Johannesburg High Court – MDNtv

Bafana Mahungela Trial Adjourned After Accused Claims Sudden Illness During Cross-Examination

MDN tv — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:32:55 +0000

Johannesburg: Proceedings in the high-profile murder trial of Bafana Mahungela were dramatically adjourned at the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday after the accused claimed he was suddenly unwell during cross-examination.

Mahungela, who is currently conducting part of the cross-examination himself, told the court that his ears were “not okay” and that the condition affected his ability to speak loudly and participate effectively in the proceedings.

The development came while a state witness was still under cross-examination.

According to proceedings in court, Mahungela is representing himself because his family has not yet been able to secure private legal representation. The court heard that a lawyer may only be available from Friday, depending on payment arrangements.

The State expressed concern over the timing of the illness claim. The prosecutor suggested that the complaint appeared to be a possible delaying tactic aimed at buying time until Mahungela’s private legal representation could be secured.

Despite the State’s scepticism, the court adjourned the matter and ordered that Mahungela be examined by a medical professional to verify whether his complaint is legitimate.

The witness remains on standby while the court awaits the medical report.

Case Background

Mahungela is facing multiple serious charges, including murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and attempted rape.

The charges relate to the 2023 killing of Delta Park High School teacher Kirsten Kluyts, who was found dead near a jogging route in Sandton after participating in a MyRun event.

The trial has already faced several delays in recent months, largely linked to legal representation and other procedural issues.

Current Court Status

The matter remains in recess pending the outcome of the medical examination. The court is expected to decide whether proceedings can continue once the medical report is presented.

Further updates will follow when the court resumes.

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“They Doctored the Video!” Father’s Explosive Claims Rock Kirsten Kluyts Murder Trial

MDN tv — Wed, 20 May 2026 10:49:43 +0000

Johannesburg, 18 May 2026, In a dramatic scene at Johannesburg High Court, the father of murder-accused Bafana Mahungela dismissed his Legal Aid lawyer and made serious allegations of evidence tampering, investigative failures, and unfair treatment in the high-profile case.

Bafana Mahungela Senior stated that his son, who will now represent himself, is innocent and has been wrongly implicated.

“My Son Never Wore Those Clothes”

The father insisted his son was never seen on authentic video footage committing the alleged acts and never wore the deceased’s clothes.

He highlighted a key contradiction in the video evidence: an affidavit from a security manager reportedly stated the accused was carrying items in his left hand, but the photo used for the arrest shows the right hand. This, he argued, suggests possible doctoring.

He also pointed to inconsistent timestamps across video clips (some allegedly sent abroad for processing) and claimed none clearly show the accused dragging the victim, throwing items, or jumping a fence as alleged by the state.

Allegations of Contamination and Flawed Investigation

Other serious claims raised include:

A private investigator allegedly collected key items (a cap and a cigarette butt) from the scene alone, without forensic teams or proper protective equipment.

Conflicting collection dates and descriptions of items (e.g., khaki vs beige cap).

Multiple people are claiming to be the first to access the victim’s phone and vehicle, raising chain-of-custody concerns.

DNA found at the scene reportedly belonged to a “foreign woman,” not his son. He called for the testing of other individuals seen near the victim, including a man and woman who were ahead of her in the park (one of whom allegedly left the country soon after).

He further alleged his son was assaulted, threatened with a firearm, and pressured into admissions while in custody.

Self-Representation After Dismissing a Lawyer

The accused dismissed his advocate, citing pressure from the prosecutor and judge that allegedly hindered proper preparation. The father said his son received a large docket with little time to prepare and accused the court of ignoring major inconsistencies. He invoked Section 35 constitutional rights.

Background on the Case

The matter concerns the 2023 murder of a young teacher who was 14 weeks pregnant. She was killed in a park in Sandton while participating in a running event. The accused faces serious charges, including murder, and has pleaded not guilty. Video footage forms a significant part of the state’s case.

The trial continues with the accused now self-representing, a difficult step in a complex Court matter.

Important: These are allegations made by the accused’s father in court. They have not been independently verified. The state has not yet responded publicly to the latest claims. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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🔴 LIVE: BAFANA MAHUNGELA TRIAL – TEACHER KIRSTEN KLUYTS MURDER CASE | JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT

MDNtv — Wed, 20 May 2026 06:18:16 +0000

The trial of Bafana Mahungela continues in the Johannesburg High Court in the murder case of Johannesburg teacher Kirsten Kluyts.

