Is Happy Sindane really Jannie Botha? [South Africa 'white slave' mystery]

Independent Online - South Africa ^ | May 22 2003 | Solly Maphumulo

[Constitution Day]

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Is Happy Sindane really Jannie Botha?

By Solly Maphumulo

Sarie and Jannie Botha have an agonising two-month-long wait ahead of them before they know for sure whether Happy Sindane is their long-lost son, Jannie.

Sindane made headlines this week when he claimed that he had been abducted by a domestic worker 12 years ago, at the age of six, and brought up by a black family in the rural Mpumalanga village of Tweefontein.

He arrived at the Bronkhorstspruit police station on Monday, where he told police a dramatic tale of abduction and abuse by some members of his foster family.

'He looks just like his older brother Fanie when he was 10 years old'

Following media coverage of his story, Sarie Botha, of Danville, Pretoria, came forward to claim that her six-year-old Jannie - named after his father - had vanished when he went to a local corner shop to play video games with friends.

Pretoria police spokesperson Percy Morokane on Wednesday confirmed that the Bothas had reported their son missing in 1992.

He also said that the Bothas had undergone DNA tests to ascertain whether or not they were Sindane's parents.

He said a lot of people had claimed that Sindane was their son, but these claims had been shown to be false.

However, he said the Bothas would not be allowed to make contact with Sindane until the DNA tests yielded a match.

'This is my brother. I am positive'

He said the results would take about 10 weeks to be finalised, but efforts would be made to speed up the process.

But the Botha family is convinced that Sindane is, in fact, the son and brother they lost many years ago - and whom they had always believed would one day return home.

Their son, Fanie, 21, took one look at a photograph on the front page of Wednesday's edition of The Star and became very excited, saying: "This is my brother. I am positive."

He said he had always looked forward to the day when his brother would return home. He did not need to wait for the day the DNA test results were released, as he was sure Sindane was his brother.

Sarie Botha, quoted on Wednesday in Beeld newspaper, was also adamant that Sindane was her missing son.

She said: "This is Jannie.

"He looks just like his older brother Fanie when he was 10 years old."

The Star was prevented from speaking to members of the Botha family. Neither the SABC nor e.tv were allowed to speak to the family either. Late on Wednesday night, it could not be confirmed if the family had signed an agreement to grant interviews only to a national magazine.

• This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on May 22, 2003

[Constitution Day]

Previous FR thread: I was slave in black township for 12 years: white teen

BBC article can be found here: SA couple claim 'kidnapped' boy

The boy, known as 'Happy Sindane' can only speak the Ndebele language

The boy said his "grandfather" threatened to poison him

[Constitution Day]

Ping for those who were on previous thread.

[The Old Hoosier]

Strong family resemblance there.

[Republicus2001]

didn't Steve Martin make a movie about this once?

[Constitution Day]

Yeah, no kidding!

[Alouette]

Puddinhead Wilson.