Bedfordview community fares farewell as Sbu returns to Zimbabwe and Justice finds foster home

Sbu Dube, a familiar figure at the corner of Van Der Linde Road in Bedfordview, left South Africa amid rising tensions and has returned to Zimbabwe, while his three-year-old dog Justice was placed in foster care on July 7, according to The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News).

Quick community response to rehome Justice

According to The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News), an appeal for a foster home for Justice was started on Facebook by volunteer Heidi Bresler. Within three hours Julianne of Pet Au Pair reached out to help, and within 24 hours Carmel (Scruffy to Fluffy Dog Grooming) had been secured as a foster mum.

The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News) reports that the local veterinary practice, BVH, will carry out Justice’s health checks and that he is already booked in for sterilisation, vaccination and a microchip.

Why Sbu left: safety concerns and a family health crisis

The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News) says Sbu messaged on July 4 that rising tensions between immigrants and locals meant it was no longer safe for his family and they needed to leave the country. The report states that vigilante groups and law enforcement were reportedly conducting joint operations in surrounding areas, including door-to-door sweeps targeting foreigners, and that even documented people were not considered safe.

The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News) also reports that Sbu’s wife, Mary, had been hospitalised and underwent surgery on June 19 for an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, during which a fallopian tube was removed. The article says Sbu had been caring for Mary at home while facing growing verbal attacks and safety concerns.

Community fundraising and travel arrangements

As reported by The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News), the Bedfordview community mobilised quickly. Within 13 hours of the appeal they had raised enough for a single bus ticket, a single border fee and transport of belongings; within 24 hours a second bus ticket and border fee were secured.

Sbu’s ties to Bedfordview and his work

According to The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News), Sbu has been at the corner of Van Der Linde Road since 2016. The article recounts that he was born with the name Hardlife and later changed it to Sibusiso. It also reports that he started a welding DIY business in 2007, had his welding tools stolen in 2008, and returned to stand on his Bedfordview corner in 2016.

The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News) notes that Sbu began confronting smash-and-grab perpetrators at the traffic light corner and received support from RAG Security for his efforts to protect people.

Parting words and hopes for the future

On his decision to rehome Justice, Sbu told the media:

“Parting with my dog was a terrible experience. My wife and I were heartbroken; I don’t want to lie. We used to shed tears now and then, since we decided to leave. The dog would even feel the tension sometimes. But I am happy we managed to foster the dog; he is in good hands.”

The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News) reports that Sbu expressed hopes for his return to Zimbabwe: to one day own a welding workshop and run a welding business, establish a hair salon for Mary, send his daughter to university next year, and see his son “become a strong man.”

The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News) also quotes Sbu reflecting on Bedfordview:

“Once I am in my country, I hope the people of Bedfordview may remain safe and stay blessed. I hope for healthier countries, Zimbabwe and South Africa, in that corruption ends and all rotten tomatoes are removed from the basket. I thank the Bedfordview Community for accepting me, understanding who I am and for understanding what’s happening in our lives. People should remember that what happens in life is not the end because this too shall pass.”

What happens next

According to The Citizen (Bedfordview Edenvale News), Justice is now in foster care and scheduled for veterinary procedures at BVH, while Sbu has returned to Zimbabwe with plans he hopes to realise there.