Beggar’s mum tells sad story
The mother of the beggar killed in Empangeni last week, speaks about her son and his journey
How does an intelligent young man, brought up in a loving home, end up a dead tramp on the city streets?
Cindy Crouse, mother of the beggar tragically killed in Empangeni’s main road last week, shed some light on why Raymond Charles Croft ended up down-and-out.
‘Raymond was an intelligent man who had a good job and led a normal life until September last year when he was involved in a motorbike accident’. Owing to his injuries Raymond was declared unfit to work on machinery and lost his job.
‘He suffered from bad seizures and was also on high blood pressure medication’ said Cindy, sadly.
‘But he met a woman, fell in love, and moved to Durban to marry her.
‘Things did not work out and he moved back to Zululand but unfortunately made a choice to stay with friends instead of with me.’
‘After a few weeks the friends kicked him out and that is when he ended up staying on the streets.’
Even though he refused to return home, he visited his mum regularly and would sit and tell her stories of how his life on the streets.
He said he earned between R20 and R30 a day, mostly from the black community, and was regularly beaten up by gangs.
Cindy tried to encourage him to change his life but allowed him to continue living that way in the hope that he would learn a lesson and turn over a new leaf.
After recognising Raymond’s bag and blanket from the picture published by the Zululand Observer, Cindy was shocked to realize that her son was dead.
‘It was his time to go, and I am glad in the fact that his death was quick.
‘My son did not suffer and I did not have to go looking for his body’ she said.
This is so sad thoughts are with his mum may his soul rest in peace
that is not good,,and so sad and that is how life is, ups and downs and then we die,
Its a sad reality… I am sure you are rejoicing in heaven with your brother.
‘After a few weeks the friends kicked him out”… What a load of rubbish!!! These same “friends” were not friends at all as mentioned. It was good hearted people who took Raymond in and gave him a roof over his head and put food in his stomach…and not for just a few weeks…try months! I am not going to go into details of what these “friends” went through, but…There are ALWAYS two sides to every story! I hope Raymond is in a better place. It is tragic that he lost his life. I urge the ZO to please investigate matters before printing statements like this without speaking to the other party first.