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ELEKTRONIESE BEDIENING: JY WORD DEUR GOD BESKERM
Pastoor Koot Swanepoel (082-041-9123)
Psalm 91:1 NLV: “.. Hy wat woon in die skuilplek van die Allerhoogste, sal rus in die skadu van die Almagtige..” (5) “.. Hy sal jou oordek met Sy vere, en onder Sy vlerke sal jy skuil..”
Tydens die Tweede Wêreldoorlog het Brittanje skuilings teen lugaanvalle gebou. Daar was dikwels verskeie sulke skuilings in een straat. 'n Pastoor vertel hoe hy in so 'n skuiling gestaan het terwyl die bomme om hulle geval het. Hy het na die man langs hom gedraai en gevra: “Hoekom is hierdie skuiling altyd so oorvol, terwyl die ander amper leeg is?”
Die man het geantwoord: “Pastoor, ons almal weet dat jy 'n man van God is. As God enigiemand gaan red, gaan dit heel waarskynlik vir jou wees. Dis hoekom ons in hierdie skuiling is.”
Toe hy later daaroor nadink, het die pastoor gesê: “Baie van hierdie mense het nie kerk bygewoon nie en die naam van Jesus was in hul woordeskat 'n vloekwoord. Hulle wou Sy beskerming hê, maar nie Sy heerskappy nie.” Weier om so te lewe! Wy jou lewe aan God toe en geniet vier-en-twintig uur, sewe dae 'n week, twee-en-vyftig weke 'n jaar, vir jou hele lewe, Sy beskerming.
“Hy wat woon in die skuilplek van die Allerhoogste, sal rus in die skadu van die Almagtige. Ek sal vir die Here sê: “U is my toevlug en my vesting, my God op wie ek vertrou.”
Verseker sal Hy jou red... Hy sal jou oordek met Sy vere, en onder Sy vlerke sal jy skuil... Jy sal nie bang wees vir die skrik van die nag, of die gevare van die dag; vir die plaag wat in die donker bekruip, of die ramp wat teen die middag verwoes nie. “Al sou duisend langs jou val, of tienduisend om jou sterf, naby jou sal dit nie kom nie” (Psalm 91:1-7 NLV).
Seen groete.
Koot Swanepoel.
082 041 9123
Our front cover takes us back to the Second World War – the role of the 6 SA Armoured Division. Brig JR Palmer (later Commissioner of the SA Police) was one of the Brigadiers in 6 SAA Div.
Maj-Gen Evert Poole
Lt-Col WS Marshall (SANDF – Ret) is the author of the series.
• Welkom
WELCOME & FOREWORD | VOORWOORD & WELKOM
Hennie Heymans
Baie welkom by die September-maand uitgawe van die Nongqai, ons geniet heerlike weer in Pretoria.
• Siekparade
Kol Logan Govender is siek. Dr Willem Steenkamp is ook baie siek gewees – hy is oppad na herstel ... Sarie van Niekerk is tans siek in die bed. Ek was drie weke siek met griep en intussen het ek ‘n oogoperasie op 9 September 2024 gehad. Ek het vandag eers ‘n bril kon kry na ‘n oogtoets. My tweede oog word 21 Oktober 2024 geopereer. Sig is ‘n wonderlike gawe! Verskoon asseblkief alle tikfoute.
• Outeurs en fotograwe
Met elke uitgawe voel ek: “Dit was ‘n besondere uitgawe!” Ek staan verstom oor die gehalte artikels, berigte en foto’s wat ons ontvang.
Ons hartlike dank aan al die outeurs van artikels en ons fotograwe wat hul foto’s met ons gedeel het om hierdie uitgawe weereens iets besonders te maak.
Ons NI-verteenwoordiger het gevra dat hierdie maand se uitgawe vroeër in die Maand sal sak. Ons voldoen graag aan sy versoek.
• Erfenisfeesdag: Henning van Aswegen
Die jaarlikse Erfenisfeesdag is op 24 September by die Voortrekker Monument; 'n viering van ons geskiedenis, taal en kultuur. Redakteur sê: "die lekkerste werk is spanwerk" en Nongqai gooi sy aansienlike gewig agter die FAK en ATKV in om die Erfenisfees bekend te stel en ondersteun. Henk Maree & Zieg van Huyssteen, organiseerders van Erfenisdag en vriende van Nongqai, en ons help deur propaganda vir die Voortrekkermonument en FAK te maak. Zieg sê verlede jaar het 3000 Afrikaners die fees bygewoon, hierdie jaar se mikpunt 5000!
TROU TOT DIE DOOD TOE: TRANSKEI AMPER BINNEGEVAL
Reeks deur genl JV van der Merwe
IN 1993 het die Suid-Afrikaanse regering al hoe meer probleme met die regering van genl. Bantu Holomisa van Transkei ondervind. Betroubare inligting het daarop gedui dat hy lede van Apla, die militêre vleuel van die Pan Africanist Congress, in sy land huisves. Dit het ʼn groot bedreiging vir Suid-Afrika se veiligheid ingehou.
Lede van die veiligheidsmagte en inligtingsgemeenskap het onder leiding van mnr. Kobie Coetsee vergader om die toestand in Transkei te oorweeg. Mnr. Coetsee was toe Minister van Justisie sowel as van Verdediging. Ek en brig. André Pruis het die vergadering bygewoon. Brig. Pruis was op hoofkantoor betrokke by die oorskakeling na ’n nuwe polisiediens. Hy het later adjunk-nasionale kommissaris, operasionele dienste, van die nuwe Polisiediens geword.
Tydens die samesprekinge is besluit dat Suid-Afrika die situasie op drie maniere kon hanteer:
• Ten eerste kon die Transkei-regering deur diplomatieke samesprekinge tot ander insigte gebring word;
• Ten tweede kon die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag militêr in Transkei ingryp en die regering oorneem. In so ʼn geval sou die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie wet en orde handhaaf. Daar is ook besluit dat die Polisie ʼn generaal beskikbaar sou stel om die Weermag in so ʼn geval te vergesel;
• Ten slotte kon die status quo gehandhaaf word.
Vanweë dringende verpligtinge moes ek my aan die samesprekinge onttrek voordat ’n besluit geneem is. Brig. Pruis het die Polisie verder by die samesprekinge verteenwoordig.
Ek het brig. Pruis die volgende oggend by my aankoms op kantoor in die H.F. Verwoerdgebou in Kaapstad gebel om te hoor wat die vergadering besluit het. Hy het my ingelig dat besluit is om die status quo te handhaaf. Kort daarna het ek ʼn oproep van genl. Kat Liebenberg, hoof van die Weermag, ontvang. Hy wou ontsteld weet waar die SA Polisie se generaal is wat hulle na Transkei moet vergesel. Toe ek verbaas wou weet waarom, verduidelik hy dat die vergadering besluit het om militêr in Transkei in te gryp en dat die Weermag reeds op pad is daarheen. Ek het hom ingelig dat dit lynreg in stryd is met wat brig. Pruis my vertel het. Genl. Liebenberg was egter vas oortuig daarvan dat daar op militêre ingryping besluit is. Ons het ooreengekom dat ek onmiddellik by mnr Kobie Coetsee sou vasstel wat die juiste toedrag van sake is en hom sou inlig.
Ek het mnr. Coetsee opgespoor terwyl hy deur die kelder van die H.F. Verwoerdgebou na ’n sitting van die Volksraad onderweg was. Toe ek hom vertel dat die Weermag op pad is om Transkei met militêre mag oor te neem, het hy sigbaar bleek geword en in die rigting van sy kantoor begin hardloop. In sy kantoor het ek genl. Liebenberg gebel en gevra om dadelik soontoe te kom. By sy aankoms het mnr. Coetsee onmiddellik gesê: “Generaal Kat, daar is ʼn misverstand!” Genl. Liebenberg het skerp gereageer: “Minister, daar kan geen misverstand wees nie, u het my nadruklik meegedeel dat daar besluit is om militêr in te gryp!” Ná heelwat geredekawel het mnr. Coetsee gevra of genl. Liebenberg nie die Weermag kan terugroep nie. Laasgenoemde het geantwoord dat daar in so ʼn geval duisende rande se vrugtelose uitgawes sou wees waarvoor rekenskap gegee moet word.
Hulle het toe besluit dat die Weermag sekere militêre maneuvers op die Transkei-grens sou uitvoer. Hierdie voorval was sprekend van mnr. Coetsee se vermoë om enige besluit só in te klee dat die gewone mens nooit mooi geweet het wat dit behels nie. Genl. Liebenberg het by verskeie geleenthede nadat ons ʼn vergadering onder voorsitterskap van mnr. Coetsee bygewoon het, gevra: “Johan, wat de hel het ons op die vergadering besluit?” Ek kon gewoonlik geen lig daarop werp nie. Ons was nie die enigstes wat probleme ondervind het om mnr. Coetsee te verstaan nie. By geleentheid het ek, mnr. Louis le Grange en genl. Johann Coetzee met mnr. P.W. Botha samesprekinge gevoer oor probleme wat ons met die toepassing van die Noodregulasies ervaar. Tydens die gesprek het mnr. Le Grange gevra of mnr. Coetsee nie moet bykom nie. Mnr. Botha het geantwoord: “Asseblief nie! Ek verstaan die man glad nie!”
Genl-maj Izak Smalman
Ons gedenk nou die begin van die Grensoorlog 58 jaar gelede. Die S A Polisie van weleer het 'n belangrike rol in hierdie oorlog vervul, en was inderdaad aan die voorpunt tydens die aanvang daarvan. Hier is 'n kort stukkie geskiedenis van die S A Polisie Teeninsurgensie (TIN) eenheid.
Gedurende Maart 1966 is inligting ontvang dat 'n Swapo/Plan (People''s Liberation Army Namibia) terroriste opleidingsbasis met die naam Ongulumbashe in die weste van Ovamboland in Suid-Wes Afrika gestig is. Die uitsluitlike doel met die basis en voorbereiding was terroriste insypeling. So begin “Operasie Blouwildebees” deur die SAP.
Honderd en vyftig polisiemanne word uit verskeie eenhede van die SAP getrek, asook lede van die SAW se 1 Valskermbataljon. ‘n Strawwe TIN-kursus volg en slegs 35 polisiemanne kwalifiseer om saam met 11 lede van die SAW se Valskermbataljon onder leiding van kaptein Jan Breytenbach, met behulp van die bemanning van 6 Alouette helikopters van die SA Lugmag die aanvalsmag te vorm. Dit is interessant om te weet dat die lede van die Valskermbataljon en Lugmagpersoneel vir daardie dag as polisielede ingesweer is. (ons regering wou verhoed dat die indruk geskep word dat die weermag met oorlog besig was)
Eers op 23 Augustus 1966 is die lede van die aanvalsmag ingelig waarheen hulle op pad was en wat die missie was. Op 25 Augustus 1966 vlieg die aanvalsmag onder bevel van kolonel Pat Dillon van die SAP in die rigting van die Ongulumbashe basis. Kort daarna klap die eerste skote toe die terroriste vanuit die basis op die helikopter skiet. In die skermutseling wat volg, sneuwel 2 terroriste, een word gewond en 8 gearresteer.
Dit is amptelik in die geskiedenis aangeteken dat hierdie geveg, op 26 Augustus 1966, die begin van die Bosoorlog was wat 23 jaar sou duur. Vir die volgende 23 jaar sou die S A Polisie voortgaan om 'n uiters belangrike rol in hierdie oorlog te vervul in Suidwes-Afrika, die grens met Angola, Caprivi en die destydse Rhodesië. Die gevreesde en gedugte Koevoet eenheid van die SA Polisie sou internasionaal bekend word. Hulle het ook gereeld "hakkejag operasies" in Angola uitgevoer.
TIN opleiding vir polisiebeamptes het op Maleoskop by Groblersdal plaasgevind waar ons gereed gemaak is vir die Bosoorlog en opvolgkursusse sou gereeld volg. Ons eenhede het 'n volle gevegsrol tot aan die einde van hierdie oorlog in 1989 uitgevoer. Die eerste lid van die S A Polisie
se TIN eenheid wat op aktiewe diens gesterf het, was sersant J. A . Nel wat op 7 Maart 1967 in die Kavango verdrink het. Die eerste lid wat in Rhodesië dood is, is konst. D. du Toit (van SAP Wentworth) wat op 18 Julie 1968 deur terroriste doodgeskiet is. Dis aan my onbekend wat die totaal van ongevalle ( dood en gewond) onder die polisielede was.
Ek gebruik hierdie geleentheid om ná 58 jaar my kollegas te salueer wat in die Bos onder my bevel gedien het, asook diegene onder wie se bevel ek gedien het, julle het toegesien dat ek elke keer heelhuids huistoe gevlieg het, ek hoop julle kan dieselfde van my sê.
• Dankie aan brigadier Hennie Heymans wat die geskiedenis deel vir my uitgelê het, daar is nog so baie om te vertel maar Beeld is baie spaarsaam met ruimte - Izak Smalman
Hennie Heymans
1966: DIE MANNE VAN “DIE SLAG VAN ONGULAMBASHE”
Kol (Genl-maj) Pat Dillon Maj (Lt-Genl) Frikkie Engels AO (brig) Sterk-Gert Smit
Konst (AO) JJ Visagè regs met sy seun, insp. Gert Visagè
Deur Hennie Heymans
Ek onthou die volgende lede wat op King’s Rest gedien het:
Konst Piet Senekal: Hy was die seun van AO Sakkie Senekal en broer van sers John Senekal.
Konst Piet Burger: Ek het Piet weer raakgeloop in Warmbad.
Konst ‘Bok’ Joubert: Na King’s Rest het hy by de Veediefstal-eenheid betrokke geraak
Konst PP ‘Piet’ Odendaal: Ek onthou nog sy magsnommer – 43915.
Hy het my een nag na LM Radio laat bel – ek dink dit was Robin Alexander – wat die omroeper was en ek het toe ‘n boodskap vir die SAP en die stasie laat uitsaai.
Jare later stap ek op ‘n staptog – Fanie Botha of so iets – toe kom daar ‘n meisie verby met ‘n polisie ‘camou’ hoedjie en ek keer haar voor. Die hoedjie behoort toe aan niemand minder as PP Odendaal nie! Nooit weer van hom gehoor nie.
Konst DR ‘Des’ Doig: Jare later bied ek ‘n lesing te Maleoskop aan en Doig het my kom groet. Hy is toe ‘n kaptein en ‘n hondeman êrens aan die Rand. Hy het ook groot en vet geword soos ek, ek het hom nie herken nie.
Konst Brian Ord Armstrong: Hy het swart hare gehad en sy broer konst Ord-Armstrong - wit hare, hulle het verskillende vanne gehad, Armstrong en Ord-Armstrong Brian en ek het eenmaal op nagdiens saam buite gewerk. Durban was warm bedags kon mense nie slaap nie en snags was dit bedompig en het mens vaak geword. Ons ry toe na die Alex Teater naby Cluver Singel en toe rus ons in die patrolliewa op ‘n sand kol in die bos. Skielik gaan die wa se deur agter oop en toe klap iemand dit toe. Ons skrik en spring uit – geen spore in die sand en dadelik dink ons dis ‘n spook en daar trek ons! Wawyd wakker en nie lus vir rus nie!
Hy het later ook in die veiligheidstak saam met a/o Lang-Piet du Toit1 in die Durban hawe gewerk met hawe- en reisbeheer.
Konst Potas; Ek dink hy voorletters was D.P. Nooit eintlik met hom saam gewerk nie! Behalwe om hom te vervoer.
Konst Rodney G Fall (magsnommer 47174R);
Rodney was ‘n regte Kapenaar van Kaapstad,. Sy ouers het die restaurant in Kirstenbosch gehad. Die gesin was lief vir perdewedrenne. Een jaar het sy ouers met die Bloutrein van Kaapstad na die Durban se July-perdewedren gekom.
En Saterdagoggend werk ek en hy soos gewoonlik saam. Hy vra my om uit die wyk uit te ry na Suidkuspad. Ek weier. Hy sê hy het sy ‘perde’ uitgewerk en die wabemanning, B/konst Sefali, - ook ‘n wedder – sal die weddenskappe vir hom plaas by die ‘off course tote’. Besluit toe om vir een of ander rede uit die wyk te ry sodat hulle hul weddenskappe kan plaas. Sondagmiddag kom ons weer as aflossing op diens en Rodney is so bly! Hy het duisende rande gewen. Hy koop vir ons elkeen
1 Later genl-maj PL du Toit
op die aflossing ‘n gaar hoender by die Lunch Box in Bluffweg. Ook gee hy vir my en Sefali elk R1000. Onthou dat R10-00 baie geld was daardie dae.
Rodney het toe ‘n splinter nuwe, wit, Cortina en musiek sentrum gekoop.
Ou Rodney met sy boepensie was ‘n egte rykmanseun en vorder toe na wyksersant en wabestuurder. Hy is in bevel van buitedienste. Hy het digte swart hare gehad en was nie lief om ‘n pet te dra nie.
Eendag ry ek en hy in Edwin Swales VC rylaan en majoor FLC Engels ry in die teenoorgestelde rigting by ons verby. Ek het my pet op Rodney nie! Kom dit oor die lug: “Daardie man in King’s Rest se voertuig - sit op jou pet!
Die versuim om pet te dra sou nog tot sy dood by dra! Hy was ook baie stout en onnutsig. Dit reent soos dit in Durban kon reën! Die water loop! Baie keer het ons kniediep in die water gestaan en mens se uniform en reënjas het nat geword. Baie keer met nat reënjas buite gewerk. Daar is ‘n botsing en dit REENT!
