Elderly woman rescued from horrific life in Newcastle

An elderly woman sits in her wheelchair, as a young man stands near their broken-down vehicle in an empty parking lot of a shopping complex on Renoster Avenue, Amajuba Park. Forced to sleep in their vehicle and living in squalor, the hearts of numerous Newcastillians melted when they heard the apparent plight of the duo.

According to the young man’s so called story, shared while they begged for money, the elderly woman was his mother, and they were passing through Newcastle when their vehicle broke down.

Known as Jacques, he explained that they had spent all their money on repairs, only to be deceived by a local mechanic. As a result, they were left without food and shelter, enduring the harsh elements.

Adding to the emotional situation, the young man noted how his “mother” had survived a stroke and all he wanted to do was take care of her. Begging at various areas in Newcastle, the man’s heartbreaking story saw several residents reach out to the pair, donating money, food, and more.

However, this was all a lie and the story told was the furthest thing from the truth. The elderly woman was not the man’s mother and she had been living a horror story.

Belinda Ellor of Optimus Protection Services (OPS) explained that OPS had received concerned calls and emails about the situation. But it was when the woman’s son, based in New Zealand, sent them an email to help locate his mother, Margarette Poynter, that things really began to unravel.

“Myself and Hamza Randeree of OPS went to assess the matter. After securing permission from her son, as well as permission from the Newcastle SAPS and Colonel Yusuf, OPS, along with Warrant Officer Landman, Sergeant du Plessis and three other officers, as well as Mary Dobbie of Newcastle Crisis Centre removed the 80-year-old woman and took her to a place of safety,” explained Ellor.

Unlike the bucket of lies told by the young man, it was discovered that the elderly woman actually hailed from New Zealand and had met the man known as Jacques during his time in the country, before he was allegedly deported back to South Africa. Before he returned to his home country, he had allegedly convinced the woman to sell her belongings and join him, which she unfortunately did.

They then apparently arrived in Newcastle four years ago, with the young man allegedly burning through Poynter’s money, the whole time living in the vehicle which the man had purchased with Poynter’s money.

Adding to this, Ellor pointed out, “During this time, Mrs Poynter had three strokes and was not able to communicate properly and the man had used her disability to raise funds. She also received no medical care at all.”

With Poynter’s son explaining to OPS that her family had been searching for her since she left New Zealand, Ellor stressed that the OPS team knew they could not leave her behind. It was for this reason they gained the necessary permission from local law enforcement and her family to remove her and take her to a place of safety.

At the place of safety, OPS ensured Poynter was clothed, cleaned, and received medical treatment from a private doctor, Dr Hattia.

“Warrant Officer Landman and I also visited her on a regular basis, doing video calls with her family, so that Mrs Poynter could be assured that she was going to return home and stay in contact with the family who had been searching relentlessly for the past four years.”

Ellor further explained that OPS made contact with the New Zealand embassy, who were extremely supportive, especially considering the elderly woman’s living conditions. “The Embassy made arrangements for one of her sons to come down to South Africa and he arrived on 31 July 2024. OPS then travelled to Johannesburg on 1 August 2024 to reunite Mrs Poynter with her son. It was an extremely heartfelt moment seeing them reunited,” explained Ellor.

During the time that OPS had cared for Poynter, Ellor noted how the elderly woman was finally able to find warmth and comfort after not being able to sleep in a bed for approximately four years. She was finally comfortable, receiving medical care and was on her way to being reunited with her family.

While Poynter is now safely home, the young man Jacques is still in town and could not be taken into custody as he had not technically kidnapped the woman or held her hostage. However, his underhanded method of acquiring money has now come to an end, seeing him now searching for other sources of income.

Concluding, Ismaeel Dhalech of OPS added that special thanks must go out to the Newcastle SAPS, Newcastle Crisis Centre, Dr Haatia, Rehana Peer, Magenta EMS and all other role players who ensured that Mrs Poynter was safely removed from her horrid living conditions and returned home.

An attempt to contact Jacques for comment was made, however, he could not be found.

As the 80-year-old woman has now been reunited with her family and is no longer living in squalor and used as a meal ticket, Newcastillian News applaudes all involved who saved this woman. This story brought a tear to all who work in our office.

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