Groote Schuur kidnapping trial to resume today
The case against a woman alleged to have stolen a newborn baby from the Groote Schuur Hospital 19 years ago is expected to resume in the Western Cape High Court today.
Both the State and defence were expected to have finalised their admissions ahead of the start of the trial.
A total of nine witnesses were expected to be called during the course of the trial, seven for the State, and the other two for the defence.
The 51-year-old accused, who may not be named as it may lead to the teenager being identified, was released on R5 000 bail in March. She was arrested in February 2015 in connection with the kidnapping of the baby girl in 1997.
The matter came to light when the girl's biological sister, who is four years younger, told her parents that a matric girl at her school bore a striking resemblance to her and her parents.
Not going to counselling
When the parents discovered the girl had the same birthday as their missing child, they reported it to police.
DNA tests confirmed the teen was indeed their daughter.
Outside the court, Western Cape social development MEC, Albert Fritz, said while his department had offered the teenager counselling, she had not attended the sessions.
“But we are still talking to her. We are hopeful that the case will bring closure for everyone,” Fritz said.
The teenager is understood to be living with the accused’s husband, who raised her as his own.
The woman is not allowed to have any contact with the victim until the conclusion of the trial. She faces charges of kidnapping, fraud, and contravening the Children's Act.
(File photo: Getty Images)