Rodney kom by die toneel van die botsing aan en toet-toet. Hy wink vir die bestuurder van voertuig “A” om nader te staan. In die reent staan die arme man by die wa se venster. “Meneer lees asb u motor se lisensieskyfie se nommer vir my”, toe dit klaar was: “derdeparty naam en nommer”. Die man protesteer, dis die konstabel se werk om die botsing by te woon! Mag so wees gee Rodney toe maar die man het die botsing gemaak en nie Rodney nie! Hy verduidelik dat hy nog twee weke nagdiens moet verrig en as hy nou nat word bly hy nat! Nou stuur hy man om die afmetings in gietende reent af te tree. Roep die ander bestuurder sê Rodney en die hele proses herhaal homself.
Wanneer hy my afgelos het, het hy vanaf die Sandown-kaserne terug bestuur. Sodra ons op die snelweg - die Southern Freeway - kom, het hy altyd gesê: “Here we go for the main race of the day!” Eenmaal het hy so vinnig op die snelweg gery dat ons nie die afrit kon neem nie!
Hy en sy aflossing het ook partykeer op nagdiens glad nie gewerk nie. Almal het aan diens gekom, is geïnspekteer en “gepos” maar almal het in werklikheid lekker op diens geslaap en die registers is opgeskryf – so slaap, slaap. Ons almal het maar af en toe kanse gevat om ‘n bietjie te dut - maar dit het die koek gevat!
Grensdiens was aan die orde van die dag en Rodney gaan grens toe. Hy dra nie pet nie, hy kry sonstraal in die Zambezi riviervallei en sterf ten spyte van alle poging om sy lewe te red. Ek het ‘n goeie vriend verloor!
Een nag vang ek letterlik ‘n wavrag vol dames van die nag te Salisbury-eiland toe dinge stil begin word. Ek stop langs die pad en hulle vloek my dat die weerlig rond spring en mens die kruit in die lug kon ruik! Ek vloek terug! Ons kom by die stasie in die lig en binne die aanklagkantoor. Ek en die wa-bemanning staan saam met hulle aan die regte kant van die toonbank. Skielik gryp hulle my en begin by my voete huil. “Die sersant is dan dood op die grens en hier staan ek dan ongedeerd!” Huil-huil en snuif-snuif. Man is maar ‘n man en nie van klip gemaak nie! Ek jaag hulle toe almal weg en laggend en wuiwend is hulle by die stasie weg. Rodney is intussen op die grens bevorder na sersant en die koerante het sy dood as sers RG Fall van King’s Rest gerapporteer en die dames het natuurlik na hom verwys as die sersant wat dood is op die grens!
SAP-TINBOND VIR VETERANE VIER 10 JAAR VAN ONTHOU
Cathy van Onselen
24 Augustus 2024 het die 10 jaar van die bestaan van die TIN-Bond Veterane gemerk, en is die jaarlikse gedenkdiens weer waargeneem te Doornpoort, Pretoria. 189 gaste het vir die geleentheid opgedaag om hulde te bring aan gevalle makkers en familie wie hulle lewens opgeoffer het gedurende die Bosoorlog wat op 26 Augustus 1966 begin het, en sou duur tot 1989.
Verskeie veteraanbonde is verteenwoordig en is die gedenkdiens geopen deur die vaandels te ontplooi van die SAP TIN-eenheid Veteranebond, Koevoet-Veteranebond, SA Polisie-Taakmag Vereniging, SA Lugmag-Veterane Vereniging, Parabat Veterane Organisasie, Parabat Veterane Organisasie Pretoria Canopy, Raad van Militêre Veterane Organisasie, SA Legioen, Sappers Memorial Trust, MOTH’s (Pretoria Distrik), Kanoniersbond, SA Infanterie Vereniging, 7 Med Veterane Organisasie, Pantserbond, Savannahbond, Korean War Veterans Association, 32 Bataljon Veterane Vereniging, 61 Mech Bataljon, 101 Bataljon, 203 Bataljon Veterane, SA Signals Association, SA Militêre Inligting Veterane Organisasie, Tegniese Diens Veterane Verenging, Pretoria Memorial Service Council, Pro-Patria Militêre Museum, Bond van Oud-polisiebeamptes, verteenwoordigers van die “Animals of War” .
Afgetrede Kapt Martin Laubscher het die sowat 189 gaste hartlik verwelkom en is die geskiedenis van die ontstaan van die TIN-Bond vir veterane met die gaste gedeel. Die TIN-Bond vir veterane het ontstaan gedurende 2014, en sou daar verneem word in 2015 dat die Maleoskop standbeelde wat op daardie stadium by die SA Polisiediensmuseum gevestig was, gevandaliseer was. Toestemming is verkry vanaf die Nasionale Kommissaris van die SA Polisiediens om die standbeelde te verwyder, en sou die standbeelde hervestig word na ‘n redelike proses in
Doornpoort, Pretoria. Martin Laubscher het sertifikate van waardering oorhandig aan Robert en Petra Van Onselen, Dicks Dietrichsen, Jos Ferreira, Lee Wood, Harold Newton, Jeff Chatzkelowitz en Ds Johan Smit.
Elke veteraan en besoeker se harte is weer aangeraak met die herinneringe en omvang van die ontstaan van die Bosoorlog. Gedurende Maart 1966 is inligting ontvang van ‘n SWAPO / PLAN terroristebasis te Ongulumbashe. Operasie Blouwildebees is op die been gebring om die terroristiese insypeling in Suidwes-Afrika te stuit. 150 uitgesoekte polisiemanne sou strawwe teeninsurgensie opleiding ontvang wat daarna toe sou lei dat slegs 35 polisiemanne saam met 11 lede van die SA Weermag Valskermbataljon en die bemanning van die SA Lugmag na Ongulumbashe sou vertrek. Op 23 Augustus is hierdie groep dapper manne ingelig wat die operasie sou behels, waarna hulle op 25 Augustus 1966 na Ruacana sou vertrek. Op 26 Augustus 1966 gewaar die terroriste die teeninsurgensie aanvalsmagte en besluit om op die helikopters te vuur. Twee terroriste word gedood, een gewond en agt is gearresteer. Die TIN eenheid is amptelik in 1967 gestig, en sou hulle opereer in die Caprivi strook, Angola grens, die volle lengte van die SA grens tot teen Mosambiek en binne die destydse Rhodesië tot die einde van die Bosoorlog in 1989.
Die erediens is toe daarna gelei deur Ds Johan Smit wat ‘n treffende boodskap uit Psalm 18 en Joshua 24:15 voorgehou het. Die krag van die erediensboodskap is afgerond met ‘n sang item deur Ilana Laubscher wat die veterane weergawe van Halleluja (oorspronklik gesing deur Leonard Cohen) gesing het.
Die hoogtepunt van hierdie gedenkdiens is telkemale die trompetspel deur Harry Venter met die “Last Post” en Die Oggendsinjaal, asook die kranslegging. Dit laat ongetwyfeld elke keer ‘n knop in die keel of ‘n stille traan ter herinnering aan diegene wat vir ons die hoogste prys betaal het, en ook diegene wat sedert die ontstaan van die TIN Bond vir Veterane ons vooruitgegaan het. Die gaste se harte is gesteel toe ‘n krans gelê is deur Roche Vermaak en sy hond, Wolfi, vir honde in diens van die SA Polisiemag, en wat met hulle lewens betaal het gedurende hulle diens in die Bosoorlog.
Verskeie foto’s en groepfoto’s is na die gedenkdiens geneem voordat die gaste getrakteer was op koffie en verversings op dieselfde perseel.
Dit is duidelik aan die toename van getalle oor die laaste 10 jaar dat die TIN Bond vir Veterane met God se genade by die dag groei, en kan daar net gehoop word dat die jonger generasie die fakkel sal oorneem om hierdie trotse tradisie en geskiedenis te laat voortleef.
Anton van Zyl: 24 August 2024
A nephew of Phineas, Mr Joel Tshitaudzi, still lives in Ha-Manavhela. He is the son of one of Phineas’ brothers. Here he is at the grave of his grandfather, Mapfumo Bangalia Tshitaudzi, who died in 1952.
• Tracing the roots of the dreaded Panga Man back to Vhembe
By: Anton van Zyl
Self-proclaimed prophet Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng and his panga- and rifle-wielding bodyguards made international headlines a few weeks ago when they terrorised teachers and children at a school in Vosloorus. The name “panga man” - or sometimes “skapane” - was suddenly on the lips of people all over South Africa. But how many people still remember the most feared panga man of them all, who embarked on his reign of robberies, mayhem and terror 70 years ago?
Few people are probably aware that he came from Vhembe, where he grew up just to the south of the Soutpansberg.
Phineas Tshitaudzi is often listed as one of South Africa’s most notorious serial killers. This is not entirely accurate, as “the Panga Man” was never convicted of murder.
On the many websites and in books about mass killers he is also referred to as Phineas Tshitaundzi or even Elias Xitavhudzi. However, his real name was Phineas Munzhedzi Tshitaudzi, and he grew up in Ha-Manavhela in the Kutama area, about 35 kilometres west of Louis Trichardt. He also comes from a royal family, albeit not in South Africa.
Between 1952 and 1959, the “Panga Man” was feared in Pretoria, especially in the Fountains Valley area near a hill called Klapperkop.
His modus operandi was to wait in the dark bushes for couples who took a romantic ride along what was known as “Lover’s Lane.” When they stopped to view the city lights, he would approach the car and scrape or tap it with his machete (panga). When the driver got out to investigate the noise, he would attack, striking the man on his arms and legs with the panga, rendering him incapable of fighting back. Tshitaudzi would then assault - and often rape - the woman before fleeing.
Tshitaudzi’s ability to evade arrest gradually caused panic.Across the country, children were warned to be careful, otherwise “the Panga Man will get you.” Students were advised to avoid deserted areas and not to stop in dark or poorly lit areas.
The police launched a massive manhunt for the vicious killer but, despite several police operations to catch him, the attacks continued.
Phineas Tshitaudzi is escorted from the cells to the courts during his trial in 1960. The picture comes from one of the newspaper articles, probably that of the Vaderland. Photo: The e-Nongqai vol 4 no3.
In Micki Pistorius’s book Strangers On The Street - Serial Homicide in South Africa, she writes that Tshitaudzi’s involvement in crime began around 1946. He was part of a gang of five robbers operating in the area south and east of Pretoria’s central business district. The group attacked and
robbed people in cars and they also broke into homes. They mostly used knobkieries to scare off their victims.
“In 1952, one of the gang members, Alfred [Magatu] Malazi, was shot dead by Sergeant Jan Roux in Queenswood, and the following year, two more were arrested in the Fountains Valley and sentenced to death. A fourth member, Jack Dibakwane, was arrested in 1957 and sentenced to twelve years in prison. The last member, Phineas Tshetandizi [Tshitaudzi], became the dreaded Panga Man,” she writes.
Hunting the Panga Man
A special task force, under the leadership of Captain Fred van Niekerk, was set up, but the Panga Man continued to strike. It was as if he knew all their movements beforehand. It later transpired that Tshitaudzi worked as a cleaner and night watchman at the South African Police Headquarters in Schoeman Street, Pretoria. This allowed him to eavesdrop on the senior officers while they discussed the Panga Man investigation.
Tshitaudzi became more brazen, seemingly unconcerned that his victims could see him. An identikit was compiled, showing his round face with pop-out eyes. Miraculously, none of his victims died. They were seriously injured and maimed but lived to tell of the horror.
The Panga Man’s activities caught the attention of the media, and the Pretoria News even offered a reward for anyone who supplied information that led to his arrest. This made life more difficult for the police as amateur “detectives” began setting traps for Tshitaudzi.
The net around Tshitaudzi, known to the police as Mafuta, eventually became too tight, and on 30 September 1959, an army recruit complained to the military police that he had been assaulted by a man. The description matched that of the notorious Panga Man, and he told military police that the suspect who had attacked him might be Phineas Tshetaudzi, who worked as a night watchman at the police headquarters in Schoeman Street, Pretoria.
The information was finally passed on to Detective-Sergeant Johan Momberg, the man who had been assigned to hunt down Mafuta. Momberg devoted most of his time to finding the panga man, which included countless stake-out operations. He probed all leads, and when he heard of the panga attack on the recruit, he followed the trial.
Tshitaudzi launched his last attack on 9 October 1959. On 20 November 1959, Momberg arrested him at Wachthuis, the police headquarters. His fingerprints were taken and found to match those found at various crime scenes. When his house in Vlakfontein was searched, jewellery and other items taken from his victims were found. Hidden in a crate and covered by rags was the machete he used. Tshitaudzi confessed to the attacks.
When he appeared in court on 21 January 1960, he faced 29 charges, ranging from rape to attempted murder. Around 130 witnesses, including many of his victims, were called to testify. Some of the charges were later dropped and he was prosecuted on 14 counts.
On 6 May 1960, Justice Edwin Roper sentenced him to six years each for three charges of assault with intent to murder, four years each for two charges of assault with intent to rape, two years for assault, one year for robbery, and one year for theft. He was also sentenced to death for two rapes and three charges of assault with intent to murder and rob.
Five months later, on 14 November 1960, Tshitaudzi was taken to the gallows at Pretoria Central Prison, where he was hanged. He was only in his forties when his life, marked by violent acts, ended.
Detective Sergeant Johan Momberg arrested Tshitaudzi in November 1960. During the court hearing, he displayed the machete (panga) used to commit the crimes.
The e-Nongqai vol 4 no3.
Photo:
Where Did It All Start?
Phineas Tshitaudzi grew up in a village to the west of Louis Trichardt called Ha-Manavhela. It is in the Kutama area, but unlike the adjacent, picturesque Tshikwarani (The Place in the Hills), Manavhela is flat and quite barren. A couple of kilometres away is the Mara Research station, famous for being the birthplace of the Bonsmara cattle breed.
When Limpopo Mirror visited the area, the temperature was over 30 degrees, even though it was not yet spring. The houses were modest, with a fancier double-storey house here and there. Some homes, probably those with access to a borehole, had gardens, but mostly it was just dust.
“He was a violent man, somewhat of a bully,” remembered one of the long-time residents, Mr Piet Radzilani. He grew up alongside Phineas. The home where Radzilani currently stays is a stone’s throw away from where the infamous Panga Man built his home in the 1950s. Today there is only a field where cattle graze. When the former Venda homeland was established in the 1970s, residents were forced to move to demarcated areas. The areas where Phineas lived became agricultural land.
Radzilani recalled that Phineas Tshitaudzi was prone to drinking too much but was not known as a thief. Local residents feared going to his house, because of his violent behaviour. But it may be that his violent outbursts only started after he had returned from war.
In 1941 Tshitaudzi was recruited, among roughly 100 other young men from the area, to go and serve in the Native Military Corps (NMC) during World War II. He probably saw action in the East African campaign where he took part in battles such as at El Alamein. He must have returned home either late in 1945 or early in 1946, after the war had ended.
Tshitaudzi moved to the city to work after he had returned, but often came to visit on his scooter. He also brought along lots of gifts, which local residents later believed must have been the spoils of his robberies. He would send these by train, which family members would collect from the nearby Mara station or in town.
Phineas had some status in the community because of his wealth. He built a large house on a cement foundation. Prior to this, all the houses in the area had mud floors, and most were traditional huts. He also built a toilet outside his house, which was a first for the residents. He had three wives and at least two children.
When the news broke that Phineas was the infamous Panga Man, it came as a big shock to members of the community, especially his mother. By then, his father had died.
Radzilani recalled that he was on a visit to Pretoria when the trial started. He and some other young friends were performing traditional music when they heard about the court case and decided to
attend. There, they met Phineas’ mother, who cried uncontrollably when she heard that her son had been sentenced to death.
Phineas Tshitaudzi’s family deliberately tried to fade into the background after the sentencing. Two of his children took on other surnames, and most moved to other areas. His three wives have all since died.
From a royal family
A nephew of Phineas, Mr Joel Tshitaudzi, still lives in Ha-Manavhela. He is the son of one of Phineas’ brothers.
A photo of Phineas Tshitaudzi, taken during his court appearance in 1960.
Photo: The e-Nongqai vol 4 no3.
“The Tshitaudzi clan is a royal family in Zimbabwe,” said Joel. He explained that his greatgrandfather had moved to the region south of the Soutpansberg in the early or mid-1800s. They still maintain family ties, and he visited the royal kraal in southern Zimbabwe a few months ago.
Joel also took us to the grave of his grandfather, which is in the area where the old man lived. Today, it is only an open field where cattle graze and traces of porcupine and bushbuck can be seen.
The gravestone reads Mapfumo Bangalia Tshitaudzi and indicates that he was born on 24 November 1818 and died on 15 October 1952. Joel agreed that the 1818 birthdate must be a mistake, as it would mean his grandfather was almost 134 at the time of death. It may be that the year of birth should be 1878, but no one is certain.
The date of death is, however, interesting. The Panga Man’s violent attacks only started around the time of his father’s death.
Almost 64 years after his death, it is perhaps fitting to do a correction and get his surname correct. The main investigator in the case, D/Sgt Momberg got it right, but somehow it changed, and he was charged as Phineas Tshitaundzi. How it changed to Elias Xitavhudzi is not known.
The Panga Man’s activities brought shame upon his family. Why he did what he did, is not clear, and no-one knows what triggered his actions. It could have been that what he had witnessed during World War II, changed him forever.
Seventy years later, the name Phineas Tshitaudzi still gets mentioned at Ha-Manavhela, even if it’s just as a warning to youngsters not to engage in crime.
Sources: The e-Nongqai vol 4 no3, Facebook (Nagkantoor), Strangers On The Street - Serial Homicide in South Africa by Micki Pistorius.
Note – A paragraph had been added to the story to reflect Tshitaudzi’s war history. This was not mentioned in the newspaper article, and only came to light after publishing. We believe, however, that it is relevant to the story.
Viewed: 1962
THE WAR RECORDS (1939 – 1945) OF NO 51673 PHINEAS TSHITAUDZI
W Marshall
DIE VERLEDE; DIE HEDE EN DIE TOEKOMS
Brig Fanie Bouwer
Só is ons lewenswandel se drie komponente ingedeel.
