BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Two Former Police Officers Convicted Of Nathaniel Julies’ Murder
Two former Eldorado Park police officers have been convicted of murdering 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies, who was shot dead during the COVID-19 lockdown in August 2020.
The Palm Ridge High Court today, Friday found former Constable Caylene Whiteboy and former Sergeant Simon “Scorpion” Ndyalvane guilty of murder.
Whiteboy, whom the court found fired the fatal shot, was also convicted of defeating the ends of justice. Ndyalvane was further convicted of unlawful possession of ammunition, defeating the ends of justice and perjury.
A third former officer, Detective Voster Netshiongolo, was convicted of unlawful possession of ammunition and perjury. However, he was acquitted of being an accessory after the fact to murder because the state failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
Julies, who had Down syndrome and was non-verbal, was shot on the evening of 26 August 2020 while returning from a nearby tuck shop where he had bought biscuits.
The teenager was confronted by police officers near his home in Eldorado Park. He was shot with birdshot ammunition, which had been prohibited for police use, and collapsed beneath a nearby vehicle.
Officers placed him in a police van and rushed him to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. He still had the packet of biscuits in his pocket.
The case drew national attention after evidence emerged that the officers had allegedly attempted to cover up the shooting by claiming Julies had been caught in crossfire involving unknown suspects. Evidence also pointed to ammunition being planted at the scene to support their version of events.
The court found that the state had not proved that the murder was planned, but convicted Whiteboy and Ndyalvane of murder.
Julies’ death sparked protests in Eldorado Park and renewed public anger over police brutality and the treatment of vulnerable people.
The three former officers remain out on bail. The case has been postponed to 11 November 2026 for pre-sentencing proceedings.
