Kirsten Kluyt’s Murder Trial Set to Begin After Court Rejects Further Delay Requests
The trial of Bafana Mahungela, who stands accused of murdering schoolteacher Kirsten Kluyts, is set to begin on Monday.
Kluyts, aged 34, was fatally injured while participating in an athletics event at George Lea Park on October 29, 2023.
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Fellow runners reportedly discovered her cellphone and car keys along a pathway before initiating a search. Her body was ultimately found among bushes down an embankment in a secluded area.
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As per court documents, Mahungela allegedly attempted to assault Kluyts, struck her with a blunt object, and subsequently strangled her.
It is also alleged that after the incident, he disposed of his own black T-shirt and changed into Kluyts’s blue T-shirt and sunglasses before leaving the sports venue.
Mahungela is said to have discarded some of her clothing items in a stormwater drain.
Accused Denies All Charges
Mahungela, 23, a student residing in Parkmore at the time, 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 tragic death.
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Last week, the Johannesburg High Court determined that the case should not be postponed again, after the defense requested additional time due to funding issues.
The defense informed the State that Mahungela’s counsel, advocate Stanley Jacobs, could not continue due to financial constraints.
Mahungela’s attorney, Mfundo Ncongwane, requested a postponement of three to four weeks to arrange payment.
Judge Expresses Frustration Over Delays in Kirsten Kluyts Murder Case
Judge Ian Cox criticized the ongoing delays, highlighting that the trial was originally scheduled to occur from April to June this year.
“This behavior is unethical and warrants notification to the Legal Practice Council. It does not serve the interests of the accused, who has spent three years in custody,” remarked the judge.
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The State contested the postponement, arguing that witnesses traveling long distances might lose confidence in the justice system if the case continued to be delayed.
Addressing Mahungela directly, Judge Cox remarked that financial arrangements should have been organized well in advance.
“You were informed last year that this matter was scheduled from April to June. Financial arrangements should have been made during that time,” the judge stated.
Mahungela replied through an interpreter that his father, who is self-employed, was facing financial hardships.
In the end, Judge Cox ruled that further delays would not benefit the interests of justice.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he concluded while denying the request for postponement.
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