South African Rapist Seeks to Block Netflix Documentary Ahead of Release

Pretoria, South Africa — Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has filed an urgent legal application to stop Netflix from releasing a documentary series about his life, including his alleged prison escape and faked death. The three-part documentary, titled Beauty and the Bester, is scheduled for global release on Friday, September 12, 2025.

Bester, infamous as the “Facebook rapist” for luring victims via social media, was convicted in 2012 for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu, as well as for raping and robbing two other women. While serving a life sentence, he allegedly escaped from a maximum-security prison in 2022 by faking his death during a cell fire.

The documentary also features Bester’s partner, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana, who is accused of assisting in his escape and has joined him in the legal bid to block the documentary’s release. Bester’s legal team claims the film is defamatory, filled with falsehoods, and infringing on his right to a fair trial. Netflix, however, insists the documentary allows victims to share their stories and stands by its decision to air the series.

The Pretoria High Court was set to hear the urgent application on September 11, with a ruling expected about 30 minutes before the documentary’s scheduled premiere.