Woman seeks shelter at police station

IN A HEART-wrenching turn of events, concerns have arisen over the plight of Veronica “Sissy” Thekisho, a 27-year-old woman who has sought refuge at the Kagisho police station. Her home in Soul City was apparently destroyed by her drug-addicted brother, leaving her with nowhere to turn.

Veronica has endured countless cold nights, sleeping on the unforgiving cement floors outside the police station. Her desperate situation has prompted officers to appeal to the public for assistance in tracing her family and to provide her with accommodation.

She reportedly resorts to using a plastic bag for bathing in the station yard and relies on public toilets for privacy when needed. Additionally, she asks people for money to purchase food.

The only current traceable family members are her 10-year-old son, who resides with paternal relatives, and her brother, who battles drug addiction.

An attempt to provide her with help by sending her to a mental institution backfired and she feels rejected by society. Upon discharge, she returned to the streets, where she now faces the harsh reality of homelessness.

Veronica’s mental health is also a concern, as she reportedly suffers from various disorders.

After reportedly discovering that her home had been destroyed by her drug-addicted brother, Veronica found herself on the streets, where she now struggles to survive.

The house that was once her home now stands as a stark, empty structure – stripped of furniture and even door and window frames.

In a poignant interview with the DFA, Veronica expressed her desperate plea for assistance. She implored anyone who would listen to help repair her destroyed home so she could return.

She said that frustration weighed heavily on her as her family relationships remained strained.

Veronica also made an appeal for temporary refuge at a shelter, until should could return home.

“I can’t go and live at home and have to rely on people on the street for food and toiletries. Whenever I manage to get money to buy myself something like sanitary pads, I have to carry them around with me because there is nowhere to keep them. I don’t have clothes either because they burned them with my blankets here at the police station when they said I’m making a mess,” she said.

The sense of rejection extended beyond her family - she felt abandoned even by the church where she once sought solace and used to sleep at.

“I was sleeping at the church but was put out for making a fire when it was cold. So, the only place I feel safe is here at the police station.”

Veronica said she occasionally seeks refuge at the Galeshewe police station for sleep, but bitter cold nights make it impossible without blankets. Despite the discomfort, she chooses to sleep on the floor without a pillow to avoid leaving a mess. Bathing waits until temperatures rise.

Her son, thankfully saved by his father, is no longer with her. Yet, they share occasional chats.

“The good thing is, we know each other and we sometimes have a chat, and I remind him that I am his mother, no matter my circumstances.”

According to Soul City residents, Veronica spent her childhood in the same neighbourhood and attended Isago Primary School alongside her younger brother.

During that time, she resided in her grandmother’s home with her mother, uncle, and sibling. The grandmother provided care, especially since their mother occasionally experienced mental breakdowns. Both children were known for their intelligence and brightness.

However, tragedy struck when the grandmother passed away. The family’s stability crumbled, and they found themselves relying on handouts and donations to survive.

“The uncle left for Douglas, then the mother started having frequent mental breakdowns. It is believed that the reason behind the mother’s deteriorating health was because of not being on permanent medication,” said a Soul City resident.

Despite these difficulties, she was known as a neat and tidy person who tried her best to take care of her children and the house.

“The brother started using drugs and then Thekisho joined a Zion church and was committed to it. The brother dropped out of school, then she followed later when she fell pregnant. He started losing it, breaking things at home, burning some items and even selling the other stuff. He would set fire to household items like couches, beds and blankets. He destroyed the electricity metre box as well,” said the resident.

Neighbours said they observed signs of frustration in the mother as her health deteriorated.

“We would call her an ambulance and she would be rushed to hospital and kept there for 72 hours before being discharged. We knew and understood her very well and knew that she needed some snuff and tea to calm down whenever she was in distress.”

The neighbour said that Veronica, despite her struggles, emerged as the most responsible person in the household. A devout churchgoer, she diligently hid groceries and essential items at neighbours’ homes to prevent her brother from selling or destroying them.

Unfortunately, her mother occasionally sided with her brother against her.

Desperate for safety, Veronica began sleeping at the church, while her mother abandoned their deteriorating home. Social workers stepped in when her young son was left alone and hungry inside the house.

“She would sleep at the church at night and then go out hunting for food during the day. She would be seen walking in the street and undressing in public. Good Samaritans had her admitted to a mental institution.”

Another neighbour said that after Veronica was discharged, her uncertain housing situation became a concern.

The neighbour suggested taking her to relatives in Phutanang, but they declined, fearing the responsibility of monitoring her constantly. Veronica’s refusal to adhere to treatment and occasional violent behaviour added to their apprehension.

“She was taken to other relatives in Taung, where she did not stay long either. After about two weeks, she showed up at our doorstep, but only stayed with us for less than a week before she left again without any clothes,” said the neighbour.

“She left after asking me to help her to raise funds to fix her home. I told her that it would be challenging because even the doors and the windows had been ripped out. I also asked her whether it would be safe for her because her brother sleeps in that dilapidated house.

“I further pointed out to her that the house had turned into a drug den for her brother’s fellow drug addicts. Even we didn’t feel safe anymore because the addicts ripped out the water pipes and electric cables as well.

“We once called the police to intervene but were told that they can’t do anything as long as they are not doing any damage to our yards.

“I told Thekisho to find alternative accommodation as I was going to have visitors. The next thing I heard she was back on the street.”

“We no longer know what to do, but feel that if she gets a chance for the house to be fixed, she will take good care of it. And at least it will be protected from opportunists.

“She can cook for everyone, as long as she does not have too much frustration … The house can still be saved while it still has a roof,” said the neighbour.

Meanwhile, another man has also sought refuge at the Kagiso police station and is sleeping there. He said he hails from Ncana Street in Galeshewe.