High Court convicts man in killing of Delta Park High teacher found in George Lea Park
The Johannesburg High Court has found Bafana Mahungela guilty on all counts relating to the 2023 killing of Sandton teacher Kirsten Kluyts, the court confirmed on Friday. Judge Ian Cox delivered the judgment after the trial reached its final stage.
Mahungela was convicted of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating the ends of justice and attempted rape. The matter has been set down for sentencing arguments on 27 October 2026.
Case details and evidence
Kluyts, a teacher at Delta Park High School, was killed on 29 October 2023 while taking part in a local athletic event in Sandton. Her body, and later her clothing, were found near a jogging route in George Lea Park. A post-mortem examination determined the causes of death as blunt-force head trauma and strangulation.
Investigators relied on surveillance footage and other evidence to link Mahungela to the crime. Cameras reportedly captured him wearing a black T‑shirt and trousers prior to the incident, and later leaving the area in a blue T‑shirt identified as the same one Ms Kluyts had worn earlier that morning. Footage also showed him carrying a dark item in his left hand.
“With all the evidence and submissions before the court, the case had entered its final stage,” said Magaboke Mohlatlole, a National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, when the matter was nearing judgement.
The State presented testimony and exhibits that, according to court records, established the sequence of events during the assault. The prosecution said the fatal attack lasted approximately eight minutes. Mahungela had previously admitted to removing Kluyts' clothing, an act he later characterised as an attempt to remove fingerprints after trying to help her. Her clothes were recovered from a nearby drain.
Arrest and trial timeline
- 29 October 2023 — Kirsten Kluyts was killed during a Sandton athletic event.
- November 2023 — Mahungela, then 23, was arrested at a student residence in Parkmore.
- 2024–2026 — The trial proceeded in the Johannesburg High Court, with evidence including CCTV footage and forensic findings.
- September 2026 — Judge Ian Cox handed down the conviction on all charges; sentencing arguments scheduled for 27 October 2026.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2023 | Death of Kirsten Kluyts in George Lea Park |
| Nov 2023 | Arrest of Bafana Mahungela in Parkmore |
| 27 Oct 2026 | Scheduled sentencing arguments |
Local reaction and next steps
The conviction brings a measure of closure to a case that unsettled Sandton residents when news of Kluyts' death emerged. The State will present aggravation and mitigation submissions before the court determines an appropriate sentence on 27 October.
The charges include attempted rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances, reflecting the range of offences considered by the prosecution. The NPA's previous comments signalled the trial's nearing conclusion and the court's reliance on surveillance and forensic evidence in reaching the verdict.
The court record shows Mahungela pleaded not guilty to the charges at earlier stages of the trial. The matter now moves to the sentencing phase, where the judge will hear representations from both the prosecution and defence before handing down a sentence.
This case underscores continuing concerns about personal safety in public spaces and the role of CCTV and forensic work in securing convictions. Residents in Sandton and surrounding suburbs who use local parks and jogging routes said the trial's outcome will be closely watched when the court returns to finalise sentence.
