In a shocking turn of events, Dr Nandipha Magudumana has been linked to the case of Katlego Bereng Mpholo, the young father whose burnt body was found in Thabo Bester’s cell after his attempted escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022. Dr Magudumana, who is accused of aiding Bester’s escape, was discovered to have tried to smudge her fingerprints when claiming Mpholo’s body from a hospital in Bloemfontein, just days before Bester’s prison break. Despite her efforts, authorities were still able to identify her fingerprints and confirm Mpholo’s identity.

Police were able to obtain a readable print and send it to the Department of Home Affairs, where it was confirmed that the fingerprints belonged to both Mpholo and Magudumana. Using a missing person docket filed by Mpholo’s family in early May 2022, along with DNA analysis, police were able to identify Mpholo’s body and confirm that Magudumana was the person who claimed his body from the hospital.

Mpholo’s family is devastated by the loss of their loved one and the manner in which his body was used as a decoy in Bester’s escape. The forensic pathologist’s delay in releasing Mpholo’s body only added to the family’s pain. During the identification process, Mpholo’s burnt remains were so traumatic that some family members required medical attention.