- The year 2020 marks the first time that Nateniël Julies' family will spend Christmas without him.
- Nateniël's mother Bridget Harris said she misses her 16-year-old son, who was allegedly killed by three Eldorado Park police officers outside his home.
- Harris said every Christmas with her son at home was joyful, but this year would be bleak.
The year 2020 marks the first time that Nateniël Julies' family will spend Christmas without him.
Nateniël's mother Bridget Harris said she misses her 16-year-old son, who was allegedly killed by three Eldorado Park police officers outside his home in August.
Harris said:
Addressing the media – following the appearance in the Protea Magistrate's Court of police officers Simon Scorpion Ndyalvane, Voster Netshiongolo and Caylene Whiteboy – Harris said she was disappointed that the matter was not ready for trial.
Netshiongolo's bail application was postponed to next week, while the case against all three was postponed to 27 January for further investigation.
"I thought we were going to get a High Court date today. Unfortunately, the matter is not ready for trial. The outcome is very emotional for us at this stage. This will be the first Christmas without my son. His siblings are struggling emotionally with what happened to their brother. My other children are battling to focus at school. They are struggling."
Harris continued:
Harris said her son, who had Down syndrome, loved dancing and eating biscuits.
"My son was a blessing for me. With him, a day was like any other day. He was a happy child and we will never forget him," said Harris.
Nateniël's grandfather Frank James Julies sent their condolences to the family of Mikyle Bruiners, 17, with Down syndrome, who was stabbed to death on his birthday last week in Cape Town.
"We know how it is to lose a son and family member. We say to them they must be strong. Children with Down syndrome are special and don't fit in your world, you have to fit in their world. They must be strong. Their loss is also our loss.
"As a family, we are having a tough time in court. We always come to listen to arguments of my grandson who was murdered by police. As far as the court proceedings went, we are grateful because a lot of progress has been made," he said.
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