The PSD’s story shows twist after twist. The CSO has been involved with the decrepit wreck, now anchored in the Durban harbour, for almost half a decade. Conditions on board are inhumane and terrible. Two Indian crew members, Mahesh* and Arjun*, try to survive on a ship without basic necessities such as electricity and water. A sporadic charitable payment by the owner is way too little and charity from others keeps the two men alive.  

They are not the first two men on board. Time and time again another hopeful new face, reflecting big dreams, arrives on the quay from India or Pakistan, only to find out it was a lie. They were conned and they become immediate captives. Going home is not an option. They have nothing and therefore no other choice - they have to stay. Long, extended legal processes, driven by organisations such as the CSO, finally become their only lifelines to create possible escape from exile.      

Time and time again the new faced tell that they paid their agents up to U$4000 for work on a ship. It is blood money - human trade! They would have had to borrow the money from somewhere, planning to repay the loan once on board the ship. In some cases they mortgage the parents’ small piece of land - an act that could uproot and destroy a family completely. A whole family’s dreams and hopes vest in the seaman and they are willing to risk everything they have to secure a better future.    

Last week, Chris visits the ship again. Their mobile chargers were left in the care of the security personnel at the gate. By now Chris knows the security staff by name and the men report that the two have been gone for a few days. Chris turns detective and finally gets in contact with a previous crew member. He reports that the two are in jail.  

Chris’ search leads him from the Durban Central Police Station to other possibilities. It seems that one of the men was there, but he had to appear in court. Chris follows the crumbs to the Westville Prison.  Finally he finds them in jail in Umzinto. One of them had been found guilty and already serves a year’s sentence. It had to do with their immigration documents. The case of the second man was postponed to find an interpreter. He stands dejected and disillusioned in court. How did things deteriorate to this point? Chris can only hope that he would be deported, but fears a similar lot as that of his friend.     

Meanwhile Chris is all that they have here in South Africa. Just as the CSO has been caring for years, looking after seamen that are being exploited mercilessly, Chris will do everything in his power to get them out from behind bars. He will continue to support them unconditionally, with the love and hope that we learn from the Man of the Cross.     

Your donation is a lifeline for Mahesh and Arjun. Do not underestimate the value of that. Thank you so much for strengthening our hands to look after those that some consider the least of the least.    

EFT:  Christelike Seemansorganisasie. ABSA Bank. Current. 1520-230-226.