Bafana Mahungela seeks to have murder charges dropped amid inconsistencies in Kirsten Kluyts case
The murder case of Johannesburg teacher Kirsten Kluyts has taken a new turn as the accused, Bafana Mahungela, seeks to have the charges against him dropped.
Mahungela, a 22-year-old student, has been in custody since his arrest in November 2023, following the discovery of Kluyts’ body at George Lea Park in Sandton. He faces multiple charges, including murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted rape, and defeating the ends of justice.
During his bail hearings, Mahungela admitted to removing Kluyts’ clothing and leaving the scene with her clothes, which he later attempted to discard. However, he maintains that he did not harm her. The court has denied him bail on three occasions, citing concerns about the seriousness of the charges and the potential danger he poses to society.
Mahungela’s new legal team argues that there are significant inconsistencies in the state’s case. They point to discrepancies between CCTV footage timestamps and cell phone records, suggesting that Kluyts was seen running at 10h00 AM, despite the state’s claim that she was killed around 8h15 AM. Additionally, the defense highlights a forensic report indicating that DNA found under Kluyts’ nails belonged to another woman, not Mahungela.
The defense has submitted representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), requesting a review of the decision to prosecute Mahungela. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed receipt of these representations and is currently considering them.
The case has been postponed to June 12, 2025, pending the outcome of this review.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case remains a focal point in discussions about gender-based violence and the justice system in South Africa.