Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana File Urgent Application to Block Netflix’s Beauty and the Bester

From the Beauty and the Bester Trailer (image source)

Convicted criminal Thabo Bester and his partner, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, have filed an urgent court application to prevent the release of Netflix’s upcoming docuseries, Beauty and the Bester, scheduled to premiere on September 12.

“Our client has not been afforded the fair opportunity to address the allegations contained within the documentary,” said Bester’s legal representative.

The couple’s legal team argues that the documentary violates their constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, and a fair trial. The Johannesburg High Court is set to hear the matter on September 9.

“This is character assassination under the guise of a documentary,” Bester’s lawyers stated in their filings.

Public reaction has been swift and divided. Social media users have questioned the couple’s motives and financial means to pursue legal action. Netflix’s three-part series promises exclusive interviews, including one with Magudumana’s father and TV personality Pearl Thusi. It explores Bester’s 2022 prison escape, the couple’s cross-border flight to Tanzania, and their alleged criminal enterprise.

“This documentary is of public interest. We need to know different perspectives on their crimes,” said media analyst Zanele Mthembu.

This isn’t the first time the duo has tried to block media portrayals. In March 2024, they failed to stop Showmax’s Tracking Thabo Bester, with the court ruling that the content was based on public domain information. “The public’s right to know will likely outweigh their claims,” said legal expert Advocate Sipho Dlamini.

The couple’s trial is set to begin on November 10 at the Bloemfontein High Court. Legal experts believe the Netflix case could set a precedent for media portrayals of ongoing criminal cases.

“If the court rules in their favor, it could have chilling effects on investigative journalism,” Dlamini warned.