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Piet 'being held like a prisoner'
20/04/2007 08:03 - (SA)
Melvin Whitebooi
Cape Town - Marcelle Adams, ex-lover of former NP minister Dr Piet Koornhof, and her children apparently miss Oom Piet like crazy.
But the Koornhof family have allegedly refused them any contact with him.
Marcelle's present lover, Fritz Cherdron, a wealthy German businessman and pilot, said they have been trying to contact Koornhof for the past 18 months.
Chredron says: "Piet is being held like a prisoner in a tiny room in an awful place called an old-age home.
"Few people know this, but Piet and I are buddies. There were never any hard feelings between us because of Marcelle.
"When I visited Cape Town, I always took him and Marcelle out. Piet and I also went out on our own more than a few times.
"Each time I came to visit, I would bring him chocolates and cigars. We always spoke to one another with mutual respect," Cherdron said.
'Humiliating' treatment
"Marcelle went to visit him last August, September, but his sons did not allow her to see him. However, she was able to visit Piet in the old-age home.
"She was shocked at the situation. The nurses treated him with no respect, saying in front of her and other people: 'Come Dr Koornhof, we have to change your nappy.'"
"Marcelle viewed this as humiliating. When she said something, she was kicked out of the home.
"Marcelle and her children have always tried to keep in touch with Piet.
"Look, when Piet returned to his wife Lulu, he only stayed there for two weeks. Then he was taken to that old-age home.
"It's impossible to contact him there. He is completely cut off from us. If we call and ask the receptionist to give the phone to Piet, she simply says that it is not allowed.
"We pleaded with his one son, Gerhard that we would like to see him. He didn't even bother to get back to us," Cherdron said.
Sometimes very sick
"We've heard that Piet is being held like a prisoner. People have called us in Bad Endorf in Germany from Stellenbosch about Piet.
"We have the right to find out whether Piet is living out his life in decent circumstances.
"His other son, Johan, talks to us in circles. He told us that he doesn't want us to see his father.
"We know Piet is sometimes very sick, but we believe it's because of the medication. His mind is still as sharp as ever.
"From the outside that home looks like a jail, and inside it is a jail."
"This time I brought photos of the children as well as letters. But is seems I will be returning with those letters and photos," said Cherdron.
No comment
The head of the Stellenoord Care Centre refused to speak to Cape S*n.
"I have nothing to say," said a Sister Viljoen.
At Johan Koornhof's house, Cape S*n couldn't get past the maid who refused to let us speak to him.
She also refused to give him the message and told us that she would make sure he didn't call us back.
- Kaapse Son
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