Plettenberg Bay Murder Accused Drops Bail Bid After Shocking Court Claims About Slain Ex-Detective

The man accused of murdering former Plettenberg Bay detective Anneke “Nicky” van Heerden stunned the local magistrate’s court on Friday after making extraordinary claims from the dock and abruptly abandoning his bail application.

Bevan van Druten, 53, appeared for his fourth court appearance when he told the court that Van Heerden was Jesus Christ and that he himself was the Archangel Michael.

The accused then withdrew his bid for bail while standing before the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court, leaving the courtroom visibly unsettled by the sudden turn of events.

Plettenberg Bay murder case takes dramatic turn in court

Van Heerden, a respected former detective and well-known resident of Plettenberg Bay, was found dead on a heap of sand in January. The 54-year-old had been brutally attacked and later succumbed to her injuries.

Van Druten was arrested shortly after the discovery of her body and formally charged with her murder. During Friday’s proceedings, he asked the magistrate for a handwritten letter to be read into the court record.

In the letter, the Garden Route driftwood artist repeated his claim that Van Heerden was Jesus Christ and stated that he no longer wished to pursue bail.

Accused makes religious claims and abandons bail application

“She was a special person, a child of God,” Van Druten told the court. He appeared noticeably tidier than during previous appearances, with his hair tied back and his beard trimmed.

“I am standing in front of the court, charged with murder.

“In flesh, I am standing as Archangel Michael. Nicky van Heerden is Jesus Christ herself.

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“I am announcing here the current return of Jesus Christ so that the whole world may be healed by her return.”

Van Druten’s Legal Aid lawyer did not oppose the state’s application for him to be transferred to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for further assessment. The court granted the request and postponed the case to March 6.