The Alexandra Regional Court has denied 21-year-old student Bafana Mahungela bail.
He’s accused of murdering Sandton schoolteacher Kirsten Kluyts, in October this year.
The 21-year-old student has also been charged with rape, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
According to the state, Mahungela followed Kluyts near the Sandton Sports Club where she was taking part in a running event, before he allegedly raped her, killed her, and removed her clothes.
The state’s version is supported by CCTV footage, which showed the accused following the suspect before he allegedly killed her, and later seen wearing her T-shirt.
Presiding officer Judge Syta Prinsloo agreed with the defence and denied Mahungela bail.
“After thorough consideration, taking into account the applicants’ version and the evidence tendered by the state, the court finds that the applicant has not discharged the onus of proving any exceptional circumstances that will in the interests of justice permit his release on bail.
“Therefore, the applicant’s application for bail is denied,” ruled Prinsloo.
“The judge is also of the view that Mahungela attempted to conceal the crime and failed to report his discovery to law enforcement authorities.
“This after during his previous bail application, he told the court he stumbled over the victim’s lifeless body, removed her T-shirt “out of panic as he feared that his fingerprints will be found.”
Prinsloo was however not convinced by his bizarre explanation.
“The court is of the opinion that the applicant took deliberate measures to avoid detections, eliminating any evidence that could incriminate him.
“Consequently, the court believes that the applicant did not flee the province because he believed that all the evidence leading to him had been destroyed.
“Given the prima-facie case against the applicant, the court is of the opinion that the applicant poses a danger to society, especially to the women in our community.”
The applicant disposed of her clothing, potentially eliminating valuable evidence, and failed to report this discovery to the South African Police or security officers, either directly or anonymously,” said Prinsloo.
Mahungela has in the meanwhile maintained his innocence, arguing that he’s not a criminal and had no reason to kill the Delta Park High School teacher.
The trial is set for 19 January and Mahungela’s defence intends to appeal the bail judgment.
