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Lawyer helps homeless man with basic necessities while he waits for identity document

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Shortly before Mandela Day (18 July 2016), the Port Elizabeth Justice Centre of Legal South Africa, was approached by Mr Sotomela (right on the photo), a homeless man, seeking assistance in his battle to obtain a South African identification document from the Department of Home Affairs. Sotomela resorted to seeking legal intervention as the anguish of being unable to exercise his rights and access the benefits that come with citizenship such as finding employment, registering to vote, accessing social grants and housing assistance had become unbearable after being sent from pillar to post for over a year.

He was referred to our Civil Principal Legal Practitioner, Mike Burmeister, who after being moved by his story, decided to assign this matter to himself. Knowing that he could not help to change the position of Mr Sotomela overnight, Mike however grabbed this opportunity to make this his Mandela Day project and not only for 67 minutes. While Mike and his team are working on his matter Mr Sotomela has become a weekly visitor to PE JC, even being offered coffee during his visits. Mike has arranged that while he is still homeless, he is afforded the luxury of having a weekly shower at the justice centre premises, after which Mike provides him with a new shirt/t-shirt and some food on a weekly basis. While Mike’s efforts may not be able to provide Mr Sotomela with a home, it surely keeps alive his dream of living in his own home someday. Port Elizabeth Justice Centre applauds Mike for making every day a Mandela Day.

Port Elizabeth Justice Centre Principal Civil Attorney, Mike Burmeister with Mr Sotomela
Port Elizabeth Justice Centre Principal Civil Attorney, Mike Burmeister with Mr Sotomela

Author: Abongile Tyopo
Website: http://www.legal-aid.co.za

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