Former Miss Rwanda Jolly Mutesi Shares Experience of Almost Falling Victim to Scam

1 min read
former miss rwanda jolly mutesi Cape Town

Former Miss Rwanda, Jolly Mutesi, recently shared a cautionary tale of almost becoming a victim of a scam orchestrated by the “Facebook Rapist” Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana. The duo tried to lure Mutesi to Cape Town to present a fake Netflix show alongside celebrities Kylie Jenner and Drake for an annual salary of $3 million.

The Scam

Mutesi was approached by Arum Holdings, where Magudumana serves as CEO and Bester as the chairman, using the alias TK Nkwana. Although excited about the prospect of working with well-known celebrities, Mutesi remained skeptical and asked for due diligence to be done. She requested the company’s profile, official invitation, and hotel booking be presented to the authorities to investigate the offer’s legitimacy.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

The Saves

After completing due diligence, the authorities advised Mutesi only to accept the invitation if everything about the company appeared to be a scam. However, Mutesi credits the Rwandan Embassy in South Africa for saving her from the unknown intentions of the duo.

Advice to Young People

Mutesi advises young people not to trust anyone who presents an opportunity without thorough investigation. She also stresses the importance of doing due diligence and researching all options offered, especially those in the public eye. Mutesi believes that young people must seek advice and remain safe.

About Jolly Mutesi

Mutesi is a patriot and a philanthropist. During her reign as Miss Rwanda in 2016, she made it to the Top 25 finalists in Miss World 2016’s Beauty With A Purpose competition. In addition, she organized local debate competitions and entrepreneurship advisory sessions that enhanced her public perception and made her stand out locally and internationally.

Future Projects

Currently, Mutesi is one of the judges for the Miss Rwanda contest. She plans to release a new documentary film about her life, highlighting her real-life struggles and clarifying the accusations against her, including allegations of skin bleaching and being harsh to contestants during the Q&A pre-selection stage of Miss Rwanda contests. She believes the film will inspire other youths and help correct misconceptions about her.

Photos of Jolly Mutesi

Hannah Kriel is a Cape Town-born journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene—from Bo-Kaap spice routes to Constantia vineyards—for local and international outlets. When she’s not interviewing chefs or tracking the harvest on her grandparents’ Stellenbosch farm, you’ll find her surfing the Atlantic breaks she first rode as a schoolgirl.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

The Ongoing Conflict in Sudan and South Africa’s Involvement

Next Story

The Importance of Access to Nature for Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual Well-being in Developing Countries

Latest from Blog

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil. They also build special ditches to catch rainwater, making sure not a single drop goes to waste. Cooking happens outdoors, over crackling fires, using fresh food grown right there. They even turn old things into new cooking tools. It’s all about living close to the earth and making every bit count, showing a deep love for nature.

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these camps like temporary city areas, providing water, toilets, and trash pickup. This helps keep everyone safe and healthy, using smart data to track everything. It’s a quiet revolution, making sure old traditions fit smoothly into modern city life, and other cities are starting to notice this clever plan.

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They’re upgrading labs, getting tons of vaccines, and working with villages to tag and track every animal. This tough new strategy, backed by big money, aims to reopen a R7 billion beef trade with countries like China and the EU. They’re using strict rules, new tech, and even special meetings with local leaders to make sure no sick animal slips through. It’s a fullon war to protect their cattle and bring back their valuable beef exports!

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This huge number of visitors, especially 2.37 million noncitizens, made it the busiest November for foreign entries since before COVID hit in 2019. It was like a river of people flowing in, showing how popular South Africa had become again.