Aanvanklik is mens se verlede baie kort en die toekoms (dalk) lank, of selfs baie lank. So algaande egter, raak die verlede langer en die toekoms korter.
Ons leef tot 70 jaar, maar as ons baie sterk is tot 80, het Moses in sy bekende gebed gesê. As jy ‘n hoë en rype ouderdom begeer, kan jy, volgens Moses, dus jou teiken op 7080 stel – en dan is jy blykbaar bevoorreg. (Moses, verbeel ek my, het 120 jaar oud geword).
Bykomend is daar darem ook geskryf: "Eer jou vader en moeder dat jou dae verleng mag word ...". Maar ek dink Moses het dalk net geraai, want mense oorskry kort-kort die 90-merk. Selfs meer. Dít gee 'n bietjie moed, nè?
In die Bybel lees ons van mense wat oor die 900 jaar oud geword het, met Metusalag die oudste –969 jaar.
Iemand het nou die dag vir my gesê hy dink dat Metusalag-hulle destyds sekere speserye tot hulle beskikking gehad het wat tot hulle hoë ouderdom aanleiding gegee het. Ekself gebruik al vir jare ook sekere speserye elke dag (nie net in my kos nie) vir beter gesondheid, maar dít is 'n storie vir 'n ander dag.
Ek loop my storie egter vooruit.
Soos die jare aanstap, begin mense meer oor die verlede as die toekoms te praat. En dan natuurlik oor húlle verlede.
Daar so einde 1960's en begin 1970's het ek 'n stasiebevelvoerder en takbevelvoerder gehad. Albei sersante en in hulle 50's. Ek onthou nog so goed hoe hulle ons met teetye oorlogstories van die tweede-wêreldoorlog vertel het. Tot vervelens toe. Veral stories daar uit Noord-Afrika waar hulle destyds toevallig ontplooi was. Altwee was lede van die M.O.T.H. (Memorable Order of the Tin Hats)-organisasie.
So terloops: die stasiebevelvoerder se sg. oorlogs-'tin hat' het daar teen sy kantoor se muur gehang. Die interessantheid daarvan was dat 'n stuk skrapnel aan die agterkant daarvan bly vassit het. Dit het die hoed deurboor en 'n dieperige wond aan sy agterkop veroorsaak. Hy het altyd die letsel aan nuwelinge gewys. Daar was dae wat ek gedink het hierdie goeie ou SB van my raak partykeer die kwyt kluts, maar dan het ek dit maar toegeskryf aan daardie skrapnelbesering aan sy kop uit sy oorlogsdae.
Nou, baie jare later is daardie oorlogstories vergete. Daardie storievertellers is ook nie meer nie. Hulle het 'vooruit gegaan'. Hulle lang verlede was voltooi. En geen toekoms meer nie.
Daarna het die ouens begin praat ons oor óns verlede tot soveel as 60 jaar gelede - die SAP, grensdiens; en so aan. Ons gesels (party praat glad nie - hulle dink, lees en peins net) oor ons langerige verlede, met 'n toekoms wat ook al korter raak.
Drie lede van hier blad het in die laat-1950's by die SAP aangesluit. Die groter gros van ons het aangesluit in daardie goeie dekade van die 1960's. Ons is die sestigers. 'n Baie klein groep hier is baie jonger, met 'n langer toekoms dus. En van hulle het al seker glimlaggend-kopskuddend na ons 'ou' stories geluister.
Soos jy al agter gekom het vertel ek en andere weer stories van die ou SAP en vergelyk ons dan dinge van vóór 1994 en kort daarna. Oor 'n dekade of twee gaan die jonger geslag net van ons stories lees. En die institusionele geheue dan ook daarmee heen.
Baie van ons mik nou na Moses se 80 jaar (enkeles is al daar) as ons 'sterk' is soos hy gesê het. En natuurlik bykomstig seker ook as jy jou vader en moeder geëer het.
Vir hoe lank nog vir ons hier op aarde? Waar gaan ons wees? Baie keer probeer ek so 10 jaar - ja net 10 jaar - vorentoe dink - die kort toekoms. Dan wonder ek. Meesal hou ek nie van dit waaraan ek dink nie ...
Dan verander ek my fokus eerder weer na die verlede. Of die hede - 'n ietwat kommerwekkende een partykeer. Dit is amper so 'n her-oriëntering van my gedagtes.
Dit laat my dan beter voel. Met 'n rustigheid ook miskien ...
Brig Fanie Bouwer
Georganiseerde misdaad is nou weer op groot skaal 'n aktuele kwessie in SuidAfrika.
Hier dink ek aan veral aan die konstruksiemafias wat landswyd oorgespoel het en nou verder uitgebrei het na grootskaalse afpersing van gewone besighede en ander entiteite.
Georganiseerde misdaad vind plaas op plaaslike vlak bv. in 'n stad, nasionaal en natuurlik ook internasionaal.
Wat hieronder volg is 'n stuk wat georganiseerde misdaad in 'n redelike goeie mate uiteensit:
"Ongoing conspiratorial enterprise engaged in illicit activities as a means of generating income (as black money).
Structured like a business into a pyramid shaped hierarchy, it freely employs violence and bribery to maintain its operations, threats of grievous retribution (including murder) to maintain internal and external control, and thuggery and contribution to election campaigns to buy political patronage for immunity from exposure and prosecution.
Its activities include credit card fraud, gun running, illegal gambling, insurance fraud, kidnapping for ransom, narcotics trade, pornography, prostitution, racketeering, smuggling, vehicle theft, etc.
With the arrival of international terrorism (with which it often has symbiotic relationship) and internet, organized crime now covers practically every nation and segment of society and uses extremely sophisticated methods and credible front-organizations (such as charities and high-tech firms) in movement of large amounts of money and weaponry.
Called by names such as cartel, mafia, syndicate, and triad, these establishments do not tolerate competition and constantly fight for monopolization in their specialty (such as drug trade) or geographical region.
They are distinguished from the common (unorganized) crimes by characteristics such as (1) nonrandom nature of criminal behaviour, (2) coordinated activities of hundreds or thousands of operatives, (3) diversification of activity (production, supply, retail), (4) regional, national, or transnational scale of operations, (5) large volume of turnover (running into billions of dollars in some cases), (6) pursuit of both profit and power, and (7) usually an identifiable leadership.
A 1975 UN definition of organized crime reads, "... large scale and complex criminal activity carried on by groups of persons, however loosely or tightly organized, for the enrichment of those participating and at the expense of the community and its members. It is frequently accomplished through ruthless disregard of any law, including offences against the person, and frequently in connection with political corruption." Paul Nesbitt (head of Interpol's Organized Crime Group) defined it in 1993 as, "Any group having a corporate structure whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal activities, often surviving on fear and corruption."
So vêr terug as die 1990's, toe dinge nog beter gegaan het in SA, het die wetgewers toe in hulle wysheid gedink om 'n wet te proklameer om georganiseerde misdaad beter vas te vat. So is die Wet op die Voorkoming van Georganiseerde Misdaad (die sg. Poca-wet), Wet nr. 121 van 1998 op die wetboek geplaas. Daar is ook ander wette op die wetboek geplaas om juis dié kwessies vas te vat.
Die Direktoraat van Spesiale Operasies, ook genoem die DSO of Skerpioene is op 12 Januarie 2001 deur die ANC-regering van Suid-Afrika ingestel.
Die breë statutêre mandate van die 'DSO' was toegespits op 4 kriminele fokusareas:
- Georganiseerde misdaad;
- Georganiseerde korrupsie;
- Ernstige en komplekse finansiële misdaad; en
- Uitbuitery en geldwassery.
Soos ons almal weet het die Skerpioene; wat ook uit ervare aanklaers bestaan het, uitstekende werk gedoen wat betref hofgerigte ondersoeke. Hoë politici en ander is deur dié eenheid se giftige wetsangel bygekom. So ook 'n vorige president van SA. Niemand was té belangrik nie.
Die politici was ongemaklik met die goeie werk wat die Skerpioene gedoen het. Baie het ook erg ongemaklik begin slaap en 'n skerpioen onder elke bed en skoen begin sien. En hulle hét rede gehad vir dié bekommernisse. Hulle het besluit aanval is die beste verdediging. En vinnig ook.
In begin Februarie 2008, na slegs sowat 7 jaar se werking van die spesiale eenheid begin die ANCregering stappe neem om die Skerpioene te ontbind. Dit was 'n irrasionele, maar ook 'n deursigtige stap. Dit het geen, maar geen logika gehad nie.
Op 23 Oktober 2008 het die Nasionale Vergadering die ontbinding van die Skerpioene met 252 stemme teenoor 63 goedgekeur.
Lede van die Skerpioene is in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens hergroepeer en herontplooi. Afgestof en weggebêre. So is die gevaar vir hulself toe uit weg geruim.
Kort daar is die polisie se direktoraat vir prioriteitsmisdaadondersoeke (Die Valke) d.m.v. wetgewing onder beheer van die nasionale kommissaris van polisie in plek van die Skerpioene in plek gestel.
Die groot bedrieërs en diewe - én sekere politici - van SA het 'n groot sug van verligting geslaak. Ek hoef nie al die detail te gee nie, maar dat die Valke tot dusvêr niks meer as 'n klomp kreupele budgies is nie, is 'n gegewe.
Nou iets oor 'n rampokkerstaat.
'n Rampokkerstaat is 'n land waar misdaad (gewoonlik in die vorm van georganiseerde misdaad) sulke afmetings aangeneem het dat die land onregeerbaar is en wet en orde nie meer gehandhaaf kan word nie.
Byvoorbeeld, veronderstel dat daar in 'n sekere woongebied onwettige elektriese aansluitings is, maar die oortreders kan nie vervolg word nie omdat die polisie of plaaslike owerhede tou opgegooi het omdat dit hulle lewens in gevaar stel, is daardie woongebied 'n rampokkergebied. In 'n rampokkerstaat gebeur hierdie tipe praktyke landwyd.
Dink aan die taxi-industrie wat net maak wat hulle wil; studente wat miljoene rande se skade aan universiteitsgeboue veroorsaak; betogers wat bykans daagliks oral oor in die land in talle dorpe munisipale eiendom verwoes; tientalle treinwaens wat aan die brand gesteek word (ek weet van geen arrestasie in hierdie verband nie); erge bendebedrywighede in sekere gebiede waar die polisie nie hond kan haar-af maak nie, ensovoorts.
Staatskaping in SA is een van die ongelooflikste dinge wat sy kop in SA uitgesteek het - veral ná die ontbinding van die Skerpioene. Dié georganiseerde stelery en bedrieëry beloop in die omgewing van R100-biljoen volgens finansiële kundiges in staatsfinansies.
Ek is van mening dat dít net in 'n rampokkerstaat kan gebeur.
AFDELING GEMEENSKAPSVERHOUDINGE - GESKIEDENIS, DIE TOEKOMS EN DIE HEDE
Brig Fanie Bouwer
Ek wil hier 'n geskiedkundige terugblik gee oor bostaande onderwerp (veral oor gemeenskap-polisie-verhoudinge) van destyds.
Ter inleiding eers die volgende ter agtergrond.
Daar word gesê dat geskiedkundiges terug kyk na die verlede en dat filosowe, teorici, profete, denkers en sg. 'kenners' weer toekomsgerig is.
In die dekade van die negentigs van die vorige eeu net ná FW De Kerk se 2 Februarie 1990 se ontbanning van die vryheidsbewegings, het menige, intense debatte deur hierdie klompie oor SA se politieke toekoms ontstaan.
Hierdie span filosowe, teorici, selfaangestelde profete en ander het hulself gesien as alwetend, met ál die antwoorde, kennis en wysheid in pag.
Ek het daardie tyd die geleentheid gehad om in sekere kringe te beweeg wat my in staat gestel het om die nuwe 'eksperte' se gedagterigtings te kon bepaal. Die Afrikaners met hulle apartheidsdenke, is gesê, het mos geen benul oor hoe om die toekoms te bepaal nie. Dit was die stille, aanvaarde mening van dié groep tyd.
Toe is al gevra of die politieke utopie wat voorgestel word maar net 'n hoopvolle droom of hopelose fantasie is? Dít was profeties, soos ons nou natuurlik weet.
So tussen hakies: Suid-Afrika was grootliks histories op daardie tyd 'n beskawing met gevorderde kultuur, in teenstelling met die meer primitiewe kulture in sekere gebiede en verder noord in Afrika. Dit was oor enkele eeue vanaf die middel 1600's gevestig.
Arnold J. Toynbee skryf in sy "A Study of History" dat daar baie meer beskawings was, insluitende 'n klein hoeveelheid gestremde ('arrested') beskawings. Die ondergang van 'n beskawing word ingelui wanneer 'n kulturele elite 'n parasitiese elite geword het, en tot die opkoms van 'n interne en eksterne proletariaat gelei het. Watter profeet was hy nie!
Ek wil nou uitkom by die onderwerp hierbo waaroor ek ook iets wil skryf en wat ek al (voorheen) aangeraak het
Toe die ANC hom kort voor 1994 voorberei het vir die oorname van die regering, was gemeenskapspolisiëring sý antwoord op misdaad. Die propageerders van gemeenskapspolisiëring was onder die (wan)indruk dat dié beleid en die implimentering van gemeenskapspolisiëring per se, en gemeenskapspolisiëringforums (GPS'e) andersins, as ’t ware die towerstaf sou wees wat onmiddellik tot gevolg sou hê dat die polisie en die gemeenskap só hartlik sou saamwerk dat misdaad vinnig ’n nekslag toegedien sou word. Hulle het vas geglo dat ons (SAP) manier van polisiëring outyds en oneffektief was. Dalk was dit 'n filosoof se verwronge idee.
(Sovêr ek weet bied US nie eers meer die vak filosofie - wysbegeerte - aan nie).
In 1992 word 'n nuwe Afdeling in die SAP geskep, nl. Gemeenskapsverhoudinge. In elke provinsie is dié afdeling bestuur deur 'n generaal-majoor. Vir meer as 3 jaar reken ek dat hierdie pos 'n nuttelose uitgawe was
In dié tyd tot met die totstandkoming van die SAPD in 1995 is die konsep van gemeenskapspolisiëring wyd aan lede bekend gestel en is Gemeenskap-polisiëringsforums (GPF's) by elke stasiewyk gestig. Snaaks genoeg: met die totstandkoming van die SAPD het dié afdeling weggeval.
Die politieke geweld van destyds uitgesluit, is die kernvraag: Was die verhoudinge tussen die SAPlede werklik so sleg? Nee, dit was nie. Ons wat wel in die swart woongebiede gewerk het, is getuies daarvan.
Kom ek maak 'n vergelyking.
Daar was wel 'politieke aanvalle' deur MK's op lede. Ek dink ook aan die voorval toe my eie kantoor op Woodstock met 'n limpetmyn vernietig was in 1988.
Gewone lede van die gemeenskap het die afgelope jare in die demokratiese tydperk tientalle polisiemanne dood geskiet. Dit was ongekend in die SAP se tyd. En selfs in etlike gevalle is lede deesdae binne-in polisiestasies beroof van staatsvuurwapens en ammunisie. Dinge het toe nié volgens plan uitgewerk nie.
Selfs in die politiek-besmette townships van die Kaapse Skiereiland het swart gemeenskapslede staat gemaak op die SAP se diens.
Toe ek destyds by Afdeling Binnelandse Stabiliteit (ABS) begin werk het, het die Cape Argus koerant my as volg aangehaal toe ek hierdie feitlike situasie uitgewys het: "Seeing overcrowded charge offices on his visits to townships was enough proof that residents needed the police".
Om af te sluit:
Tyd is 'n harde en akkurate leermeester.
Nou, meer as 30 jaar later, lê ál daardie drome van die negentigs se denkers en 'kenners' in stukke.
Misdaad het ongekende hoogtes bereik. Dit is 'n nare ironie. Mens dink aan 'n polisiediens wat geensins in staat is om dit te beveg nie. En die heersende elite het deur middel van swak regeerkunde, algemene verval en erge korrupsie op elke vlak van regering, die land tot op sy spreekwoordelike ekonomiese knieë bestuur.
Kan mens iemand kwalik neem as hy/sy sou terug verlang na die goeie ou dae? WIE BEHEER SUID-AFRIKA? MINISTER VAN POLISIE SE VOORLIGTING OOR KRIMINALITEIT IN SA.
Genl-maj Bertus Steenkamp (SAW – Afgetree)
Ek verwys na die Minister van Polisie se voorligting oor kriminaliteit in SA. Absoluut skokkend. Maar die Regering erken of besef nog nie dat kriminaliteit buite beheer is nie. Ons is die derde gewelddadigste land ter wêreld, maar met die huidige statistieke kan SA dalk “beter” doen.
My vraag is, wie beheer Suid-Afrika ?
Kom ons neem dit ‘n stappie verder. Die afgelope week is in die pers bevestig dat die konstruksie-Mafia bouwerk in Delft reeds vir nege maande vertraag. Deon van Zyl van Kaapstad beskou hierdie optrede as hoogverraad. Staatsgeboue word in Johannesburg en Durban geskaak – waarskynlik ander stede ook. Meer as 6000 mense is in drie maande vermoor !!! Bendes beheer informele nedersettings en geen inwoner sal bendelede uitwys nie, want huurmoorde kom gereeld voor. Ek lees gister dat kinders by skole gedreig word om die volgende dag geld te bring, anders ….. Dit is nie aanvaarbaar nie.
Diefstal van kabels bly ‘n nagmerrie. Elektrisiteit word kragtoevoer afgesny en herstel. Net reg vir volgende diefstal . Hiermee saam onwettige koppelings, maar wetgehoorsame burgers moet deur hul nek betaal vir krag en daar reeds sprake van ‘n 36% verhoging. O genade tog !!!
