What happened to Nandipha Magudumana’s husband?
Where is Nandipha Magudumana’s husband, who she allegedly left to have an affair with co-accused Thabo Bester?
Nandipha Magudumana’s recent court appearance has sparked questions among many South Africans about why she abandoned her glamorous, successful life and her marriage to allegedly join Thabo Bester on a criminal spree.
The pair currently faces charges for orchestrating his 2022 prison escape, defrauding the public, and tampering with multiple bodies.
They appeared at the Free State High Court for a pre-trial hearing, which has been postponed to 19 September. Their trial is scheduled to start on 10 November at the Bloemfontein High Court.
WHERE IS NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S HUSBAND?
With all eyes on Nandipha, many want to know where her other half, Mr Magudumana, is.
Despite being a married woman, the celebrity aesthetics doctor allegedly embarked on an affair with Thabo Bester while he was behind bars for a rape and murder conviction in 2012.
At the time, Nandipha was married to paediatric medical doctor Mkhuseli Magudumana, and the couple has two daughters, Ayana and Aziza.
However, in an affidavit, Nandipha referred to herself as Thabo Bester’s “customary wife.” After her arrest, former friend Redi Tlhabi tweeted that the couple divorced in 2022. Still, conflicting reports suggest Nandipha remains legally married to Mkhuseli, who has stayed out of the public eye since her arrest.
In Nandipha’s 2024 bail application, she revealed that she is currently separated from her husband.
In a sworn statement, Nandipha said she met Thabo Bester at Wits University in 2006, where he allegedly studied theology, despite official records showing he only completed grade 7. She also stated that they began dating in 2017 and that Bester paid lobola for her in 2020.
PLAYING THE SYMPATHY CARD?
Many South Africans have expressed concern over Nandipha Magudumana’s frail appearance, while others accuse her of trying to gain public sympathy.
Some have even suggested that she is no different from Thabo Bester.
During her court appearances, Nandipha has been seen reading her Bible, praying, and singing, all under the watchful eyes of the media cameras
Months after her arrest, the mom-of-two was in tears when her attorney claimed that Thabo Bester had “forced” her to skip the country with her.
In a letter written during Women’s Month, Nandipha also claimed that she was abused by many men in her life, possibly including Bester.