Thabo Bester wants to block Showmax from streaming documentary
Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has threatened legal action against MultiChoice if it streams a documentary about his infamous prison escape and subsequent recapturing, Rapport reports.
The first two episodes of the four-part true crime documentary Tracking Thabo Bester are due to be released on MultiChoice’s streaming service Showmax on 15 March 2024, followed by the final two episodes on 22 March 2024.
Bester again made headlines in 2023 after it was discovered that he faked his death and escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in 2022, allegedly with the assistance of celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana.
At the time, Bester was serving a life sentence for rape and murder. His modus operandi involved luring women into modelling opportunities via Facebook.
Bester’s escape was first uncovered by GroundUp in a report in March 2023, after it investigated photos showing a man that looked like Bester shopping at a Woolworths in Sandton City.
Thabo Bester attempting to disguise himself while shopping at Woolworths with Dr. Nandipha Magudumana in June 2022. Credit: GroundUp
Following a lacklustre reaction by the Department of Justice and police, Bester and Magudumana fled South Africa.
A manhunt ensued, and with the combined efforts of law enforcement and private security company Fidelity ADT, Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania in April 2023.
Their trial is set to begin in June 2024. Expected to appear alongside them as co-accused are Magudumana’s father, Zolile Sekeleni, their gardener, Zanda Moyo, and former prison staff members, Frans Makhotsa, Senohe Matsoara, Buti Masukela, Teboho Lipholo, and Joel Maketha.
In a description of the documentary on its website, Showmax says the series will include details like why Bester was called the Facebook rapist and in jail originally, how Magudumana fell for a convicted criminal and left her children behind to go on the run with him to Tanzania, and who really died in Bester’s cell.
In near-identical letters of demand sent to MultiChoice in the past few days, the pair said they did not consent to the commercialisation of their names and wanted to see the show before it was aired.
The lawyers argued that airing the show would prejudice the pending criminal trial and infringe on their clients’ rights to a fair trial.
They gave MultiChoice until Saturday, 9 March 2024, to hand over copies of the show.
MultiChoice will “vigorously” defend airing
MultiChoice has confirmed it received the legal letters and maintained that streaming the show was in the public interest.
“Showmax believes it is important that the public see this programme and form their own view. Showmax will vigorously defend the right of the public to do so,” MultiChoice said in a statement to News24.
Showmax has numerous Original series focused on true crime stories in South Africa, many of which have been among the streaming service’s most popular offerings.
These include Devilsdorp, Rosemary’s Hitlist, Stella Murders, Convict Conman, Boetie Boer, and Steinheist.
Below is the trailer for the Showmax Originals documentary Tracking Thabo Bester.
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