'I'd still call the cops on her' — Redi Tlhabi clears the air on 'friendship' with Dr Nandipha Magudumana

11 April 2023 - 14:10
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Nandipha Magudumana.
Nandipha Magudumana.
Image: TWITTER

Popular radio broadcaster Redi Tlhabi has responded to social media users questioning her "friendship" with Dr Nandipha Magudumana.

Nandipha and escaped convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester were arrested last week in Tanzania, 10km from the Kenyan border.

Briefing media at the weekend, police minister Bheki Cele said the couple were arrested with a Mozambican who allegedly aided them in their run from authorities.

Redi’s “friendship” with Dr Nandiph"a was questioned after social media users shared a message Redi posted several years ago seemingly praising her.

Asked if the pair were still friends, Redi said they hadn't seen each other in three years.

“I've not seen her since February 2019. And with the end of her marriage to Brian's close friend and by extension, my friend, we have not had any contact. I am shattered for her little girls and would still call the cops on her,” Redi said.

She also questioned how she could have known what Dr Nandipha would do several years later.

“People digging up old pictures like we should have all known that years later, she'd be smuggling a serial rapist out of jail? We should have read it in her eyes?

“When her now ex husband introduced her to the circle of friends, we should have all said 'No, not pleased to meet you because in 10 years, you will be running off with Bester' ... I mean why didn't I see that in 2013?”

Dr Nandipha's father was reportedly arrested by police just hours after his daughter and Bester were nabbed.

TimesLIVE Premium reported that police visited his Port Shepstone home as they investigate any possible involvement or knowledge he may have in relation to Bester's escape.

According to a source, her father was initially taken in for questioning but was later also arrested, 

He appeared in court on Tuesday.

Senior police sources close to the case told Sunday Times the fugitives were arrested by “sheer chance” due to a routine police roadblock on the road to the Kenya border. 

“We were not actively looking for the couple in that country because our intelligence informed us they were either in Zimbabwe or Mozambique,” one of the sources said.

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