I WOULD like to respond to the “Anti-Bedelaars” letter in the Paarl Post of 10 July.
This couple is well known to me, and when I see them begging in Paarl North my blood boils. I would strongly advise people to assist a more worthy cause like helping our starving children.
Whilst living in Ceres several years ago, the same two vagrants were begging on the streets and were given accommodation in a small rondavel by a local church. Kind people donated things like blankets, food, clothes, a two plate stove and so forth, and they lived quite comfortably for several months.
In an attempt to assist this ‘unfortunate’ couple, my husband gave the man a job for seven months (he said he was a qualified plumber), and he was subsequently taken on by a security firm in Ceres, who found him to be very efficient.
After receiving his first pay packet, he failed to turn up at work and was found blind drunk, along with his partner. This was the end of a very promising future with the security company.
I am afraid they seem to be a lost cause and even attempts at getting them into a shelter have failed. He has told my husband that they “like their freedom”.
Once bitten twice shy
