Living from hand to mouth
JOE Toneeti has been living in his car since his eviction.
The 58-year-old unemployed carpenter initially lived with a neighbour, but staying in cramped quarters become difficult and he moved into his blue VW Fox
“When I was evicted, my wife left to live with her sisters. My son moved to the Eastern Cape and my daughter and granddaughter moved in with my mom, who is a pensioner.
“I could not move in with my mother as my brother, who was also evicted, moved in with her in Galway (Mayville) and that house is also packed to capacity. I have had no choice but to live in my car.”
Toneeti, who parks at the Saint John’s Church parking lot or the Asherville Swimming Pool during the day, lives from hand to mouth.
He said he returned to his property twice a day to feed his German Shepherd. His voice quivers when he recalls his other beloved pet that died.
“When I left I had two dogs and one day, when I went home to feed them I saw my Jack Russel lying stiff on the floor. I don’t know what happened and now my German Shepherd is alone. I spend as much time as I can with him and feed him before I leave. I have considered giving him up, but he is the only thing I have that brings me happiness.”
Toneeti said he was unable to find work. “Over the past seven months, I have only managed to find 19 hours of work.”
He said he bathes and eats at either his mom’s, or former neighbour’s, home, and hoped to get his life back on track.
“All my belongings are lying outside. I am living like a pauper – sleeping in my car in random places, praying for a proper place to stay.”
He said his mother, a pensioner, gave him what little money she could part with for petrol and food for his dog.
“This is taking a toll on my health and that of my dog. He is losing weight.
“I just want to rebuild my life,” Toneeti said.
“The government is supposed to help us, but does nothing for us.”