KEY POINTS
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The trial of Bafana Mahungela, accused of murdering teacher Kirsten Kluyts, has been delayed after Mahungela switched legal representation.
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State evidence, including witness testimony and video footage, contradicts Mahungela’s version of events and links him to the scene of the crime.
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The case has sparked significant public attention, with the next court appearance scheduled for April 23, 2025.
The murder trial of Bafana Mahungela, accused of killing Delta Park High teacher Kirsten Kluyts, has taken an unexpected turn.
On Monday, during the trial’s anticipated start in the South High Court in Johannesburg, the court was informed that Mahungela had changed his legal representation.
This development has delayed the proceedings, which were set to begin with the presentation of evidence. Mahungela, who was previously represented by advocate Itumeleng Masako, will now be looking for new legal counsel, further complicating the trial process.
Kirsten Kluyts, a 34-year-old teacher, was tragically murdered on October 29, 2023, when her body was discovered dumped in a jogging lane in George Lea Park, Sandton. Kluyts, who was pregnant at the time of her death, had participated in a local athletic event earlier that day but was found missing after she failed to finish the walk.
Mahungela, a student, was arrested in November 2023 after being traced to a student residence in Parkmore.
IOL reports that he has been charged with multiple crimes, including kidnapping, robbery, murder, attempted rape, and defeating the ends of justice. Despite three unsuccessful bail applications, Mahungela remains in custody.
State evidence builds against Mahungela
The details of Kluyts’ murder have shocked the public. A post-mortem report revealed that the cause of her death was blunt-force head trauma and strangulation, with smothering or pressure to the neck not being excluded as contributing factors. Investigators concluded that it took about eight minutes for Mahungela to inflict these fatal injuries.
State Prosecutor Ayanda Bakana presented two key affidavits to the court in an effort to build the case against Mahungela. One affidavit came from Sergeant Aubrey Tshisani, the lead investigator, while the other came from Grant Moulder, a private security officer. According to Tshisani’s testimony, Mahungela was at the crime scene at 7:35 am on the day of the murder. However, Mahungela had previously claimed that he arrived at the location at 9:00 am, a statement that contradicted the evidence. Further support for Tshisani’s account was provided by a photograph taken at 8:05 am showing Kluyts participating in the event, as well as a witness who found her phone at 8:15 am.
Moulder’s evidence also supported the investigation’s timeline. Surveillance footage showed Mahungela leaving the area where the body was found at 8:49 am, wearing a different shirt than the one he had been seen wearing earlier. The new shirt, a blue T-shirt, matched the one worn by Kluyts. Mahungela later admitted to undressing Kluyts and leaving her naked, claiming it was to avoid leaving any fingerprints. He also confessed to discarding her clothes in a drain.
The court has set the next hearing date for April 23, 2025, after the delays caused by the change of legal representation.
