By: Natasha Archary
Multichoice has responded to the letters of demand from Dr Nandipha Magudumana and Thabo Bester to stop the airing of Tracking Thabo Bester, a documentary that is set to air on Showmax.
Magudumana and Bester through their legal team have claimed that no in-person interviews were conducted, and citing that streaming the series could result in irreparable harm, Multichoice will proceed and air the series.
Apart from threatening further lawsuits for damages, Magudumana asserts that she did not grant any party the right, permission or authority to film the documentary.
Meanwhile, her lover, convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, says he has not granted Showmax or any person the rights or authority to produce, distribute or commercially explot a documentary of film based on or taken from his life.
In response Multichoice says that they will proceed and air Tracking Thabo Bester on 15 March, despite the letters of demand.
Mulitchoice says all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the documentary adheres to the standards of journalistic integrity and ethical reporting.
“Multichoice confirms receipt of letters of demand served by Mr Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana, in an attempt to stop Showmax airing the 4-part documentary, Tracking Thabo Bester.
Given the extremely serious allegations against Bester and his co-accused and the overwhelming public interest in the matter, Showmax believes it is important that members of the public see this programme and form their own view.
Showmax will vigorously defend the right of the public to do so.
As a responsible media platform, Showmax has taken all necessary steps to ensure that our documentary adheres to the standards of journalistic integrity and ethical reporting.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.”
Multichoice in response to letters of demand regarding Tracking Thabo Bester
A pretrial date has been set for South Africa’s “Bonnie and Clyde” couple, convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana.
Bester, Dr Nandipha and seven others, including the doctor’s father Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni will be back in court on 05 June 2024 for their pretrial.
Dr Nandipha, who is facing a slew of charges including tampering with dead bodies and assisting a convicted rapist and murderer from escaping lawful custody, claimed she was abducted/kidnapped by South African officials from Tanzania.
Bester escaped from the privately run Free State Correctional Center by faking his death in a fire that was set in his prison cell.
Also read: “The disclosure unauthorised was done by one of our staff” – IEC on ANC and MK candidate list leak
