Bail denied for accused in Kirsten Kluyts murder case victory

JOHANNESBURG – In a significant development in the Kirsten Kluyts murder case, the accused, a 21-year-old university student, has been denied bail by the Alexandra Regional Court.

Kluyts, a pregnant English teacher, was allegedly raped, murdered, and robbed during a MyRun event in Sandton in October.

The magistrate, Syta Prinsloo, rejected the bail application after a lengthy five-day hearing.

The defence argued that the accused did not flee the province after the murder and cooperated with the police when they arrived at his residence a month later.

However, Magistrate Prinsloo asserted that the accused likely stayed put under the impression that all evidence linking him to the crime had been destroyed.

The accused admitted to taking Kluyts’ clothes and disposing of them, claiming he found her dead but feared leaving fingerprints behind.

Prinsloo concluded that he “took deliberate measures to avoid detection, eliminating any evidence that could incriminate him.”

The magistrate found that the state established a prima facie case against the accused, indicating a danger to society.

She emphasized that he had not demonstrated any exceptional circumstances justifying his release in the interest of justice.

Abrie van Der Merwe of BDK Attorneys, representing Kirsten Kluyts’ family at court, expressed their focus on justice prevailing.

“Whether that was for bail or against it is inconsequential. The magistrate made an informed decision and based on the reasons given in a lengthy judgment she decided it’s in the best interests of justice to refuse bail,” said van Der Merwe.

The accused’s advocate, Itumeleng Masako, called the dismissal of the bail application a “pyrrhic victory” and announced plans for an appeal.

Despite the setback, van Der Merwe emphasized the court’s informed decision in light of the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) matters.

The court’s ruling sends the accused back to prison as he awaits trial.

A formal trial date is yet to be scheduled, but the proceedings underscore the legal complexities surrounding the tragic case and the ongoing battle against GBV.