Tug-of-love teen not happy

2003-05-27 09:10

Liela Magnus and Mashudu Matari

Bronkhorstspruit - Happy Sindane was not a happy young man as he left the magistrate's court on Monday without meeting his biological parents.

The Botha and Ben families, who both say Happy belongs to them, as well as Koos Sindane, with whom Happy spent many years, attended the Bronkhorstspruit court proceedings.

An emotional Jan-Hendrik Botha wiped away tears when he saw Happy for the first time.

Botha and his wife, Sarie, of Danville in Pretoria claimed Happy was their son, who was abducted 12 years ago.

Tozi Ben of Diepsloot said Happy was the son of her niece Rina, who died years ago.

Happy stood without expression when magistrate Marthinus Kruger said preliminary reports indicated the teenager was not the son of a white couple, although Happy insisted his biological parents were white and Afrikaans-speaking.

Krugers said: "Reports from social workers and the police indicate that Happy doesn't have white parents." He said Happy's father could be either a coloured or white man.

The result of DNA tests could be divulged next month when Happy appears in court again.

Says he was a herdboy for 12 years

Although the hearing was held in camera on Monday, the media was allowed inside for the findings.

Happy captured local and international media attention a week ago when he appeared at Bronkhorstspruit charge office.

He alleged he was kidnapped as six-year-old from his home and given to Betty Sindane. He was a herdboy in KwaMhlanga, north of Pretoria, for 12 years.

A police and a doctor's report indicated that Happy was 16 years old and protected under the Child Act. He wasn't shaving yet.

Happy was rushed to court on Monday, looking different with short, darker-coloured hair gelled flat against his head.

Family positive Happy is Jannie

Heinrich Augustyn of the justice department said although the Botha family claimed Happy didn't look like the photographs, there were similarities.

Marietie Louw reported that Gustav Smit, who represented the Botha family, said the family was still hoping and was positive Happy was their lost son, Jannie.

"They are very humble and will keep on hoping until the results of the tests are known."

Meanwhile, a Johannesburg family also said Happy might be their lost son. Inspector Percy Morokane said blood samples would be taken to investigate their claims.

Morokane did not want to give more details to protect the family.

- Beeld