South African Court Rejects Bid to Block Netflix Documentary on Convicted Rapist

A South African court rejected efforts by convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and his partner, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana, to block the release of the Netflix documentary "Beauty and the Bester," which details Bester's life, his 2022 prison escape, and the alleged involvement of Magudumana. Bester, known as the "Facebook Rapist," was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 for luring victims via Facebook, with charges including rape, robbery, and murder, and he now faces additional charges related to his escape and other crimes. Authorities initially believed Bester died in a prison fire, but DNA tests revealed the charred remains belonged to another man, prompting a fresh murder investigation. The court ruled that the documentary's airing would not infringe on the rights to a fair trial, noting the case was already in the public domain, though Bester and Magudumana retain the option to sue for defamation after the release. The documentary aims to provide public insight into the case and promote awareness of safety measures. Bester and Magudumana were rearrested in Tanzania in 2023 and remain in custody awaiting trial on multiple charges.