Western Cape High Court Judge John Hlope has found the woman accused of kidnapping Zephany Nurse almost two decades ago guilty on all counts.
The Lavender Hill woman was convicted on charges of fraud, kidnapping and the contravention of the Children’s Act.
Hlophe described her story as a “fairytale” and rejected her version “with contempt”.
The accused had claimed that after miscarrying her own child in December 1996, she met a woman called Sylvia at the Tygerberg hospital who offered to help her with fertility treatment or an adoption for an amount of R3,000.
On the 30 April 1997, the day Zephany Nurse was snatched from her mother’s bedside at Groote Schuur hospital, the accused claimed she was given a baby by a stranger at the Wynberg train station.
The softly spoken woman told the court that the woman told her to go to Retreat Hospital and phone Sylvia from there.
But, Hlophe said her evidence had been “astonishing to say the least”.
He refused to extend her bail and she was led down to police cells.
Gasps of “yes” could be heard from the packed courtroom.
Sentencing proceedings will start on May 30.-African News Agency (ANA)
