One of South Africa's most notorious rapists and murderers, Thabo Bester, has taken legal action to block Netflix from broadcasting a documentary about his life, including details of how he allegedly faked his death and escaped from prison. His lawyers argue that the film titled Beauty and the Bester is defamatory, but Netflix is defending its rights to release the three-part investigation.
Bester's partner, Nandipha Magudumana, who is also implicated in his escape, is part of the court case aimed at preventing the release. The High Court is expected to deliver its ruling shortly before the documentary is set to air globally on Friday.
Bester was convicted in 2012 for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend, Nomfundo Tyhulu, and previously found guilty of raping and robbing two other women, earning the moniker 'Facebook rapist' for using the social media platform to lure victims. While serving a life sentence, he allegedly escaped from a maximum security prison in 2022, a case that gained international attention.
A prison fire initially led authorities to believe a charred body discovered was Bester's, but it was later identified as someone else. For a year, Bester lived in hiding in Johannesburg until he was apprehended alongside Magudumana in Tanzania in April 2023. They are currently in custody pending trial for multiple offenses, including defrauding authorities.
Bester’s legal team contends that the documentary infringes his right to a fair trial, with lawyer Moafrika Wa Maila claiming, There is no proof he escaped; the documentary is a kangaroo court. Conversely, Netflix's advocate, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, argues that the series offers victims a long-denied platform to share their voices. Judge Sulet Potterill has requested clarification on the release timing before announcing her decision.
The fallout from Bester's alleged escape has ignited significant discourse on South Africa's high rates of sexual violence and the media's role in depicting such cases. As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores the delicate balance between justice, victim advocacy, and creative expression.
