Beggar child actually has a good home

A 15-year-old child caused havoc in his family, but they still have hope.

September 18, 2015

Chantelle Fourie 1 minute read

The Klopper family in happier times. From left are Lukie, Cara-Mari, Mary-Ann, Emiel and in front, Justin.

A child who chooses to run away from home, but lies about being chased away, can leave a family broken.

But the Klopper family still has hope. When Mary-Ann Klopper and her husband Lukie contacted the News about their 15-year-old son, Justin Klopper who roams about in Krugersdorp, looking for sympathy at traffic lights, the News decided to investigate.

“Justin has been running away from home for the last couple of months. He has his own room with his own bed but chooses to sleep on the street,” Mary-Ann said.

Mary-Ann holds a picture of Justin when he was younger. He decorates his room with Christian CDs and crosses.

“Once he disappeared for four nights, sleeping at a stranger’s house.”

The woman allegedly felt sorry for him. Justin will beg for food, money or even a place to stay.

Mary-Ann believes he enjoys the sympathy.

Justin is Mary-Ann and Lukie’s adoptive child, along with their two older children. He was adopted from a local orphanage when he was four years old.

He first started showing signs of behavioural problems when he asked his parents for new toys.

“He packed it all together in his room and set it alight.”

Various professionals have diagnosed Justin with several mental and behavioural disorders such as depression, anti-social disorder and bipolar disorder.

He has been expelled form three different schools. His parents, both seemed calm as if they have accepted how their child behaves, but don’t know how to deal with it.

Justin reads a lot of books, especially the Bible.

“We have resorted to tough love after he had started stealing from us and got more aggressive.”

Lukie, after being advised to do so, opened a case of theft against his son.

“This is the only way we could get him into an institution so that he could be helped.”

Justin has been admitted at institutions such as Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital where he received care.

After Justin appeared in court on charges of theft two weeks ago, he was sentenced to a 12-months diversion programme at Bosasa Youth Development Centre in Krugersdorp.