The parents of teenager Happy Sindane — who claims a black woman adducted him from a white family years ago — have still not been found, officials said on Tuesday.
However, a woman identified as Rina Mzayiye could possible be his mother, Magistrate Marthinus Kruger said.
”Unfortunately, we can’t tell Happy who his parents are yet,” he told reporters in Bronkhorstspruit.
More DNA tests were being planned to determine Sindane’s descent. These would include tests on a son of Mzayiye, believed to be in Zimbabwe. Kruger was speaking after postponing the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court inquiry into the matter to August 19.
The case would on this date be transferred to a children’s court to determine Sindane’s future. The process would include finding foster parents for the teenager, Kruger said.
Sindane turned up at the Bronkhorstspruit police station earlier this year, claiming he was abducted as a young child from his white parents in Johannesburg and raised by a black couple.
Pretoria police spokesperson Superintendent Morne van Wyk told reporters the police were longer investigating a case of abduction. No prosecution was intended at this stage.
Police would continue the probe if further evidence came up. Van Wyk said three DNA tests had been conducted so far in a bid to find Sindane’s family. These eliminated a white Pretoria couple and a woman from Dennilton, Mpumalanga, while a third test on a son of Rina was inconclusive.
It was hoped that a DNA test Mzayiye’s second son — the one believed to be in Zimbabwe — might provide more answers. Officials also announced that a trust fund would be set up for Sindane.
It would kick off with money from a settlement with the Dulux paint company after it used Sindane’s face in an advertisement in June.
His lawyer, Sam Ledwaba, would not disclose the amount involved, saying the money would be used for Sindane’s future education. Sindane told reporters he was living happily at the Sizanani village in a children’s home outside Bronkhorstspruit.
”I get everything I want. Whenever people give me trouble here, I tell the father.”
Sindane was referring to Father Charles Kippelwieser, founder of the village, who said the teenager was adept at repairing electrical appliances.
”He fixes just about anything you want him to fix.”
Sindane was, however, far behind in his reading and writing skills, and in subjects such as mathematics and geography.
Wearing mustard-coloured pants and a blue check shirt and grey jacket, he recounted his abduction by a certain Rina and how he was left with Bettie Sindane and Thomas Banda. At a later stage, he described Rina as his mother.
Kruger said he believed Sindane was not lying.
”But he is still a child. He is confused and we must keep that in mind.”
Van Wyk said the case would now be taken over by social workers. – Sapa