South African prosecutors are struggling to assess whether a teenager accused of murdering a former Monifieth grandmother is fit to stand trial.
Sheree Prince is awaiting a fitness to stand trial hearing but it has been repeatedly delayed as there is no room at state hospitals for her mental state to be professionally scrutinised.
Prosecutors last tried to get the 18-year-old who stands accused of murdering Monifieth woman Sandra Malcolm, 74, in her Cape Town home assessed on August 28 but could not find room for her in a mental health facility.
Prince is reportedly exhibiting “strange” behaviour and lawyers fear she may be too unstable for a prolonged court session.
A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa said it would try to get her committed again later this week.
He said: “The matter will be on the court roll on September 25.
“Sheree Prince will appear in court and a representative from Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital will tell the court whether there is a bed available for the accused to be admitted for observation.”
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.
Mrs Malcolm was from Monifieth but had lived in South Africa for 35 years.
In April her body was discovered by her grandson in her home at Marina Da Gama, Cape Town.
An autopsy undertaken by the South African authorities established the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.
Prince was later arrested and made her first appearance at Muizenberg Magistrates Court on May 11.
The teenager is understood to be from the small town of Citrusdal, around 100 miles north of Cape Town.
Police have not ruled out making further arrests in connection with Mrs Malcolm’s death and it is understood that investigations are ongoing.