Latest news with #DeKlerk
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Still no arrests after dead newborn found in Winklespruit drain
AN INQUEST is underway, but no one has been arrested or charged after the body of a newborn baby was found in a drain in Winklespruit on July 10. Also read: Foetus discovery draws rehab centre into spotlight again Private investigator Brad Nathanson said a witness saw Tetelestai Recovery Centre (TRC) owner, Donovan de Klerk, allegedly discarding something inside a roadside drain, which later turned out to be CCTV equipment and a blue plastic bag which contained the baby. The witness reportedly filmed the contents of the drain and retrieved the items. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the discovery and said no arrests have been made. De Klerk referred media enquiries to his attorney, Wesley Rogers, who denied his client's involvement. 'My client is not linked to this in any way whatsoever. We have confirmed that the foetus issue is an inquest docket and De Klerk is not a suspect. Reports otherwise are false and defamatory,' said Rogers. Also read: Mystery of Mooi Hawens body unfolds Situated at Beach Road, TRC is a rehabilitation facility for those struggling with substance and behavioural addictions. It has been in the spotlight recently following the murder of patient Luke Edwards, who was found dead in April on the premises of a nearby old-age home. Four TRC patients were arrested and charged with murder earlier this month. They are out on bail and are expected back in court on August 19. Nathanson has appealed to anyone with information regarding the identity of the newborn's mother to come forward. All information will be treated confidentially. Tip-offs can be reported to the police on 10111 or directly to Nathanson on 083 250 2007 or via email at [email protected]. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Caring for your pelvic floor is a guy thing, too.
An expert said focused physiotherapy can play a big part in recovery. Pelvic floor dysfunction is not just a women's health issue. It's a guy thing, too, and for many men, it is the cause of pain, embarrassment, and an unwanted segue from normal life. It can mean challenges in the bedroom, a surprise and unwanted bit of leakage with a sneeze and a cough or a slow, exhausting recovery after prostate surgery. Pelvic floor physiotherapy has traditionally been an environment for or at least a treatment for women. Dr Lisa Kaestner, a urologist at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, said that it is helpful for post-prostatectomy incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain in men. But it's not really at the top of any man's health-awareness chart. 'There's a lack of awareness and not enough pelvic floor physiotherapists comfortable treating men,' she said. 'And rehab like this is not well funded in most South African healthcare settings, which makes it a personal expense many cannot afford.' This is probably why many guys say nothing, do nothing, and just suffer in silence. Men stay silent John De Klerk, a physiotherapist with a special interest in pelvic rehabilitation, said the entire concept has roots in women's medicine. 'Pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegels, were initially developed for women by Dr Arnold Kegel,' he said. 'The research focused on women's reproductive health, especially for incontinence during and after pregnancy.' The same principles have been found effective for men with certain pelvic dysfunctions. But that does not mean the conversation is easy. 'To speak about a problem in a sensitive and private area, it must be brought out from the darkness of ambiguity,' De Klerk said. There is no single symptom that exclusively points to the challenge. Kaestner said it can range from incontinence to sexual issues and chronic pelvic pain. 'The back, the prostate, the pelvis, the pelvic floor are not separate entities,' she said. 'They are interrelated; even bowel function is part of the equation.' De Klerk unpacked it more. 'Overactive pelvic floor symptoms include difficulty initiating urination or defecation and pain during sexual function,' he said. 'Underactive symptoms relate to incontinence and excess flatulence. Then there's uncoordinated pelvic floors, which involve timing and control issues.' ALSO READ: Why Gen Z fears phones Men recovering from prostate surgery are particularly vulnerable, Kaestner said 'Pelvic floor physiotherapy can speed up recovery to continence after radical prostatectomy,' she said. Physiotherapy helps fix male pelvic floor issues De Klerk said focused physiotherapy can play a big part in recovery. 'Physiotherapy aims to improve modifiable factors of recovery,' he said. 'That includes urinary control, pain management, and longer-term erectile function recovery.' It is not just about exercise, though, he noted. 'We clear up misconceptions, explain the process, modify lifestyle factors like alcohol and caffeine use, and tailor a plan unique to each person,' he said. 'Training involves strengthening neural pathways to form new habits. In plain English, to prepare men in bracing the pelvis in times of need with better timing than Cheslin Kolbe in a World Cup kick-charge-down.' It remains a sensitive topic, though, and a reluctance to seek help is endemic. 'Pelvic floor physiotherapy is awkward and uncomfortable because it is incredibly intrusive,' said Kaestner. 'The key is to explain why it's needed and how it helps. Many men just need someone to open the door slightly. If they want to talk, they'll take that gap.' De Klerk agreed. 'Fewer men are embarrassed as much as they are afraid of the unknown,' he said. 