Kirsten Kluyts Murder Trial Set To Begin After Court Rejects Further Delays

The trial of Bafana Mahungela, who is accused of murdering schoolteacher Kirsten Kluyts, is expected to begin on Monday.

Kluyts, 34, was killed while taking part in an athletics event at George Lea Park on October 29, 2023.

Fellow runners reportedly discovered her cellphone and car keys along a pathway before a search was launched. Her body was later found in bushes down an embankment in a secluded area.

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According to court documents, Mahungela allegedly attempted to rape Kluyts, struck her with a blunt object and then strangled her.

It is further alleged that after the attack, he removed his own black T-shirt and changed into Kluyts’s blue T-shirt and sunglasses before leaving the sports venue.

Mahungela allegedly disposed of some of her clothing items in a stormwater drain.

Accused Pleads Not Guilty To Charges

Mahungela, 23, who was a student at the time and lived in Parkmore, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted rape or sexual assault, murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Kluyts was a teacher at Delta Park High School and was 14 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

The Johannesburg High Court ruled last week that the matter should not be postponed again after the defence requested additional time over funding issues.

The defence informed the State that Mahungela’s counsel, advocate Stanley Jacobs, could not continue due to a lack of funds.

Mahungela’s attorney, Mfundo Ncongwane, asked the court for a postponement of three to four weeks to secure payment.

Judge Slams Delays In Kirsten Kluyts Murder Case

Judge Ian Cox criticised the repeated delays and said the matter had already been scheduled to run from April to June this year.

“This whole behaviour is unethical and deserving of being reported to the Legal Practice Council. It is not in the best interests of the accused, who has been in custody for three years,” the judge said.

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The State opposed the postponement, arguing that witnesses travelling long distances could lose confidence in the justice system if the case continued to be delayed.

Addressing Mahungela directly, Judge Cox said financial arrangements should have been made well in advance.

“You knew last year this matter was set down from April to June. In that time financial arrangements should have been made,” the judge said.

Mahungela replied through an interpreter that his father, who is self-employed, was struggling financially.

Judge Cox ultimately ruled that further delays would not be in the interests of justice.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said while dismissing the postponement application.