Spoorlyne word gesteel en as skrootmateriaal verkoop. Wie is die kopers en waar gaan die staal heen ? Ek is oortuig dit is nie so moeilik om dit op te volg nie. Hoe en wanneer gaan Transnet weer operasioneel wees. Dieselfde geld busdienste – wie trek voordeel as die busdienste en Transnet nie gebruik kan word nie ? Besluit maar self.
Regter Zondo het reeds afgetree, maar ons wag nog om enige optrede te sien. Nou is daar sprake dat die databasis nie toeganklik is of was nie. Hoekom ?
Ons howe skrik misdadigers nie af nie. Kriminele sake met bewysstukke neem dikwels twee tot vier jaar om afgehandel te word. Dan is die tronke ook nog oorbevolk en dit word oorweeg om van kriminele vroeër vry te laat. Ongelooflik.
Dames en veral ouer mense kan nie waag on na sononder te gaan stap nie. Toegesluit in hul huis. Ek dink die regering moet besef dat kriminaliteit is buite beheer. Volgens SA se die grondwet is die regering se verantwoordelikheid om inwoners te beskerm. Die vorige regering het ‘n noodtoestand afgekondig om die weermag binnelands betrokke te maak. Ek reken President Ramaphosa as opperbevelvoerder van die SA Nasionale Weermag kan SA troepe uit Afrika onttrek en in SA ontplooi om die polisie te ondersteun. Die Weermag het nie polisie magte nie, maar kan ‘n gebied
of gebou stabiliseer en minder polisie lede kan dan hul werk doen. Net die regering kan hierdie besluit maak.
Ek bly ek by my aanvanklike vraag : Wie beheer hierdie pragtige land van ons ?
Bertus
Simonstad
SAP HENNENMAN
Inleiding: Gedurende die begin 1990’s is ek die stafoffisier van genl-maj FG van Zyl. Ek het verneem dat ek na Welkom verplaas word as distrikskommissaris. Genl van Zyl en ek gesels oor die verplasing en die distrik. Ons praat oor die stasies wat die distrik vorm. Toe ons by Hennenman kom beklemtoon die generaal dat dit Hennenman is, en nie Henneman nie. Ek het baie gewonder waarom Hennenman? Wel hieronder verskyn die antwoord – HBH.
DIE HENNENMAN-FAMILIE IN DIE ORANJE-VRYSTAAT.
Deur Frans Fouche ontvang van Dawie du Plessis
Dit was in Mei 1987 dat ek ‘n brief ontvang het van mnr J F Fischer, van Den Haag, Nederland, met die versoek dat ek vir hom navorsing moet doen oor sy grootvader se stiefbroer, Petrus Fernandus Henneman, wat in die 19e eeu na die Oranje-Vrystaat ge-emigreer het.
Saam met die daaropvolgende brief van mnr Fischer het hy al die inligting oor Petrus Fernandus gestuur wat hy reeds in Nederland nagevors het, en sy versoek was om dit aan te vul met inligting oor Petrus Fernandus se verblyf in die Oranje-Vrystaat. Die navorsing wat hy gedoen oor die Henneman-voorgeslagte, en die Nederlandse tydperk van Petrus Fernandus se lewe, was baie deeglik en die volledigheid daarvan was werklik uitstaande. Mnr Fischer was ‘n kleinseun van Petrus Fernandus se stiefbroer Johann Friedrich Fischer. Die verhouding tussen die stiefbroers was blykbaar baie goed en hulle het deur die jare met mekaar kontak behou.
Met ‘n vlugtige besigtiging van die bronne het dit geblyk dat Petrus Fernandus ‘n interessante persoon was en veel tot die samelewing in die Vrystaat bygedra het.
Byna die eerste vraag wat mnr Fischer gestel het was, “Waarom HENNENMAN? Hy het genoem dat volgens al die bronne in Nederland die van HENNEMAN was, en het ook bewys gelewer dat dit
wel so in die registers aangeteken is. By navraag onder afstammelinge is gehoor dat Petrus Fernandus en sy vrou gesteld daarop was dat hulle van HENNENMAN was, en nie HENNEMAN nie, en het daarop aangedring dat dit so geskryf en uitgespreek moet word.
Johannes Henneman en sy vrou, Ida Maria Pouwelina Parcham, het in Amsterdam gewoon. Hulle dogter, Maria, is daar gebore op 22.10.1810. Sy trou 12.11.1837 in Amsterdam met Frans Herbig.
Daar is twee dogters vir die egpaar gebore. Frans sterf op 11.2.1841 en Maria neem weer die van Henneman aan.
Op 16.7.1845 is ‘n seun, Petrus Fernandus, vir haar gebore te Utrechschestraat 89, Amsterdam. Sy trou op 23.11.1853 met Johann Friedrich Fischer, ‘n modelmaker van Oberstedten, ‘n stad naby Bad Homberg, in Duitsland. Die egpaar se oudste seun Johann Friedrich II, is gebore op 23.8.1855, te Amsterdam. Die familie het by verskeie adresse in Amsterdam gewoon.
Daar is heelwat onduidelikheid oor die presiese datum dat Petrus Fernandus Nederland verlaat het. Mnr Fischer het ‘n inskrywing in die Gemeente Argief van Amsterdam gevind dat hy op 22.10.1868 vanaf Haarlemmerdyk 275, na die Kaap vertrek het. Daar is geen sprake dat sy eindbestemming Indië was nie, soos vandag nog deur die familie geglo word.
Volgens ‘n lewenskets van Petrus Fernandus in die Huisgenoot van 19 November 1921, het hy ongeveer 1862 in die Kaap aangekom, en het Fernandus verander na Ferdinand. Vermoedelik het hy vir ‘n kort tyd in Kaapstad gewoon en toe vir twee jaar in Paarl. In 1864 het hy na die Fauresmithdistrik in die Oranje-Vrystaat verhuis. In hierdie distrik, het hy besef, was daar ‘n groot toekoms vir skaapboerdery en het hy dadelik skape begin bymekaar maak.
By die boere het hy vry weiding vir sy vee gekry en in ruil daarvoor het hy hul kinders geleer om te lees en te skryf. Vir ‘n tyd het hy ook by Jan Louw in die distrik gewoon.
In 1864 het hy gehelp om die grens tussen die Vrystaat en Basutoland vas te stel en dit was vir hom ‘n aardigheid om te sien hoe dit gedoen word. Die volgende jaar, 1865, het hy aan die Basuto-oorlog deelgeneem. Die jong man het groot aansien by generaal Fick en die ander kommandante verwerf toe hy sowat 350 burgers, wat nog in die laer was, nadat die ander reeds huis-toe is, toegespreek, en, hulle daarop gewys wat met hulle vroue en kinders sou gebeur indien hulle ook huis-toe sou vertrek, en sodoende die Basuto’s toelaat om die Vrystaat binne te val om te moor en te roof. Vyf dae later het hy en ene Adriaan Nieman van Winburg oppad terug na die laer met kruit, net betyds die laer bereik en so verhoed dat hulle deur Basuto’s oorrompel word. Tesame met ander burgers
het hulle daardie nag die aanval afgeweer en die Basuto’s tot by Korannaberg teruggedryf en ook hulle vee gebuit.
Tydens die oorlog het hy weens ‘n misverstand twee Boesman-krygsgevangenes, doodgeskiet, wat daartoe gelei het dat die aangeleentheid in die Volksraad op 21 Mei 1867, bespreek is. Na bespreking daarvan, aanvaar die Volksraad dat die dood van die Boesmans te wyte is aan die misleidende manier wat Hoofkommandant Fick opdrag aan Hennenman gegee het wat om met hulle te maak. Daar is besluit dat daar geen vervolging sal wees nie en dat Fick ook nie sy pos hoef neer te lê nie, veral nie nadat die Krygsraad geen klagte teen Hennenman gelê het nie omdat daar nie genoeg grond tot vervolging bestaan nie.
Na bespreking is besluit dat wat kommandant Fick vir hom gesê het, hom onder die verkeerde indruk gebring het, en daartoe gelei het dat hulle doodgeskiet is. Die Volksraad het ook gevoel dat aangesien die krygsraad hom nie aangekla het nie die Volksraad dit ook nie kon doen nie en hy is van alle blaam onthef.
In die lig van bo-genoemde inligting is dit duidelik dat Petrus Ferdinand wel omstreeks 1862 in die Kaap aangekom het en dat die datum van die inskrywing in die Gemeente Argiefboek (no UU275), van sy vertrek uit Amsterdam verkeerd is. Dit is so aan mnr Fischer uiteengesit.
Dit was op 11 Januarie 1871, dat Petrus Ferdinand getrou het met Alberta Johanna Elizabeth Steyn, niggie van die latere President se vader. Sy was van Swellendam en het in die Winburgdistrik onderwys gegee. Die egpaar is in Winburg getroud in die huis van mnr Van Beest van Andel, die latere Weesheer van die Vrystaat. Na die huwelik het die egpaar hulle op ‘n plaas in die verowerdegebied gevestig, in wat later die Ladybranddistrik sou wees. In 1875 verhuis die familie na die plaas Swartpan, in die Ventersburgdistrik.
Ferdinand het vooruit geboer op Swartpan en baie gou was hy ‘n welgestelde man en een van die voorste boere in die distrik. Soos die kinders opgegroei het, het Swartpan later die bymekaarkomplek in die distrik geword vir jongmense waar tennis gespeel is, aan skyfskiet deelgeneem is, en pieknieks gehou is.
Die twee stiefbroers het deur die jare gereeld kontak met mekaar behou en “oom Ferdinand”, soos die familie in Nederland hom genoem het, het meermale laat weet, “dat het leven hier wel primitief maar zeer aangenaam is en het klimaat goed, dat hij dik geld verdiende met skaaptelery en dat hij zijn stiefbroer sterk aanraadde om ook na Zuid-Afrika te komen”.
Die stiefbroer, Johann Friedrich Fischer ll, en sy familie, het na die gereelde aanmoediging om na die Vrystaat te emigreer, Nederland verlaat op 26.5.1886, en het in Julie 1886, in Port Elizabeth geland. Ns ‘n treinreis van 1 dag het hulle vir Petrus Ferdinand op die eindpunt van die spoor ontmoet en van daar is hulle per ossewa na Swartpan geneem, waar die ontvangs uitermate hartlik was. Na ‘n moeilike reis het die lewe weer vir hulle rooskleurig gelyk. Ongelukkig kon die familie, gewoond aan die groot stad Amsterdam, nie aanpas by die stil en eensame lewe op die plaas nie en het in September 1887, terug Holland- toe vertrek.
Die egpaar het drie kinders gehad, tw, Alberta Elizabeth, Petrus Ferdinand bekend as Piet, en Hermanus Philippus, bekend as Manie. Manie is in 1898 getroud met Beatrice Valentine Sephora Geresine Moltzer en hulle seun, klein Manie, is gebore 16.7.1899. Met die uitbreek van die AngloBoereoorlog het die twee seuns met die plaaslike kommando na die Wesfront vertrek. Hulle het aan die Slag van Magersfontein deelgeneem waar albei gesneuwel het op 11.12.1899. Hulle dood was ‘n bittere slag vir die ouers gewees.
Met hulle optog na die Noorde, het die Engelse magte, toe hulle die plaas bereik, die huis oorgeneem en dit vir ‘n tyd as ‘n hospitaal vir gewonde Engelse soldate gebruik, terwyl die familie tot ‘n klein deel daarvan beperk is.
Na die oorlog is Manie se weduwee met klein Manie terug Holland-toe waar sy in van Kinsbergenstraat 89, Den Haag, gaan woon het. Mnr Fischer vertel dat tussen sy 8e en 12e jaar hy dikwels saam met sy grootmoeder die weduwee Hennenman besoek het maar nooit geweet het wie sy was nie. Sy is in 1932 oorlede. In 1905 het oupa Petrus Ferdinand vir klein Manie laat terugkom na Swartpan-toe. Oupa en kleinseun was baie geheg aan mekaar en dit was vir die familie ‘n verpletterende slag toe klein Manie op die ouderdom van 17 jaar en 9 maande op 1.4. 1917 skielik oorlede is.
Die dogter, Alberta Elizabeth Johanna, trou met Edwin Hills op 4.11.1901, te Kroonstad. Hy het as vyftienjarige seun na die Vrystaat gekom en ‘n pos by die firma, Pullens, in Kroonstad gekry waar hy baie gou vlot Nederlands leer praat het. Manie en Piet het met hom bevriend geraak en hy het ‘n gereelde besoeker op Swartpan geword, waar hy Alberta ontmoet het. Na hulle huwelik het hulle ‘n algemene handelaars besigheid begin op Hillside, naby die destydse Ventersburgweg-stasie. Versendings na Ventersburgweg-stasie is gereeld verkeerdelik na Ventersdorp en Venterstad gestuur wat tot baie klagtes gelei het. Op 25.5.1927, is op ‘n openbare vergadering daaroor gehou, en ‘n versoek is gerig dat die naam van die stasie verander word na Henneman, ter ere van Petrus Ferdinand Hennenman, die alom bekende en geëerde boer van die plaas Swartpan. Die naam is
toe op 19.8.1927 amptelik verander na Henneman. ‘n Paar weke later is dit reggestel na Hennenman.
Petrus Ferdinand sterf op 11.1.1932 in die ouderdom van 87 jaar en enkele maande. Sy vrou Alberta, is oorlede op 27.11.1937, in haar 85e jaar. Hulle is albei op Swartpan oorlede en daar ter aarde gestel.
Hierdie artikel het verskyn in FAMILIA, kwartaalblad van die Genealogiese Genootskap van SuidAfrika, jaargang 41 no. 3, 2004. Familieregister is deur my verwyder – David du Plessis.
1986: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE: CHATSWORTH; DURBAN
(Source Colonel Max Munian)
Members of SA Police, Chatsworth – 1986
From left to right, SD John; Max Munian; JL Govindsamy; Ivan Marimuthu and Dan Lutchmiah.
Logan Govender
1936: SAP DEPOT
Via Paul Els
FANIE DINK NA OOR DIE NUWE SA: JA MINISTER, NEE MINISTER ....
Brig Fanie Bouwer
Sidney Mufamadi se naam word deesdae kort-kort genoem, aangesien hy tans 'n veiligheidsraadgewer is in die president se kantoor. En gedagtig daaraan, herbesoek ek weer my eerste ontmoeting met hom.
Mufamadi van die ANC was in 1994 as 'n relatiewe jongman die ANC se eerste minister van polisie.
So 'n klein bietjie verdere agtergrond oor hom.
In 2018 was hy die voorsitter van 'n 10-man hoëvlak komitee wat die kaperjolle van die Staatsveiligheidsagentskap (SVA), wat onder die bevel was van Zuma se simpatiseerder, Arthur Frazer, ondersoek het.
(As gevolg van dié ondersoek is Frazer verwyder maar, snaaks genoeg, as DG van Korrektiewe Dienste aangestel was deur president Cyril Ramaphosa - 'n besluit wat later op hom geboemerang
Die agterste ry links - genl-maj Chris van Zyl se Vader – Paul Els.
het toe Fraser vir Zuma - Fraser se gotjie - uit die tronk ontslaan het as gevolg van een of ander gewaande "siekte"). Oud-adjunkkommissaris van die SAPD, André Pruis, was lid van die hoëvlak komitee.
Nou so bietjie terug in die geskiedenis.
Kort ná April 1994 kry ek - toe ek nog provinsiale hoof van Afdeling Binnelandse Stabiliteit (ABS) was - opdrag om vir Mufamadi in sy kantoor in die ou Hendrik Verwoerd-gebou naby ons kantore in Kaapstad te gaan sien oor een of ander probleem met optogte.
Op daardie stadium van mý lewe het ek nog nie aan 'n swartman gerapporteer of ge-"ja meneer" of ge-"nee meneer" nie. My politieke sentimente was toe ... kom ek sê maar ook nie juis behulpsaam nie. En steeds. Maar dít nou eers daar gelaat.
Hoe dit ook al sy; op die gegewe tyd klop ek aan by Mufamadi se sekretaresse se kantoordeur, stel myself voor en sy nooi my vriendelik in en verneem of ek daar is vir die afspraak met die minister?
Op daardie selfde oomblik kom hy uit sy kantoor en sluit by ons aan. Baie vriendelik vra hy my of sy - die sekretaresse - my al tee en koekies aangebied het? Hy nooi my toe in sy kantoor in.
Jô, dink ek, maar die klompie is naais. Ek weet nie wat ek presies verwag het nie, maar Mufamadi se jintelman-houding en nederigheid het my beïndruk. Ook die respek wat hy teenoor my geopenbaar het. Hy het intussen 'n doktorsgraad verwerf.
Ons het dié vergadering man-tot-man vergadering etlike dae daarna met sy nuut-aangestelde adviseur, advokaat Peter Gastrow, opgevolg.
Nou, die stukkie wetgewing met advokaat Gastrow wat ons moes bespreek, het ‘n ‘geskiedenis’ wat ek goed onthou.
Ewenwel, tydens die bespreking oor probleme met die aansoeke en regulering van byeenkomste, sê ek toe vir Mufamadi dat die konsepwet beskikbaar is, maar dat dit net deur president Mandela as wet geteken (en gepromulgeer) moet word. Hy vra toe aan sy adviseur, advokaat Peter Gastrow, “Do you know what he is talking about?”. Ek het toe vir Gastrow die 1993-konsepwetgewing soos dit in ’n staatskoerant gepubliseer was, gewys.
Die praktiese gevolg hierna was dat Mafumadi se kantoor die nodige gedoen het en is hierdie wet toe deur die staatspresident onderteken is en word dit sedertdien steeds toegepas.
PARADE FOR THE HANDING OVER OF COMMAND.
Col Logan Govender
Outgoing Regional Commissioner, Kwa-Zulu, Natal, “E” Region, Major General JC Van Niekerk hands over command of the Region to Major General I Coetzee at King’s Park Stadium in Durban, December 1999. The function was attended by numerous dignitaries, Ministers, including Minister
of Police, The Honourable, Minister Adriaan Vlok and senior police officers including the Commissioner of the South African Police, General JJ van der Merwe. (Source Brigadier Reg Crewe.)
