Bafana Mahungela convicted of murdering Kirsten Kluyts

The Johannesburg High Court has convicted Bafana Mahungela of murdering teacher Kirsten Kluyts, bringing the trial over her October 2023 killing to the sentencing stage.

Mahungela was found guilty of murder, attempted rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice. Sentencing proceedings have been set for 27 October.

Kluyts, a teacher at Delta Park High School, was killed after taking part in a running event at George Lea Park in Sandton on 29 October 2023. She was 24 years old and 14 weeks pregnant.

Judge Ian Cox rejected Mahungela's denial of the charges. The court considered surveillance footage and evidence about items removed from Kluyts after her death. Mahungela had represented himself during the trial.

Eyewitness News reported that the court rejected his criticism of the State's surveillance evidence. Sowetan reported that the judge found Mahungela had removed and concealed Kluyts's clothing and personal possessions in an attempt to prevent the evidence from being linked to the crime.

Mahungela was arrested in November 2023. The case drew sustained public attention as evidence was led in the High Court about Kluyts's final movements and the circumstances in which her body was found near the running route.

The guilty verdict resolves the criminal trial's question of liability. The court must still hear sentencing submissions before deciding the punishment on each count.