BLOEMFONTEIN – Disgraced South African medical professional Nandipha Magudumana gave her alleged lover and co-accused Thabo Bester the cold shoulder when the pair appeared at the Free State High Court on Wednesday, sparking speculation that they might be trouble in paradise between the two.
The pair have sent tongues wagging in the past with their flirtatious behaviour, which came at a time when they knew that the world was looking out for any signs that they were continuing their Bonnie and Clyde-like romance.
The coupleโs past experiences have seemed to make a mockery of Magudumanaโs allegations that she was taken outside South Africa by Bester against her will. The two were arrested in Tanzania in April last year as they fled from law enforcement officers.
In their latest court appearance, Magudumana ignored her alleged lover as she came before flashing cameras at the Free State High Court.
Clad in a black Nike hoodie and beige pants, only went to hug her father, Zolile Sekeleni, before taking her seat. Magudumana did not turn to look at Bester, who was seated in the row behind her.
The accused, Bester, Magudumana, Sekeleni, Xando Moyo, Teboho Lipholo, Buti Masukela, Teiho Makhotsa, Senohe Matsoara and James Lipholo face charges relating to Besterโs escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, while the co-accused are charged with defeating the ends of justice and helping an inmate escape custody. They are also implicated in the murder of Katlego Bereng, whose body was placed in Besterโs cell following his escape.
In his last court appearance, Bester dramatically appealed for the death penalty, as he claimed that innocent people were suffering for his sins.
โYour Honour, I say this as a broken man and I say this wholeheartedly, it tears me a part to see these people in this court, knowing well that they are suffering for something they know nothing about,โ he said.
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