South African rapist in bid to block Netflix documentary about his life
Original story by
BBC News•Sep 11•Legal, Entertainment, True Crime
📰 Article Summary
Thabo Bester, a notorious South African rapist and murderer, has filed a legal action to stop Netflix from releasing a documentary titled "Beauty and the Bester," which covers his escape from prison and his criminal past. Bester's lawyers claim the documentary is defamatory, while Netflix argues it provides a voice to the victims. The High Court's ruling on this matter is expected just before the documentary's scheduled release. Bester, who became known as the 'Facebook rapist,' is currently in custody after being apprehended with his partner in Tanzania following his dramatic escape from prison in 2022.
📌 Key Facts
- Documentary Controversy: Thabo Bester is attempting to halt the release of Netflix's documentary about his life, arguing it is defamatory and compromises his right to a fair trial.
- Escaped Convict: Bester escaped from a maximum-security prison in 2022, allegedly faking his death after a fire in the prison led to a body being misidentified as his.
- Legal Proceedings: Bester's partner, Nandipha Magudumana, is also involved in the legal action against Netflix, and both await trial for various charges, including fraud and violating a corpse.
- Victim Advocacy: Netflix claims that the documentary gives a long-denied platform to Bester's victims, emphasizing the importance of their stories in light of his actions.
- International Attention: Bester's case has garnered significant media coverage due to the notoriety of his crimes and the challenges faced in South Africa related to sexual violence.
📂 Article Classification
Topic Tags: Crime
📍 Location
Johannesburg, South Africa
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