By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The case against Bafana Mahungela, the man accused of killing Johannesburg school teacher Kirsten Kluyts, has been postponed to May 10 to allow further investigations.
Mahungela was arrested in Sandton a month after Kluyts’ lifeless body was discovered naked at the George Lea Park.
He appeared briefly in the Alexandra Regional Court on Friday, on charges of premeditated murder, rape, and robbery.
During a lengthy bail application, the accused maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in the murder.
In the short proceedings, state prosecutor Ayanda Bakana told the court that investigations were still being conducted and asked for a postponement.
“There is DNA results that are also still outstanding, “the prosecutor said.
Bakana indicated that the state and defence had agreed to return to court on 10 May.
Magistrate Renier Boshoff then granted the postponement before the accused’s lawyer, Advocate Itumeleng Masako, attempted to address the court.
“You know this treatment should come to an end. Let’s be treated like professionals. I request to talk to you. The last time when I was in this court, you dismissed me with utter disrespect,” an irritated Masako said.
The defence lawyer threatened to report Boshoff to the Magistrate’s Commission.
Post-mortem results show Kluyts was killed using an unknown blunt force object, strangled and had pressure applied to her neck.