Officers charged with Nathaniel Julies’ murder to remain behind bars

The three police officers linked to the death of Nathaniel Julies will be spending more time in jail, as their bail application has been postponed to 22 September 2020.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Phindi Njonondwane said the suspects’ legal team was not ready to go ahead with bail proceedings.

“The matter is being postponed to 22 September 2020 at the request of the defence team as they were not ready to proceed with their bail applications. So as the state we agreed to that arrangement in order to avoid fragmented bail applications,” Njonondwane said outside court.

Sergeants Vorster Netshiongolo, Simon Ndyalvane and Constable Caylene Ndyalvane appeared before the Protea Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 10 September 2020.

‘We demand change’

The 16-year-old from Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, was shot, allegedly by a police officer in late August. His death sparked a wave of demonstrations within the community, which has demanded justice and for the implicated officers to be brought to book.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) confirmed that the officers were arrested, three days after his murder.

Ndyalvane and Whiteboy have been charged with premeditated murder, defeating the ends of justice, discharging a firearm in a public space and unlawful possession of ammunition. While Netshiongolo faces charges of defeating the ends of justice and being an accessory to murder.

A representative of the Julies family, Anthony Phillips, has lashed out at the government for victimising the coloured community.

“We want a clear directive from the government that they’re going to change their attitude. We cannot continue to live in a state of emergency since 1652. This government has been voted into power to bring change, but it was rather a more hypocritical government against our community. We demand change, we demand prosecution with this case,” Phillips said.

Julies’ mother: ‘It was like they were killing a dog’

The teenage boy’s mother Bridgette, spoke of the pain she felt having to identify him at the morgue.

“I went to identify him and to find him in that condition. It was so devastating. It was like they were killing a dog,” she said.

“My sweet loving boy is gone. Police should be protecting us and we must trust them but when such things happen it cuts deep”

Julies, who lived with Down Syndrome, was laid to rest on Saturday, 5 September 2020.