{"id":28742,"date":"2025-09-12T12:18:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T10:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=28742"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:51:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:51:42","slug":"beauty-and-the-bester-netflix-documentary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/beauty-and-the-bester-netflix-documentary\/","title":{"rendered":"South African Court Hears Nandipha Magudumana Was Paid for Netflix Documentary \u2013 Cannot Block Thabo Bester Film Release"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Pretoria High Court recently heard that Dr Nandipha Magudumana was compensated for the use of her archival material in the contested Netflix documentary about her and Thabo Bester. Despite this, Magudumana and Bester have sought a court interdict to block the release of <em>Beauty and the Bester<\/em>&#8230; A three-part true-crime series detailing Bester\u2019s life and criminal activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#background-of-the-case\" data-level=\"2\">Background of the Case<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#payment-for-archival-material\" data-level=\"2\">Payment for Archival Material<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#arguments-in-court\" data-level=\"2\">Arguments in Court<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#courts-pending-judgment-and-release-schedule\" data-level=\"2\">Court\u2019s Pending Judgment and Release Schedule<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-proceedings-on-12-september-2025\" data-level=\"2\">Proceedings on 12 September 2025<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#documentary-synopsis\" data-level=\"2\">Documentary Synopsis<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#conclusion\" data-level=\"2\">Beauty and the Bester<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"background-of-the-case\">Background of the Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thabo Bester, a convicted rapist and murderer, and Dr Nandipha Magudumana, his partner, are currently facing charges related to his dramatic escape from Mangaung prison. Where Bester was serving a life sentence. The Netflix documentary explores Bester\u2019s crimes, alleged prison escape. The documentary also includes their lives while on the run before their capture in Tanzania in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewn.co.za\/2025\/09\/11\/magudumana-was-paid-for-use-of-her-archive-material-in-netflix-doccie-shes-now-challenging-court-hears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approached<\/a> the court seeking an urgent interdict to prevent the documentary from airing. Their legal teams argue that the series prejudices their right to a fair trial and effectively convicts Bester in the court of public opinion before his ongoing trials conclude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-631536467\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"payment-for-archival-material\">Payment for Archival Material<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In court proceedings, it was revealed that Dr Magudumana signed an agreement with the production company. Storyscope is the production company behind the production the Netflix documentary. She was paid for the use of her archival material in the film. Magudumana\u2019s legal representatives now contend that the contract is unenforceable, citing procedural flaws, including the alleged absence of authorization by the production company\u2019s agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Netflix\u2019s legal counsel, however, argued that Magudumana\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewn.co.za\/2025\/09\/11\/magudumana-was-paid-for-use-of-her-archive-material-in-netflix-doccie-shes-now-challenging-court-hears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claims distort<\/a> the contract\u2019s contents. It was further stressed that she was represented by legal counsel when entering into the agreement, making the contract valid and binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Beauty and the Bester | Bester, Magudumana&#039;s bid to halt Netflix docci dismissed\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o_E99abepcc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/o_E99abepcc?si=oZ58ze-q1AOkCY91\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"arguments-in-court\">Arguments in Court<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Magudumana\u2019s lawyer claimed the documentary has not given her proper opportunity to respond to issues raised about her role. Meanwhile, Bester\u2019s legal team emphasized that screening the documentary would be prejudicial. Especially, since Bester has not been convicted of the charges related to his alleged escape and other accusations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Conversely, Netflix\u2019s officials <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cz9je7j9k83o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maintained<\/a> that the film provides victims of Bester a platform to share their stories&#8230; Highlighting the importance of public awareness and justice for victims. Netflix\u2019s legal team also stressed that all facts presented have been previously reported in courts and the media, asserting there is nothing new or defamatory outside of public knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3089140567\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"courts-pending-judgment-and-release-schedule\">Court\u2019s Pending Judgment and Release Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On 11 September 2025, the Gauteng High Court reserved its judgment. The judgement was then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enca.com\/top-stories\/court-reserves-judgment-bester-and-magudumana-vs-netflix-battle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scheduled<\/a> to be delivered just 30 minutes before the documentary&#8217;s planned global release on Friday, 12 September 2025. The judge&#8217;s ruling would decide whether the documentary could be aired as scheduled or if its release should be postponed until ongoing legal processes are complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-proceedings-on-12-september-2025\">Proceedings on 12 September 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed the urgent application filed by Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana seeking to block the Netflix documentary &#8220;Beauty and the Bester&#8221; from airing. The ruling came just minutes before the documentary&#8217;s planned global release on 12 September 2025. The judge found the application to be &#8220;wholly unreasonable,&#8221; &#8220;without merit,&#8221; and noted that the urgency was self-created by the applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The court emphasised that information about both individuals is already in the public domain and that other legal avenues, such as defamation lawsuits, are available if further redress is necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Netflix\u2019s legal team argued all content represents facts already public and that prior restraint on the documentary\u2019s airing was unjustified. Magudumana was disclosed to have been paid for the use of her archival material in the documentary. Consequently, the documentary was permitted to be released as scheduled. This decision balances protecting individual rights with upholding freedom of expression and the public interest in high-profile cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-539072443\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"documentary-synopsis\">Documentary Synopsis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Beauty and the Bester<\/em> details several aspects of Bester\u2019s criminal case, including his convictions for rape and murder, his escape from prison, and subsequent evasion of authorities with Magudumana\u2019s alleged assistance. The documentary also <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/news\/crime-and-courts\/2025-09-12-netflixs-beauty-and-the-bester-documentary-set-to-air-after-court-ruling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">explores<\/a> the extensive police manhunt that ended with their arrest and deportation to South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This documentary follows years of public interest and media attention surrounding the \u201cFacebook Rapist\u201d. This is a moniker Bester earned for targeting victims via social media. The series intends to give victims a voice and reveal how such criminals operate behind closed doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CHECK OUT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/end-of-sabc-tv-licences-what-you-need-to-know\/\">End of SABC TV Licences: What You Need to Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\"><em>Beauty and the Bester<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This ongoing legal battle encapsulates fundamental tensions between the rights of accused individuals to a fair trial and the public interest in transparency and victim restitution. The court\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enca.com\/news-top-stories\/watch-ruling-beauty-and-bester-documentary-dispute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">imminent<\/a> decision is highly anticipated as it balances these competing concerns within South Africa\u2019s justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Netflix documentary stands as a <a href=\"https:\/\/dailynews.co.za\/news\/crime-and-courts\/2025-09-11-judgment-pending-on-netflix-documentary-about-thabo-bester\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">significant<\/a> cultural and legal event, demonstrating the power of media to influence public opinion. These events raise important questions about justice, privacy, and accountability in high-profile criminal cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Beauty and the Bester | Official Trailer | Netflix\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gdg_dBu5bME?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/gdg_dBu5bME?si=bT-1x7pR3s4DzlU7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pretoria High Court hears Magudumana was paid for Netflix documentary; legal battle continues as Bester and Magudumana try to block &#8220;Beauty and the Bester&#8221; release.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":28745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Pretoria High Court hears Magudumana was paid for Netflix documentary; legal battle continues as Bester and Magudumana try to block \"Beauty and the Bester\" release.","footnotes":""},"categories":[1706],"tags":[10428,1902,465,1634],"class_list":{"0":"post-28742","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-lawsuit","9":"tag-legal-matters","10":"tag-life-imprisonment","11":"tag-netflix"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28742"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28757,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28742\/revisions\/28757"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}