Murder accused back in court

KNYSNA NEWS - Murder accused Mervyn Bock (40) briefly appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Friday 22 May in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Velia Strydom.

The matter was postponed to 2 July as the case docket is still believed to be with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Cape Town for confirmation and a decision regarding which court the trial will be referred to.

Bock remains in custody and is facing a charge of murder and two counts for defeating the ends of justice following the discovery of Strydom’s decomposed body near the Red Bridge in Knysna on 12 December 2025.

The grim discovery sent shockwaves through the Knysna community at the time, with police launching an intensive investigation that eventually led to Bock’s arrest.

During the brief court appearance, proceedings focused mainly on the status of the docket and the pending directive from the DPP. The accused has not yet entered a plea.

The case is expected to proceed once prosecutors finalise whether the matter will be heard in the regional court or transferred to a higher court due to the seriousness of the charge.

Further investigations into the circumstances surrounding Strydom’s death are ongoing.

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