The State claims that on October 29, a 21-year-old student, who cannot be named until he enters a plea, stalked Johannesburg instructor Kirsten Kluyts before r*ping and murdering her.
The student appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to apply for bail.
According to Prosecutor Ayanda Bakana, he is being charged with r*pe, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and planned murder.
According to Bakana, the post-mortem revealed that Kluyts was assaulted with a blunt instrument before being smothered, and that the culprit applied pressure to her neck until she died.
Kluyts was stripped naked, and her jogging shoes, sunglasses, blue T-shirt, jeans, and pink cap were all removed from her.
The culprits were identified and apprehended using CCTV video.
According to Bakana, the video shows the accused leaping over a gate to enter the Sandton Sports Club and then leaving the location where her body was discovered.
“He was seen following [Kluyts], and he was seen moving away from the area where her body was found,” he said.
Another video, according to Bakana, shows the accused pushing Kluyts’ clothes down a drain.
Although the footage shows him leaving the area, he is captured returning and trying to force Kluyts’ pink cap down the drain because it could be seen, according to the State.
“He was unsuccessful,” Bakana said. “The cap was later discovered.”
Itumeleng Masako, the student’s attorney, stated that the additional offenses of r*pe, robbery, and planned murder were unknown to the defense.
Because they had only discussed the murder charge, the court allowed a 10-minute break to allow the advocate to speak with his client.
The lawyer also disputed the State’s claim that the bail application was a Schedule 6 application since the murder was premeditated, saying it was the first time they had heard it.
For the accused, a Schedule 6 bail application is more challenging.
Masako also expressed concern about the student’s appearance in the dock while wearing leg irons.
The constraints were lifted, according to Magistrate Syta Prinsloo.
She did, however, agree with the State that the accused was charged with a Schedule 6 offense and said the bail application should be handled accordingly.
