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Netflix drops ‘Beauty And The Bester’ trailer on Magudumana-Bester scandal

SOUTH AFRICA — August 2025

Netflix has released the trailer for its documentary “Beauty and the Bester” about Dr. Nandipha Magudumana and convicted criminal Thabo Bester. The three-part series will premiere on 12 September 2025.

It examines how Dr. Magudumana’s relationship with the imprisoned murderer and rapist spiraled into “one of South Africa’s most jaw-dropping scandals”. (Netflix synopsis)

The documentary traces events from Bester’s escape from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison to the viral photo of the couple “casually shopping at Sandton City”. This sparked a nationwide manhunt ending in their Tanzania arrest and extradition. (Documentary footage)

Courtroom material, investigative content, and interviews with friends and family attempt to decode the story. The series shows how “romance, manipulation, corruption, and crime collided”. (Netflix description)

Netflix promises to unpack what it calls an “unbelievable chain of events” that “feels scripted – except every shocking moment really happened”. (Production statement)

Authorities haven’t commented on the documentary’s claims. Correctional services and police didn’t respond to requests about prison security details shown in the trailer. (Right of reply not obtained)

Legal experts caution that some content may relate to pending cases. The documentary presents claims not yet tested in South African courts.