CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR
THREE ELDORADO PARK POLICE OFFICIALS CONVICTED IN NATHANIEL JULIE'S MURDER CASE
JOHANNESBURG: The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured convictions against three Eldorado Park police officials in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies in Eldorado Park on 26 August 2020.
The Gauteng Division of the High Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, found Constable Caylene Whiteboy and Sergeant Simon Ndyalvane guilty of murder. Detective Voster Netshiongolo was convicted of unlawful possession of ammunition and perjury but acquitted of being an accessory after the fact to murder, after the court found that the State had not proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
The incident occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown after Nathaniel had left his home and gone to a nearby tuck shop. He was subsequently fatally shot. The ammunition used in the shooting was birdshot.
Following the shooting, Nathaniel was transported in a police vehicle to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Whiteboy, who was found to have fired the fatal shot, was convicted of murder and defeating the ends of justice. During her bail application, she claimed that she had shot Nathaniel believing that her firearm was loaded with rubber bullets.
Ndyalvane, a senior officer who was present at the scene, was convicted of murder, unlawful possession of ammunition, defeating the ends of justice and perjury.
The State presented evidence concerning his conduct following the shooting, including evidence that he picked up a spent cartridge at the scene.
Netshiongolo, who arrived at the scene after the shooting, was convicted of unlawful possession of ammunition and perjury. He was, however, acquitted of being an accessory after the fact to murder after the court found that the State had not proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
Evidence presented during the trial further established that Netshiongolo, with the assistance of Ndyalvane, planted ammunition at the scene and fabricated a version of events suggesting that Nathaniel had been caught in crossfire involving unknown individuals.
A statement was subsequently made alleging that the shooting occurred during an exchange of gunfire with unknown persons.
In its judgment, the court found that the State had not proved that Whiteboy and Ndyalvane had planned the murder. The murder convictions were therefore based on the court’s assessment of the evidence presented during the trial and the applicable legal principles.
The accused remain on bail pending their next court appearance on 11 November 2026 for pre-sentencing proceedings.
The NPA welcomes the convictions and respects the court’s findings on the charges on which the accused were acquitted. The murder convictions represent an important step towards accountability for Nathaniel’s death and reaffirm the principle that no person is above the law, including those entrusted with the responsibility to enforce it.
The NPA acknowledges the devastating impact Nathaniel’s death has had on the Julies family and hopes that the conclusion of the trial and the convictions will provide some measure of closure as the family continues to live with the profound loss of their child.
ENDS
Issued by:
Magaboke Mohlatlole
NPA Communications Officer
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