Magudumana loses extradition bid at SCA
The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s challenge to her extradition from Tanzania, clearing a major legal hurdle ahead of her trial on a slew of criminal charges.
The ruling, handed down on Friday, affirms an earlier decision by the Free State High Court, which found her arrest and return to South Africa in April 2023 to be lawful.
While the SCA noted a minority opinion in support of her appeal, the majority judgment stood, enabling the trial process to proceed.
Magudumana, alongside convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester, were arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, after a daring prison escape at the Mangaung Prison in May 2022.
Her legal team had argued that her deportation was forced and illegal, but the courts disagreed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the judgment, calling it a critical step in ensuring accountability.
"We are satisfied with the outcome and will now focus on ensuring the trial proceeds without delay," said NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.
The trial is scheduled to run from 21 July to 19 September in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein.
Magudumana and her co-accused face a total of 38 charges, including fraud, corruption, money laundering, aiding an escape, arson, violation of a corpse, and defeating the ends of justice.
“The NPA is committed to ensuring that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done, particularly due to the impact of these alleged crimes on the rule of law and the victims involved,” Mhaga added.
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