- Galinda Nelson has been charged with child abuse.
- She allegedly chained a child to a bed and used a horsewhip to beat another.
- Last week, the case was postponed after proceedings were disrupted when she locked herself in the court bathroom and refused to come out.
A woman, who allegedly chained a child to a bed and used a horsewhip to beat another, has refused to attend a court-ordered evaluation by a psychiatrist.
Galinda Nelson appeared in the Worcester Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of child abuse.
The case against her was postponed last week after proceedings were disrupted when she locked herself in the court bathroom and refused to come out shortly before the matter was scheduled to start, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
"She alleged that her strange behaviour was a result of the building's security personnel, who were abusive towards her. This irrational behaviour was previously displayed and was cause a for concern," he said.
"The presiding officer decided it was in the interest of justice that her mental state be examined."
She was referred for a provisional evaluation by a psychiatrist.
But Nelson, who is out on a warning, refused to accompany the two officers from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations, who had been arranged to escort her to the appointment, Ntabazalila said on Wednesday.
"The appointment had to be cancelled. In light of the accused's continuous irrational behaviour, the court ordered that she be assisted by Legal Aid and confirmed the referral for psychiatric evaluation. A new appointment for 14 June 2021 was made. The matter was also remanded for next appearance to this date."
Building
The Worcester Standard, at the time of her arrest early in 2019, reported that she had 12 children in her care, aged between two and 16.
The children were reportedly found in a temporary building in the Scherpenjeuwel district.
Police told the publication that a 16-year-old had been chained by the neck for three days, while her biological child, 15, had allegedly been beaten daily.
The Weekend Argus reported that Nelson runs the non-profit organisation, Cardinal Halyard International, and children were placed in her care by parents or relatives wanting better lives for them.
They were, however, not her foster children and had regular contact with their parents, as well as home visits.
According to the publication, she had been caring for Aids orphans and abused and neglected township children for over 10 years.