Deur oudbrig. Fanie Bouwer
As jong polisieoffisier baie jare gelede het ek by my polisiestasie vir die lede gevra om die beste manier oor hoe om misdaad hok te slaan, te debatteer. Ná die debat vra een lid my wat mý eie opinie is? Ek het gesê: “Vang net die skelms”.
Daarby het ek bedoel doen goeie, professionele ondersoek- of speurwerk en keer die booswigte wat die misdaad gepleeg het vinnig aan en sorg dat hulle suksesvol in die howe vervolg word. Dan is hulle in die gevangenisse en kan dan nie (aanhou) misdade pleeg nie. Dít is eintlik die beste manier van misdaadvoorkoming.
Tot vandag toe volstaan ek by hierdie logika. Ek glo vas dat swak speurwerk in, let wel, die huidige swak of verkeerde polisiestruktuur, grotendeels die oorsaak is van Suid-Afrika se wegholmisdaad.
Wegholmisdaad het ʼn enorme negatiewe uitwerking op die land se ekonomie. Min mense verstaan hierdie kousale verband. Dink net aan konstruksiemafias, wat intussen uitgebrei het na afpersingmafias; die zama-zama’s; die vernietiging van die spoorwegnetwerk (honderde kilometers se staalspoorlyne is gesteel); taximafias en die aanval van busse op die N2-roete (171 gevalle sovêr). Dan dink ʼn mens ook aan bloedige bendegeweld op die Kaapse vlaktes; moorde landswyd met ʼn oplossyfer van tussen 10-12%; politieke sluipmoorde oral oor en soveel meer.
Die skrikwekkende swak oplossyfers bevestig dat die speurdiens se ondersoekvermoëns ineen gestort het. Ek gaan in hierdie skryfsel die verlede; die hede en oorsake van onbevredigende speurwerk per se onder die loep neem.
Die ondersoek van ernstige kriminele sake is tans op die slegste plek in die ganse geskiedenis van misdaadondersoek in Suid-Afrika. ʼn Mens kan wel leer uit die verlede, alhoewel baie van die institusionele geheue al verlore gegaan het.
Die ou speurdiens
Die ou SAP se speurafdeling (by stasies en spesiale eenhede) het in die strukture van destyds apart en taamlik onafhanklik van die uniformtak (deesdae genoem Sigbare Polisiëring) gefunksioneer. Ek glo vas dat die SAPD weer na hierdie model moet herstruktureer.
Die speurders was so vanaf die stasie se takbevelvoerder, distrikspeuroffisier, afdelingspeuroffisier
op na die nasionale speurhoof in polisiehoofkantoor in Pretoria gestruktureer. Ek verwys hier na die rapporteringslyne.
Die spesiale eenhede het ʼn soortgelyke rapporteringslyn gehad – ook onder direkte bevel van die destydse nasionale speurhoof.
Hierdie speuroffisiere, van laagste tak tot hoogste vlak, was die dryfvere wat die destydse formidabele speurdiens van Suid-Afrika laat uitblink en wat kriminele gevrees het. Dit is mos hoe dit moet wees.
Opleiding en die ware speurder
Die speurders destyds is gekies uit die uniformtak nadat só ʼn lid homself oor ʼn tyd bewys het as iemand met ʼn ondersoekaanleg. Hy is dan vir etlike maande as ʼn sogenaamde proefspeurder aangestel.
Dié speurders het elkeen ʼn intensiewe speurderskursus van bykans twee maande gevolg, aangebied deur ervare speuroffisiere wat hulself reeds in die praktyk bewys het. Met ander woorde, hulle was nie net boekgeleerde dosente nie.
ʼn Ware speurder wil ʼn speurder wees. Om ʼn lid net by speurders te plaas om byvoorbeeld getalsterktes aan te vul, is ʼn resep vir mislukking. Dít gebeur ongelukkig tans.
Wat is die situasie tans?
In die SAPD se huidige strukture ressorteer speurders nou direk onder die stasiekommissaris, met ʼn rapporteringslyn na die distrikskommissaris en dan na die provinsiale kommissaris (nie die provinsiale speurhoof nie).
Die provinsiale kommissarisse is baie meer bemagtig en tree meesal onafhanklik van Pretoriahoofkantoor op.
Die speurders werk deesdae onder direkte gesag van die stasiekommissaris en is maar meesal soso, tot uiters treurig en hopeloos. Moontlik is dit omdat hulle deesdae as’t ware aan die spreekwoordelike agterspeen suig. Daar is talle mediaverslae juis hieroor gepubliseer.
Soos onlangs berig, weier uniformlede om na die speurders oorgeplaas te word, blykbaar omdat
hulle dan ʼn sekere toelaag verloor. Dít is ʼn onbevredigende, selfs onhoudbare situasie, maar is egter iets wat deur middel van innoverende denke en besluite opgelos en reggestel kan word.
Ek herinner my nou weer dat die SAPD ʼn nasionale speurhoof het (lt.-genl. Liziwe Nthinga). Wat op dees aarde sy, of wie ook al in daardie pos is, gesien die gesag van die provinsiale kommissarisse en die rapporteringslyne binne provinsies, enige positiewe inset hoegenaamd kan lewer om algemene speurdienste landswyd positief te beïnvloed, kan ek met die beste wil in die wêreld nie insien nie. Om dieselfde redes kan ek dus ook nie die nut en funksie sien van die provinsiale speurhoofde nie.
So lank as wat die polisieminister en die nasionale polisiekommissaris nie die insig het om hierdie dinge te kan insien nie, sal speurondersoekwerk aan die agterspeen suig tot ons almal se verdere nadeel. Net die kriminele sal bly glimlag.
Suid-Afrika se speurdiens kan weer in ʼn magtige entiteit gestruktureer en omvorm word om die weghol- en buitengewone en ernstige misdaadsituasie te kan hokslaan.
Die ANC se ideologie in hierdie verband
“Neem die goeie uit die verlede en bou die toekoms daarop,” het oom Paul Kruger destyds gesê.
Ek dink dit is dus daarom noodsaaklik dat ek ook kortliks hierna verwys, aangesien dit (ook) die geskiedenis van die vernietiging van die polisie se ou spesiale eenhede tot gevolg gehad het.
Die Sunday Times publiseer in die tweede helfte van die 1990’s die eerste artikel oor ʼn dokument getiteld “Accelerating Change: Assessing the balance of forces in 1999” in hulle sogenaamde “Umrabulo” nr. 7 van die derde kwartaal 1999. Hierdie dokument identifiseer die polisie as die enigste staatsinstelling wat nog nie onder ANC-beheer is nie.
Die dokument sê ook onder andere:
“Die magsbalans in die polisie is minder gunstig as in die weermag, en ons moet dus die vermoë verbeter om groot veranderinge in die polisie aan te bring – hetsy deur regulering, wetgewing of implementering.”
Op 20 Oktober 1999 kondig oudpresident Thabo Mbeki se kabinet verskeie aanstellings in die
staatsdiens aan in terme van bogenoemde beleid en ook dat Jacob “Jackie” Selebi as nasionale polisiekommissaris by George Fivaz gaan oorneem.
(Selebi was op daardie stadium die direkteurgeneraal van buitelandse sake en ʼn voormalige ANCLP en leier van die ANCYL. Hy was ʼn politieke vertroueling van Mbeki.)
Die Jackie Selebi-tydvak
In sy inhuldigingstoespraak op 13 Januarie 2000, sê Jackie Selebi, onder andere, die volgende:
“Dit is duidelik dat my voorganger, George Fivaz, ʼn stewige grondslag gelê het vir polisiëring in SuidAfrika en ek is nie van plan om die wiel te herontwerp nie. Dit is nodig om eerder voort te bou op die positiewe aspekte wat stewig gevestig is en om die gebiede te verjong waar die resultate nie was wat verwag kon word nie.”
Hy sou toe nie kon nie.
ʼn Mens kan aanvaar dat Mbeki en Selebi op hierdie stadium alreeds ʼn in-diepte gesprek gehad het oor die SAPD en “wat nóg gedoen moes word”.
Mbeki, as gevolg van sy paranoia, was die man wat ʼn “vrees” vir die spesiale eenhede gehad het oor hulle besondere vernuf, professionaliteit en kapasiteit vir intelligensie. Selebi was dus sy “point man” om hulle as’t ware te ontman. En van die generaals (toe kommissarisse) uit die vorige bedeling het doodluiters “saam gespeel” en Selebi laat begaan. Die skade wat misdaadondersoek enopsporing betref, was onbepaalbaar enorm. Die gevolge word tot vandag toe waargeneem en ervaar.
Hieroor hier iemand eens opgemerk: “The ANC’s longevity is intrinsically linked to its ability to bury white domination…”
Die volgende deel van Selebi se inhuldigingstoespraak is egter insiggewend.
“Dit is egter ook nodig om aandag te gee aan spesifieke aangeleenthede wat vanweë die menigte kwessies wat tydens die samesmelting, rasionalisering en transformasie van die verskillende polisiemagte in Suid-Afrika behandel moes word, moontlik agterweë gelaat is…”
Laasgenoemde woorde was insiggewend.
Sommer aan die begin van sy dienstydperk het Selebi sy ware (politieke) kleure begin wys. Agterna gesien, was dit natuurlik te wagte.
Dit het reeds in 2001 duidelik geword toe Selebi aangekondig het dat die verskillende SAPDgespesialiseerde ondersoekeenhede in slegs drie eenhede gekonsolideer sou word. Dit was die eenheid vir georganiseerde misdaad, die eenheid vir ernstige en geweldsmisdaad en die eenheid vir kommersiële misdaad.
ʼn Aantal belangrike gespesialiseerde eenhede is in hierdie tyd gesluit, waaronder die narkotika-buro (SANAB) en die interne eenheid teen korrupsie. Die funksies van eenhede soos SANAB en die voertuigmisdaadeenheid is by ander ingedeel. Eenhede soos moord-en-roof en taxi-geweld is by ander eenhede opgeneem.
Slegs die eenheid vir gesinsgeweld, kinderbeskerming en seksuele misdrywe en die veediefstaleenheid het hul status behou. Hulle het seker geen “gevaar” vir die ANC-regering ingehou nie.
Verder het Selebi gedink dat omdat die meeste misdade by polisiestasies aangemeld word, alle beskikbare hulpbronne op hierdie vlak toegewys moet word. Hy het in ʼn stadium gesê dat “die herstrukturering van die polisie sal lei tot herontplooiing wat ʼn aansienlike toename in personeel by polisiestasies sal veroorsaak”.
Die fundamentele idee was dat gespesialiseerde eenhede wat by die SAPD gebaseer was “gedesentraliseer” word na stasievlak, en sodoende die plaaslike polisiëringshulpbronne versterk.
Dit was ʼn naïewe idee en die praktyk het dit toe later bewys. Die voordele van spesialisasie het skielik net in die niet verdwyn. So is die speurdiens ontman.
Kommissarisse (voorheen: generaals van die ou bedeling) wat van beter moes weet, het “saam met Selebi gespeel”. Hulle het nie die moed gehad om hulle jarelange ervaring en kennis eerder voor te hou nie, alhoewel hulle die institusionele geheue gehad het.
Pas nadat Jackie Selebi aangestel is as nasionale polisiekommissaris, was daar ʼn bespreking op RSG oor misdaadvoorkoming. Toe sê een van die bekende kommissarisse van die vorige bedeling
die volgende: “Kommissaris Selebi se aanstelling is een van die beste dinge wat nog met die polisie gebeur het”. Bid jou aan! Dít was nou ʼn soort van “famous last words”.
Gevolglik is die geweldsmismisdaad-eenhede ontbind en gedesentraliseer na die 169 polisiekantore wat geïdentifiseer is as die hoogste vlakke van geweldsmisdaad. Die kapasiteit van die seksuele oortredings-eenhede is versprei onder 176 groter “rekeningkundige” polisiestasies; stasies wat bedoel was om ʼn toesighoudende rol te verleen aan vier tot vyf kleiner polisiestasies in die omgewing.
Die “desentralisasie” van hierdie eenhede het nié die bedoelde uitwerking gehad nie. Dit het eerder gelei tot die verlies aan gespesialiseerde ondersoekvermoë binne die SAPD. Dit is omdat ondersoekers van gespesialiseerde eenhede kundiges word in die identifisering, verstaan en oplossing van spesifieke misdaadtipes. ʼn Professionele etos ontwikkel binne sulke eenhede waardeur beamptes lesse en ervarings kan deel en mekaar kan raadpleeg vir advies.
Spesialisondersoekers ontwikkel informatiewe netwerke en raak vertroud met die opkomende en veranderende modus operandi van misdadigers of netwerke. Hulle is dus in staat om vinnig hul spesialiskennis en vermoë te mobiliseer om moontlike sensitiewe misdade soos moord, verkragting of meer komplekse sake soos korrupsie of georganiseerde misdaad op te los.
Deur spesialispersoneel oor ʼn groot aantal polisiestasies te versprei, het die voordele van spesialisasie verdwyn. Hoekom is Selebi nie so geadviseer nie?
Op stasievlak het speurders wat gespesialiseer het in die oplos van verkragting, kindermishandeling of korrupsie, byvoorbeeld hul ondersteuningsstrukture verloor. As gevolg hiervan het baie ervare speurders hul netwerke verloor en is hulle kundigheid onbenut gelaat.
Verder het die SAPD die institusionele vermoë verloor om hierdie kapasiteit te behou en te herstel.
Later het die nuwe minister van polisie erken dat die herstrukturering van die gespesialiseerde eenhede “hersien” moet word en dat daar ʼn herinstelling van sommige van hierdie gespesialiseerde eenhede nodig is. Die wiel moes dus herontwerp word. Elders gebeur dieselfde soort van ding.
Dr. Johan Burger van die Instituut van Sekerheidstudies (ʼn polisietroepmaat van my in die polisiekollege) het later gesê daar is geen twyfel nie dat die herstruktureringsproses binne die SAPD
onder leiding van Jackie Selebi spesialisering ingeperk het, wat ʼn verlies aan kundigheid en ernstige, negatiewe gevolge vir die stryd teen misdaad tot gevolg gehad het.
Die tyd hét geleer dat dit inderdaad so was.
• (Oudbrigadier Fanie Bouwer het in sy jonger jare opleiding ontvang as aanklaer by die Justisie-opleidingskool in Pretoria, met sy praktiese ervaring in die Johannesburgse howe opgedoen. Daarna het hy verskeie senior bevelsposte in die SAP en SAPD beklee. Hy het tydens sy SAPD-diensjare in die Wes-Kaap uitgetree terwyl hy die pos van Provinsiale Hoof: Sigbare Polisiëring beklee het).
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE: PASSING ON OF DETECTIVE WARRANT OFFICER MANNAR MOODLEY
Col Logan Govender
Detective Warrant Officer Mannar Moodley
• Force no 01426745
• Warrant Officer
• Mannar Moodley
• ID 3110285081059
• Appointment date 1958-04-09
• Resign date 1985-12-31 Promotions
• Constable to Second Class Sergeant 1965-12-25
• Second Class Sergeant to First Class Sergeant 1969-04-1
• First Class Sergeant to Warrant Officer 1976-06-26 Stations
• Bellair
• Sydenham
• Unit 2, Chatsworth
• Mayville Medals and Decorations awarded
• 1976-04-09 – The South African Police Medal for Faithful and Long Service, 18 years Long Service and Exemplary Conduct;
• 1979-05-01 – The South African Police Star for Faithful Service, 20 years of Faithful Service and Exemplary Conduct.
(Source Rising Sun online. Kindly provided by Lieutenant-Colonel T [Aurry] Pillay –Facebook – “Police Legends”)
Photograph 01
Lieutenant-Colonel T (Aurry) Pillay and his dear wife Des
Photograph 02
Detective Warrant Officer Mannar Moodley
TEMPLE ELDER, MANNAR MOODLEY, LAID TO REST IN CANADA
Yogin Devan, a close friend of Mr Moodley, said that in addition to looking after the needs of the Shree Emperumal Temple, Mr Moodley was also long associated with the Stri Muthulinganatha Easvarar Alayam, popularly known as the Cato Manor Hindu Temple in First River, Bellair Road, where he was the stanigar (temple elder).
Former Durban policeman and temple elder, Mannar Moodley, 92, has passed away in Edmonton, Canada where he relocated to be with his children.
Mr Moodley was born at Railway Barracks and spent his childhood in the shadows of the temples within the compound and the adjoining Magazine Barracks. It was here at a tender age that, under the guidance of his pious parents, deep religious values developed within him, and these were to dominate for the rest of his life.
Years later, Mr Moodley would clearly recall admiring the impressive vahanams or temple chariots that were housed at the two temples at the Railway Barracks and Magazine Barracks and which would be used during all major temple processions.
Mr Moodley joined the police force at a young age and rose to a senior position within its ranks. He was stationed for several years in Bellair and later Sydenham. However, he still made time to visit the Railway Barracks temple as often as he could.
Thus it was only natural that when the temple at Railway Barracks was demolished and the community was relocated in Croftdene, Chatsworth in the 1970s, Mr Moodley was overjoyed when the Shree Emperumal Temple was built as a replacement.
Mr Moodley and his late wife, Sakuntalla donated generously towards the murthis for the temple, and they were regular visitors at all the prayer functions.
“The Cato Manor Hindu Temple Hall was a long-cherished dream of Mr Moodley come true. It was largely through the committed role of Mr Moodley and some officials, that the hall project was successfully accomplished 25 years ago. Mr Moodley’s demanding and uncompromising attitude –coupled with his strict and stern mannerisms acquired from his days as a policeman – ensured there was no giving up once the trenches were dug,” Devan said.
