LATEST | Murder accused Bevan van Druten 60th on Valkenberg waiting list

Bevan van Druten, who stands accused of murdering his girlfriend, appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Friday as the court sought an update on his court-ordered psychiatric evaluation.

Van Druten, 53, faces a charge of murdering his girlfriend, Nicky van Heerden, 54.

Not yet been transferred

According to the Knysna-Plett Herald, the purpose of the hearing was to receive feedback following a psychiatric assessment ordered for Van Druten at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town.

However, the court heard that he has not yet been transferred to the facility.

Van Druten, dressed in black, appeared timid during the proceedings and stood with his arms stretched out throughout the hearing.

On waiting list

His defence attorney, Linda Mfuduka, told the court that his client is currently number 60 on the waiting list for a bed at Valkenberg.

Mfuduka argued that the process was not being expedited and warned that, at the current rate, it could take up to a year before the psychiatric evaluation is completed.

He asked that the matter be prioritised.

Fast-tracked

Acting state prosecutor Akona Ntobesa countered that the case was already being fast-tracked, noting that most new matters requiring psychiatric evaluation are placed on waiting lists at around number 200 or higher.

According to the George Herald, at the end of the hearing, Van Druten asked to address the court.

He was advised against doing so, but despite this, he insisted, and just before leaving the courtroom, first said in Afrikaans: “Die Jode het Jesus Christus vermoor,” and then repeated the statement in English: “The Jews killed Jesus Christ.”

The matter was postponed to 7 April for further proceedings.

What happened?

The family of Nicky van Heerden, who was found dead near the Keurbooms River in mid-January, has vowed to pursue justice and ensure accountability as the police investigation into her murder continues.

Van Heerden’s brother-in-law, Hein Bruwer, said the family is devastated by her death, but remains resolute in its determination to see justice served.

According to the George Herald, he confirmed that the family has appointed a legal team to support the State’s case and to monitor the handling of the investigation.

Bruwer stressed that the family expects all relevant authorities to be held accountable and that due process must be followed to achieve a fair and just outcome.

Bruwer said the last time he and his wife saw Van Heerden was shortly before 21:00 on Saturday, 17 January, when she and her boyfriend, Garden Route artist Bevan van Druten, visited their home in Brenton-on-Sea.

During the visit, Van Heerden introduced Van Druten as “the love of her life.”

However, Bruwer said the couple’s behaviour made them uncomfortable, leading them to end the visit early and ask the pair to leave.

Heard a woman screaming

According to sources close to the investigation, neighbours later reported hearing a woman screaming somewhere on the premises where Van Druten lived late on Sunday night, 18 January.

A private security company allegedly contacted police repeatedly, reportedly calling every 20 minutes, but was unable to access the property without police presence.

Police arrived at the Rivertides property near the Keurbooms River at approximately 00:20 on Monday morning.

Van Heerden’s body was discovered on the dunes next to a bakkie believed to belong to Van Druten.

She had sustained visible injuries and was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Large-scale search operation

A large-scale search operation involving police officers, drones and search dogs was launched.

Bevan van Druten was later found hiding on the property and was apprehended after alerting officers by stepping on underbrush.

He was cornered before he could flee to a neighbouring property and reportedly surrendered to police.

Bruwer was called to the scene shortly after it was cordoned off and was tasked with identifying Van Heerden’s body.

He declined to discuss the extent of her injuries, saying the autopsy findings and factual details would be presented in court.

However, he said the family has no doubt about who is responsible for her death.

Unconfirmed reports from sources close to the investigation allege that Van Heerden was struck from behind and that her face was forced into the sand, resulting in a broken nose and sand found in her nostrils.

Police have not officially confirmed these details.

Shockwaves through Garden Route community

The killing has sent shockwaves through the Garden Route community.

Van Heerden, affectionately known as “Alaska,” was well known and widely loved.

According to people close to her, concerns had previously been raised about Van Druten’s behaviour, with claims that he was unstable and had faced restraining orders and assault-related cases in the past.

This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.