By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Multichoice says it will defend the public’s right to see the four-part documentary titled Tracking Thabo Bester despite legal threats to halt the airing of the docu-series.
Both Bester and Nandipha Magudumana have instructed their legal teams to launch an urgent application with the Free State High Court to stop the docu-series release.
In documents addressed to MultiChoice and Showmax, Magudumana wants a full and complete copy of the series today in order to establish if there are issues that could prejudice her rights.
Meanwhile, Bester stated that he did not grant any rights to produce, distribute or commercially exploit a documentary or film on his life.
If MultiChoice and Showmax fail to meet the 2pm deadline, an urgent application will be filed at the High Court of South Africa.
“Our client has not been interviewed by any person from your company, which fact undermines the principles of fair journalism. In fact, it is not known by our client as who stands to financially benefit from your intended activities. We shall deal with this aspect at a later stage,” the documents state.
In response, Showmax said it will defend the right of the public to see the docu-series, set for release next week.
The documentary is scheduled for broadcast on Showmax on 15 and 22 March respectively.
Showmax said it took all the necessary steps to ensure that the documentary adhered to standards of journalistic integrity and ethical reporting.
It said given the serious allegations made against Bester and Magudumana, it was in the public interest to air this series so that people could formulate their own opinions.
The two were arrested in April 2023 after Bester, who was serving a life sentence for rape and murder, escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Facility.
They face charges of fraud, corruption, violating a corpse, defeating the ends of justice, arson, and aiding and assisting a prisoner to escape.