Nandipha Magudumana’s family denies ‘government negotiations’ for funeral attendance

Posted on April 1, 2026
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By Bulelwa Hoala

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  • The Sekeleni family has dismissed “saddening” rumours that they approached the government to negotiate for Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s presence at her mother’s funeral.
  • The Department of Correctional Services has officially debunked viral reports claiming Magudumana is four months pregnant or was granted a temporary one-week prison release.
  • The family has requested total media privacy as they prepare to bury Nokuzola Sekeleni, who passed away in Port Shepstone last Thursday, 26 March.

The family of incarcerated medical doctor Nandipha Magudumana has denied allegations that they approached the government to negotiate for her presence at her mother’s funeral.

This follows the passing of Magudumana’s mother, Nokuzola Sekeleni, who died on Thursday, 26 March, in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal.

In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, the Sekeleni family asked for privacy during their mourning period, requesting that cameras and media coverage be kept away.

“Amidst the quiet ache of our grief, we have been saddened by whispers and rumours suggesting that we have approached the government or any ministers to negotiate for Nandipha’s presence at the funeral. We would like to gently share that no such conversations have taken place. We are simply a family in mourning, trying to find our way through this darkness together,” the statement reads.

While the Department of Correctional Services has remained silent on Magudumana, it has warned against two false reports circulating on social media: that Magudumana had been temporarily released for a week to plan her mother’s funeral, and that she is four months pregnant.

Magudumana was arrested in Tanzania in April 2023, alongside her alleged former lover, convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester. She stands accused of aiding Bester in escaping from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022 after he faked his death in a prison cell fire.

She is facing 38 charges, including aiding and abetting a prisoner’s escape, murder, violation of bodies, fraud, and corruption.

In May 2025, Magudumana lost her Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) bid to declare her April 2023 arrest and deportation from Tanzania unlawful. She had argued that her rights were violated as South African authorities failed to follow formal extradition procedures.

Magudumana has been in custody since her arrest and is currently awaiting trial at Bizzah Makhate Correctional Services in the Free State.

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