Caledon residents protest outside the Caledon Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. (Marvin Charles/News24
Making sure the community’s voice is heard in the case of
the 17-year-old boy accused of the murder of Grade 10 Overberg High School
pupil Deveney Nel, activists handed a memorandum to the Caledon Magistrate’s
Court on Wednesday.
It contained the signatures of more than 1 000 residents.
“We were calling for the accused to be placed in a
juvenile facility and not in a place of safety. We also want the accused to be
[tried] as an adult,” community activist Tanya Bippert said.
The teen accused appeared briefly before the case was
postponed for further investigation.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric
Ntabazalila, who was present in court, said: “The accused has abandoned
his right to bail.”
The minor was whisked off to a place of safety shortly after
his appearance.
Deveney Nel’s body was found inside a storeroom at Overberg High School. (Hoërskool Overberg/Facebook)
Outside court, residents and parents staged a picket,
chanting: “Justice for Deveney,” and “No bail.”
There was a strong police presence at the court.
READ | Deveney Nel case: Accused allegedly blackmailed girls with nude photos
The case was postponed to 16 October.
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