Mr Moodley volunteered his services as chief fundraiser. He urged several committee members and ardent devotees to pledge financial contributions, and these were enthusiastically forthcoming.
“Come torrential rain, gusting wind or scorching sun, or even when faced with human impediments, Mr Moodley chose to oversee building operations whereas he could have opted to spend his retirement in luxurious splendour with his children overseas,” he said.
Thanigasalan Moodley, chairman of the Shree Emperumal Temple, said Mr Moodley was a pillar of support when the temple was re-established in Chatsworth.
“Mr Moodley paid for some of the murtis in the temple and always attended prayer events with his wife. He always remarked that despite his tough upbringing because of economic constraints, the temple took him back to the happy days of his youth at Railway Barracks. Beneath the veneer of a tough former policeman was a kind, loving, pious and humble soul. We salute Mr Moodley, and may he enjoy eternal rest after a life well lived,” he said.
After Mr Moodley’s wife passed away 15 years ago, Mr Moodley decided to emigrate to Edmonton, Canada to live with the families of his two daughters, Sundravathini (Sundra) and Manimagalay (Roshilla). He continued attending prayer festivals and worshipping at the Maha Ganapathy Temple in Edmonton.
Mr Moodley’s funeral service took place in Edmonton, according to Hindu rites on Thursday.
“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge
“Agnoscere et honorare servientibus” – “To acknowledge and honour those who served”
“Soli Deo Gloria” - “To God Alone Glory”
Logan Govender
Pastoor Koot Swanepoel
Voor: sers IJ Kotze, kapt BJ du Plessis, maj AMJ Laas, lt.kol. GS Engelbrecht, Kapt HJ Fischer, sers CW Fourie.
2de ry: Sers G Jooste, Sers J v Loggerenberg, Konst A Farrel, Konst W Lewis, Sers V Louw, Konst N Killian, Konst M v Niekerk, Sers A Sinden.
3de ry: Konst J Esterhuyse, Konst F Theron, Konst F Spies, Konst P Laubscher, Sers K Bothma, Konst H Smit, Konst E Kleynhans, Konst V Niemack, Konst T Nel, Konst T Niemand.
4de ry: Sers J Visser, Konst G Nieuwoudt, (pastoor) Koot Swanepoel, Konst C Strydom, Konst C Bosman, Konst J Croucamp, Konst P Schoeman, Konst J Gerber, Konst G Steynberg. Afwesig: AO JP de Villiers
DURBAN: BOROUGH POLICE | CITY POLICE | GEMEENTELIKE
STADSPOLISIE
1905 POSTCARD - NATIVE POLICEMEN, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
Darryn Newcombe
Durban Borough Police: From Richard van Wyk
Sgt Johan Von Bargen (late).
Nothing to Report
1903: NATAL POLICE: FORT NONGQAI
• Natal Police: Prisons Dept
ZULU WARRIORS
REPUBLIKEINSE POLISIEMAGTE IN SUID-AFRIKA | REPUBLICAN POLICE FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA
ZAR OFS
ZUID-AFRIKAANSE REPUBLIEK: ZARPS
Zetef du Plessis
Zaros - Pom-pom captured at Bergendal from ZARPs
BOELIEGEDRAG IN DIE WERKSPLEK
Dr Coert Mommsen
Hierdie artikel is in geheel en gedeelte, geskryf, saamgestel en hersien deur Coert Mommsen, D. Phil (psigologie), M.A. Kliniese Sielkunde, EEG Tegnikus; en Este van den Heever LLB (Regte), Potchefstroom
5 September 2024
7:44
Abstrak
Verskillende name word gebruik om verskillende vorms van boeliegedrag aan te dui. Van die meer algemene verwysings na Boeliegedrag is “Afknouery”, “Teistering” ”Mishandeling” en ”Onbillike diskriminasie”. Boeliegedrag in die werkplek word beskryf aan die hand van voorbeelde. Die definisie van ACAS Advies-, Versoenings- en Arbitrasiediens word gebruik as omskrywing vir die verskynsel van Boeliegedrag. Voorbeelde van boeliegedrag word aangehaal en remedies teen boeliegedrag word vermeld. Die skep van spesiaal-toegeruste regspraktyke vir boelie slagoffers word voorgestel.
Trefwoorde
Afknouery, Boelie, Teister, Mishandeling, Diskriminasie, Beskermingsbevel, Bystanddiens, Wet op Beskerming teen Teistering, Wet 17 van 2011, Wet op Gesinsgeweld, Wet 116 van 1998.
Boelie gedrag in die werksplek kan verskillende mantels dra. Dit kan wissel van die skaamtelose verbale vernedering van ’n werknemer voor ander, na die rol van oë as reaksie op ‘n werknemer se stelling of voorstel tydens ’n vergadering. Dit kan dus openlik en doelgerig-beledigend wees of subtiel en agteraf. Soms kom mens dit dadelik agter en soms neem dit ’n tydjie.
Boelie base kan verskillende persoonlikhede hê en die motivering vir hul gedrag sal waarskynlik boekdele beslaan. Een ding is waarskynlik seker: hulle is terdeë bewus van die situasie waarin hul teikens is en gebruik dit dikwels as dié hefboom voordeel met finesse, kreatiwiteit en styl.
Die literatuur verwys soms na “Toksiese werksomgewings en “Boeliery in die werksplek” en dié verskynsels word baie dikwels teoreties benader. Die doel van hierdie artikel is deels om boelie gedrag in die werksplek se realiteite uit te lig en dit op die naam te noem.
In ’n radio nuus uitsending op 100FM, gee ’n opvoedkundige sielkundige sy siening van Boelies in die werksplek: “‘n Mens laat boelies nie altyd op skool agter nie – soms volg hulle ‘n mens tot in die ouetehuis.” So sê Hein Hofmeyr, opvoedkundige sielkundige van Mbombela.
‘n Boelie is enigiemand wat jou afknou en jou emosies affekteer. Hy stem saam dat dit dikwels in ‘n werksplek gebeur. Dit kan jou werkgewer wees, of ‘n kollega – en dikwels werk laasgenoemdes in groepe saam.
“Hulle voel as ‘n groep sterker,” vertel hy vir Sanett. “Hulle is besig om ‘n magspeletjie te speel.”
Hofmeyr sê jy boelie sodra jy iemand anders nie emosionele konneksie gee nie – as hulle byvoorbeeld nie hul emosies of gedagtes mag uitspreek nie, of hulself mag verdedig nie.
“Dit gaan oor beheer. Mense wat buite beheer voel, onseker of angstige mense – wanneer hulle iemand anders kan beheer voel hulle meer in beheer en minder angstig en bekommerd.”
Hierdie klompie sinne gee ’n mooi en akkurate samevatting van boelie in die werksplek. Die sielkundige gee ook ’n interessante en goeie blik op die psigodinamika onderliggend aan boelies in die werkplek. (1)
“Alhoewel daar geen wetlike definisie van afknouery (Boeliegedrag) is nie, kan dit beskryf word as ongewenste gedrag van 'n persoon of groep wat: aanstootlik, intimiderend, kwaadwillig of beledigend is; en dit kan neerkom op die misbruik van mag of die misbruik van mag om iemand anders te ondermyn, te verneder of fisiese of emosionele skade te berokken.
Die webblad acas.org.uk beskryf die volgende elemente van boelie gedrag wat mens in gedagte moet hou:
• “Dit kan 'n gereelde gedragspatroon of 'n eenmalige voorval wees;
• Dit kan van aangesig tot aangesig, op sosiale media, in e-posse of oproepe of in ander werksverwante situasies plaasvind;
• Dis nie altyd voor-die-hand liggend nie;
• word nie altyd deur ander opgemerk nie;
• Dit is moontlik dat iemand nie bewus is van sy/haar boelie gedrag nie weet hul gedrag is boelie gedrag nie;
• Dit kan (egter) steeds afknouery (Boelie) wees, selfs al besef hulle dit nie, of al is hulle nie bewustelik van plan om iemand te boelie nie.” (2)
Dit is moontlik dat iemand dalk nie weet dat hul gedrag “boelie” gedrag is nie. Dit kan steeds afknouery (Eng.:“Harassment”) wees, selfs al besef hulle dit nie of al is hulle nie van plan om iemand te boelie nie.” (3)
Volgens die webblad ACAS, kan boelie gedrag die volgende aspekte insluit:
• voortdurend kritiek op iemand se werk lewer;
• die verspreiding van kwaadwillige gerugte;
• om iemand voortdurend in vergaderings te verkleineer;
• om een spesifieke persoon doelbewus 'n swaarder werklading te gee as ander;
• Om ’n individu van sosiale span aktiwiteite ui te sluit;
• Om vernederende, aanstootlike of dreigende opmerkings of foto’s van iemand op die sosiale media te plaas.
Die outeurs van die artikel getiteld What bullying is beskryf die verskynsel van ʼn besondere soort boeliegedrag. sogenaamde Opwaartse Afknouery (boelie gedrag teenoor ʼn senior)-en gee die volgende voorbeelde ter illustrasie:
• “Die voortgesette vertoon van disrespek;
• Die weiering om take te voltooi;
• Die verspreiding van gerugte;
• Die voortdurende ondermyning van iemand se gesag en;
• Optree op ’n manier wat die indruk skep dat iemand nie opleiding ontvang het nie, of nie sy/haar werk behoorlik kan doen nie.”
ACSA wys daarop dat dit soms moeilik kan wees vir 'n senior om te gewaar dat hulle geboelie word. (4)
Volgens die skrywers van dié artikel, is dit belangrik om boeliegedrag oral aan te spreek, binne enige en alle omgewings waar mense formeel bymekaar kom.
Dit is belangrik om die werklike redes vir dié gedrag te oorweeg. Daar kan byvoorbeeld 'n groter probleem wees met die kultuur van die organisasie as wat die mense besef, dis veral hier, waar menslike lyding langdurig en swaar is en so gou moontlik geïdentifiseer en aangespreek word. (5).acas.org.u stel voor dat privaat- en openbare organisasies formele opleiding ontvang in die voorkoms en aard van hier
‘n Artikel oor boelie deur MHI Prokureurs bespreek die onderwerp van boelie gedrag en relevante verskynsels asook toepaslike regs implikasies in ‘n artikel getiteld “Boelies, wees versigtig.” Die skrywers beskryf die volgende voorvalle:
“...Naam (’n Slagoffer van teistering (Eng.:”Harassement”) was ernstig verontrus toe sy uitvind daar is ‘n webwerf wat verskriklike kommentaar oor haar kwytraak. Aanmerkings is oor haar gewig gemaak en daar is dinge gesê wat impliseer dat sy vuil is. Die webwerf het selfs ander genooi om aktief betrokke te raak by haar belediging.
Die slagoffers van teistering (teistering sluit beledigende elektroniese kommunikasie, agtervolging en afknouery (Eng.“Harassement” in) worstel lankal al met gedrag wat neerkom op skending van hul regte maar wat nooit as `ʼn kriminele oortreding beskou is nie en gevolglik nie wetlik strafbaar was nie.
Die langverwagte Wet op Beskerming teen Teistering 17 van 2011 het op 27 April 2013 in werking getree. Kragtens dié Wet is teistering nie beperk tot fisiese- en mondelinge mishandeling nie, maar sluit dit dreigemente of ongewenste aandag deur sosiale media en SMS-boodskappe in en kan persone wat hieraan blootgestel word ook om ‘n beskermingsbevel aansoek doen.” (6)
Die prokureursfirma Rauch Gertenbach bespreek dié wet se belangrike implikasies as volg ” Die jongste publikasie van misdaad statistieke in Suid-Afrika het weer uitgelig wat net beskryf kan word as die onaanvaarbare voorkoms van mishandeling in huishoudelike sowel as nie-huishoudelike verhoudings, veral teen vroue en kinders. Gegewe dieselfde, is dit belangrik om te herhaal dat slagoffers van mishandeling en/of teistering wel remedies beskikbaar het wat verwyder is van dié waarop tradisioneel staatgemaak is met direkte benadering tot die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienste. Daar word voorsiening gemaak vir hierdie alternatiewe remedies by wyse van die Wet op Beskerming teen Teistering, Wet 17 van 2011, en die Wet op Gesinsgeweld, Wet 116 van 1998, beide wette wat onderskeidelik teistering en gesinsgeweld wyd definieer. Die jongste publikasie van misdaadstatistieke in Suid-Afrika het weer uitgelig wat net beskryf kan word as die onaanvaarbare voorkoms van mishandeling in huishoudelike sowel as nie-huishoudelike verhoudings, veral teen vroue en kinders. Gegewe dieselfde, is dit belangrik om te herhaal dat slagoffers van mishandeling en/of teistering wel remedies beskikbaar het wat verwyder is van dié waarop tradisioneel staatgemaak is met direkte benadering tot die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienste. Daar word voorsiening gemaak vir hierdie alternatiewe remedies by wyse van die Wet op Beskerming teen Teistering, Wet 17 van 2011, en die Wet op Gesinsgeweld, Wet 116 van 1998, beide wette wat onderskeidelik teistering en gesinsgeweld wyd definieer. (7)
Die primêre verligting wat deur hierdie wette verleen word by suksesvolle aansoek wat deur ‘n klaer geloods is, is beskermingsbevele.
Bradley Workman-Davies, Direkteur, Werksmans Attorneys, skryf die volgende oor boeliegedrag in die werkplek:
“Ingevolge bestaande arbeidswette word afknouery nie spesifiek in enige van die wetgewing gedefinieer of na verwys nie, insluitend die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge, die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes of die Wet op Gelyke Indiensneming. Die Wet op Gelyke Indiensneming in artikel 6)(1) bevat egter wel 'n verbod op onbillike diskriminasie, sodanig dat “Geen persoon mag op een of meer gronde onbillik, direk of indirek, teen 'n werknemer diskrimineer, in enige indiensnemingsbeleid of praktyk nie, insluitend ras, geslag, geslag, swangerskap, huwelikstatus, gesinsverantwoordelikheid, etniese of sosiale oorsprong, kleur, seksuele oriëntasie, ouderdom, gestremdheid, godsdiens, MIV-status, gewete, oortuiging, politieke opinie, kultuur, taal, geboorte of oor enige ander arbitrêre grond.” Artikel 6(2) bepaal ook dat "Teistering van 'n werknemer 'n vorm van onbillike diskriminasie is en op enige een, of 'n kombinasie van gronde van onbillike diskriminasie gelys in subartikel (1) verbied word." Oor die algemeen sal afknouery erken word as teistering, en dus onbillike diskriminasie. Selfs as die rede vir die afknouery nie een van die gelyste gronde (ras, geslag, ens.) is nie, mits die rede aangetoon kan word, kan 'n saak vir teistering uitgemaak word. (8)
Bogenoemde dui op die belangrikheid van regsbystand deur spesialiste
Nadat ek as 17 jarige van my klein tuisdorpie na Johannesburg is om werk te soek, het my pa my eendag by die werk gebel en wou allerlei weet, insluitend die fisieke omstandighede van my werksplek, of daar toereikende ventilasie was, genoeg lig en of dit warm genoeg was in die vertrek. Terwyl ons gepraat het, het ek my heeltyd ingebeeld waar hy sit en skilder in ons kombuis en oudergewoonte sy kwasse gedurig teen die kombuis muur teëls skoonflik tot my ma se ontsteltenis.
Ten spyte van die wolk van heimwee wat toé op my neergesak het, het ek één ding besef, en dit was dat sy kommer oor my omstandighede, later in my lewe, my tot die besef gebring het van hoé belangrik die opset binne ’n mens se werkomgewing is. Nie net fisies nie, het ek gesien, maar psigies ook. In ’n wêreld waar mense (Insluitend bestuurders) se gedrag aangevuur word deur onderdrukte woede en verskuilde motiewe, het ek besef hoé baie werknemers deurloop onder menslik-geïnduseerde stres.
Wat ek en medeskrywer oor boelie gedrag getref het, was dat sulke leiers geïdentifiseer behoort te word waar ookal hulle toksisiteit in die werksopset of administratiewe instellings onderhou en dat sulke individue óf groepe op alle vlakke, aangespreek moet word.
Een ding met betrekking tot boelie gedrag in die werksplek is seker: Dat die boelie heelwaarskynlik terdeë bewus is van waarmee hy/sy besig is en doelgerig hiermee voortgaan én slaag omdat die slagoffers verleë is oor hulle werk. Waar ookal (situasie of instelling) daar ’n permanente of kortstondige magsbalans ontstaan of bestaan, moet die toksiese leiers wat hiervoor verantwoordelik is, uitgewys, vasgevat en aan die pen ry.
Na die mening van die outeurs behoort elke toegeruste regspraktyk in die land ruimte te skep vir die vertroulike hantering van boelies in dáárdie spesifieke omgewing se werksplekke. Dit kan op verskeie wyses aangepak word, soos byvoorbeeld die beskikbaarstelling van ’n nood hulplyn of beskutte ingange of beskutte kantore waar hulp vir slagoffers beskikbaar is.