'We meet them where they are, reassure them, and give them control of the process. The patient is in the driver's seat. We just navigate.' It's not just about doing Kegels. 'It starts with consent and a conversation,' said De Klerk. But don't do this at home, yourself, he warned the guys. Hypertonicity, or over-tightening, can occur. 'More men are trying to self-diagnose with apps and online videos,' he said. 'That can lead to more harm than help. Knowledge is not wisdom. A breadknife and a scalpel both cut, but one is made for the job.' Impacts sexual health Sexual health is, of course, a big driver for men to finally take some action. It's also a big taboo courtesy of society. Kaestner said that she found men do want to talk about stuff, but they do not always receive a safe space wherein to do so. As for the first step, De Klerk suggested a visit to a physio, GP or urologist. 'It is a great place to start. In the right clinical setting, pelvic rehab is a practical and evidence-based service. And don't be afraid, because there is hope, and there is no shame.' NOW READ: Feeling fine? Think again – Why annual check-ups are a must.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- The Citizen
Rehab or cult? Ex-patients look towards collective civil case
Locals claimed online that the centre is 'not a rehab but something sinister". Following The Citizen's investigation and article on Tetelestai Recovery Centre (TRC), a string of disturbing allegations has emerged online, with more former patients and community members accusing the facility of abuse, financial exploitation and psychological manipulation disguised as treatment. TRC owner accused of major abuse and manipulation One account described how a young man was allegedly sent to the centre for a minor addiction to cigarettes and, after being caught smoking, was locked in a cell 'no bigger than a toilet'. He was reportedly forced to scrub the small space with a brush for hours each day as punishment. Locals claimed online that the centre is 'not a rehab but something sinister', with rumours of other illegal activities linked to the property mulled by concerned people. Another former patient alleged he was humiliated and made to sit in one spot from 6am until 9pm, digging a hole with a teaspoon for three weeks, exactly as witnesses had told The Citizen. He claimed a volunteer at the facility called him a racial slur too nasty to print and stole R7 000 in cash. He has rallied a group of witnesses who say they are willing to testify to anyone about what really goes on inside. ALSO READ: Tetelestai Recovery Centre founder denies abuse claims Calls for an investigation into rehab Calls for police intervention have grown louder, with some urging victims to lay formal charges. More serious accusations have been made by others, who claim they were trapped in the centre against their will. One woman, who claimed she escaped after a week despite paying six months' fees upfront, described De Klerk as 'a manipulator' who uses religion as a weapon to break people down, rather than help them heal. She accused him of unethical and abusive practices, including shaming patients with religious teachings, refusing to let them leave and exploiting families for financial gain by prolonging stays. She also alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour. De Klerk denied this previously. Others alleged the owner routinely vilified patients, telling them they were 'monsters' undeserving of forgiveness. Alleged racial slurs, forced isolation and public humiliation were repeatedly mentioned. Community members have called for the facility to be shut down, while those affected are urging others to come forward to build a collective civil and criminal case. Many victims insist the facility operates more like a punitive cult than a rehabilitation centre, preying on vulnerable families desperate for help. Brad Nathanson, retained by the Edwards' family to investigate the circumstances of Luke Edwards' death at, or because of, treatment at TRC, said that nothing shocks him any more about De Klerk and his attorney. 'This is in keeping with everything I have been told by so many about him and his God complex. You can't make this up, and why would anybody do so? I am repulsed,' said Nathanson. READ NEXT: Newborn baby found dumped in storm drain in Ekurhuleni
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Hawke's Bay Shares Cyclone Silt, Slash Lessons With Flood-hit Tasman
The head of the silt removal programme after Cyclone Gabrielle is drawing 'eerie' similarities with Nelson Tasman floods. The head of the $228 million silt removal programme after Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay is drawing 'eerie' similarities with Nelson Tasman region, as the flood-hit areas look ahead to their own recovery. Communities across the top of the South Island were facing millions of dollars worth of damage to roading infrastructure, farmland and properties, following the two recent floods that struck the area within a two week period, from late June. Riverside properties in Tasman were grappling with woody debris, silt and waste strewn across their properties. Cyclone Gabrielle smashed Aotearoa in February 2023 with a force of heavy rain which caused flooding damaging infrastructure, properties and land on the North Island's East Coast. Twelve people died during the natural disaster. Large amounts of silt, forestry slash and waste were swept across the whenua, prompting councils across Hawke's Bay to set up an immediate regional taskforce to deal with the material. Taskforce lead Darren de Klerk said watching the news, there were similar scenes in Tasman as there were in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti following the cyclone. 