The Department of Correctional Services has shut down rampant rumours that Nandipha Magudumana – the woman who went on a criminal spree with Thabo Bester – is pregnant.
The “fake news” has been spread in multiple Facebook posts.
Nandipha – a former celebrity skin doctor – is facing charges of orchestrating Bester’s 2022 prison escape, defrauding the public, and violating multiple bodies. Their trial is set to begin on 10 November at the Bloemfontein High Court.
NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA IS NOT PREGNANT, SAYS DCS
On Facebook, several accounts have published unverified claims that Nandipha Magudumana is pregnant.
One – using the name “MaMkhize” – shared a post that stated that Department of Correctional Services Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo had confirmed that the mother-of-two was four months along with her third pregnancy.
The post read: “He [the spokesperson] added that a senior officer at the correctional centre where Nandipha Magudumana held has been placed on special leave with immediate effect”.
The post added that Thabo Bester was “breathing heavy fire after hearing the news.”
“He is planning to sue the Department of Correctional Services”, the post added.
On X, the official account of DCS rubbished the claim as “fake news.”
WHERE IS CELEBRITY DOCTOR BEING HELD?
Nandipha Magudumana is being held in the hospital division of the Bizzah Makhate prison in Kroonstad, Bloemfontein.
While many have claimed that the celebrity doctor is living the “soft life” in prison, National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale stated that her location was purely for isolation purposes.
He said during a prison walkabout in 2023: “The purpose is to isolate her, control her movement. To make sure she does not have interaction [with others] or access to cellphones.”
The commissioner claimed that Magudumana is given the same diet as other offenders and no preferential treatment. She does, however, have access to a beauty salon frequented by inmates.
Meanwhile, Thabo Bester – who escaped prison in 2022 – is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru C-Max prison in Pretoria. He is still serving life sentences for his 2011 and 2012 rape and murder convictions, respectively.
DO YOU BELIEVE NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA AND THABO BESTER ARE EXPERIENCING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN PRISON?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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