Cape Town – Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana have filed an urgent court application to block Netflix from releasing its true-crime docuseries Beauty and the Bester, set to premiere on September 12, arguing it contains defamatory and inaccurate claims that violate their rights.
The trailer for, which has already been released, features interviews with Magudumana’s father, DJ Pearl Thusi, and TV personality Penny Lebyane, who reflect on her relationship with Thabo Bester.
The couple’s lawyers argue the series is sensationalist, unfairly targets them, and denies Bester a chance to respond to the allegations.
How far would she go for love? This three-part documentary series examines Dr Nandipha’s connection to Thabo Bester’s outrageous prison escape. Beauty And The Bester, only on Netflix 12 September. pic.twitter.com/4kthZpPLrz
— NetflixSA (@NetflixSA) August 20, 2025
The matter will be heard on September 9, just days before the release.
The three-part series explores Bester’s 2022 prison escape, his double life, and the couple’s arrest in Tanzania in 2023, featuring courtroom footage, investigative material, and exclusive interviews.
This is not the couple’s first attempt to stop such portrayals — earlier, the Johannesburg High Court dismissed their bid to block Showmax’s Tracking Thabo Bester. Meanwhile, their formal trial is scheduled to run from November 2025 to March 2026.
Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana intend to file a court application to interdict the release of a documentary on Netflix. The documentary is titled Beauty and the Bester. eNCA senior reporter @Sli_Masikane unpacks this story. pic.twitter.com/hYeOMEBAqd
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 26, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
