Bafana Mahungela, who is accused of murdering Sandton teacher Kirsten Kluyts, was back in the Alexandra Magistrates' Court today for his bail application. Mahungelwa faces charges of pre-meditated murder and robbery with aggravated circumstances. The state added a charge of rape today.

HIS VERSION OF EVENTS

During his bail application, Mahungela gave his version of events claiming that he had never met the deceased but only saw her once at a restaurant in Parkmore. He said he later found her body but took off her clothes so that he would not be implicated.

"I didn't want to be involved because I know how rampant Gender-Based Violence is in the country. I know Gender-Based Violence is a big thing in the country so I didn't want to be involved. That's why I tried to take away her clothes, because of the fingerprints and stuff." Mahungela was placed at the murder scene by CCTV footage. The Delta Park High School teacher was allegedly attacked by Mahungela during a MyRun event in October. Her body was discovered by another participant on a path at George Lea Park (Sandton Sports Club) in Parkmore.

NEW CHARGES ADDED

Mahungela's murder charges have been changed to pre-meditated while additional charges of robbery and rape have been added to his charge sheet. The court also heard that the postmortem report was ready and available "The report states that the cause of death is blunt force head trauma, strangulation, smothering and pressure to the neck," the state prosecutor told the court. Mahungela's defence, Advocate Itumeleng Masako argued the fact that new charges had been added without their knowledge. "We are only hearing this now and we only knew of one murder charge, but it has since upgraded to pre-meditated murder," he said. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state opposed bail, due to the seriousness of the murder charge. His bail hearing has been scheduled for18 to 20 December. He remains behind bars.