Thabo Bester, one of South Africa's most notorious rapists and murderers, has taken court action to block Netflix from broadcasting a documentary about his life, including how he allegedly faked his death and escaped from prison. His lawyers argue that the documentary, titled 'Beauty and the Bester,' is defamatory, while the streaming giant defends its plan to release the three-part investigation. Bester's partner, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana, features in the documentary, having allegedly helped him escape. Both are part of the court bid to halt the release.
The High Court is expected to rule shortly before the documentary's planned release to a global audience on Friday. Bester was convicted in 2012 for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu and, the year prior, found guilty of raping and robbing two other women, which earned him the moniker 'Facebook rapist' for luring victims through the social media platform.
While serving a life sentence, he allegedly escaped from a maximum-security prison in 2022. Authorities initially thought they found Bester's charred body in a prison fire, but it was later discovered to be that of another individual. Living under an alias, Bester was undetected for a year, helped by Magudumana, until they were arrested in Tanzania in April 2023.
The couple is currently in custody, awaiting trial on charges including violating a corpse and fraud but has yet to plead. Bester's lawyer argued that the documentary infringes upon his right to a fair trial, calling it an unjust representation of his case. In response, Netflix contended that the series offers a platform for victims to voice their long-held stories.
Judge Sulet Potterill has indicated she will rule on the case before the documentary goes live, amid heightened public interest and concern regarding Bester’s alleged actions, particularly in a country grappling with rampant rates of sexual violence.
The High Court is expected to rule shortly before the documentary's planned release to a global audience on Friday. Bester was convicted in 2012 for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu and, the year prior, found guilty of raping and robbing two other women, which earned him the moniker 'Facebook rapist' for luring victims through the social media platform.
While serving a life sentence, he allegedly escaped from a maximum-security prison in 2022. Authorities initially thought they found Bester's charred body in a prison fire, but it was later discovered to be that of another individual. Living under an alias, Bester was undetected for a year, helped by Magudumana, until they were arrested in Tanzania in April 2023.
The couple is currently in custody, awaiting trial on charges including violating a corpse and fraud but has yet to plead. Bester's lawyer argued that the documentary infringes upon his right to a fair trial, calling it an unjust representation of his case. In response, Netflix contended that the series offers a platform for victims to voice their long-held stories.
Judge Sulet Potterill has indicated she will rule on the case before the documentary goes live, amid heightened public interest and concern regarding Bester’s alleged actions, particularly in a country grappling with rampant rates of sexual violence.
