The suspect in the murder of 16-year-old Deveney Nel, a 17-year-old male, has a disturbing history that includes a previous rape case involving an 11-year-old girl.
Story Summary:
- The 17-year-old suspect has a previous rape case that was dismissed.
- He is accused of brutally murdering Deveney Nel, a fellow student.
- His next court appearance is scheduled for 18 September 2024.
Deveney Nel murder suspect has a prior rape case
According to reports, the incident occurred during his last year of primary school, but the case was dismissed in 2023 after he was found to lack criminal capacity due to his age.
Despite recommendations that he undergo a rehabilitation program for young sexual offenders, it appears that he was never enrolled in such a program.
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The earlier rape case has raised serious concerns about the lack of intervention that could have potentially prevented the current tragedy.
Commenting on the development, non-profit 1Billion Rising South Africa called for the rape case to be reopened.
“Deveney Nel lost her life in a Brutal way, The Killers Mom knew what her Son was a dangerous Rapist, The Department of Social Development Grabouw and Province where did it go wrong with this Referral,” the organisation wrote.
After the dismissal of the case, the suspect was supposed to receive support through a Department of Social Development program designed for young offenders, but this recommendation was not followed through.
Now 17, the suspect has been charged with the brutal murder of Deveney Nel.
The young girl was last seen during a school sports day at Hoërskool Overberg, on Wednesday, 7 August 2024, and her body was later discovered in a storeroom on the school premises.
The suspect, who was known to Deveney, is accused of stabbing her multiple times.
Shockingly, it was revealed in court that the suspect had even assisted in the search for Deveney before his arrest.
When is his next court appearance?
The suspect made his first court appearance at the Caledon Magistrate’s Court, on Monday, 19 August 2024, where he was officially charged with murder.
The court proceedings were brief, with the case postponed to 18 September 2024, to allow for further investigation.
The suspect remains in a place of safety, and no bail has been granted.
