The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal’s dismissal of disgraced celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana’s application to declare her deportation from Tanzania unlawful.
Magudumana was arrested with her lover and convicted criminal Thabo Bester in Arusha, Tanzania, in April 2023 after fleeing South Africa.
DR NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S APPLICATION DISMISSED
The South African previously reported that in June 2023, Bloemfontein High Court Judge Phillip Loubser dismissed Magudumana’s application for her arrest and deportation from Tanzania in April 2023 to be declared unlawful and set aside.
Loubser dismissed her application with costs saying he is not convinced that the case a prospect of success and that a different court might come to a different conclusion.
Magudumana had alleged South African police in Tanzania abducted her and contended that since her arrest was unlawful, the criminal proceedings against her in the Bester escape case were null and void, and she should be released from the Bizzah Makhate Correctional Centre in Kroonstad where she is held.
On Friday, 16 May, Supreme Court Justice Tati Makgoka said the matter is dismissed with costs.
Speaking outside court, Magudumana’s lawyer, Machini Motloung, said they will go through the judgement and do a mapping exercise in terms of the way forward.
Motloung emphasised that they will likely pursue the matter in the Constitutional Court as they think that some of Magudumana’s rights were infringed during her deportation and that she did not consent.
“We remain resolute and we remain confident that we have a meritorious case,” he added.
TRIAL SET TO START IN JULY
NPA spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said their prosecution team will now focus on ensuring that the trial set down for 21 July to 19 September 2025, before the Free State Division of the High Court in Bloemfontein, proceeds without any unreasonable delay.
Dr Magudumana and her co-accused are facing a total of 38 counts ranging from fraud, corruption, money laundering, assisting an inmate to escape, violation of the body, arson, and defeating the ends of justice.
“The NPA is committed to ensuring that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done because of the alleged crimes’ impact on the rule of law and the victims,” Mhaga said.
AS THE SCA HAS DISMISSED DR NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S APPLICATION, DO YOU THINK SHE SHOULD APPROACH THE APEX COURT OR FOCUS ON THE UPCOMING TRIAL?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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