The case against the teenager accused of stabbing young Deveney Nel to death in August 2024, has been postponed yet again.
The case was heard earlier today (Wednesday 23 July) in the Caledon Court and postponed to 20 August when it is expected that a high court date will finally be announced.
Eric Ntabazalila, the National Prosecuting Authority’s provincial spokesperson, stated: “The case has been postponed until 20 August 2025 for it to be transferred to the high court. He will still appear at the Caledon Magistrates Court on the day.”
The NPA has confirmed that the teenager faces charges of murder and defeating the administration of justice.
Deveney’s body was discovered in a store room on the grounds of Hoërskool Overberg in Caledon on Wednesday 7 August 2024 during an extensive search that was launched after her mother had reported her as missing when she failed to show up for her lift from the school to Grabouw. The young girl had reportedly sustained several fatal stab wounds.
The school was closed the following day as authorities fine combed the scene for any possible evidence. Emotional scenes played off when the learners laid wreaths and tied beautiful cards, teddy bears and balloons to lamp posts to pay tribute to their fellow learner when they returned to school the following Monday.
The teenager was arrested on Friday 16 August 2024, hours after attending a service for Deveney that was restricted to staff and pupils of the school as well as learners’ parents.Because the accused was a minor at the time of his arrest he will be tried in accordance with the Child Justice Act and his identity may not be revealed even though he turned 18 in April. He was initially detained at a place of safety for youth in conflict with the law but was moved to a normal prison after turning 18.
His first court appearance drew hordes of people with a large number of police officials deployed to control the angry crowd protesting in front of the court with posters demanding “Justice for Deveney”.
Activists once again gathered in front of the court today with posters demanding “Justice for Deveney” as they have done at every court date since the accused’s first appearance on Monday 19 August 2024.The teen aged accused underwent mental evaluation for 30 days at the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital earlier this year. The report indicated that the accused is mentally fit to stand trial.
