Tracking Thabo Bester

Last updated

Tracking Thabo Bester
Tracking Thabo Bester.jpg
Genre Docu-series
Created byIdeaCandy
Based on
Written byNikki Comninos
Directed byNikki Comninos
Starring
  • Nkosinathi Sekeleni
  • Marecia Damons
  • Daniel Steyn
  • Ernusta Maralack
Country of originSouth Africa
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes4
Production
ProducerIdeaCandy
Running time55–70 minutes
Original release
Network Showmax
Release15 March (2024-03-15) 
22 March 2024 (2024-03-22)

Tracking Thabo Bester is a South African true crime mini television documentary series based on the story of the dramatic prison escape of murderer and rapist Thabo Bester and his alleged accomplice girlfriend, "celebrity" medical doctor Nandipha Magudumana. It was directed by Nikki Comninos, [1] and produced by IdeaCandy, [2] it premiered on 15 March 2024 on Showmax. [3]

Contents

The documentary racked up the most first day views of any documentary ever on the Showmax streaming platform, and was also the most watched title across all genres over launch weekend. IOL's Oluthando Keteyi calling it "jaw-dropping" and Rapport's Leon van Nierop describing it as "angry, bizarre, brilliant."

While the documentary features many voices, Showmax and broadcasting service Multichoice chose not to interview alleged accomplice Nandipha and convicted murder and rapist Thabo Bester for the miniseries. The Department of Correctional Services does not grant interviews with inmates who have not shown rehabilitation. Showmax and Multichoice confirmed they received a letter of demand from Bester and Magudumana a week before broadcast. [3] Bester and Magudumana instructed their legal teams to take actions and launch an application with the Free State High Court ahead of the release of the docu-series. On 9 March 2024 in documents addressed to Showmax and Multichoice, Magudumana requested a full and complete copy of the documentary to verify if there are issues that could detriment her rights, and in the interval, Bester stated that he did not grant any permission to produce, distribute or commercially exploit a documentary or film on his life. [4] It was said that if MultiChoice and Showmax fail to meet the 2pm deadline, an urgent application will be filed at the High Court of South Africa. [5] Under South African law convicted criminals are not allowed to make money from their crimes, and thus it would not be legal for Bester to gain commercially from content related to his breaching of the law though his rapes, murder, fraud and escape.

On 15 March 2024, Judge Stuart Wilson of the Johannesburg High Court dismissed the urgent application laid by the celebrity doctor, and the convicted murderer and Facebook rapist to have the show cancelled, thus giving Showmax and MultiChoice the green light to release the docu-series which later went live on Showmax that day. In his judgement Wilson expounded, all that Bester and Magudumana had shown was “generalised anxiety” that the documentary will talk about them, and that will in some way affect their interests. “Reading the applicants’ papers, I find almost nothing that even rises to conjecture or speculation,” Judge Wilson said, dismissing the applications. “There is no other right in the law to pre-publication approval, where a public figure as Mr Bester arguably is, is the object of a media piece. Prosecutors have an overriding duty to ensure that the trial is fair in all respects,” Wilson said. Speaking to City Press outside court, Steven Budlender, group general counsel at MultiChoice, said they were delighted that the Johannesburg High Court upheld the public's right to watch the Tracking Thabo Bester documentary. The show aired its first two episodes on 15 March 2024 and it aired the remaining episode three and four a week later on 22 March 2024. [2]

Characters

Participants

Interview archive

Cast table

List indicators

This section includes characters who have appeared in Tracking Thabo Bester series with main role.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the season.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
  = Main cast
  = Recurring cast
  = Guest cast
Cast and crewNotesEpisodes
1234
Nkosinathi Sekeleni Nandipha's brother Main Does not appear
Marecia Damons GroundUp journalist Main TBA
Daniel SteynGroundUp journalist Main TBA
Ernusta MaralackSection editor, Rapport Does not appear Main TBA
William Shoki Socio-political commentator Main TBA
Dr. Simba Chikwava Consulting pathologist Guest TBA
Nathan Geffen Editor and founder, GroundUp Guest TBA
Glenda DanielsAssociate professor in media studies, Wits University Guest TBA
Chriselda LewisSenior journalist and anchor, SABC Guest TBA
Ronald Lamola Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Guest TBA
Thandeka Chauke Legal counsellor: citizenship and statelessnessDoes not appear Guest TBA
Dr Gérard Labuschagne Investigative forensic psychologist Does not appear Guest TBA
Anele Siswana Clinical psychologist Does not appear Guest TBA
Meisie Mabaso Bester's mother ( EWN and eNCA audio recordings)Does not appear Guest TBA
Mathaba KgalanyaneExtrasDoes not appear Guest TBA
Johnny MaponyaDoes not appear Guest TBA
Shalini Indradeo-CalidinDoes not appear Guest TBA

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal release date
1"The Fire in Cell 35"Nikki ComninosNikki Comninos15 March 2024 (2024-03-15)
A journalist exposes an inconvenient truth that Thabo Bester is alive and at large. The investigation reveals his dark plans with his partner in crime Dr Nandipha, involving stolen bodies, double lives and scams worth millions.
2"#AMINEXT"Nikki ComninosNikki Comninos15 March 2024 (2024-03-15)
Bester's getaway prompts a search for the criminal who committed rape and murder, and should be incarcerated. Returning to Bester's early years, it is evident that he had the characteristics of a deceitful fraudster. His crimes have a ripple effect, causing destruction in their aftermath.
3"Episode 3"Nikki ComninosNikki Comninos22 March 2024 (2024-03-22)
A glamorous doctor who had it all, but chose a criminal life. Her family has been destroyed in the process. Why did Nandipha do it? Is she another victim or a cold-blooded accomplice in love with Bester?
4"Episode 4"Nikki ComninosNikki Comninos22 March 2024 (2024-03-22)
If Bester is alive, then who is the dead body? The forensics of the night reveal a grieving family and a corrupt prison system implicating high-ranking officials. Amidst the chaos, Bester and Nandipha exploit the legal system.

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References

  1. Goldbart, Max (4 March 2024). "Showmax Doc To Spotlight South African Convict Who Faked His Own Death By Burning In His Cell". Deadline. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 Heever, Megan van den (15 March 2024). "Tracking Thabo Bester: How to watch the gripping docu-series". The South African. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 Rall, Se-Anne (9 March 2024). "Showmax and Multichoice stand by decision to air 'Tracking Thabo Bester' docu-series". Independent Online . Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  4. Mavata, Khanya (11 March 2024). "Showmax receives legal demand from Thabo Bester lawyers". The South African. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. Rall, Se-Anne (9 March 2024). "Dr Nandipha Magudumana and Thabo Bester threaten legal action over release of 'Tracking Thabo Bester' documentary". Independent Online . Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.