Bafana Mahungela Found Guilty of Murdering Pregnant Sandton Teacher Kirsten Kluyts

• The Johannesburg High Court convicted Bafana Mahungela on all four charges linked to the 2023 killing of pregnant Delta Park High School teacher Kirsten Kluyts
• Surveillance footage played a central role in the State's case, showing Mahungela leaving the scene wearing clothing that belonged to Kluyts
• Mahungela admitted to removing the victim's clothes but offered an explanation that the court ultimately rejected across all charges

GAUTENG — The Johannesburg High Court has convicted Bafana Mahungela on all charges connected to the October 2023 killing of Kirsten Kluyts, a pregnant teacher from Delta Park High School who was attacked during an athletic event in Sandton.

Judge Ian Cox delivered the verdict on Friday, 11 September 2026, after previously reserving the judgement. Mahungela was found guilty of murder, robbery, defeating the ends of justice and attempted rape. The case has been postponed to 27 October 2026 for sentencing arguments.

Kluyts found dead along a jogging path

Kluyts was participating in a local athletic event on 29 October 2023 when she was killed. Her body was discovered along a jogging path in George Lea Park, Sandton. A post-mortem examination determined that she died as a result of blunt-force head trauma and strangulation. The State told the court the fatal assault lasted approximately eight minutes. She was pregnant at the time of her death.

Mahungela, who was 23 years old at the time of his arrest, was taken into custody in November 2023 at a student residence in Parkmore. He pleaded not guilty to all charges throughout the duration of the trial.

See post here:

Clothing evidence central to state's case

Surveillance footage formed a key part of the prosecution's evidence. The footage showed Mahungela in a black T-shirt and trousers before the killing. He was later captured on camera leaving the area in a blue T-shirt that investigators identified as one Kluyts had been wearing that morning. He was also seen carrying a black item in his left hand.

During proceedings, Mahungela acknowledged that he had removed Kluyts' clothing and left her naked in nearby bushes. He told the court he did so while attempting to assist her and to avoid leaving fingerprints behind. Her clothing was later recovered from a drain in the vicinity.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole had previously confirmed that the court began delivering its judgement before postponing the continuation to 11 September.

The Johannesburg High Court will reconvene on 27 October 2026, when sentencing arguments will be heard before a final sentence is determined.

Bafana Mahungela charged

Previousy, Briefly News reported when the state has formally charged Bafana Mahungela for murdering the school teacher. He was formally charged with kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, defeating the ends of justice and aggravated assault. South Africans were on the fence about whether he did it or not, wile some called for the harsherst puishment possible.

Source: Briefly News