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. What Ramaphosa will tell Trump when they meet on Wednesday President Ramaphosa will meet with President Trump at the White House to reset SA-US relations, aiming to counter claims of Afrikaner genocide and focus on broader bilateral benefits. Key discussion points will include trade relations under AGOA, the conflict in Ukraine, and the Israeli-Gaza issue, with Ramaphosa emphasising South Africa's peaceful approach and support for a two-state solution. South Africa hopes to strengthen its mutually beneficial relationship with the US, highlighting US companies' investments in South Africa and South Africa's critical mineral resources. Nandipha Magudumana loses deportation challenge, NPA prepares for trial Dr Nandipha Magudumana lost her Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) bid to challenge the legality of her deportation from Tanzania. The National Prosecuting Authority aims to proceed with the Thabo Bester escape trial in July 2025, where Magudumana faces 38 counts. Magudumana sought to halt her prosecution, claiming her capture in Tanzania was unconstitutional, though a minority in the SCA ruled in her favour. Afrikaner 'refugees' left due to crime, but were statistically least likely to become victims A group of South Africans, allegedly Afrikaner farmers, have relocated to the USA under the country's refugee programme, citing crime as their reason for leaving. Experts argue that white South Africans are statistically the least likely to be murdered and that the most vulnerable population is poor black people living in townships. A human rights lawyer says it would be difficult for this group to prove they fulfill the requirements of refugee status as set out in the UN Convention. 'Unutterable and racist': Renaldo Gouws apologises, commits to diversity workshops Renaldo Gouws issued an 'unreserved' apology for a racially charged 2010 video after reaching an out-of-court settlement with the SAHRC. Gouws acknowledged the harm caused by his offensive language, retracted accusations against the SAHRC, and committed to attending workshops and diversity sensitisation sessions. The SAHRC welcomed the apology, emphasising its focus on accountability, reconciliation, and social cohesion in resolving such matters. People came out in their numbers to the Wynberg Magistrate's Court for the first appearance of a parolee accused of child Solomons Cape Town child rape accused paroled last year for similar crime A man has been charged with the rape of a 9-year-old girl in Hanover Park, Cape Town. The accused is a convicted sexual offender who was on parole for a similar crime committed in 2005. The man allegedly lured the girl into his house, gave her something to eat that made her drowsy, and then raped her. 'A beacon of light': Respected, loved Cornal Hendricks pursued rugby dream after doctor said 'stop' Former Springbok Cornal Hendricks tragically passed away at 37 due to a heart condition, despite overcoming initial medical warnings to continue his rugby career. Hendricks, known as a 'beacon of light' in Wellington, inspired his community by returning to club rugby after professional setbacks and demonstrating resilience despite socio-economic challenges. Hendricks is remembered for his contributions both on and off the field, with his legacy as a role model and community activist firmly cemented in South African rugby. Helen Zille at her Showmax Glamour, laughs and savage jabs: The roast of Helen Zille hit all the right spots The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille, filmed on 2 May and premiering 16 May, featured a star-studded lineup of comedians, politicians, and entertainers. Memorable moments included Patricia de Lille's stage tumble, Mel Viljoen's Swarovski-covered outfit, and jokes about Londie London's past and Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh's family. The panel, hosted by Tumi Morake and Trevor Gumbi, included Loyiso Gola, Bongani Bingwa, Rian van Heerden, Zwai Bala, Mel Viljoen, Londie London, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, JJ Tabane, and a virtual appearance by Coconut Kelz. Show Comments ()
