The highly anticipated trailer for “Tracking Thabo Bester” has finally been released by Showmax, sending shockwaves through South Africa.
This true-crime documentary, which has been in high demand since the explosive news first broke on GroundUp that Thabo Bester, convicted murderer and rapist, was not actually burned alive in Cell 35, but instead spotted shopping at a high-end retailer in Sandton City.
This revelation has sparked an obsession with the larger-than-life story, making Thabo Bester the most searched person on Google in 2023 and earning him the title of “SA Villain of the Year” alongside his co-accused, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, in fourth place.
The scandalous tale of love, murder, deception, and corruption has captured the attention of the entire country, with Daily Maverick dubbing it “Bestermania.”
With such a captivating story, it’s no surprise that Showmax has entrusted local true-crime pioneers, IdeaCandy, to produce the four-part investigation.
Known for their award-winning productions like “Devilsdorp,” “Steinheist,” and “Rosemary’s Hitlist,” IdeaCandy is sure to deliver another gripping documentary. Mark your calendars, because “Tracking Thabo Bester” will be available in two parts on Showmax on March 15 and 22, 2024.
The first episode will follow the groundbreaking investigative work of GroundUp journalists, Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn.
After receiving an anonymous tip that the burnt body found at Mangaung Correctional Centre may not have been Bester’s, Damons and Steyn delved deeper into the shocking case.
Their relentless pursuit of the truth not only earned them the prestigious Nat Nakasa Award but also the Vodacom Journalist of the Year award. Together, they co-wrote the bestselling book, “The Thabo Bester Story: The Facebook Rapist, the Celebrity Doctor, and the Escape from Cell 35.”
Subsequent episodes will explore the events that led to Bester’s infamous “Facebook rapist” title and his initial incarceration, as well as the scandalous love affair between a celebrity doctor and a convicted criminal that resulted in their escape to Tanzania.
The documentary will also delve into the mysterious death in Cell 35, featuring interviews with prisoners and prison warders from Mangaung Correctional Centre, the family of Katlego Bereng Mpholo – whose body was found in the same cell as Bester, Nandipha’s older brother Nkosinathi Sekeleni, and former South African Police Service head profiler, Dr Gérard Labuschagne.
As a three-time SAFTA nominee, Nikki Comninos has proven her talent as an editor on projects like “Steinheist,” “Devilsdorp,” and “Murder in Paris.”
Her directorial debut for Showmax’s original series “Convict Conman” received high praise, and she’s back at the helm for “Tracking Thabo Bester.”
When asked about the documentary, Comninos stated, “Thabo Bester’s case is often viewed as an isolated incident, but it’s clear that it’s not.
We must also consider the case of Dawie de Villiers, another South African media mogul who ran his business from inside prison while serving time for rape. This raises important questions about the state of our prison system.”
The highly anticipated trial of Thabo Bester, Nandipha Magudumana, and their co-accused was set to begin in the Free State High Court in February, but has now been postponed to June 5, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2OKenI5Nfc
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