Netflix has released Beauty and the Bester, a powerful three-part documentary investigating the story of Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana. The series premiered at 9:00 am on Friday, 12 September 2025, shortly after the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed their urgent application to block its release.
As a result, the production went live without delay, allowing South Africans and global viewers immediate access to its content.
In doing so, the court’s ruling reignites debate about the collision between freedom of expression and the rights to privacy and a fair trial.
It also pulls national attention back to a criminal case that has dominated headlines since Bester’s audacious prison escape on 1 May 2022. According to Netflix, the documentary explores the “enigmatic ties that bound” the convicted rapist and murderer to the former aesthetic surgeon. Moreover, it features interviews with victims’ families, high-profile figures such as DJ Pearl Thusi, TV personality Penny Lebyane, and Magudumana’s father, Zolile Sekeleni.
Produced with Storyscope Media, the series draws on archival footage and public records to trace Magudumana’s journey from entrepreneur to co-accused facing over 20 charges, including murder, fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice—charges that will take centre stage during their trial scheduled for Wednesday, 10 November 2025, in the Free State High Court, Bloemfontein.
Consequently, on Thursday, 11 September 2025, Bester and Magudumana urgently approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, seeking an interim order to halt Netflix from releasing, streaming, advertising, or publishing the series.
In his affidavit, Bester claimed that the documentary would cause “irreparable harm” by infringing his constitutional rights to dignity, reputation, privacy, and a fair trial under Section 35 of the South African Constitution. Furthermore, his advocate, Moafrika Wa Maila, accused Netflix of using “falsehoods, selective editing and [engaging in] character assassination under the guise of a documentary,” arguing that its release could prejudice witnesses and undermine the fairness of the proceedings.
Likewise, Magudumana raised similar concerns, alleging that the production spreads “inaccurate, defamatory and unsubstantiated claims” that invade her privacy. In addition, her counsel, advocate Lerato Moela, disputed sections of her agreement with Storyscope, contending that certain provisions were unenforceable even though she had accepted payment for archival material.
In response, Netflix mounted a strong legal defence through advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, arguing that the urgency was self-created because the premiere date had been publicly announced well in advance and the applicants filed their replying affidavits late in contravention of court rules.
Furthermore, the company insisted that the content was drawn from verified public records and served the public interest by providing a platform for victims—”This documentary gives the victims of Thabo Bester a platform to be heard after years of silence. To silence the film is to silence them again.”
Additionally, court records revealed that Magudumana’s legal team had previously reviewed the archive agreement, further weakening her objection. After reserving judgment until 8:30 am SAST on 12 September 2025, Judge Sulet Potterill delivered a firm ruling dismissing both applications with costs, citing procedural non-compliance and insufficient evidence.
As a result, this decision marks the second failed attempt by Bester and Magudumana to suppress coverage of their case.
Notably, in March 2024, the Johannesburg High Court dismissed their interdict against Showmax’s Tracking Thabo Bester, which detailed the meticulously planned prison escape involving a staged fire and the use of a body double, Katlego Bereng. Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services has refrained from commenting on the latest ruling, though on 7 September 2025 it publicly denied claims that Magudumana was pregnant and placed a senior officer at her detention facility on special leave during a review of security measures.
With Beauty and the Bester now available worldwide, its release intensifies public scrutiny of how true-crime documentaries shape perceptions of justice.
It compels South Africans to confront the institutional failures that allowed these crimes to occur and underscores the need to safeguard the rights of those affected, while holding key institutions accountable through transparency and a full examination of the facts.
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Be sure to read, South Africa’s Surname Ruling: A Crossroads of Culture, Equality, and Immigration Concerns, if you missed it.
FAQs
The Netflix documentary Beauty and the Bester explores the relationship between convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and former aesthetic doctor Dr Nandipha Magudumana. It examines their crimes, escape, and ongoing trial while featuring interviews with victims, public figures, and family members.
They approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria claiming that the documentary infringed on their constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, and a fair trial, and alleged that Netflix used false or defamatory content.
Judge Sulet Potterill dismissed the urgent applications from Bester and Magudumana with costs, citing late filings, procedural non-compliance, and insufficient evidence to justify blocking the release.
The series was produced by Storyscope Media for Netflix, using archival footage, court records, and new interviews to piece together the story.
The trial is set to begin on 10 November 2025 in the Free State High Court, Bloemfontein, where they face multiple charges including murder, fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
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