CAPE TOWN – A 51-year-old woman from Lavender Hill, accused of kidnapping Zephany Nurse from her sleeping mother’s arms at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1997, has been found guilty.
Judge John Hlophe handed down judgment in the Western Cape High Court a short while ago.Hlope refused her bail extension.The woman will remain behind bars until her sentencing on 30 May.
NO FAULT WITH EVIDENCE
Hlope said he found no reason to reject the evidence presented by witnesses. Hlope also made reference to a state witness, known only as Mrs Piet, who said the woman also tried to snatch her child on the day Zephany disappeared.
He said Mrs Piet “gave evidence in clear and chronological manner”.Earlier, the Lavender Hill woman told Eyewitness News she was prepared for anything.
“Whatever the judgment will be today, whether it’s guilty or not, I trust in the Lord and we all prayed last night. The Lord must take over in the case.” She is accused of kidnapping, fraud and contravening sections of the Children’s Act.The 51-year-old was on maternity leave at the time of the kidnapping in April 1997. The woman said she was led to believe she was legally adopting Zephany.
She claimed a woman, known only as Sylvia, allegedly helped her with the adoption process.
FINDING ZEPHANY
Celeste and Morne Nurse’s prayers were answered when one of their children started high school last year and befriended a matriculant who bared a striking resemble to the daughter they lost.
The curious parents then contacted police and DNA tests were conducted.
It’s understood that the sisters connected instantly.
The prosecution said the accused befriended Zephany’s biological mother in hospital and convinced her to hand over her crying baby so that she could get some sleep.
It’s understood the teenager does not have a relationship with her biological family and still lives with the man she thought was her father.
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