The legal team of 22-year-old Bafana Mahungela has expressed interest in having all charges against him dropped.
The lawyers said this when Mahungela appeared at the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday before the legal proceedings against the 22-year-old Mahungela were rescheduled for June 12.
Mahungela faces charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and the attempted rape of Kirsten Kluyts, a teacher at Delta Park High School in Johannesburg.
Defence’s representations escalated
The charges stem from a violent incident that shocked the local community and raised questions about safety and justice.
The accused has been in custody since his arrest, and the court has ordered that he remain in jail until his next appearance in June, pending further developments in the case.
Phindi Mjonondwane, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said Mahungela’s legal team argued that the state lacked sufficient evidence to implicate Mahungela in the crimes and was pushing for the withdrawal of all the charges.
“In response, the state has maintained its confidence in the case, emphasising its readiness to move forward with the trial,” said Mjonondwane.
“The prosecutors have confirmed that the defence’s representations have been escalated to the deputy director of public prosecutions for a thorough review and final decision, a process that necessitated the court’s decision to postpone the matter.”
Contentious legal battle looming
This adjournment provides the office of the director of public prosecutions with additional time to evaluate representations put forward by Mahungela’s defence team, marking another delay in a case that has drawn significant public attention due to the severity of the charges.
The postponement underscores the complexities of the case, as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a contentious legal battle.
The director of public prosecutions’ review will be pivotal, as it could determine whether the charges against Mahungela are upheld or dismissed.
For now, Mahungela remains behind bars, and the victim’s family, along with the public, await further clarity on the path to justice.