DIE ONTWIKKELING VAN ‘N EIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE INTELLIGENSIEKUNDE (TWAALF): SUID-AFRIKA SE GROOTSTE SPIOENASIESKANDAAL (II)
Dieter Gerhardt en Ruth Johr se huwelik het die Russe soos ’n handskoen gepas. Gerhardt kon Johr nou as koerier gebruik en sy het dekking aan hom verskaf wanneer hy vanaf Suid-Afrika via Wes-Duitsland na die Sowjet-Unie gereis het. Met die verskoning dat sy haar familie gaan besoek,
het Johr telkemale met ’n tas vol dokumente en films na Switserland gereis vir ontmoetings met die hanteerder, Vitali Sjlikof. Johr en Sjlikof het borselontmoetings gehad, persoonlike ontmoetings, partykeer van dooie skakelpunte en vals posbusse gebruik gemaak en soms mikrofilms en geld in koeverte met mekaar uitgeruil. Johr het ’n kredietwaardige dekkingstorie gehad om so gereeld na Switserland, asook Spanje, Noorweë, Madagaskar en Frankryk en niemand in die DMI het ooit daaroor navraag gedoen nie. Johr het die kodenaam “Lina” van die Russe ontvang, wat haar net soos haar eggenoot Dieter opgelei het om as koerier en ondersteuningsagent op te tree. Tydens Johr se gereelde besoeke aan Switserland het sy ook dokumente en films in posbusse in Zürich en Genève gelos, wat Sjlikof dan via subagente en kontrakagente na Rusland gestuur het. Johr het haar man getrou en gehoorsaam in al sy spioenasiepogings ondersteun. Saam het die egpaar groot bedrae geld verdien wat deur ’n dankbare GRU vir hul verraad betaal is. In Simonstad het die egpaar se luukse lewenswyse en gereelde oorsese skivakansies wel ’n paar wenkbroue laat lig, maar steeds het nie een van Gerhardt se kollegas by die Simonstad Vlootbasis onraad vermoed nie. Dieter en Ruth het enige navrae afgemaak met stories dat Ruth se ouers in Switserland baie ryk is, of dat Dieter baie geld geërf het. Die meeste van die geld wat deur die Russe aan die Gerhardt’s betaal is, is in ’n Switserse bankrekening gedeponeer, en in Ruth Johr se ma se rekening.
Intussen het Gerhardt se loopbaan in die Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot floreer deurdat hy in 1972 aangestel is as Senior Stafoffisier van die Bevelvoerende Offisier van die SAW in Pretoria. Gerhardt was nou die skakeloffisier tussen die weermag en sy hoofwapenverskaffer, Krygkor, die Krygstuigkorporasie van Suid-Afrika. In sy nuwe pos het Gerhardt direk en onbeperkte toegang tot die SAW se uiters geheime dokumentasie en krygsplanne gehad. Omdat hy die skakeloffisier met Krygkor was, het Gerhardt geweet die Atoomenergiekorporasie (AEK) het spesiaal vervaardigde kanonlope van die Vloot bestel om by hul geheime Vastraptoetsterrein naby Upington te gebruik.
Genl. Magnus Malan, die voormalige hoof van die SAW en Minister van Verdediging van 1980–1994, skryf in sy outobiografie, My Lewe in die SA Weermag, dat Dieter Gerhardt ’n ingesteldheid gehad het om te spioeneer: “… he was a difficult character since childhood and his whole life consisted of rebellion. As a member of a German-speaking family, he was opposed to the English; he rebelled against his father; as a declared agnostic he rebelled against the church; and eventually he also rebelled against the political dispensation.” Volgens Malan het hy in 1973 bewus geword van ’n sekerheidsbreuk by KRYGKOR en die Direktoraat Militêre Intelligensie gevra om ondersoek in te stel “om te kyk of Dieter Gerhardt moontlik ’n spioen kan wees. Gerhardt het daarin geslaag om die sleutels, kodes en syferkombinasies van kluise wat deur sy mede-offisiere gebruik is, te bekom. Hy het selfs saans by hul kantore ingebreek deur replikas van kantoorsleutels te laat maak, en so inligting wat hy en die Russe benodig het, bekom. Gerhardt het later aan ondersoekbeamptes gesê dat hy reeds in 1967 bewus geword het van agterdog teen hom, maar dat daar niks van gekom het nie, aldus Malan. Hy (Malan) sê voorts dat hy nietemin opdrag gegee het dat Gerhardt
terugverplaas word na Simonstad waar hy geen verdere kontak met Krygkor sou hê nie. As bevelvoerende offisier van die Simonstad Vlootbasis was Gerhardt die baas van sowat 2 700 vlootpersoneel en verantwoordelik vir die krygsgereedheid van die SA Vloot. Behalwe dat Dieter Gerhardt inligting oor Suid-Afrika se kernwapenontwikkelingsprogram in die hande kon kry, het hy tydens sy spioenasieloopbaan toegang gehad tot die geheime Silwermyn- elektroniese beheersentrum, wat maritieme verkeer in Suid-Afrikaanse gebiedswaters monitor, gehad. Dokumente wat NAVO aan die SAW verskaf het, en inligting oor wapenaankope en besonderhede oor die soorte wapentuig waaroor die weermag beskik het, is ook deur Gerhardt aan die Russe verkoop. Gerhardt het inderdaad nie ’n netwerk subagente nodig gehad om hom te help nie; sy personeel in Simonstad en in Pretoria was sy persoonlike subagente wat inligting aan hom voorsien het. Gerhardt het selfs lofbetuigings en bevorderings van sy vriend, adm. H.H. (Hugo) Bierman ontvang vir sy werk. Nie een persoon in die weermag het vermoed dat Gerhardt ’n Russiese spioen was nie. Tydens sy ontplooiing in Pretoria het Gerhardt selfs voorgestel dat die weermag ’n sentrale databank en biblioteek skep waar al hul geheime lêers oor wapentuig en wapenaankope gehou kon word. Gerhardt het natuurlik hierdie databank aan sy vingerpunte gehad en al die inligting daarin aan die Russe verkoop.
In 1977 het Dieter Gerhardt Suid-Afrika se hoogs geheime Vastrap- ondergrondse kerntoesteltoetsterrein naby Upington in die Noord-Kaap besoek. Onsekerheid omring die spesifieke besoek en die manier waarop Gerhardt so ’n besoek aan ’n hoogs geheime toetsterrein bewimpel het, maar een rede kon gerugte gewees het oor Suid-Afrika en Israel se samewerking op die terrein van kernwapenontwikkelling. In 1994 het ’n geslote en geheime hofbevel aan die media uitgelek waarin verwys is na die invoer van dertig (30) gram tritanium (kodenaam “tea leaves,” teeblare) van Israel na Suid-Afrika in ruil vir 600 ton titaanoksied. “The trial, held in camera, concerned a retired South African Air Force pilot who had ferried the shipments and was later accused (and cleared) of blackmailing the Minister of Mines, Dr. S.P. ‘Fanie’ Botha, for payments he believed were his due. According to the judgment, the deals were orchestrated by intelligence chief General Hendrik Van den Bergh and Fanie Botha, with the approval of Prime Minister Vorster and of Atomic Energy Board chairman, Dr A.J. ‘Ampie’ Roux.”
Gerhardt het daarna hoogs geheime inligting oor Suid-Afrika se kernontwikkelingsprogram en kernplofvermoë aan die Russe verskaf. Gerhardt was volledig ingelig oor ’n naderende kerntoesteltoets by Vastrap en het hierdie inligting aan kol. Witali Sjlikof van die GRU gegee. In Julie 1979 het die Suid-Afrikaanse regering voortgegaan met die ontwikkeling en konstruksie van sewe lewerbare kernwapens, wat verantwoordelikheid vir die program van die AEK na Krygkor verskuif het. Besonderhede oor hierdie onafhanklike kernkragvermoë was die enkele mees skadelike inligtingstuk wat Dieter Gerhardt aan die Sowjetunie verkoop het. In Augustus 1977 was Suid-Afrika gereed om sy eerste kerntoestel by die ondergrondse Vastrap-toetsterrein te toets, ’n gebeurtenis
wat gretig afgewag is deur die Suid-Afrikaanse regering en sy militêre industriële kompleks. Hierdie “koue” toets sou ’n ten volle geïnstrumenteerde eksperiment gewees het, maar sonder ’n verrykte uraanplofkop. Op 14 Augustus 1977, net ure voor die naderende en uiters geheime toets, is ’n Amerikaanse Beechcraft Twin-enjin C-12 ligte vliegtuig opgemerk wat oor die afgeleë Vastrapterrein vlieg. Dit het behoort aan William Brockway (Bill) Edmondson, die Amerikaanse Ambassadeur in Suid-Afrika, en was toegerus met ’n 70 mm- elektroniese langreikspioenasiekamera. Die AEK- en SAW-hoofkwartiere in Pretoria is onmiddellik in kennis gestel en die voorval is deeglik ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat geen vlugplan vir ’n vliegtuig in die UpingtonVastrap-gebied deur lugvaartowerhede ingedien of goedgekeur is nie. Op 17 Augustus 1977 het Edmondson die Departement van Buitelandse Sake in Pretoria gekontak en geëis om te weet wat by Vastrap aangaan en aangedring op ’n besoek aan die terrein. Volgens dr. Nic von Wielligh, lid van die Atoomenergieraad van Suid-Afrika, sou ’n “inspeksie ongetwyfeld dien om te bevestig dat voorbereidings vir ’n kerntoets getref is, al was dit net ’n koue toets”. Suid-Afrika se burgerlike intelligensiediens het reeds geweet dat sowel satelliete van die VSA as die Sowjetunie se Rhyolite, Vela-6911- en Cosmos-spioenasiesatelliete oor sy grondgebied ontplooi is. Voorkennis verskaf deur Dieter Gerhardt was die enigste rede waarom die satelliete deur hierdie twee supermoondhede bo ’n afgeleë en verlate gebied van Suid-Afrika se westelike woestynland geposisioneer sou wees.
Teen 1982 het Dieter Gerhardt en Ruth Johr senuweeagtig en paranoïes geword. Gerhardt het aan die skrywer gesê dat hy en Ruth geglo dat hulle agtervolg word, en dat hulle tekens van waarneming- en agtervolging gesien het. Gerhardt se GRU-hanteerder, Gregori Sjirobokof , het meer en meer inligting van die Gerhardts geëis. Hulle het gesukkel om aan die eise te voldoen as gevolg van Gerhardt se verswakte posisie as hoof van die Simonstad-dokwerf en gevolglike verminderde toegang tot hoëgraadse geheime militêre dokumente.
Die Direktoraat (later Afdeling) Militêre Intelligensie het nooit hul bevindings of verslae van genl. Magnus Malan se kommer oor Dieter Felix Gerhardt met Suid-Afrika se burgerlike intelligensiediens gedeel nie. Gerhardt was bekommerd dat hy in 1982 onder toesig of ondersoek was, maar dit sou deur DMI gewees het en nie deur NI nie.
Teen die einde van 1982 is Gerhardt deur die vloot meegedeel dat hy verdere opleiding aan die Syracuse Universiteit in New York moet ondergaan. Gerhardt het later aan NI-ondersoekbeamptes vertel dat sy senuwees hom teen daardie tyd opgekeil het: “My nerves were kaput in that period. The situation seriously affected my relations with Ruth. On the night before the trip, we had a terrible quarrel. She demanded that I not go. I demanded that she leave South Africa. We parted with a slamming of the door. At Kennedy airport I noticed the passport control official noting something after checking my passport. I can read upside down, and I understood he was marking me as problematic. The game had begun.”
In 1982 het ’n agent in Moskou, wat deur die Franse intelligensiedienste, die Direction Général de Sécurité Extérieur (DGSE) en die Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire (DST) gewerf en hanteer is, agterdogtig geraak en aan sy spioenmeesters gerapporteer dat die GRU ’n hoëprofielgeheime agent in NAVO het. Dié leidraad was baie vaag en sonder enige besonderhede, maar Westerse intelligensiedienste was nou bewus daarvan dat ’n Russiese spioen in hul midde funksioneer en besig is om militêre geheime te verkoop. Die identiteit van hierdie agent is later openbaar gemaak as Wladimir Wetrof, kodenaam Farwell. Gerhardt is op 8 Januarie 1983, een week ná sy aankoms in die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA), deur ’n span bestaande uit CIA, FBI- en Britse SIS-agente in sy hotelkamer in New York gearresteer. ’n Filmrol is in Gerhardt se besit gevind en hy is onmiddellik deur die Amerikaners aan ’n poligraaftoets onderwerp, wat hy met vlieënde vaandels gedop het. Gerhardt het aan die CIA/FBI/SIS-ondersoekers erken dat die Russe ’n lys insamelingsprioriteite aan hom gegee het, onder andere om inligting in te samel oor SuidAfrika se kernontwikkelingsprogram en kernwapentoetse. Twee weke later is Gerhardt by sy terugkoms in Suid-Afrika op die Johannesburgse lughawe deur twee lede van die Veiligheidstak, kol. Hans Gloy en maj. Frik Nel, gearresteer. Gerhardt het by geleentheid gesê dat hy gevrees het dat hy die doodstraf sou ontvang vir sy spioenasiebedrywighede. Op dieselfde dag van Gerhardt se terugkeer na Suid-Afrika is sy eggenote Ruth Johr by die egpaar se luukse woning in Simonstad gearresteer. Die eerste minister (later pres.) P.W. Botha kondig op 26 Januarie 1983 tydens ’n mediakonferensie aan dat ’n Suid-Afrikaanse burger, Dieter Felix Gerhardt, en sy Switserse eggenote, Ruth Johr, ingevolge artikel 26 van die Wet op Binnelandse Veiligheid in hegtenis geneem is op aanklagte van spioenasie. Botha het gesê dat Gerhardt en Johr veelvoudige kere besoek aan die Sowjetunie gebring het en dat geklassifiseerde inligting die Russe op hierdie manier bereik het. Die Gerhardt-egpaar se hanteerder Witaly Sjlikof, wat die kodename “Bob” en “Michael Nikolaief” gebruik het, is kort hierna deur die Switserse owerhede in hegtenis geneem. Ten tye van sy arrestasie het Sjlikof US$100 000 in kontant by hom gehad. Hy is in 1984 aan spioenasie skuldig bevind en deur ’n Switserse hof tot drie jaar tronkstraf gevonnis. Sjlikof is egter binne ’n jaar deur die sagmoedige Switsers vrygelaat en na Rusland gedeporteer waar hy later ’n internasionaal erkende militêre analis en kommentator geword het. Sjlikof het egter nie opgehou met sy kwajongstreke nie en het daarna gepoog om van die Suid-Afrikaanse diplomate in Moskou as agente vir die GRU te werf. Suid-Afrika het op 28 Februarie 1992 amptelike diplomatieke betrekkinge met Rusland aangeknoop, en Sjlikof is daarna selfs deur die ambassade uitgenooi om die begrafnis van die een van hul ontslape diplomate by te woon.
In Dieter en Ruth Johr huis Pennington in Simonstad is kommunikasietoerusting, eenslagletterblokke, kodeboekies, ontmoetingskedules, mikrofilm en drie Olympus Pen-F 35 mmkameras gevind, wat as getuienis in die hof teen hulle gebruik is. Die klopjagspan het mikrofilm en mikrostippels ontdek wat die Gerhardt’s gebruik het om operatiewe en geheime inligting te versteek
en te versend. Hulle het ook toerusting uitgesnuffel wat Gerhardt gebruik het om boodskappe met geheime ink te skryf, mikrografiese toerusting om foto’s te verklein en te verberg, en selfs geheime ink in van Gerhardt se sokkies en knope van hemde wat GRU aan hom gegee het.
Die Gerhardt’s is hierna ses maande lank deur intelligensiebeamptes van Suid-Afrika, die VSA, Brittanje, Frankryk en Israel ondervra. Brig. (later genl.) Herman Stadler is aangestel as hoof van die SAP Veiligheidstak se ondersoekspan en het later deurslaggewende getuienis in die hof teen die egpaar gelewer.
Suid-Afrika het in 1978 vir die eerste keer verrykte uraan geproduseer en kort hierna het Gerhardt ’n besoek aan die AEK se geheime Vastrap-toetsterrein bewimpel. Gerhardt het in 1977 inligting oor beoogde ondergrondse toetse aan die Russe rapporteer en kort daarna skuif hulle en die Amerikaners ’n spioenasiesatelliet oor die Kalahari-woestyn en bokant Vastrap. Dit blyk later dat die Russe inligting oor Suid-Afrika se beoogde toetse aan die Amerikaners deurgegee het en hul president, Jimmy Carter, gevra het om druk op Suid-Afrika uit te oefen om die toetse stop te sit. Carter en sy Minister van Buitelandse Sake, Cyrus Vance, se versoek is met die minagting wat dit verdien het deur die Suid-Afrikaanse regering verwerp.
Dieter en Ruth Gerhardt het in Junie 1983 op aanklagte van hoogverraad in die Pretoria Landdroshof verskyn, maar die saak is na die Kaapse Hooggeregshof verwys. Hul hoogverraadsaak, wat in die geval van skuldigbevinding met die dood strafbaar was, het op 6 September 1983 in Kaapstad begin. Die aanklaer in die saak was die prokureur-generaal van Wes-Kaapland, adv. Niël Russouw. Ten spyte van die getuienis van 124 getuies het Gerhardt die hele tyd volgehou dat Ruth Gerhardt niks met sy spioenasieaktiwitete te doen gehad het nie; sy het hom net hier en daar gehelp en bloot sy opdragte uitgevoer. Verskeie getuies het tydens die hofverrigtinge verwys na Gerhardt se arrogansie en “hovaardige houding.” Die staat se saak teen die Gerhardt-egpaar is op 29 Desember 1983 afgesluit, waarna beide aangeklaagdes deur regterpres. George Munnik skuldig bevind is op aanklagte van hoogverraad. Dieter Gerhardt is tot lewenslange tronkstraf gevonnis en Ruth Johr tot tien jaar. Daarmee het die 48-jarige Dieter Felix Gerhardt die enigste dienende SAW-offisier geword wat aan spioenasie vir die Sowjetunie skuldig bevind is. Die regterpresident het in sy uitspraak gesê die groot bedrae geld wat Rusland aan Gerhardt betaal het en deur Ruth na Suid-Afrika terug gesmokkel is, was ’n aanduiding dat selfverryking sy motief vir spioenasie was. Regterpres. Munnik het ook gesê dat as slegs een lid van Gerhardt se werkgewer, die SAW, as gevolg van sy optrede gedood sou wees, hy Gerhardt die doodstraf sou opgelê het.
Gerhardt het soos volg op sy skuldigbevinding kommentaar gelewer: “I was positive I would get the death penalty. At the time, executions were routine in South Africa, sometimes ten a week. The judge wrote that if it had been proved that I had caused the death of even one South African soldier, he would have sentenced me to death.”
