For the first time, the public has been given a glimpse at the bustling Kroonstad female hair and beauty prison salon, which Nandipha Magudumana frequents.
This comes amid allegations the aesthetic doctor has been given “preferential treatment” behind bars.
Magudumana and several others are accused of plotting the escape of convicted criminal Thabo Bester in May 2022. The trial is ongoing.According to the SABC, Nandipha Magudumana is being kept in the hospital division of the Bizzah Makhate prison in Kroonstad.
The prison was visited by the National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale and media representatives on Thursday, 13 July.
But following claims that Nandipha was given “special treatment” by not being housed with other offenders, Thobakgale revealed the real reasons why.
He said in a media briefing: “She is being kept [there] because, number one, the investigation is still continuing on this case. And number two; she is a high-profile offender who needs to be guarded at all times. Number three, that section is high security, so she does not have access or interaction with other offenders”
Meanwhile, a video clip inside the prison’s hair and beauty salon has annoyed social media users.
During her appearances at the Bloemfontein High Court, Nandipha has made a prim and proper presentation, consisting of various hairstyles, manicures, and even a full face of makeup.Here’s what social media users had to say:
@gopolang6: “South African prisons are luxury”
@G58Roni: “Seems like prison is the land of milk and honey.”
@KhozaBrendon: “I don’t think prison is how we imagine it to be.”
@MRP_CARROT: “Anything for Bester’s Queen.”
NANDIPA MAGUDUMANA TO APPEAL ‘UNLAWFUL ARREST’
Meanwhile, the Bloemfontein High Court will resume Thabo Bester’s co-accused Nandipha Magudumana’s bid to have her deportation declared unlawful.
Bester and Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania in early April and deported to South Africa. This amid allegations they had conspired Bester’s prison release in May 2022.