Dr Nandipha Magudumana has allegedly told top police investigators to keep her father away from the mess as he played no role in Thabo Bester’s daring escape.
She also alleged that her father, Zolile Sekeleni, did not know the convicted Facebook rapist and murderer from a bar of soap.
The police who visited her at Bizzah Makhate Female Prison in Kroonstad, told Sunday World that Magudumana sang like a canary when she was questioned about Bester’s audacious prison escape, which embarrassed the whole country.
“In no time, Magudamana began to sing like a canary telling us to ‘keep my dad out of it all; he knows nothing about it and of it; just the thought that he could be involved in crime is both unconvincing and far-fetched’. She said that with a straight face,” said the detective.
Magudumana, said the cop, spelt it out in no uncertain terms that her father did not organise any car to deliver the dead body to the prison a few days before Bester’s cell was engulfed in flames.
Magudumana allegedly conceded that the plan was hatched by her and some of the prison officials who worked for G4S security company.
The cop said Magudumana had also distanced her father from the other two bodies in Free State mortuaries she claimed were the mortal remains of her father and brother.
“This is the reason why Zolile (Nandipha’s father) was given bail and had his murder charge dropped. Nandipha told us that she was working with Bester and guards at Mangaung prison for her boyfriend’s daring escape,” said the police source.
The investigators also rubbished Magudumana’s claim that she was married to Bester as false and farcical.
Sekeleni allegedly told the police from Grootvlei prison, where he was detained, that Bester did not pay any lobola for his daughter as per Magudumana’s claims, and that she was not his customary wife.
The former educator said he only accepted lobola from Magudumana’s lawful husband, Dr Mkhuseli Magudumana, hence she is still using his surname.
“He said as far as he is concerned, his daughter was still a makoti of the Magudumanas despite being estranged,” alleged the cop.
“Zolile also stated that he was not involved in any dealings relating to Bester’s escape, and Nandipha also confirmed that when she was questioned.”
The cop also alleged that Magudumana had taken all the responsibility and was helped with Bester’s escape by G4S guards, prison officials, among others.
This include Teboho Lipholo, an employee of Integritron Integrated Solutions IT company. Lipholo was responsible for the prison’s CCTV cameras, which were allegedly dysfunctional when Bester escaped, and is accused of aiding and abetting in the escape.
“Nandipha is cooperating with the investigators and with the NPA, she wants to throw Bester under the bus for everything. She was asked by the police about the missing maid and gardener, and she said she would explain everything once they had
interrogated Bester,” the cop claimed.
The cop said they would now put all their attention on Bester this weekend as they prepare to interrogate him. “The investigators will be taking them – Nandipha and Bester – to the Hyde Park house they fled from to explain exactly where they allegedly buried the bodies”.
The police have arrested two guards, Senohe Matsoara and Motanyane Masukela.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said: “Police investigations continue to ensure that we have a watertight case against all accused.
“Police investigations are at a sensitive stage and more arrests are imminent.”
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
