Mental anguish of man Zephany still calls Daddy

THE man who was duped for 17 years into believing Zephany Nurse was his own flesh and blood has spoken about the turmoil he has had to endure since he discovered she had been kidnapped.

The 48-year-old, who cannot be identified in order to protect the identity which Zephany now goes by, told social worker Yumna Rinquest he is still grappling with the news the teenager is the kidnapped infant who was pictured on the front pages of newspapers across Cape Town when she was snatched from Groote Schuur Hospital’s maternity unit in 1997.

He said he was shocked and he still considered her to be his own daughter and was prepared to continue to take care of her if his wife – the woman convicted of kidnapping her – was imprisoned.

The raw emotions the Lavender Hill man revealed were contained in a report Rinquest compiled for Cape Judge President John Hlophe to assist him in determining an appropriate sentence for the kidnapper.

In the report, Rinquest told how he was struggling to get by without his wife.

To help him cope, he often told himself she was just on a holiday and that she would be home soon.

Other relatives of the accused also reported how they were affected by the news Zephany had been kidnapped.

They considered the accused to be a significant per- son in their lives and were devastated when they found out Zephany had been kidnapped.

Rinquest also described the bond between Zephany and the accused as a “typical mother and daughter relationship” and said the two often went shopping or for walks on the beach.

They spent time together daily and engaged in activities appropriate for the child’s age.

They also enjoyed visiting Cape Point as a family.

Rinquest’s view was the accused did not show any remorse for her actions.

She said the crimes were serious and should not be tolerated.

She recommended a direct term of imprisonment be imposed.

The accused, who also cannot be identified, has been in prison since March when Judge Hlophe convicted her of kidnapping, fraud and contravention of the Children’s Act.

She has not had any contact with Zephany since February last year, when she was arrested for the kidnapping, because her bail conditions prohibited contact between them.

Zephany’s biological parents, Morne and Celeste Nurse, have reported suspicions the two have had contact with each other.

However, investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Mike Barkhuizen said this could not be confirmed.

The case continues on Thursday when the State and defence are expected to present their closing arguments.

PICTURE: LEON LESTRADE The woman accused of abducting Zephany Nurse 19 years ago hides her face after appearing in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court in July last year.

Celeste Nurse in hospital with Zephany before the newborn was abducted from Groote Schuur hospital on April 30,1997 when she was just two days old.