Woman accused of lying about cancer to scam people
Issues public apology
Brenda Beukes has asked for forgiveness, describing herself as a pahtological liar needing help.
The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and its CEO Rolf Hansen, have approached a lawyer to formulate complaints against a Tsumeb woman who has slandered the association and its CEO.
The woman is also accused of having falsely claimed that she has cancer to scam people out of money and donations for several years.
A contentious recent social media post by Brenda Beukes alleged that she had been abandoned by Hansen and left with no food while she was living at CAN's House Acacia in Windhoek as a cancer patient.
She made a public appeal for money to buy food.
Widespread deception
According to Hansen, the matter has been handed over to CAN's attorneys. He said the association has long been aware of the scam by Beukes, who has claimed, at various times, that she had brain, spinal and bone marrow cancer.
"She uses cancer to deceive people," Hansen said.
"People's hearts are so good and they believe it. People have been deceived with thousands of forged pharmacy and doctor's letters and prescriptions," he added.
He said her recent social media post directly involving CAN and his name was a first, however.
He emphasised that there is no evidence whatsoever that she is registered as a cancer patient in Namibia or has ever been admitted to House Acacia.
'A lie'
A Tsumeb businesswoman, who has been involved with CAN for almost three decades and has known Beukes since her teenage years, said she was also approached to help.
"CAN wants to help and does help properly. There is a registration process and procedure and several forms that you need to complete and submit. This includes a doctor's letter and financial statements to qualify for financial aid. I would have sorted everything out for her and sent the forms to her, and then I just never heard from her again. We spent so much time and effort, and it was all a lie," she said.
Plea for forgiveness
In a voicemail, a doctor from the town said he was aware of Beukes using his name to ask for money and donations, "and even going so far as to say it's to pay me. She was at my place, and I asked her directly if she had cancer. On 13 March, she very clearly told me that she does not have cancer," the doctor said.
Meanwhile, Beukes has asked the public and God for forgiveness.
"Hereby, I, Brenda Beukes, wholeheartedly apologise to the public of Namibia, apologising and seeking forgiveness for any and all comments, accusations, and use of CAN and individuals associated with CAN,” she wrote on social media platforms.
She added: "I need help because I am a pathological liar. I acknowledge my guilt and sins, and hereby ask for forgiveness from God and the public of Namibia in order to seek help with my pathological lying personality."
– [email protected]
The woman is also accused of having falsely claimed that she has cancer to scam people out of money and donations for several years.
A contentious recent social media post by Brenda Beukes alleged that she had been abandoned by Hansen and left with no food while she was living at CAN's House Acacia in Windhoek as a cancer patient.
She made a public appeal for money to buy food.
Widespread deception
According to Hansen, the matter has been handed over to CAN's attorneys. He said the association has long been aware of the scam by Beukes, who has claimed, at various times, that she had brain, spinal and bone marrow cancer.
"She uses cancer to deceive people," Hansen said.
"People's hearts are so good and they believe it. People have been deceived with thousands of forged pharmacy and doctor's letters and prescriptions," he added.
He said her recent social media post directly involving CAN and his name was a first, however.
He emphasised that there is no evidence whatsoever that she is registered as a cancer patient in Namibia or has ever been admitted to House Acacia.
'A lie'
A Tsumeb businesswoman, who has been involved with CAN for almost three decades and has known Beukes since her teenage years, said she was also approached to help.
"CAN wants to help and does help properly. There is a registration process and procedure and several forms that you need to complete and submit. This includes a doctor's letter and financial statements to qualify for financial aid. I would have sorted everything out for her and sent the forms to her, and then I just never heard from her again. We spent so much time and effort, and it was all a lie," she said.
Plea for forgiveness
In a voicemail, a doctor from the town said he was aware of Beukes using his name to ask for money and donations, "and even going so far as to say it's to pay me. She was at my place, and I asked her directly if she had cancer. On 13 March, she very clearly told me that she does not have cancer," the doctor said.
Meanwhile, Beukes has asked the public and God for forgiveness.
"Hereby, I, Brenda Beukes, wholeheartedly apologise to the public of Namibia, apologising and seeking forgiveness for any and all comments, accusations, and use of CAN and individuals associated with CAN,” she wrote on social media platforms.
She added: "I need help because I am a pathological liar. I acknowledge my guilt and sins, and hereby ask for forgiveness from God and the public of Namibia in order to seek help with my pathological lying personality."
– [email protected]
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