The trial of a South African teenager accused of murdering former Monifieth great-grandmother Sandra Malcolm has been postponed amid concerns she may not be fit to face charges.
Shereen Prince has been admitted to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for observation while investigations into her mental health are carried out.
The murder case will recall at Muizenberg Magistrates Court later this month to enable her defence and the state prosecution to hold an inquiry into the 18-year-old’s fitness to stand trial.
Mrs Malcolm’s family have faced delays since Prince was arrested and made her first court appearance in May.
They were initially caused by changes to her legal representation appointed by the Legal Aid Board of South Africa.
Now, however, it appears that there are yet more obstacles to overcome before the trial can progress.
A spokesman for the South Africa prosecution service said: “The matter has been postponed until later this month at the Muizenberg Magistrates Court where an inquiry will be heard on her fitness to stand trial.”
Mrs Malcolm, 74, was originally from Monifieth but had lived in South Africa for 35 years.
The news that she had died in her home in the Capri Mews complex at Marina Da Gama, Cape Town, was delivered to her family in April this year.
Her body had been discovered by her grandson who it was reported had climbed through a window to gain access to the house when she failed to answer the door.
An autopsy undertaken by the South African authorities established the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.
Following a prolonged investigation, 18-year-old Prince was arrested by police in Cape Town and made her first appearance before Muizenberg Magistrates Court on Monday May 11.
The teenager is understood to be from the small town of Citrusdal, around 100 miles north of Cape Town.
Police in the Western Cape have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests in connection with Mrs Malcolm’s death and it is understood that investigations are ongoing.