Thabo Bester accuses Showmax of exploitation over docu-series
Thabo Bester has joined his girlfriend, Nandipha Magudumana in slamming Showmax for commercial exploitation over their docu-series.
Convicted rapist Thabo Bester has accused streaming service Showmax of commercialising his name without involving him in the upcoming docu-series Tracking Thabo Bester.
The four-part docu-series about Bester’s brazen escape from Cell 35 in the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein is set to premiere on 15 March.
THABO BESTER ACCUSES SHOWMAX OF COMMERCIALISING HIS NAME
As previously reported, Bester was arrested in Arusha, Tanzania with his lover and disgraced celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana. The two were deported to South Africa in April 2023.
Bester faces a number of charges and is awaiting trial. He is currently detained at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Tshwane.
Thabo Bester says he has not granted Showmax or any person any rights to produce or commercially exploit a documentary based on his life.
Convicted rapist, Bester has accused streaming service Showmax of commercialising his name without involving regarding the upcoming docu-series Tracking Thabo Bester.
He accuses Showmax of commercial exploitation over docu-series.
According to Showmax, Tracking Thabo Bester is a four-part investigation into Thabo Bester; why he was called the Facebook rapist and in imprisoned originally. It also explores how celebrity doctor, Nandipha Magudumana fell for the convicted criminal and left her children behind to go on the run with him to Tanzania, and who really died in Cell 35.
Bester’s legal representatives slapped Showmax with a letter of demand and demanded a copy of the docu-series for review before it airs by no later than 14:00 on Saturday, 9 March.
Through his lawyers, Bester argued that he has not granted Showmax, or any person, any rights or authority to produce, distribute, or commercially exploit a documentary or film based upon or taken from his life.
“Our client has not been interviewed by anyone from your company, which undermines the principles of fair journalism. Our client does not know who stands to benefit from your intended activities financially,” the letter read.
Furthermore, the lawyers argued that Bester believes the docu-series could infringe on his Constitutional rights.
“Including, among other things, his dignity, and it threatens and may contain defamatory statements regarding our client. The documentary will likely prejudice the pending criminal trial, which is still preparatory, and thus infringe our client’s constitutionally entrenched right to a fair trial.”
#ThaboBester has also slapped Multichoice with a letter of demand. He’s arguing the commercialisation of his name without his involvement by streaming service Multichoice
The firm representing him here is different to the one representing him in the criminal matter. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/4hsVIjS8EQ
— Linda Mnisi (@LindA_MniSii) March 9, 2024