Kluyts was found dead in 2023 after going jogging in George Lea Park in Sandton, a case that shocked South Africa and sparked nationwide outrage. The court is expected to hear further proceedings as the high-profile murder trial continues.

Bafana Mahungela is standing trial for the murder of Delta Park High School teacher Kirsten Kluyts. She was killed while jogging in George Lea Park, Sandton in October 2023.

He faces charges including:
• Murder
• Kidnapping
• Robbery with aggravating circumstances
• Attempted rape/sexual assault
• Defeating the ends of justice

This is real-time coverage of the court proceedings with updates and summaries.

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LIVE: BAFANA MAHUNGELA TRIAL – TEACHER KIRSTEN KLUYTS MURDER CASE | JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT

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CAT MATLALA RETURNS TO COURT | ATTEMPTED MURDER & FRAUD CASE UPDATE

MDNtv — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:33:54 +0000

Vusimuzi Matlala, widely known as “Cat” Matlala, has returned to court alongside four co-accused, including his wife Tsakane Matlala.

The group appeared before the Johannesburg High Court for a pre-trial hearing focused on state disclosure.

They are facing 25 charges, including:
• 11 counts of attempted murder
• Conspiracy to commit murder
• Money laundering
• Fraud
• Defeating the ends of justice

The charges are linked to three separate shooting incidents between August 2022 and January 2024 involving a former girlfriend, a businessman, and a music producer.

Matlala has remained in custody since his 2025 arrest after several bail applications were denied. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In this video:
• Latest court developments
• Breakdown of the 25 charges
• Details from the pre-trial hearing
• What to expect before the July 2026 trial

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CAT MATLALA RETURNS TO COURT | ATTEMPTED MURDER & FRAUD CASE UPDATE

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High Court Rejects Zuma and Mbeki Attempt to Oust Sisi Khampepe as TRC Inquiry Chair

MDN tv — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:44:55 +0000

Johannesburg High Court has dismissed the application by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki seeking the removal of retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the commission of inquiry into political interference in Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.

Khampepe had earlier rejected their recusal bids in January 2026, citing a lack of evidence of bias and unreasonable delays in bringing the applications.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who initially appointed her, had expressed concerns about her impartiality due to her past roles and supported her stepping aside, but the court’s decision upholds her position and paves the way for the long-delayed TRC inquiry to resume, bringing some relief to victims’ families awaiting accountability for apartheid-era crimes.

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Thabo Bester Represents Himself in Johannesburg High Court, Claims Rights Violation Over Escape Charge

MDN tv — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:42:53 +0000

Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, representing himself in a bid to challenge the conditions of his detention.

Dressed in a designer Louis Vuitton shirt and shackled in leg irons, the convicted “Facebook R**pist” argued that his constitutional rights had been violated.

Bester, serving a life sentence for the 2012 rape and murder of his girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu, is challenging aspects of his detention related to his dramatic 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.

He argues that the Department of Correctional Services has already labeled and treated him as guilty of escaping custody before his trial on those charges has even begun thereby violating his constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence.

In court, Bester boldly claimed he did not escape but was “officially released” from the maximum-security prison. He told the judge that any finding of guilt must be proven in a criminal trial, not assumed by prison authorities through his classification as an escapee or his placement in harsh conditions, including solitary confinement and transfer to a supermax facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.

The urgent application seeks his reclassification as a remand detainee rather than a sentenced prisoner on the escape matter.

Bester, who represented himself for part or all of the proceedings, submitted that his current treatment infringes on his rights and questioned the validity of ongoing charges linked to the breakout, in which he allegedly faked his death in a cell fire, with a body placed in his cell to cover the escape.

The state maintains that Bester remains lawfully incarcerated as a sentenced offender, with the escape charges still pending alongside those against co-accused, including his former partner, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana.

After hearing arguments, the court reserved judgment on Bester’s application, which will be delivered via CaseLines and emailed to the parties.

Bester’s latest court appearance has once again drawn attention for his flamboyant style. Social media buzzed with comments about the expensive Louis Vuitton shirt he revealed by removing his suit jacket during proceedings. The convicted “Facebook R**pist” has a history of appearing in designer wear, even while behind bars.

