By: Natasha Archary

Dr Nandipha Magudumana was not present in court on Wednesday, 11 October after she collapsed due to ill-health in the holding cells.
The alleged accomplice and lover of the convicted rapist and murderer, was expected to make an appearance alongwith Bester and 11 of her other co-accused.
However, her lawyer, Advocate Machini Motloung said his client was receiving medical attention from paramedics after collapsing in the cells at the Park Road Police Station before she could be transported to the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court.
Motloung told media that his client was inhumanely treated and forced out of the Bizzah Makhate Correctional Center in Kroonstad where she is currently in custody, despite alerting officials that she was unwell from Monday, 09 October.
Dr Nandipha was reportedly dragged out in just a blanket, and had collapsed on the floor of the police station which is 2-hours aways from the court.
Motloung says he doesn’t understand why his client was taken to Park Road Police Station, and says he was not allowed to see her.
“She was declared unwell yesterday, and other inmates were also sick from Monday due to food poisoning.
I actually got a call and I went to visit her and I did canvas the issues and left her in Bizzah knowing she’s not well.
Only to be surprised this morning with a call from a journalist telling me that she was taken by force to transport her to court.
She’s in the cells, on the floor, those are the harshest inhumane conditions one can be subjected to.
Irrespective of whether she’s an accused, even accused persons have rights.”
When asked if Dr Nandipha was clothed when she collapsed, Advocate Motloung said he was not going to comment on that, as he did not want to further humiliate his client.
Meanwhile, the State withdrew charges against 3 co-accused in the Thabo Bester case.
Nastassja Jansen, Thabang Mier and Moeketsi Ramolula had the cases against them dropped, and the charges against them were withdrawn.
A date for a pre-trial hearing has been set for 21 February 2024 in Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s absence.
Also read: DNA samples do not place 5 accused at Senzo Meyiwa crime scene



