Judgment expected in Nandipha Magudumana bail application

She appeared in court last week for closing arguments in her bid to be granted bail.

Magudumana is accused of helping convicted rapist and killer Thabo Bester escape from prison in May 2022.

During court proceedings, Magudumana's lawyer, Advocate Machini Motloung, made it clear that she has no intention on leaving the country, should she be granted bail.

"The applicant has been travelling in and outside South Africa, coming back with no issues whatsoever. The accused's passport is confiscated. The real question is whether or not the accused has any other business to do or deal with outside the Republic of South Africa.

"To this end, the applicant has not produced such evidence, neither did the state in its opposition produce evidence that the applicant has some interest outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa," said Motloung.

Motloung argued further that Magudumana has strong family ties in the country.

Earlier, the State questioned why Magudumana had not opened a criminal case against the convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.

"The applicant is kidnapped by accused number five. She says she resisted and was overpowered. Accused number five took her away from her children, denying her parental responsibility that she says has over the two children.

"Now she finds herself arrested and applying for bail as a result of her actions of accused number five, and, your worship, you choose not to open a criminal case against this person?" prosecutor Sello Matlhoko told the court.

"So far, this is what accused number five did to her, and she does not open a case. The investigating officers say the reservation we have with the picture that is attached, she has been coming to court smiling with the same person that she says in her affidavit kidnapped her."

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