7 months ago
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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.
Outside court, residents and parents staged a picket, chanting: "Justice for Deveney," and "No bail."
There was a strong police presence at the court.
The case was postponed to 16 October.
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