{
  "id": 6748827,
  "title": "‘You said you were going to look after my rights’: Bafana Mahungela feels ‘tricked’ after guilty verdict",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/you-said-you-were-going-to-look-after-my-rights-bafana-mahungela",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T11:09:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/bafana-mahungela-feels-tricked-after-guilty-verdict/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bafana Mahungela was shocked when the High Court in Johannesburg found him guilty of all charges related to the murder of Kirsten Kluyts, a Sandton teacher. Judge Ian Cox sentenced him to all five charges, including kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating the ends of justice, and the murder and attempted rape of Kluyts on 29 October 2023. Mahungela, who represented himself during the trial, expressed his confusion and anger after hearing the guilty verdict. He questioned the judge, saying \"Am I just supposed to listen?\" and \"Am I supposed to just stand and listen?\" Judge Cox explained the process, stating that Mahungela would have a chance to address the court again during the sentencing phase. Mahungela admitted that he may have made a mistake by representing himself, as he felt the judge promised to look after his rights. He asked to reappoint a legal representative during the trial, but the court denied his request. Now, Mahungela is questioning whether he will be tricked during the sentencing phase, asking \"How am I sure that when I come here again, I'm not going to be tricked or something?\"",
  "summary": "Mahungela realised representing himself may have been a mistake, as he said he wanted to bring in a legal representative going forward.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bafana Mahungela found guilty of murder and robbery charges in Johannesburg High Court.",
    "Mahungela represented himself during trial, feeling misled by judge's promises.",
    "Mahungela seeks reappointment of legal representative, fearing trickery during sentencing."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Judgment expected in Kirsten Kluyts murder trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/judgment-expected-in-kirsten-kluyts-murder-trial",
        "published": "2026-09-11T06:07:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "BREAKING | Bafana Mahungela found guilty of murdering pregnant Sandton teacher Kirsten Kluyts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/breaking-bafana-mahungela-found-guilty-of-murdering-pregnant-sandton",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Bafana Mahungela found guilty of Kirsten Kluyts’ murder",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/bafana-mahungela-found-guilty-of-kirsten-kluyts-murder",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:04:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}