'It's quite an eerie similarity, I think when you look at some of the woody debris and some of the silt and mixed product that we had to deal with,' he said. 'Obviously, productive land is another similarity in the fact that a lot of the highly productive horticulture and viticulture land has been infected.' De Klerk said after an emergency, the early stages of recovery were usually shrouded in uncertainty. 'In the early days, anyone dealing with this will find it quite overwhelming,' he said. 'Firstly, it's just understanding the level of involvement that either Civil Defence or the council has in this recovery.' De Klerk said it broke Hawke's Bay up into six zones, triaged properties by severity, and then mapped out sorting and disposal sites, in efforts to 'chomp the elephant' one bit at a time. Since its beginning, the team moved more than 2.5 million cubic metres of silt across more than 1100 properties, returning around 7000 hectares of land to productivity. It cleared one million cubic metres of woody debris across the coastline and rivers, and sorted through 12,500 broken orchard and vineyard posts. He said in Hawke's Bay, councils had to 'take a leap' to support their communities, before the first round of government funding was announced several months after the event, in May 2023. 'Essentially, you don't have a rule book,' he said. 'From a community point of view, I can guarantee you the people behind the scenes are working as absolutely as hard as they possibly can to find solutions.' He said it was working with Tasman officials to share insights and avoid 're-inventing the wheel'. 'One of the biggest probably learning is just how you manage your contractor army,' de Klerk said. 'Having a standby list of contractors available, so you're not having to work through the procurement and contracting of suppliers in the heat of the recovery phase. 'My thoughts are with them and they'll be trying their absolute best.' De Klerk said the work must be methodical, and open communication with locals was vital. He was now working for the Hastings District Council on its ongoing water and roading infrastructure cyclone recovery.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Hawke's Bay Shares Cyclone Silt, Slash Lessons With Flood-hit Tasman
The head of the $228 million silt removal programme after Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay is drawing "eerie" similarities with Nelson Tasman region, as the flood-hit areas look ahead to their own recovery. Communities across the top of the South Island were facing millions of dollars worth of damage to roading infrastructure, farmland and properties, following the two recent floods that struck the area within a two week period, from late June. Riverside properties in Tasman were grappling with woody debris, silt and waste strewn across their properties. Cyclone Gabrielle smashed Aotearoa in February 2023 with a force of heavy rain which caused flooding damaging infrastructure, properties and land on the North Island's East Coast. Twelve people died during the natural disaster. Large amounts of silt, forestry slash and waste were swept across the whenua, prompting councils across Hawke's Bay to set up an immediate regional taskforce to deal with the material. Taskforce lead Darren de Klerk said watching the news, there were similar scenes in Tasman as there were in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti following the cyclone. "It's quite an eerie similarity, I think when you look at some of the woody debris and some of the silt and mixed product that we had to deal with," he said. "Obviously, productive land is another similarity in the fact that a lot of the highly productive horticulture and viticulture land has been infected." De Klerk said after an emergency, the early stages of recovery were usually shrouded in uncertainty. "In the early days, anyone dealing with this will find it quite overwhelming," he said. "Firstly, it's just understanding the level of involvement that either Civil Defence or the council has in this recovery." De Klerk said it broke Hawke's Bay up into six zones, triaged properties by severity, and then mapped out sorting and disposal sites, in efforts to "chomp the elephant" one bit at a time. Since its beginning, the team moved more than 2.5 million cubic metres of silt across more than 1100 properties, returning around 7000 hectares of land to productivity. It cleared one million cubic metres of woody debris across the coastline and rivers, and sorted through 12,500 broken orchard and vineyard posts. He said in Hawke's Bay, councils had to "take a leap" to support their communities, before the first round of government funding was announced several months after the event, in May 2023. "Essentially, you don't have a rule book," he said. "From a community point of view, I can guarantee you the people behind the scenes are working as absolutely as hard as they possibly can to find solutions." He said it was working with Tasman officials to share insights and avoid "re-inventing the wheel". "One of the biggest probably learning is just how you manage your contractor army," de Klerk said. "Having a standby list of contractors available, so you're not having to work through the procurement and contracting of suppliers in the heat of the recovery phase. "My thoughts are with them and they'll be trying their absolute best." De Klerk said the work must be methodical, and open communication with locals was vital. He was now working for the Hastings District Council on its ongoing water and roading infrastructure cyclone recovery.
