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Robbed epileptic pensioner reimbursed

AFTER trying to commit suicide three times, 72-year-old Yvonne Macklin said she has every reason to live after KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Meshack Radebe came to her rescue.

Macklin, an epileptic who is confined to a wheelchair, was robbed minutes after receiving her monthly pension at the Bluff post office last month. She said she felt so distraught that she wanted "to die".

Radebe cancelled Macklin's stolen card and reimbursed her pension money.

"I was deeply distressed," Macklin said. "Then last night burglars tried to break into my room to rob me again.

"I'm also due for a knee operation soon. I decided to die because I could not take the pain of everything that was happening to me."

Brigette Knight, who takes care of Macklin, said she caught her trying to pop more than 90 Rivotril tablets - a schedule five prescription.

"We are here to help you," Radebe told Macklin.

Radebe later stopped over at one of Durban's busiest shelters for abandoned babies - Shepherds Keep - on the Bluff. The home was founded in 1998 by Colin and Cheryl Pratley.

No sooner had Radebe sat down with two of the babies than he decided he would adopt them.

"I'm going to adopt these two little girls. I will also take out education policies for them," he said.

Asked if he had informed his wife about the important decision to adopt the four-month-old babies, Radebe said: "I will tell her that we must come and see the babies. I will also follow the legal process of adopting these two babies."

But according to the Pratleys adopting a baby is a long process that requires prospective parents to bond with the babies before the process can be finalised

Cheryl Prately said yesterday's visit was the first time a government department had taken an interest in Shepherds Keep's work.

The home can care for up to 60 babies. At present 10 babies are housed at the shelter, waiting for parents.

"It costs about R5000 a month to care for one baby and that's about R100000 a month to run this place," Cheryl said.

She added that most of the babies were abandoned in the notorious Point Road, a known haven for Durban's prostitutes and street kids.

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