The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed Nandipha Magudumana’s appeal challenging the legality of her deportation from Tanzania. In a brief ruling delivered on Friday, the court issued a majority judgment against her application, ordering that she cover the legal costs of both sets of counsel. However, a minority of the judges supported her appeal.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging the divided opinion within the SCA but standing by the majority’s decision.
This ruling upholds a previous judgment delivered in June 2023 by the Free State High Court. At the time, Judge Phillip Loubser found that Magudumana had voluntarily agreed to be returned to South Africa, reportedly motivated by a desire to reunite with her children. As a result, the court dismissed her application to have the deportation declared unlawful.
With legal clarity now established regarding her return to South Africa, the focus shifts to the criminal trial set to begin on 21 July and run until 19 September in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein. Magudumana and her co-accused face a total of 38 charges, including fraud, corruption, money laundering, aiding an inmate’s escape, arson, violation of a corpse, and obstructing the ends of justice.
The NPA has affirmed its commitment to ensuring that the legal proceedings unfold without unnecessary delays and that justice is served in light of the seriousness and broader impact of the alleged offences.
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