Garden Route murder accused Bevan van Druten denied bail hearing
No bail application was heard on Monday in the case of Garden Route artist Bevan van Druten, who is accused of murdering Nicky van Heerden.
No bail application was heard on Monday in the case of 53-year-old Garden Route artist Bevan van Druten, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Nicky van Heerden, after the accused appeared in court without legal representation.
Van Druten briefly appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court at around 12:45 where proceedings were limited to allowing him time to secure a lawyer.
According to the Knysna-Plett Herald, he was casually dressed in sheepskin slippers, a sleeveless T-shirt and baggy turquoise trousers.
Woman screaming
Van Heerden’s body was discovered on Sunday night, 18 January, at Rivertides near Keurbooms Beach, outside Plettenberg Bay.
She was 54.
Police had responded to reports of a woman screaming before making the grim discovery.
Outside the court, a large group of protesters gathered to demonstrate against gender-based violence (GBV) and to oppose any possible bail for the accused.
The State told the court that Advocate Charl Jeppe, whom Van Druten initially wanted to represent him, had declined the brief.
Bevan van Druten then requested a state-appointed attorney, making the application in Afrikaans.
Both the prosecutor and the state attorney asked the court for time to prepare, given the change in legal representation.
Referred to district surgeon
During the proceedings, the State also revealed that Van Druten had been referred to a district surgeon, who recommended that he be sent for observation.
Magistrate Zukigwa Hans questioned this development, pointing out that no court order had been issued authorising such a referral.
The court instructed the prosecution to clarify the basis for the referral in the absence of a court order.
Following this, the State withdrew its request related to the observation.
The case has been postponed to Thursday, 29 January, when Van Druten is expected to return to court for a formal bail application.
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