Deveney Nel murder case raises questions about justice system having to act against younger offenders more often
The girl's death rocked the Overberg town of Caledon, when her body was found in a storeroom at Overberg High School, in August.
A group of supporters stood outside the Caledon Magistrates Court holding placards with messages of support for the family of murdered Deveney Nel on 18 September 2024. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The case against a teenage boy implicated in the murder of 16-year-old Deveney Nel returns to court on Thursday morning.
The girl's death rocked the Overberg town of Caledon when her body was found in a storeroom at Overberg High School in August.
The 17-year-old accused of stabbing her to death is a fellow learner and he's been sent for psychiatric evaluation.
The case raises questions about whether the justice system is now, more often than before, having to act against younger accused and EWN's Lauren Isaacs posed the question to a forensic and counselling psychologist.
"I'm seeing more youngsters, not specifically in the judicial system, but if you read in the newspapers, you will see that there's more mention now of child offenders than there was in the past. About 30 years ago, you would hardly find that happening. Is it because there is more reporting or is it because it is happening more and more?"
Doctor Rita Suliman said she'd found a common thread - young offenders were often from semi-rural or township environments, where there were insufficient recreational activities.
"Normally as well, single parenting households, no adult households, children with both parents at work and also in kind of violent environments where gangsters operate. Those are the basic ones but there are definitely more reasons for it."
Suliman said that she firmly believed parenting was a major factor as many parents had lost hope in the future and were no longer acting as role models for their children.