Bafana Mahungela’s sentencing postponed to November - TimesLIVE

The sentencing of 23-year-old Bafana Mahungela, who was found guilty of murdering Delta Park High School teacher Kirsten Kluyts in 2023, has been postponed to November 23 2026.

The matter was postponed on Tuesday after the Johannesburg high court was told that the pre-sentencing report was not ready, among other things.

Kluyts, who was 14 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, was killed at a My Run event in Parkmore, Sandton, on October 29 2023.

Mahungela had pleaded not guilty and disputed the state’s case, which had relied on CCTV footage, forensic evidence and evidence about his movements on the day of the killing.

The state relied heavily on surveillance footage taken from multiple locations, including Sandhurst Preparatory School and nearby private residences, to place Mahungela near the victim shortly before her disappearance, and to later show him in possession of clothing allegedly belonging to Kluyts.

The court also highlighted recurring distinguishing features across the various videos, including a bucket hat with a distinctive square emblem, specific footwear, the accused’s build and gait, and what appeared to be a band‑like tattoo on the right upper arm.

Mahungela maintained that the person shown in the CCTV footage was not him and has described the identification as mistaken.

He was convicted in September for the murder.

In convicting, Judge Ian Cox found that Mahungela removed and concealed items belonging to Kluyts after her death, including her clothing and personal possessions, in an attempt to prevent evidence being linked to the crime.

Cox said the state had succeeded in proving Mahungela’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.