Daughter of Springs monster shares horrific experiences

Emotions ran high during the fundraiser tea event organised by Abraham Kriel Children’s Home.

October 17, 2023

Ntombikayise Sibeko 2 minutes read

The daughter of the Springs Monster, Yolandi, was the guest speaker at a morning tea event organised by Abraham Kriel Children’s Home on October 7.

The daughter of the man dubbed the Springs Monster moved guests to tears as she shared horrific details of how she and her siblings suffered abuse at the hands of their father.

This was during a morning tea event organised by Abraham Kriel Children’s Home on October 7.

The fundraiser, which took place at Brandwag Clubhouse, was attended by about 100 guests from Benoni and as far as Johannesburg.

Yolandi said she has forgiven her father for what he did so that she can heal.

Magda van Heerden (holding a tissue) battled to hold her tears while the daughter of the Springs Monster spoke about her horrific experience.

Yolandi and her siblings were locked up in their house in Springs for years until a particular day in 2014 when her brother escaped and ran to a neighbour for help. She was 16 at the time.

Her father tortured them, tried to kill her brother, raped her and severely abused all five of the children.

The father was sentenced to an effective 35 years in prison by the North Gauteng High Court in 2018 after being found guilty of raping his eldest daughter‚ the attempted murder of his then 11-year-old son‚ defeating the ends of justice‚ obstruction of justice‚ five counts of child abuse and five counts of child neglect. His ex-wife and their mother received a five-year suspended sentence.

Yolandi said she believed at the time the abuse they went through was normal. At some point, she had a lot of aggression towards people who said things that were not true and those who didn’t understand what was going on.

“My father didn’t only physically abuse us but our mother too. He would chase her with a knife and stab her. She couldn’t make decisions of her own,” said Yolandi.

She added that she is now raising her youngest sibling.

Jacky Nel of Abraham Kriel Children’s Home, which cares for vulnerable children and youth, said the morning tea is held annually to raise money for the children’s home.

Embracing Yolandi during the morning tea is Jacky Nel of Abraham Kriel Children’s Home.

Abraham Kriel Children’s Home hosted yet another successful event at Brandwag Clubhouse on October 7. Seen here are Jacky Nel, Yolandi (guest speaker), Marais and Rina Strydom (Abraham Kriel Children’s Home).

“This year we invited Yolandi as guest speaker so that she can encourage abused women and children to seek help and get out of the situation,” said Nel.
Celebrating 25 years this year following its initiation in 1998 by congregation members of the NG Church Benoni North (Northmead), the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home in Benoni houses 12 children and house parents.

Also Read: Realtor donates to Abraham Kriel

Also Read: Abraham Kriel Bambanani pleads for more support