Bester and Magudumana made millions from construction scam

By GroundUp

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana allegedly made millions from a scam construction company called “Arum Properties”. 

Bester, who escaped from prison, is said to have convinced several people to pay millions of rands for construction projects but never delivered the goods. 

Clients of Arum Properties realised that something was wrong soon after signing on and paying their deposits. 

Arum Properties hosted a “Women in Property” brunch at Magudumana’s rented mansion in Hyde Park, where attendees were apparently offered services and quoted up to R3-million below other companies in the industry for the construction of luxury homes. 

But clients who signed with Arum Properties say they didn’t get their money’s worth.

Bester was allegedly introduced to the clients, most often by Magudumana herself, and went by the name of “TK Nkwana”. 

It is said that he signed legal documents using a driver’s licence and ID document with an ID number that does not exist on Home Affairs records. 

TK was difficult to work with and hot-headed, especially when clients asked for clarity on budgets and schedules. He was also difficult to get hold of, because he kept using different cellphone numbers. 

Administrative processes at the company could have been more active, and there would be endless delays. Apparently line items would be added to invoices without consultation. The actual construction was outsourced to subcontractors, and it seems very little work was done.

GroundUp has seen contracts signed between Arum Properties and clients, but the company mentioned does not exist on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) database. “Arum Holdings (Pty) Ltd” does exist, and Magudumana is the sole director. 

After GroundUp reported that Bester is alive, Magudumana and Bester fled the mansion they were renting in Hyde Park. 

Bester seemed to have been living a luxurious life after escaping from prison. A watch worth R1.5-million was found on a bedside table after Bester and Magudumana vacated the house. 

In May 2022 Magudumana approached the High Court after it had been reported that Bester had died in his cell. 

She had collected the body found in the cell two days after the fire and had taken it to a morgue in Soweto, but the body wasn’t his. Magudumana is a celebrity doctor and owns Optimum Medical Holding Group.

Pictured above: Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana

Image source: Twitter

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