The Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the bail application of Nandipha Magudumana. The decision was handed down by Magistrate Estelle de Lange on Monday, following a thorough evaluation of the case.
Nandipha Magudumana bail denied: Here’s why the court deemed her a flight risk
Magudumana’s bail application was met with scrutiny, and ultimately, the court ruled against her release on bail.
Magistrate de Lange emphasised that certain factors led to this decision, particularly the assessment that Magudumana posed a significant flight risk.
The investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Tiohe Flyman had strongly opposed Magudumana’s release on bail, citing concerns that she might evade her trial.
Notably, Magudumana does not have any previous convictions on record. However, her actions and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance raised concerns about her willingness to cooperate with the court.
Crucially, Magistrate de Lange highlighted that Magudumana did not own any immovable property and had vacated her residence with Bester.
This, along with other factors, contributed to the court’s conclusion that bail conditions would not be sufficient to ensure her presence at trial.
Magistrate de Lange also noted that Magudumana’s passport had been confiscated, but there was evidence indicating that she possessed the means to travel without it.
Her actions, including providing an outdated address to investigators, suggested a pattern of evasion.
Ultimately, Magistrate de Lange concluded:
“I’m of the opinion bail conditions will NOT be enough to make her stand her trial. She will have more means to help Bester to escape. If she is released, she could facilitate another escape if she wants to.”
The ruling highlighted the court’s belief that Magudumana’s departure from the country was voluntary, and there was insufficient evidence to support her claims of being kidnapped by Bester.
Despite her disappearance, she appeared in good health and well-groomed when she resurfaced.
In conclusion, Magistrate de Lange asserted:
“When she left, she knew she wouldn’t come back. The evidence points that she left the country voluntarily. I find she is definitely a flight risk, and there are no bail conditions to limit this risk. She didn’t satisfy the court that she should be released. Therefore, the bail application is denied.”
Magudumana will remain in custody as the legal proceedings continue.
The case revolves around Magudumana’s alleged claim to the body of a deceased individual, where she asserted that she was the customary wife of the deceased.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the body in question belonged to Katlego Bereng, not the person she had claimed to be. Magudumana’s mysterious disappearance in an apparent escape with another individual, Bester, captured media attention.
