Thabo Bester, one of South Africa's most notorious rapists and murderers, is attempting to prevent Netflix from airing a documentary that explores his criminal history, including his escape from prison after faking his own death.
The documentary, titled 'Beauty and the Bester,' has drawn controversy as Bester's legal team argues that it is defamatory, while Netflix defends the project as a necessary investigation into his crimes. Notably, Bester's partner, Nandipha Magudumana, who allegedly assisted in his escape, is also featured in the film and is a co-plaintiff in this court case.
A ruling from the High Court is expected to come imminently, just ahead of the documentary's scheduled release. This legal battle has intensified interest surrounding Bester, who was initially convicted for the horrific rape and murder of his model girlfriend, Nomfundo Tyhulu, and for other crimes involving multiple women.
Bester gained notoriety as the 'Facebook rapist,' using social media to lure his victims. Even while serving a life sentence, he allegedly orchestrated a dramatic escape from a maximum-security prison in 2022, a fire that resulted in the discovery of a charred body that was mistaken for his own.
After living a fugitive's life under an alias for nearly a year, Bester and Magudumana were captured in Tanzania in April 2023 and subsequently deported. They now face multiple charges, including violating a corpse and fraud, with their trial pending.
Bester's attorney, Moafrika Wa Maila, argues that the documentary undermines his client’s right to a fair trial, while Netflix's lawyer underscores the importance of providing a platform for Bester's victims to share their stories. The outcome of this legal dispute may set a precedent for the intersection of crime, media representation, and justice in contemporary society.
