Nandipha Magudumana’s mother dies ahead of trial
· The South African
Nandipha Magudumana – the alleged co-conspirator of Thabo Bester’s prison escape – is mourning the death of her mother, Nokuzola Sekeleni.
The woman died on Thursday, 26 March, at her home in Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal
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According to the Sekeleni family, they have requested permission for Nandipha to attend the funeral service. The former celebrity aesthetics doctor is being held at the Bizzah Makhate Correctional Centre, also known as Kroonstad Correctional Centre, in the Free State.
NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA MOURNING MOM’S DEATH
According to Sunday World, Nandipha Magudumana was informed by authorities of her mother, Nokuzola Sekeleni’s death.
Her passing comes months ahead of her daughter’s criminal trial, alongside Thabo Bester, and several others.
Her husband, Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni, is also facing criminal charges of abetting Bester’s 2022 prison escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
Nandipha Magudumana and her co-accused Thabo Bester in court.Images via YouTube screenshot
Nandipha’s brother, Nkosinathi Sekeleni, told the publication: “[She] was informed by the prison bosses and social workers about our mother’s passing. She was taken aback when she heard the news. She is trying to come to terms with the loss of our mother, and we are hoping that she will be strong even though it is painful.
“We are also going to apply for her to be able to attend the funeral of our mother. We hope that everything that we request could be granted”.
While Nandipha had a fraught relationship with her sibling – who reportedly is a witness who went public with information about Thabo Bester – she was close to her parents, Zolile and Nokuzola.
Her family appeared in the Netflix documentary, Beauty and the Bester, about her relationship with the convicted rapist, murderer and fraudster.
NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S FAMILY AND CRIMINAL CHARGES
Nandipha Magudumana is facing a slew of criminal charges relating to Thabo Bester’s 2022 prison escape and her harbouring him at her Hyde Park mansion in the months that followed. In early 2023, the rumoured couple fled the country to Tanzania, where they were arrested.
Her charges include fraud, corruption, money laundering, arson, violating bodies, and aiding and abetting the escape of the convicted criminal.
Her father, Zolile, is facing charges of abetting Bester’s prison escape and violating a corpse.
Nandipha Magudumana’s father Zolile Sekeleni.Images via Netflix
Meanwhile, her brother Nkosinathi was arrested in February, where he was charged with the attempted murder of a man he accused of trying to rob him.
According to eNCA, he was also accused of trying to extort Nandipha by demanding R100 000 from her in return for his silence on her involvement with Bester. Nandipha refused, and Nkosinathi reportedly reported the information to the Hawks.
WHEN DOES CRIMINAL TRIAL COMMENCE?
Nandipha Magudumana and Thabo Bester’s criminal trial, alongside several co-accused, is scheduled to take place at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein from 20 July to 18 September 2026.
However, Bester has multiple pending cases relating to his arrest, which could possibly delay the start of the trial.