Bail denied for Nandipha Magudumana
Dr Nandipha Magudumana has been denied bail.
"Her application to be released on bail is refused," said Magistrate Estelle de Lange who handed down judgement in her application in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday morning.
"I find that the applicant to a definite flight risk and that no bail condition will assist under the circumstances to limit this risk.
"After weighing up the person circumstances and the interests of the applicant and her constitutional right to freedom against the interest of justice. I find that she did not satisfy the court that is in the interest of justice for her to be released on bail."
Magadumana's been held at the Bizzah Makhate correctional services facility in Kroonstad since her arrest in April.
She's accused of helping her partner murder and rape convict Thabo Bester escape from a Mangaung prison last year.
De Lange made mention of the crime.
"We must remember that this trial must proceed and it will be a lengthy trial. Mr Bester will be transported to and from court for the duration of the trial, by allowing the applicant to go out on bail will enable her to yet again try to facilitate another escape if she wants to.
“If one looks at evidence that the State has, the applicant was the main role-player in facilitating the escape of accused number five. If she is out on bail nothing will stand in her way."
