{
  "id": 3997783,
  "title": "Bereng’s family want Bester, Magudumana in-person court appearance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/berengs-family-want-bester-magudumana-in-person-court-appearance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T17:05:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/berengs-family-want-bester-magudumana-in-person-court-appearance/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The family of Katlego Bereng, whose remains were used as a decoy in the 2022 Thabo Bester prison escape, has demanded that Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana appear in person at their upcoming court proceedings. This comes after the pair chose to appear virtually from their respective prisons - eBongweni Super Maximum in KwaZulu Natal and Bizzah Makhathe Correctional Centre in Kroonstad. Monica Matsie, Bereng's mother, expressed her frustration at being forgotten and her ongoing struggle for justice, as she shared her pain and unanswered questions. The matter has been rescheduled to April 19, pending a plea and trial date of June 18, 2027. However, a separate pre-trial hearing will take place in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein to address interlocutory matters involving Bester and Magudumana. The pair will be present in person for their next court appearance. Monica Matsie, Bereng's mother, emphasized her dissatisfaction with the virtual appearances, questioning why the perpetrators did not come to court to answer for their actions and why they must continue to be seen on screens.",
  "summary": "Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana will appear in person when they next appear in court",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}