Beggar Michael is back
Krugersdorp's hope is still high for Michael's rehabilitation, even after he ran away from rehab.
He’s back.
But according to his 27-year-old sister, Michelle Senekel, he’s not here to stay.
Michael Botha confessed to the News in July that he begs at traffic intersections as a means to support his drug addiction. After the News published the article (read it here: [VIDEO] ‘Ja, ek bedel vir dwelms’), the town came out in great support of Michael’s wish to go to a rehabilitation center. Michael’s sister made herself available to the public through Facebook, where she experienced a flood of support from strangers and family alike.
Michael then entered into a program at the Walking with Winners Rehabilitation Center in the East Rand a week later.
However, a week after that, he ran away and Michelle reported him missing.
Related article: Beggar Michael missing
Now, after many phone calls from Krugersdorpers spotting him around town, Michael has made contact with his sister again.
“He told me that he knew he made a mistake by running away and that he wanted to go back and try again,” Michelle said.
“There is something different about him this time, even though he is disheartened. I really have hope.”
Michelle explained that Michael is currently living with an old friend in Luipaardsvlei while she and her mother continue with the process of getting a court order against Michael for when he decides to run away from rehab again.
“He agreed to it. He signed a statement that he would go back to rehab on the condition that he can be arrested if he runs away again.”
Walking With Winners’ founder Dave Barber, once a drug addict and now a pastor, says that unlike most other faith based and secular rehabilitation centers, “we pride ourselves on an open door policy and are also one of the only rehabilitation facilities in the country that, should we be requested to do so, will fetch your loved one from a drug den or ‘crack house'”.
Michael, since his return, has been struggling to make money as a beggar and gave it up completely. Michelle says he had a job for a few days, but after his employer read about him, she advised him to “first get his life in order”.
Today, Michael is waiting to find out where his life will head.
“His sponsors are all still rooting for him. He knows this.”
