A 16-year-old from Malmesbury, who’s been linked to an alleged international child exploitation ring, has been deemed fit for trial.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that he concluded his 30-day evaluation at the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital, and that the Malmsbury Magistrates Court heard feedback on that on Monday.
The NPA said the medical report indicates that he does not have any mental illness or intellectual disability.
The teen was arrested in August, after an investigation including the FBI and the United States Embassy found evidence that he may have been part of an online extremist network known as “764”, which allegedly coerced minors into sexual abuse, among other things.
At his last appearance in August, a district surgeon recommended that the 16-year-old undergo medical evaluation, which at the time the National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila said that the court agreed to. More charges were also brought against him at that time.
