The final bail bid for 21-year-old Bafana Mahungela, accused of murdering schoolteacher Kirsten Kluyts, concluded today at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.
Story Summary:
- Final bail bid: 21-year-old Bafana Mahungela made his third attempt at bail today, presenting new evidence in court.
- New evidence: A video allegedly showing others present at the scene may challenge the state’s case.
- CCTV footage: Mahungela was arrested in November 2023 after CCTV footage linked him to the crime scene.
Court turns down Bafana Mahungela new evidence in final bail bid
This marked the third time Mahungela applied for bail, this time relying on new evidence introduced by his legal team.
The defence claimed that the new evidence—a video reportedly showing others present at George Lea Park at the time of Kluyts’ murder—could challenge the case against Mahungela.
The court, however, ruled that the new evidence did not provide exceptional circumstances to grant the conditional release.
Mahungela has been in custody since November 2023, following his arrest based on CCTV footage from near the crime scene.
During his last court appearance in July 2024, Mahungela’s legal team suggested the footage does not tell the whole story and insisted on bail based on these new facts.
How Kirsten Kluyts was murdered
Kirsten Kluyts, a beloved schoolteacher, was attacked and killed on 29 October 2023, during a local running event at George Lea Park in Sandton.
The attack took place while she was 14 weeks pregnant. Fellow runners later discovered her body, stripped of her running gear and other personal belongings.
Her body showed signs of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and suffocation, according to post-mortem reports.
The prosecution argues that Mahungela followed Kluyts to a secluded area of the park, where she was murdered.
He was arrested weeks later after police retrieved CCTV footage showing him trailing the victim before they disappeared from view.
In an unusual twist, Mahungela admitted in court that he had encountered Kluyts’ body but claimed he only removed her clothes to avoid being implicated.
“I was scared because of how gender-based violence is viewed in the country,” Mahungela said in court.
“I didn’t want to be linked to the crime just because my fingerprints or DNA were there.”
The state has added charges of robbery and rape against Mahungela, which he denies.
Mahungela’s trial will commence in November 2024.
