- Samantha Kuthumela says her son has relapsed after two rehab attempts and she blames government corruption for Soweto’s unstoppable drug trade.
- Hlompho, 24, says his addiction comes from pain over never knowing his father and fears leaving the same pain for his children.
Samantha Kuthumela from Soweto says she’s running out of hope after years of trying to save her son from drug addiction.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa at the Tswa Daar drug initiative launched by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Kuthumela said her son has been through two rehabilitation centres, but nothing has worked.
“My son was raised by myself and my parents. He went to good schools and had everything he needed. I even paid for two rehabs but he is not coming right,” she said.
Her 24-year-old son, Hlompho, was sent to study at the University of Cape Town in 2021 to get him away from his drug suppliers – but they found him again.
“He started using crystal meth and became violent. He was suspended and sent to private rehab,” said Kuthumela.
After returning home, he relapsed again. Hlompho says he grew up with love but carries a deep “father wound.”
“My mother and grandparents gave me a good life, but I long for my father. I don’t know him and that pain keeps me using,” he said.
He now has two children of his own and fears they’ll inherit his trauma. “We are a generation born into dysfunction and pain. Dealers track us down to feed their families while we die slowly,” he said.
The Social Development Department’s Khumo Kgomoeswane said Gauteng has the country’s highest crystal meth use – with 76% of users in the province.
Pictured above: The Tswa Daar drug initiative.
Image source: Gauteng Provincial Facebook
