Accused Garden Route artist Bevan van Druten stands in the dock at the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court during his second court appearance in connection with the death of former detective Anneke 'Nicky' van Heerden.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
NOTE: This article has been updated to include comment from the Department of Correctional Services.
The man accused of murdering his ex-cop girlfriend is in fresh trouble behind bars after allegedly attacking two inmates for defying his order to have sex with each other.
He also allegedly wanted one of the two men to kill the other.
It is understood that the assault happened at Knysna prison where Bevan van Druten is being held for the murder of Anneke "Nicky" van Heerden.
Van Druten, a well-known driftwood artist in the Garden Route, is alleged to have been riled up after an inmate refused to carry out an act against another prisoner.
Though no details of what led to the incident were disclosed, NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said he has now also been charged with two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Van Druten, 53, briefly appeared in court on Wednesday after waiting for a bed at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.
"His case was postponed until May 7 for bed placement at Valkenberg," Ntabazalila said.
"He has also appeared at Knysna Magistrate’s Court on other charges allegedly committed while in prison.
"These charges have been added to the murder charges in Plettenberg Bay."
Correctional Services spokesperson Candice van Reenen said the altercation occurred on February 22.
"The three inmates were involved in a physical altercation," she said.
"As a result, all parties opened assault cases with the police, who attended to the incident and registered the matters.
"The inmates were also assessed at the centre's healthcare facility for any injuries sustained.
"The individuals involved have since been separated to ensure stability and safety within the facility.
"The department continues to monitor the situation and will cooperate fully with all investigative processes."
Van Druten was arrested the day after Van Heerden’s brutalised body was found in Plettenberg Bay on January 18.
Anneke "Nicky" van Heerden, 54, was murdered, allegedly by her boyfriend
Image: FILE
The 54-year-old former police detective and Van Druten were in a romantic relationship at the time of the incident.
Van Druten previously abandoned his bid for bail.
During that appearance, he told magistrate Stephan Lourens that he saw himself as the Archangel Michael and that Van Heerden was Jesus Christ.
The court then ordered Van Druten to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
This is to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.
IOL previously reported that Van Druten allegedly told a friend during a phone call that “demonic stuff” was happening to him and that “strange things” were occurring inside the Knysna prison where he is being held.
According to the man who said Van Druten had phoned him from prison, the call was "strange".
IOL also reported he had been blocked from attending the Summer Solstice Festival because of what organisers described as his “aggressive behaviour”.
WhatsApp messages seen by IOL showed organisers informing Van Druten in November last year that he was not allowed to attend the event.
The Summer Solstice Festival is an annual gathering held in December at a Garden Route well-being sanctuary.
After Van Druten’s arrest, several women came forward claiming they had previously sought protection orders against him.
Those claims were exclusively reported by IOL and are separate from the murder case.
An almost 11-minute voice note believed to have been recorded by Van Heerden shortly before her death was also widely circulated.
“Bevan van Druten is no longer Bevan van Druten. He is now Jonah, like the man spat out by the whale … the Bible was written in code.
“You need to listen to me. I felt the fear of Jesus Christ. Please listen to me. I gave myself the name Alaska. It comes out of the f---- Bible,” she said.
A man can then be heard laughing in the background, with Van Heerden adding: “This mad man laughing next to me is Bevan van Druten.”
IOL