Couple stranded in Panama
“My parents are law-abiding citizens who pay tax, and now that they need help our government is not there,” says Trisha Jonkers.
Mark and Adrienne de Beyern have been stranded in Bocas del Toro – Isla Colon, an island off of Panama, since March.
The Krugersrus couple who own Display Dynamics are desperate to come home.
They initially went on holiday on March 6 to see Adrienne’s sister for the first time in 16 years.
They should have been home by March 27; however, the lockdown was enforced and they were unable to return home.
Three months later and they are still in Panama, with 25 other people from the Caribbean, South and Central America who all have no hope of getting home.
Life in Bocas del Toro is very expensive.
“A loaf of bread costs R60 and milk is R30,” says the couple’s daughter Trisha Jonker.
“My parents have to fish for their dinner every evening.
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“My dad has to work to build houses to pay for their accommodation as it would have cost R30 000 for the month.
“He’s in his 50s and he’s not used to that kind of work,” Jonkers says.
The couple cannot leave Bocas del Toro as it has shut its borders.
“If they get on the ferry to Panama, they will not be allowed in.
“At the same time, there are still no flights out of Panama as it is still in lockdown,” says Jonkers.
Getting out of Panama is becoming very expensive.
In addition to the costs of their initial flights out of Panama, the couple has had to rebook flights several times, only for them to be cancelled at the last minute with no refunds.
The government is offering citizens who cannot pay for flights out loans of R50 000, which will have to be paid back at a later stage.
Jonkers says this is an additional expense her parents don’t need, but they are desperate to get home.
“During the lockdown, we (Display Dynamics) have not been operating.
“He has responsibilities as an employer to ensure his employees can get paid.
“They also have personal responsibilities, including house payments and car instalments.
“My parents are law-abiding citizens who pay tax, and now that they need help our government is not there,” says Jonkers.
When Jonkers approached the nearest South African Embassy, in Mexico City, she was told the Republic of Panama is still in total lockdown and people cannot leave the country on commercial flights until the airports are open and international flights start running from Panama to the outside world again.
“The embassy received notification of your parents in Panama.
“They are registered on the list of stranded South Africans in Panama that has been provided to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco).
“The embassy has been informed that work is being done to help these people, along with other South Africans stranded across Central and South America, as soon as possible.
“It is advised that you and your parents monitor the flights that they used to enter Panama and on which they have return tickets to see when they will start to fly again and when they will be landing back in South Africa, once the South African international flight lockdown is lifted.
“The embassy will keep you informed of any further developments related to possible humanitarian flights,” said a statement from the embassy.
Jonkers has not heard from them since.
Dirco did not respond to the Addie’s queries in time for publication.
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