Showmax is set to premiere a four-part documentary series called “Tracking Thabo Bester,” which delves into the life of South Africa’s notorious criminal Thabo Bester. The series will reveal that he did not die in a prison fire as initially believed and will explore the complex accusations against him and his supposed accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana. The documentary features an impressive lineup of interviewees, including former police profiler Dr. Gérard Labuschagne and prisoners and wardens at Mangaung Correctional Centre. The series premieres on Showmax on March 15th and 22nd, 2022, and promises to keep viewers riveted from start to finish.
The True-Crime Documentary: Unraveling Bester’s Story
Showmax’s “Tracking Thabo Bester” is a four-part series on the life of South Africa’s daring felon, Thabo Bester. The true crime documentary delves into the shocking revelation that Bester, a convicted murderer and rapist, did not perish in a blazing inferno in his Mangaung prison cell as initially believed. Instead, he was seen shopping with his supposed accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana. The series premieres on March 15th and 22nd, 2022.
Showmax, a premier online entertainment streaming service, recently announced a four-part series highlighting the intricate tale of South Africa’s daring felon, Thabo Bester, and his supposed accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana. The duo, alongside seven other individuals, have been deeply embroiled in a complex legal situation, awaiting a pre-trial hearing in the Free State Court.
The accusations leveled against them are as complex as they are severe, encompassing a broad array from aiding in Bester’s impressive jail breakout to fraud, corruption, and violating numerous bodies. The engaging four-part series, “Tracking Thabo Bester,” is scheduled to be broadcast in two segments on the 15th and 22nd of March on Showmax. The series is birthed by IdeaCandy, a cutting-edge production company behind other successful projects like Devilsdorp and Rosemary’s Hitlist.
The True-Crime Documentary: Unraveling Bester’s Story
The true crime documentary is set to unravel the shocking revelation that Bester, a convicted murderer and rapist, did not perish in a blazing inferno in his Mangaung prison cell as initially believed. Instead of this grim narrative, Bester was seen casually shopping with Magudumana at a Woolworths in Sandton City.
Showmax reveals that the first episode follows the journey of GroundUp journalists Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn, known for their investigative excellence and their bestselling book, “The Thabo Bester Story: The Facebook Rapist, the Celebrity Doctor, and the Escape from Cell 35.” The series will explore more in-depth why Bester earned the infamous ‘Facebook rapist’ moniker and the sequence of events that led him to incarceration.
The storyline takes a thrilling turn as it further delves into the intriguing case of a celebrity doctor who left her children behind, enticed by the lure of a criminal lifestyle, and joined Bester on a daring escape to Tanzania. Viewers will also have a chance to ponder the identity of the actual victim who met a grim fate in Cell 35.
An Impressive Interviewee Lineup and Bigger Implications
The documentary series flaunts an impressive roster of interviewees, comprising prisoners and prison wardens at Mangaung Correctional Centre; the family of Katlego Bereng Mpholo, whose life was tragically cut short in Cell 35; Nandipha’s brother Nkosinathi Sekeleni, and former South African Police Service head profiler Dr. Gérard Labuschagne, who interviewed Bester after his 2012 arrest for rape and murder.
Nikki Comninos, the series’ director, reflected on the broader implications of the Thabo Bester case, stating, “We often discuss Thabo Bester as if it’s a unique case, but it’s unquestionably not.” She proceeded to draw parallels between Bester and Dawie de Villiers, another convicted rapist who managed to operate a business while imprisoned. This eerie similarity raises probing questions about the state of the South African prison system.
The Ongoing Court Case and Anticipated Series Premiere
As the eagerly anticipated series premiere approaches, the court case continues to unravel. Bester, Magudumana, and seven others are scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial conference on June 5, 2024.
The upcoming Showmax series provides an intricate, in-depth look into the life and crimes of a notorious convict, promising to keep viewers riveted from start to finish. The bigger implications of the case, as well as the ongoing legal proceedings, only add to the anticipation surrounding the series.
1. What is Showmax’s new documentary series about?
Showmax’s new documentary series, “Tracking Thabo Bester,” is a four-part series that delves into the life of South Africa’s notorious criminal Thabo Bester. The series reveals that he did not die in a prison fire as initially believed and explores the complex accusations against him and his supposed accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana.
2. When does the series premiere?
The series premieres on Showmax on March 15th and 22nd, 2022, in two segments.
3. Who are some of the interviewees featured in the series?
The series features an impressive lineup of interviewees, including former police profiler Dr. Gérard Labuschagne, prisoners and wardens at Mangaung Correctional Centre, and the family of Katlego Bereng Mpholo, whose life was tragically cut short in Cell 35.
4. What are the bigger implications of the Thabo Bester case?
Director Nikki Comninos reflected on the broader implications of the Thabo Bester case, stating that it raises probing questions about the state of the South African prison system.
5. When is the pre-trial conference for the ongoing court case?
Bester, Magudumana, and seven others are scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial conference on June 5, 2024.
6. Who are the journalists behind “The Thabo Bester Story”?
The first episode of the series follows the journey of GroundUp journalists Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn, known for their investigative excellence and their bestselling book, “The Thabo Bester Story: The Facebook Rapist, the Celebrity Doctor, and the Escape from Cell 35.”
