A Heartbreaking Story That Leaves South Africa Asking: How Did This Happen?
Read | “She Just Laughed and Said ‘Eldos’…” — The Tragic End of Simone Aweries No One Saw Coming
When Simone Aweries was spotted wandering the dusty streets of Jackson, Eikenhof, visibly confused and talking to herself, it was clear something wasn’t right. The young woman, who could only say “Eldos,” appeared mentally disturbed. She was found — but not rescued. And weeks later, her lifeless body was discovered in the bushes.
Her story is now forcing South Africans to ask difficult questions about mental health, community responsibility, and how we treat the most vulnerable among us.
Community member Lindo Nkosi was the first to intervene.
“She was just standing by the tuckshop, laughing and talking to herself. I took her to my place, helped her clean up, did her hair… tried to make her feel human again,” said Lindo. “She only said she was from Eldos. I posted everywhere — but no one came.”
When Lindo and others mentioned involving the police, Simone panicked and ran. “I chased her, but couldn’t find her again. I tried,” she added.
According to a family member, Simone had a history of leaving home and coming back after a few days. But this time, she had been gone for two full weeks. The family, hoping it was another short disappearance, didn’t realize she was in danger until it was too late.
By the time they saw the posts and went to the mortuary, they were faced with the devastating task of identifying her body.
On 11 June 2024, Simone was laid to rest.
The official post-mortem report states that her cause of death was bronchopneumonia, a serious lung infection. Her aunt previously told Missing Person South Africa that the family couldn’t immediately confirm if she had been sexually assaulted or stabbed, and no official update has been provided since.
Her story initially circulated with claims of sexual assault and possible murder, reflecting the chaos, fear, and lack of clear answers often present in cases like this.
Simone’s story is more than just one case. It’s a window into a silent crisis.
Thousands of mentally disturbed individuals, particularly women, roam the streets with no access to mental healthcare, protection, or family support. South Africa’s overburdened systems often leave them to fend for themselves in dangerous environments like Jackson, where, as Lindo puts it, “Everyone minds their own business.”
According to advocacy groups, South Africa faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals and safe housing for mentally ill individuals.
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🧩 A Broken System or a Broken Society?
While many pointed fingers at the Missing Person South Africa platform, the reality is this: they posted. The community posted. But no intervention followed.
“We are not law enforcement or social workers,” said the page admin. “We raise awareness. It’s up to the authorities and families to take the next step.”
This isn’t just about Simone. It’s about how many more are slipping through the cracks every day, dying quietly, without a name or a story to be remembered by.
🕊️ Final Goodbye
Simone Aweries — once just a face on a blurry photo — has become a symbol of what happens when no one steps in soon enough.
She was found, but she was still lost — to the system, to society, and eventually, to a death that should never have happened.
Let her story remind us all that compassion must lead to action, and that silence can be deadly.
📢 What Can You Do?
- Share Simone’s story
- Demand better mental health care and intervention services
- Hold authorities accountable
- And most of all — don’t look away
#JusticeForSimone, #MentalHealthMatters, #ProtectOurWomen, #SimoneAweries, #SouthAfricaNews, #GenderBasedViolence, #MissingPersonSouthAfrica, #MentalHealthCrisis, #JacksonNews, #StopTheSilence
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