Shock as ‘dead’ Pretoria beggar found alive

Since last Tuesday, news of the death of Hennie de Beer had spread on various social media platforms.

Hennie de Beer in hospital now. Photo: Supplied

It came as a shock to some residents of Pretoria when a well-known beggar who was thought dead turned out to still be alive, though in hospital, reports the Pretoria Moot Rekord.

Since last Tuesday, news of the death of Hennie de Beer had spread on various social media platforms.

He had become a well-known sight for motorists on the corner of Steve Biko Road and Flowers Street in the capital city.

He was known for his jerky walk and begging on the street corner for years.

When the news reached his mother, Elize Rootman, in Randfontein last Saturday, she rushed to Pretoria on Monday.

“We were at every mortuary in Pretoria trying to find him, but we couldn’t,” she said.

“With the help of the police, we also searched the state hospitals’ intensive care units – he was nowhere.”

Eventually, they found him at the tuberculosis department at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, said Rootman.

“I am very relieved that he is not dead,” she said. “His father recently died.”

Local councillor Elma Nel was with the family at the mortuary.

“There were so many messages sent to us to confirm his death by friends who lived with him and were in the ambulance at the time of his death, which we responded to,” she said.

The police, however, confirmed to the Rekord that De Beer is still alive.