Following the dramatic collapse of Dr Nandipha Magudumana in police holding cell, ahead of her court appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court yesterday, the disgraced doctor has since opened an assault case against Correctional Services officials. Her lawyer Machidi Motloung said people need to be accountable for Magudumana's inhumane treatment.

Magudumana's lawyer told journalists yesterday that he went to consult with her and he left prison knowing that she was not well and that he was surprised when he was called by journalists telling him she was taken to court by force. "She was lying on the prison cell floor, and we had to beg the officials for a mattress. These are the harshest inhumane conditions anyone can be subjected to because even accused persons have rights," Motloung said. He added that the matter should be brought to the attention of the highest office, both at the Department of Correctional Services, Justice and Police. "Someone has to take accountability," he said. Magudumana did not appear in court with her lover Thabo Bester andthe other co-accused. The court said it would deal with Magudumana's absence from court some other time.

Free State Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed the that a case was opended against Correctional Service officials from Kroonstad Prison. "We can confirm that on Wednesday, 11 October 2023 the police at Parkweg SAPS registered a case of assault common after Dr Nandipha Magudumana alleged that she was assaulted at Correctional Services detention facility in Kroonstad, where she was apparently admitted in its hospital wing," Makhele said. He added that the matter will be transferred to Kroonstad Detective Services for further investigation, and no one has been arrested so far. Three of the 12 accused in the Thabo Bester prison escape matter were freed yesterday when the state withdrew charges against them. Natasha Jansen, Moeketsi Ramolula and Thabang Miern who works for GS4 were arrested in May and June respectively. Bester, his lover Magudumana and seven other co-accused will appear before the Free State High Court for pre-trial conference on 21 February next year.