The full escape trial, involving multiple accused on charges including fraud, arson, corruption, and murder, has faced repeated delays and is provisionally set for later in 2026 in the Free State High Court.

This case continues to captivate South Africa, highlighting issues of prison security, high-profile escapes, and the rights of notorious offenders within the justice system. Judgment on Bester’s latest bid is awaited.

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THABO BESTER RETURNS TO COURT IN NEW URGENT BID OVER PRISON ESCAPE CASE

MDNtv — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:39:02 +0000

This is a news update from MDNtv, when things happen fast, you are always in the know.

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has returned to the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday 24 March 2026 in connection with his 2022 prison escape case.

Bester has filed an urgent application challenging aspects of the charges linked to his escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre. The matter forms part of a wider case involving Bester and his co accused including Dr Nandipha Magudumana.

The pair face multiple charges including fraud, aiding escape and murder following one of South Africa’s most shocking prison break scandals.

This latest court appearance comes after a series of legal setbacks for Bester, including failed attempts to secure a prison transfer and challenges relating to his fair trial rights.

Today’s proceedings are expected to focus on legal and procedural issues raised in his urgent application as the case continues to unfold.

Stay tuned to MDNtv for full coverage and updates.

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THABO BESTER RETURNS TO COURT IN NEW URGENT BID OVER PRISON ESCAPE CASE

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🔥 JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT REVIEWS VUSIMUZI MATLALA CASE | PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS UPDATE ⚖️

MDNtv — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:47:16 +0000

Stay updated with the latest developments from the Johannesburg High Court as it reviews readiness for the high-profile case involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused.

In this video, you’ll learn about the ongoing pre-trial proceedings, the serious charges faced by Matlala and his wife Tsakane Matlala, and the legal concerns raised by the defense team.

The case includes 25 charges, with 11 counts of attempted murder, connected to multiple alleged shootings between 2022 and 2024. One of the most talked-about incidents is the October 2023 shooting, where actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane was injured.

The court is now examining whether both the prosecution and defense are fully prepared to move forward, after claims of delays in providing key documents.

Watch till the end to understand what this means for the case and what could happen next.

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JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT REVIEWS VUSIMUZI MATLALA CASE | PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS UPDATE

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Date For The Trial For Alleged Big Five Cartel Boss Katiso “KT” Molefe and Three Co-Accused Has Been Set For October

MDN tv — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:56:40 +0000

The Johannesburg High Court in Gauteng has set a trial date for alleged crime kingpin Katiso “KT” Molefe and his three co-accused following a pre-trial hearing on Thursday.

The proceedings will run from October 26 to December 4, 2026.

Molefe, 61 who is alleged to be the big top five draug cartels operating in Gauteng faces 35 charges that include three counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and other organised crime offences.

He is arrested alongside Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabisela and Musa Kekana.

The charges are linked to the 2022 killings of Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka, Hector “Dj Vintos” Buthelezi, and Ekurhuleni Metro Engineer Armand Swart.

Molefe is currently out on R400,000 bail which was granted after an appeal in October 2025, while his co-accused remain in custody.

The matter was transferred from Alexandra Magistrates’ Court to the High Court due to its seriousness and was previously postponed multiple times for preparations.

Molefe is alleged to have committed these crimes while he was on bail on another unrelated murder.

His name has been mentioned on several occasions at the Madlanga Commission and Ad Hoc Committee.

He is said to have political connections as he was mentioned to be close with Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene.

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🚨 VUSIMUZI CAT MATLALA SHARES INTIMATE MOMENT AT JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT ❤️

MDNtv — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:34:40 +0000

A fleeting and intimate moment was shared between Vusimuzi Cat Matlala and his wife Tsakane Matlala at the Johannesburg High Court

The emotional exchange took place during court proceedings, drawing attention from those present. Despite the seriousness of the legal environment, the couple briefly connected in a quiet but powerful moment that quickly became a talking point.

In this video, we cover:
• What happened inside the Johannesburg High Court
• Public reaction to the moment
• Background context surrounding the court appearance
• Why this moment is making headlines

Courtroom scenes often reflect more than legal arguments. Sometimes, they reveal the human side of difficult situations.

What are your thoughts on this moment? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Stay updated with the latest South African breaking news, court updates, and trending stories.

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VUSIMUZI CAT MATLALA SHARES INTIMATE MOMENT AT JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT

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