A homeless man who was found deceased at the Secunda taxi rank on January 6, has now been identified by his family as Gerhard Ettienne Venter (32).
Police sent out an urgent plea last week for information about the whereabouts of the family of Venter after his body had been at the state mortuary for eight months.
The story was published on Ridge Times’ Facebook page on September 13, and again in its print media dated September 23.
A request was made to Caxton’s digital department for the story to be shared to our sister newspaper in Middelburg in the hopes that the family could be found.
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A family member of Venter then saw the story on the Middelburg Observer’s Facebook page on the morning of September 21 and immediately made contact.
Relatives drove from Middelburg to Secunda on the same day to identify the body.
Although the family had requested their privacy during this time, a relative who wishes not to be named, said that they had last seen Venter about seven years ago, if not longer.
His family kept track of his whereabouts through other family members, people and even strangers who spotted him.
He did on occasion contact his family when he needed airtime.
Venter ended up homeless because of his drug addiction. He also served time in a Carletonville Prison.
Middelburg Observer reported that although drugs may have played a part in Venter’s death, foul play cannot be ruled out.
According to Detective Constable Palesa Mofokeng, details of the autopsy results will only be made available in the coming week.
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The Ridge Times has come to learn that the day on which Venter’s body was found, his fist was still clenched around a syringe and he had severe head trauma and injuries to his face and body.
“Despite Venter’s addiction and the path he chose to walk as a homeless man, one needs to still understand that he was someone’s brother, son, uncle, and through it all, he was still loved,” said Marc Fick of the Yahweh Rapha Recovery Centre.
“It is just as hard on families who need to set boundaries when having to deal with a family member with an addiction.
“In most cases, addicts resort to stealing from their loved ones, even their own parents, to feed their addictions,” said Fick.
If you are struggling with a family member with an addiction, contact Marc Fick of the Yahweh Rapha Recovery Centre Secunda on 079 400 7387.
