Elanie Kruger - From Playground to Prostitute: Based on a true story of salvation

From Playground to Prostitute

Based on a true story of salvation

Elanie Kruger

with Jaco Hough-Coetzee

Foreword by Hykie Berg

DELTA PUBLISHERS

Johannesburg & Cape Town

To all the victims of human trafficking

there is hope, there is healing and the shackles

will be undone you are not alone.

Foreword

H aving heard about Elanie Kruger in 2012, I contacted her and we agreed to meet at a restaurant in Randburg. At the time I was closely involved with PSARU (People Search and Rescue Unit), an organisation that locates and returns missing children and adults, some of them victims of human trafficking. I was curious to hear Elanies story, and could not believe what I heard as it unfolded. The picture she painted didnt agree with the gentle figure sitting opposite me. Her story would make anyones hair stand on end, and this nightmare of an experience would be seared into her memory, I soon realised. It is amazing that she survived it all.

Later, I would get to know another side to her: her burning passion not only to help victims of human trafficking but also to be proactive and keep others from falling into the same trap. She is utterly committed to putting a stop to this evil.

We became friends, and together gave numerous talks at various venues across the country to create an awareness of human trafficking. She tells her story honestly and with an open mind, something few people will be prepared for. Today Elanie Kruger isnt scared any more: she is fearless and unwavering in the task she has set herself.

She also means a lot to PSARU something the team and I are very grateful for.

People might get the impression that she is tough and thick-skinned, yet shes just like any other girl somebody with a heart filled with dreams. A girl is still a girl.

Elanies story is told in riveting fashion by Jaco Hough-Coetzee. The story of a brave and fearless woman whose undaunted obedience to God, combined with an unselfish service to the community, is the driving force that helps her make a difference in the lives of the victims of this heinous crime.

Hykie Berg

www.hykieberg.com

Part one

Into darkness

One

T he peak-hour traffic exiting the city centre cruises slowly from traffic light to traffic light. Its raining softly. Pieter and Engela are driving in the opposite direction down Church Street, from Oranjesig towards town.

Its Friday, 15 October 1993, and the weekend has arrived! chatters Jaco de Wet on the car radio. The weather service predicts a gloomy and wet weekend for Bloemfontein, but the sounds of Radio Oranje will keep things cosy. So, lets get going with Billy Joels latest hit single, The River of Dreams.

Engela hums along to the song. She is in a happy mood because shes on her way to her first job. Every now and then, Pieters eyes wander over the sixteen-year-old passenger next to him. Shes bloody attractive, he thinks. Shes wearing tight jeans that accentuate her long legs. The curves under her red blouse confirm her transition from teenager to young woman. Engela looks at him and smiles. He smiles rigidly, quickly shifts his eyes back to the road and changes to third gear. Inside him two voices are arguing: No, Pieter, its wrong what youre doing, says one. Shes a human being. To hell with that, the second voice invades his thoughts. She has done it, after all. Her brother told him. She knows all too well how to do it. Again, the first voice: No, Pieter. No! Pieter suddenly hesitates. He slows the vehicle down and steers into the left lane. Do you have a choice, Pieter? Another solution? No, Pieter, you dont. Do it and be done!

Whats wrong? Engela wants to know.

Nothing. Just careful because of the rain.

* * *

Six months ago Pieter discovered, through a classified advertisement in Volksblad , the Lady Femm club in Bloemfonteins city centre, on the corner of Oos Burger and Charles streets. The entrance fee was steep, a full R100, but so what, he thought. It was his twenty-fourth birthday; he was alone and didnt want to be. Why not splash out a little? Its only once a year, he convinced himself. That evening Pieter found himself sitting at the bar counter, sipping on a brandy and Coke, and staring at the enticing goods delightfully on display under the girls tight, skimpy garments. A girl with big blue eyes sat down next to him. Jacky, she introduced herself and crossed her legs in his direction.

He offers a hand. Pieter. Pleased to meet you.

First time, right? I always remember a handsome face when I see one, she says and caresses his cheek. Jacky is a few years older than him.

Pieter feels the excitement stirring between his legs no one has ever called him handsome. Well, yes. My first time. I am kind of busy with my my business ventures, he apologises half-heartedly. Can hardly find the time to go out.

Really? she asks playfully. So, if I may ask, Pete, what do you do that keeps you so busy?

Pieter takes two quick gulps from his brandy and Coke. Now you have to think carefully, Pieter, flashes through his brain. Now you have to think very carefully! Admitting youre a mechanic wont cut it in this place. He glances at the other men; they all seem to be high-profile guys. Some in suits, others in expensive designer clothes. Pieter is relieved hes wearing his best outfit for a night on the town, yet his denims and T-shirt are no match.

Imports, he says, unnecessarily loudly. Anything. Especially from Europe. He doesnt notice the guy behind the bar counter suddenly show an interest in him.

Jacky leans into him, confidingly: Then you will feel right at home, Pete. The chaps hanging out here are all successful businessmen. Just like yourself. Her eyes glide across the room. Doctors, attorneys, architects, business owners, city councillors. Those types, you know.

Yes, like I said, I am rather busy. In fact, there is this major transaction in China waiting.

Then we will have to spend your precious time properly tonight, Jacky coos in his ear. A breast brushes against his arm. Call me over when youre up for a little fun.

She gets up and walks over to the pool table on the other side of the bar. He orders a fourth drink. Damn, he thinks, Im in the right place. Guys with big money hang out in this joint. Guys with connections and needs. Guys you have to befriend if you want to do something with your life and start your own business. He decides he has to come back to build up his contacts. After all, its not who you are, but who you know. The only problem is, on his R1 500 monthly salary from Nicks Auto Repairs he cant exactly afford to hang out with these big shots. A man sits next to him and introduces himself as Steve. I believe youre in imports? Pieter nods.

Interesting. Like what?

The four doubles have turned Pieter into a big man by now. A clever man. A man with a vision. Anything, he responds. Dirt cheap and without any annoying paperwork. And of course the Receiver neednt know about any of these transactions, he winks.

Steve observes the man in front of him, in his jeans and white T-shirt. But why havent I heard about you? Bloemfontein is a small town, as you know.

Because I work undercover, Pieter retorts. Hes been expecting this one, after all.

Youre not bullshitting me, right?

Pieter shakes his head, lights a cigarette nonchalantly and takes another sip of his drink. His smile is all confidence. No, not lying, the smile proclaims. Okay, maybe a little, he thinks, but they dont need to know that. His massive import business and all his contracts are still only a dream, but he needs customers to make them a reality. And here they are, sitting right in front of him. The guys with the money.

Steve clinks Pieters glass. Well chat again if we see each other again.

Steve disappears somewhere in the club and Pieter remains at the bar counter, alone. Damn, I was good, he thinks. One of these days he wont be buried in oily engines any more.