The 17-year-old boy accused of killing Deveney Nel will be sent for psychiatric evaluation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town.
This ruling was made by the Caledon Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday 6 November) following an application made by the minor accused’s lawyer.
Eric Ntabazalila, the provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed this development in the murder case.
“The Caledon Magistrates Court delivered a ruling this morning that the child in conflict with the law be sent for evaluation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital,” he said. “This follows the defence’s application that their client be referred for mental evaluation. The matter will return to court on 04 December 2024.”
The 17-year-old from Grabouw was arrested hours after attending a memorial service for young Deveney who also hails from Grabouw.
Deveney’s body was reportedly found in a small storage room during a search for her after she was reported missing when she failed to show up for her lift from the school in Caledon to Grabouw on Wednesday 7 August. She had reportedly sustained a number of fatal stab wounds.
So far the accused faces a charge only of murder. The case is being heard in camera, meaning that no members of the public are allowed inside the courtroom while his case is being heard, for he is a minor.
But this hasn’t prevented members of the public from gathering outside the court building every time he appears.
Tanya Bippert of the organisation 1 Billion Rising, an international organisation fighting for justice for the victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), said it is to be expected that the number of supporters who show up at court to protest for “Justice for Deveney” has dwindled as a lot of people have to work.
Bippert called for the Child Justice Act, under which the accused will be tried, to be reviewed, stating that this act serves to protect the perpetrator in this case and not the victim.
Regarding the application made by the accused’s lawyer for the minor to undergo psychiatric evaluation, Bippert said she respects his right to this process.
“But we are hopeful that this will lead to the previous report regarding the Albertinia rape case in which it was stated that the next victim might not be as lucky to survive being brought up again,” she added.
