
Thabo Bester, also known as the Facebook Rapist, is a well-known criminal. In 2012, he was convicted of murder, rape, and aggravated robbery and sentenced to life in prison.
He targeted women on social media, enticing them with modeling contracts, and then assaulting them in hotels. He committed his crimes in at least four South African provinces.
Dr Nandipha Magudumana is a medical doctor who fell in love with Bester while incarcerated at the Mangaung Correctional Services in Bloemfontein.
On 3 May 2022, he assisted him in escaping from prison by setting fire to his cell and swapping his body with that of another inmate, Katlego Bareng, who died in the blaze.She then fled with him to Tanzania, where they lived as a couple for a month.
The couple’s escape and romance did not last long, as they were apprehended by Tanzanian authorities on 4 June 2022, following an Interpol tip-off. On June 29, 2022, they were extradited to South Africa and charged with evading lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, fraud, and corruption. They were also charged with murder and robbery in connection with Bareng’s death and the theft of his belongings.
Following their extradition, the couple was separated and sent to different prisons. Bester was held at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru II C-max prison, while Magudumana was held at the Kroonstad Correctional Centre’s hospital wing in Free State. They hadn’t seen each other in over a month when they were reunited.
The couple appeared in court alongside ten other co-accused who were allegedly involved in their escape plan. They included prison guards, police officers, funeral home workers, and a Zimbabwean national who assisted Magudumana in claiming Bareng’s body.
When the couple arrived in court on Tuesday, they were all smiles and squeezed themselves between each other and one of the other co-accused. They held hands, talked, laughed, and looked lovingly at each other. Their reunion videos and photos have since gone viral on social media.
The case has been rescheduled for October 11th for further investigation. Except for Bester, Magudumana, and Zanda Moyo, all of the accused are free on bail. Moyo is a Zimbabwean national who was apprehended in Johannesburg for his involvement in the body swap scheme.
The couple faces a long and uncertain future as they await trial for their crimes. They could face more jail time, or even life sentences if convicted. They also face public scrutiny and criticism for their actions.
However, they seem to be unfazed by their situation, and remain loyal and devoted to each other. They have expressed their love for each other in letters and phone calls while they were apart. They have also claimed that they have no regrets for what they did, and that they would do it again if they had the chance

They’ve also stated that they’re not afraid of death and are willing to die together if necessary. They have been compared to Shakespeare’s famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
They have also stated their faith in God and their desire for His mercy and forgiveness. They have requested that their families and friends pray for them.
They have also stated that they expect a fair trial and will tell the truth about what occurred. They have denied any involvement in Bareng’s death, claiming that he died in an accident.
They have also expressed a desire to rebuild their lives following their ordeal and to use their skills and talents to help others. Bester has stated his desire to be a motivational speaker and writer, while Magudumana has stated her desire to return to the practice of medicine.
They have also expressed a desire to marry and start a family together. They have stated that they are soulmates who can be separated by nothing.