Zephany kidnapper in tense courtroom

Cape Town 30-05-16 . Zephany Nurse Court Case at Cape Town High Court was postponed . Here Zephany's biological mother Celeste leaves court Picture Brenton Geach

Cape Town 30-05-16 . Zephany Nurse Court Case at Cape Town High Court was postponed . Here Zephany's biological mother Celeste leaves court Picture Brenton Geach

Published May 31, 2016

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Cape Town - The woman found guilty of kidnapping Zephany Nurse from a maternity ward at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1997 stood serenely before the Western Cape High Court, sporting a new hairstyle and a slight smile .

Her family showered her with messages of support while seated in the public gallery, with the woman – who cannot be named to protect Zephany’s true identity – occasionally raising her hand in acknowledgement from the dock.

The public gallery was divided into two camps on Monday: the family of the woman found guilty of kidnapping, fraud and contravening sections of the Children’s Act, and Zephany’s biological parents – Celeste and Morne Nurse, and their supporters.The tense atmosphere in the packed courtroom culminated in harsh statements from both sides, blaming each other for the complicated and painful situation.

On the steps of the courthouse, Morne said: “The world cannot blame us for what this lady (the woman found guilty of Zephany’s kidnapping) is going through. It is emotionally draining what our family is going through. She is in the court’s hands. There is no remorse from my side, she made her bed and she must lie in it.”

As Morne spoke to the media, the woman’s family yelled that he was lying, swearing at him. The woman’s husband and Celeste quietly left the court, declining to give comment. The woman’s husband appeared shaken but continued to support his 51-year-old wife.

Zephany is expected to testify inaggravation of sentence as a State witness, although she has come to the defence of the woman who snatched her while her mother was sleeping, 19 years ago.

Defence advocate Reaz Khan argued that his office received the judgment on Monday and would need time to process it.

He said the defence was waiting on a psychological evaluation report.

Prosecutor Evadne Kortje said her team had received the probation officer’s report and victim impact reports from Celeste, Morne and Zephany. Kortje argued that proceedings be held in camera because of the personal information in Zephany’s testimony.

Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe ruled that proceedings be held in camera on August 1.

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