‘Forgive me, I know not any better’
When high on heroin, she can feel worms crawling around in her cement-like legs.
An average day on Sivewright Street gave the news deeper insight into the dilemma the community of Krugersdorp faces.
While walking to the streets of the notorious drug hub of Krugersdorp, news journalist Marizka Coetzer felt very anxious as foreign nationals sipping alcoholic beverages on every street corner watched every step she took.
At the block of flats where Coetzer was supposed to meet with a sex worker, she spotted one or two familiar beggars in the area.
Knocking on the door, a friendly yet tired face welcomed her into the flat and to her room.
The room was tidy and the walls decorated with pages from magazines.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Coetzer wondered whether it was one of the sex worker’s regular clients.
She gave her some space and walked out with Mr LuckyCharm who is a very reliable source to Coetzer, to go and say hello to another friendly face a few blocks away.
Coetzer had a few moments to interview her before her pimp was due back at the house.
Standing behind a locked gate she told the news about the withdrawal pains of the heroin she has been addicted to for some 10 years now.
Trapped in a condemned house in the street, 26-year-old Yvonne (not her real name) described how the drugs affected her. At times it either felt as if worms were crawling around in her legs or her legs felt as if they were made of cement.
The news asked her if she knew that she was killing herself slowly, to which she simply replied, “It is no longer worth living without the drugs. I am so used to this type of lifestyle I do not know any better.”
Unfortunately the intense interview was cut short by the arrival of her pimp, who unknowingly greeted Coetzer earlier when she rushed down the street.
This is but one of the many stories the news has to tell about the tragic lifestyles of the Sivewright Street sex workers.
Related articles:
• A day in a sex worker’s high heels
• Drugs delivered to your doorstep by bicycle
• Prostitute and pimp caught red-handed
• Alleged prostitute found dead
