Freed drug mule yearns for family after jail ordeal
Beetge wants to bond with her teen children
WHEN drug mule Tessa Beetge left prison in Brazil, she thought “freedom is actually here”.
She returned to South Africa this week after serving fiveand-a-half years in the Penitenciaria Feminina Da Capital in Sao Paulo.
She was released in February and transferred to a holding cell before deportation.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Beetge said what she missed most was her family. “I have not yet seen my children, but I have spoken to them,” she said.
She has two daughters, who are both in their teens.
“I would need time to bond with them. I have been excited because that is what I’ve been longing for — to come back home to my children, my father, my family and my friends.”
It was a bittersweet homecoming for Beetge because her mother, Marie Swanepoel, who fought for her daughter’s release, died in October last year.
Beetge left South Africa on May 21 2008. She travelled to Colombia and Peru before being arrested in Brazil on June 13. She was in transit to Johannesburg when a 9kg block of cocaine was found in her suitcase at Sao Paulo International Airport.
In 2009, the Sunday Times revealed the involvement of Sheryl Cwele, wife of then-minister of intelligence, Siyabonga Cwele, in Beetge’s case.
Cwele and Nigerian Frank Nabolisa were convicted of recruiting Beetge to smuggle cocaine from South America. On appeal, their sentences were increased from 12 to 20 years.
“My first night after my arrest was very cold and lonely, being in a place that you don’t know and with people who could not speak your lan-
My advice is even if you know you are going to be taking the stuff, rather don’t
guage,” said Beetge.
“People could not comfort me because they did not understand me. When I wanted to get my emotions out and express myself, I could not because they did not understand me.”
She said some of her challenges were trying to relate to different cultures.
“I spent most of my days studying psychology and people’s behaviour. That is something I would like to continue. I like listening and helping people with their problems.”
Her daily routine included making medical equipment and, later, book-keeping.
Beetge said there were times when there were up to four people in a cell meant for two.
“There are many South African prisoners there. My biggest pain is why are these people still continuing to use people for their own greed?
“My advice is even if you know you are going to be taking the stuff, rather don’t because you are not only making yourself suffer, but your loved ones too.
“Grin and bear the situation you are in, even though the situation is bad. Rather be home than away from your loved ones. You could lose your loved ones and never be there to say goodbye. That was something I never expected would happen to me.”
She said she never again wanted to see rice and beans— food she ate twice a day.
“Sometimes we had vegetables. Things did improve from my early days in prison. What I did not eat was the Brazilian delicacy of pigs’ ears.”
Beetge now wants to fight for prisoners’ rights everywhere, not only in Brazil. “I feel you are still human and not an animal.”
After the decision to deport her, she was under the impression that she would be put on the street.
“When I eventually got to the federal police station for the release documents, I was told I am going back into custody. I said I had money and my passport and that I had waited long enough and want to go home.
“I was there just more than a month. That, to me, was punishment — to know that you are free, but unable to speak to your loved ones. I could not call my family to say where I was.
“It was inhumane. I was in the dark. That irritated me. I’m a person who likes to know things and be prepared.”
Beetge said Cwele was her neighbour and at that time she needed a job.
“At the time of my arrest, I was consumed by anger because of the person I trusted. I have a big trust issue with people, but I will overcome it. I have learnt a lot. I have learnt not to just trust anybody.”
She said she had forgiven Cwele and Nabolisa. She wanted to make peace because she wanted to lead a peaceful life.
“If anyone provokes or intimidates me in any way, or my family, I am going to be very sturdy on this. My priority is my family. I don’t want anything happening to them. The protection of my family has always been a priority and will always remain a priority.”
Beetge said it felt “great” to be back home.
“I have to make adjustments. I am trying to stand on my feet.”
On her arrival back home, she said, she felt confused.
“There are situations I don’t like. Emotionally I still need to get myself back into society in South Africa. I need to adjust with myself first and my family. There are things which I am not happy with.”
She said the reason she avoided people at the airport was because of her mother’s advice to trust the people that her mother trusted.
“I am now a stronger and more determined person. I have to adjust to civilisation. Slowly, step by step, with faith in God, every step that I take is with God. I still remain steadfast on that.”
She said she had received offers to tell her story in a book, but needed to readjust to life before she started focusing on projects.
She did not want to talk about her new love interest.