Die Russiese tydskrif Izvestia het soos volg oor die Dieter Gerhardt-Ruth Johr hofsaak rapporteer:
Despite her trials during the investigation, trial and long imprisonment, “Lina” retained warm memories of trips with “Felix” to the USSR, about the GRU employees who worked there with her. She told fellow inmates at the Pretoria Central Prison that she did not regret that she helped her husband fulfil her obligations to the GRU. She gave her consent to participate in this “Felix” without hesitation, infinitely believing him and his cause. Her love and trust in him, was the one philosophical factor that defined her life.
In 1988 het Ruth Johr aansoek gedoen vir amnestie, maar haar versoek is deur regter Richard Goldstone afgekeur.
Ná agt jaar in Pretoria se Sentrale Gevangenis is Ruth Johr in 1990 vrygelaat en Dieter Gerhardt in Augustus 1992 as deel van ’n bilaterale diplomatieke ooreenkoms tussen Suid-Afrika en Rusland. Gerhardt is sonder seremonie op ’n vliegtuig na Switserland geplaas, waar hy met Johr en hul seun Gregori, vernoem na sy hanteerder Gregori Sjirobokof, herenig is. Die grootste verraaier in SuidAfrika se geskiedenis is later deur Nelson Mandela ’n pos as militêre adviseur in die nuwe SuidAfrikaanse Nasionale Weermag aangebied, maar die aanbod is van die hand gewys. Gerhardt se skuldigbevinding is later deur die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie verskoon, maar nie sy vonnis nie. Magnus Malan, wat tydens Gerhardt se spioenasieloopbaan hoof van die weermag en Minister van Verdediging was, het die verkoop van Suid-Afrika se kernwapengeheime aan die Russe uitgesonder as die grootste skade wat Gerhardt aan Suid-Afrika aangerig het. Malan het beweer dat die produksie van Suid-Afrika se kernwapens ’n geheim was, totdat Gerhardt hierdie inligting aan die Russe uitgelap het. Pres. P.W. Botha se slotopmerking oor die Gerhardt-saak was dat hy moeg was om van spioene in die SAW te hoor en dat hy niks verder hiervan wou hoor nie.
* In DIE BURO: Genl. Lang Hendrik van den Bergh en die Buro vir Staatsveiligheid, wat deur Imprimatur Uitgewers gepubliseer word, is daar ware Suid-Afrikaanse spioenasieverhale wat die waarde van agente en spioene illustreer (HUMINT), en ook die enorme skade wat hulle somtyds aanrig, onder die soeklig plaas. Die enigste werklike meetinstrument van die sukses van ’n spioenasiediens is die mate waarop hy of sy die geskiedenis beïnvloed het, of nie. Die Buro vir Staatsveiligheid het ’n invloed op die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis gehad en verdien om onthou te word. Indien enige van ons lesers oor relevante inligting oor die ontwikkeling van spioenasie in SuidAfrika, beskik, word u hartlik uitgenooi om enige inligting en foto’s aan henningvanaswegen55@gmail.com., te stuur.
* Die artikelreeks Intelegere bevat 982 bronverwysings en voetnotas, wat op aanvraag van die skrywer bekom kan word. ‘n Verkorte weergawe van die verhaal van Dieter Felix Gerhardt en Ruth Johr verskyn in die boek Spioenmeesters, wat op Amazon verkrygbaar is.
* Word in die volgende Nongqai vervolg.
* Voorafbestellings vir DIE BURO kan by Imprimatur Uitgewers geplaas word.
FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW – A JOURNEY IN INTELLIGENCE
Johan Mostert
Introduction
The world of intelligence underwent radical sweeping changes in the last two decades of the 20th century. Looking back, it is clear that the net result of events of that period represents a major paradigm shift in the history of the conduct of intelligence, in South Africa as well as the rest of the world.
This is not intended to be an academic paper, only some random reflections on developments in the field of intelligence at the time of my retirement as a consultant to the State Security Agency (SSA) in 2014.
Background
The bells announcing the dawn of a new international world order tolled loudly with the fall of the Berlin wall on 9 November 1989. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union on 26 December 1991 the bipolar international order that dominated the latter half of the twentieth century came to an end. The shape of intelligence was changed forever.
On the 2nd of February 1990 President FW de Klerk announced the first steps to dismantle apartheid. This announcement introduced a radically new intelligence paradigm unique to South Africa. South Africa from then on had to cope with sweeping changes impacting on the international world of intelligence while at the same time managing its own distinctive challenges.
In the aftermath of the demise of the Cold War, many influential voices the world over were heard questioning the continued existence of statutory intelligence organisations. Some argued for a drastic reduction of intelligence budgets while others went so far as advocating the abolishment of intelligence organisations altogether. Many scholars and public figures believed that, with the ending of bipolar hostilities, the end of history has dawned and that ideological conflict on a grand scale as experienced during the Cold War is something of the past. They held that in a relatively open and stable world where the need for secrecy has waned, there should be no need for spying and for costly intelligence structures to process the information obtained by clandestine methods.
Some of these sentiments were echoed in South Africa during the same time. This line of thinking was reinforced by the argument that the struggle is over, and that South Africa can look forward to a peaceful democratic future. The need for intelligence and the associated abuse of human rights by secret operatives must be confined to the past because South Africa is becoming an open society where dissenters can vent their grievances in a democratic manner. There would be no need for them to turn to underground activities and acts of violence. Should that happen, the police could deal with matters as criminal acts. There were thus people who believed that the allocation of funds to intelligence should be severely curtailed, and some were even of the opinion that independent or national intelligence agencies (intelligence organisations not supporting a specific line functionary) should be done away with. Interestingly to note was the debate in the Cabinet Committee on Security and Intelligence (CCSI) in South Africa on whether the intelligence services should be confined to collection or whether it should also perform an analytical function. There was a view that Ministers are quite capable of doing their own interpretation (especially Kader Asmal and Trevor Manual). All they needed was reliable facts.
The impact of these events on intelligence organisations was profound. Internationally intelligence was conducted within the framework of the bipolar system and enemies were clearly identifiable. Intelligence was traditionally conducted with the understanding that intelligence is all about knowledge of the enemy, and now all of a sudden, the enemy has vanished – there were no more enemies to spy on. Many in intelligence became dejected. One of the most senior field officers of a major international intelligence organisation remarked to me: “I am mad at the Soviets. Why did they cave in? All I wanted to be was a spy, and now that they are not there anymore, my bosses want to turn me into a diplomat! The Russians deprived me of my purpose in life.” Many a truth has been spoken in jest.
Utopian thinking on a world in which intelligence will be superfluous, soon crashed against the rocks of reality. The breakdown of the balance of power in the wake of the dissolution of the Cold War led to the flourishing of a multitude of latent conflicts that many were unprepared for. Obtaining adequate information for decision-making purposes from conflict-ridden areas proved to be a major challenge.
Obtaining early warning intelligence for preventative action proved to be even more problematic. Most of the conflict areas were inaccessible to diplomats and little reported on in the media. The events in the Balkans early in the nineteen nineties of the last century alerted governments to the fact that intelligence is indispensable for proper decision making. This and other crises in various parts of the globe brought the message home that the world is still a dangerous, turbulent and unpredictable place. In 1993, R. James Woolsey aptly observed at his confirmation hearing for the directorship of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that: "We have slain a large dragon, but we live now in a jungle filled with a bewildering variety of poisonous snakes."
Finding new targets
I now turn to some of the main areas where the winds of change sweeping the international arena impacted on the business of intelligence. South Africa also did not escape the consequences.
The first major effect was an intensive effort by intelligence agencies worldwide to re-focus their targets in view of the changed strategic environment. Many organisations tried to find the reason for their continued existence in security issues such as crime and especially organised crime including money laundering, drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, nuclear proliferation and terrorism. Before the 1990’s these issues were on the backburner of intelligence priorities, but they were now considered major priority areas for intelligence. Intelligence organisations were publicly accused of running out of work and that they are now trying to muscle in on the traditional areas of responsibility of departments such as the police.
Many of the major players on the intelligence scene found a calling in a sharper focus on economics. Many international relations theorists during the 1990’s held the view that ideology will not play a major role in the security landscape of the future. War will not be the dominant dynamic, but competition, specifically economic competition. It was for this reason that the Clinton Administration in the USA created the National Economic Council parallel to the National Security Council. Future security threats were perceived to be of an economic nature. The trend also manifested in other countries and indications are that many intelligence organisations, especially those of Russia, China, Japan and France, focussed heavily on economic and industrial espionage.
A search for new targets for intelligence was one of the main consequences of the demise of the bipolar world order, but other factors also played a significant role in shaping the world of intelligence in the 21st century. I will briefly note some of the important aspects.
With the end of the Cold War an era of ultra secrecy came to an end. Hostilities on a grand scale became a thing of the past. As governments became more open and large areas of the globe became more accessible, the demand for secret information or intelligence became less critical.
There were also fewer secrets to protect. The result of this was that secrecy which was no longer considered to be the sole or primary reason for the existence of intelligence organisations. An eminent scholar of intelligence, Gregory Treverton, explained it as follows: “The final set of challenges is the most fundamental. Cold War intelligence lived in a world where information was scarce; it relied on ‘secrets’ not otherwise available. Its business was those secrets. Now, though, it faces an era of information. Information and its sources are mushrooming, and so are the technologies for moving information rapidly around the globe. Given these circumstances, the business of intelligence is no longer just to provide secrets; rather, its business is to produce highquality understanding of the world using all sources.” For Treverton openness is at the heart of the change in the paradigm of intelligence. “In this new world, the business of intelligence is information, not secrets.”
The intelligence business I entered in 1970 today looks very different from the one I left some time ago. I note a few random examples of prominent changes.
• Transparency. Intelligence organisations became much more open; less secretive. Years ago, intelligence organisations were enveloped in secrecy and one scarcely admitted that one worked for such an organisation, even if you were mowing the grass. It was all hush- hush. Even MI6 climbed out of the cupboard in the 1990ties and placed a website on the Internet. Intelligence officers also attend conferences as known members of their services. This was unheard of before.
• The information explosion. With the arrival of the Internet in the nineties the collection of information underwent a major change. Not only did the volume of information increase exponentially because of greater access to previously denied areas, but also, and probably mainly, because of the instant access to a world of information at the press of a button. Clients of intelligence were snowed under by the sheer quantity of information. Intelligence as “selectors” of information for clients became an important function.
• The relationship between secret and open-source intelligence (OSINT). The traditional equation of the relationship between secret and open information became invers. Whereas the conventional view during the Cold War era was that the relation was 80% secret and 20% open, matters have been turned around. The bulk of what is now considered to be intelligence is now deemed to be 80% open and 20% secret.
• Competition from the Internet. In the past clients were heavily dependent on intelligence agencies to provide them with newsworthy information or intelligence. The Internet has changed that. Clients now have easier and quicker direct access to just-in-time information. This means that some are more inclined to ignore the intelligence agencies.
• Proliferation of literature. In the years before 1990 the work of Sherman Kent and Roy Godson’s Consortium for the Study of Intelligence (CSI) were the main sources for academic reflection on intelligence and intelligence analysis apart from a few personal memoirs of former operatives. Today academic books and journals abound, and intelligence is taught at a number of top universities in many parts of the world. Intelligence organisations are even making web pages available on the Internet. This would have horrified the old order. Because of the availability of more reading material and the willingness of intelligence organisations to make public statements, the public is more informed about intelligence than before, but unfortunately much is still to be done in this regard.
• Fear of intelligence. Many years ago, the ordinary person in the street lived in fear of intelligence. The impression was that the intelligence organisations listened indiscriminatingly to everything people said and will pounce on you when you even mildly criticise government. This fear is not as prevalent today although the recent Snowden affair whereby US electronic monitoring by the National Security Agency (NSA) was exposed considerably fanned suspicions.
• Analysis. Today more emphasise is put on the role of the analyst. I can still recall the day when one of the analysts was asked by the deputy head of the Bureau for State Security (BfSS): “What are analysts doing in the organisation? They are just a nuisance” (the analyst cautioned about a certain course of action the organisation intended to take). In the old days it was not strange for information to pass directly from the collector to the client. Today there is a greater appreciation for the central role of the analyst and the way in which they should guide the collection and production process.
• Analytic methodologies. In the past analysts relied on unaided analytical methodologies for producing intelligence. Analysts relied on expert judgment and experience. Today there are a plethora of tools and techniques (Structural Analytical Techniques – SAT) available to assist them. One should, however, remain sceptic about too much reliance on computer modelling as an analytical tool to produce strategic intelligence. As was the case in the past, there is nothing that can supplant the mind of the experienced analyst as the primary analytical tool.
• The need-to-know principle. This was strictly adhered to, and people guarded their secrets jealously. It was difficult at times to get a full picture because people were withholding information on the grounds that it was “too sensitive”. The emphasise today is on sharing; on the real need to know. It is, however, a moot question whether operatives abide by this. Hoarding secrets is a perennial problem in intelligence.
• International liaison. There is a much greater emphasis on international co-operation between intelligence services than before. In the past who liaised with who was one of the big secrets. Today services are quite open about it.
• Oversight. Parliamentary and other means of oversight was a rare phenomenon during most of the twentieth century. Today this forms an important part of the conduct of intelligence.
• Shift in function. An important change referred to in other parts of my presentation, was the shift from a focus on the enemy to policy support. The old paradigm emphasised information on the intentions and capabilities of the enemy. Today the focus is very much on assisting the decisionmaker to plan for the future.
• Definition of intelligence. In the past practitioners instinctively knew what intelligence was all about. Today learned treatises are produced seeking a definition of intelligence. Schools developed around the question of whether intelligence is about organised information in the first place with secret information as only one of the input or whether secrecy forms the reason d’etre for the existence of intelligence organisations.
• Competition from public media. Of major importance was the increased competition for the attention of the consumer of intelligence from sources other than intelligence organisations. In the past intelligence had a captive audience. Now in the more open society where information is in abundance, it has to compete with the news media, researchers and other experts. It remains a real challenge today for intelligence organisations to plan the dissemination function in a scientific manner.
• New support services. When I started in intelligence, we had to write everything by hand. Typists then had to type it and in the case of documents that needed to be copied, the typist had to type it on wax paper which then had to be “roneod” (the name of a machine doing the copying which became a generic term) by hand; copiers were still in the distant future; and the notion of desktop computers was still part of science fiction. Documents had to be transported by courier. The fax machine came later before email took over.
• Staff composition. International intelligence services in the past used to be, like the military and the police, the domain of the male, and in the NIS white males. This has changed for the good.
The impact of openness on intelligence
A major consequence of all these developments was, as mentioned above, an increase in the importance of open-source intelligence (OSINT). Secretly collecting the information became less of a problem and verifying data and information a greater challenge. Analysis became more critical. Treverton is of the view that: “Intelligence has been dominated by collection, but now the pendulum needs to swing toward processing and analysis.”
Because of the abundance of information, the analyst increasingly assumes the role of information broker to the client. The traditional role of the analyst, namely puzzle solving or creating a model for understanding security issues, is also changing and is shifting more to focus on assisting the decision-maker in considering policy options for the future - forecasting.
This obviously has important implications for training. In the first instance a huge chunk of beginners training should - no, to my mind must - concentrate on the verification of facts. Facts are the lifeblood of intelligence. Facts must be the foundation of all intelligence products. Time spent on evaluation is time well spent. One of the major causes of intelligence failure is a lack of attention to the correctness of facts; vide the CIA and weapons of mass destruction. We in South Africa have our own sorry tales to tell. Recall the Meiring Report and the report of a plot implicating prominent figures such as Messrs Tokyo Sexwale, Matthews Phosa, Cyril Ramaphosa and others.
The phase that goes together with evaluation, namely collation, is a much-neglected area. Its yields in terms of assisting the analysts to connect dots are much underrated and should also receive priority attention. Because of the increase in the volume and complexity of information, collation and the skills to apply the tools of collation are being regarded as more important than ever before by some international intelligence agencies.
Together with this is the need to train analysts to collect open-source intelligence. Gone are the days when the analyst sat behind his or her desk waiting for the information to be delivered on a platter. The strict division between collection and analysis belongs to the old paradigm. Co-operation becomes the key to successful collection and in this regard the proper implementation of target centric analysis is a practice that should be further refined by intelligence services. In addition to basic research skills, the analyst must also have extensive Internet search skills and know how to exploit the net to the full. Tacit information is also becoming more important. This means that the analyst must not only be in a position to identify already published sources, but also be able to identify who it is that can produce the required information. This implies the ability to convince experts to produce input for intelligence. Subject-matter knowledge and not the traditional skills to handle sources is required for open-source collection. Training in networking skills therefore becomes more important for the analyst.
As important as fact-based intelligence is the ability to develop logical arguments in order to arrive at sound inferences in the production of higher order intelligence products such as assessments and estimates. This skill is non-negotiable. Not a single assessment or estimate can succeed if based on faulty logic. It therefore warrants special attention in training. In the final instance is special attention to the development of skills in strategic forecasting. I am fully aware of the success of simulated training, but nevertheless believe that special modules should be developed for a theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in addition to simulation exercises.
The international public debate on intelligence abated somewhat at the turn of the century and lost much of its negative momentum. 9/11 changed everything. Intelligence had to face the full glare of the public spotlight. This was followed soon afterwards by the Iraq intelligence fiasco.
Much has been said about these events. I only want to note two salient points from these incidents. Foremost are the continued need for human collection or spying, and the imperative of the need for absolute integrity in the conduct of intelligence. These are lessons all intelligence agencies should heed and monitor their conduct against these demands.
In South Africa we also had to reconsider the traditional role of intelligence. The apartheid dragon has been slain, but are there still poisonous snakes left? We grappled with this question after 1994 and it was not easy. I do believe, however, that we have found our niche and that the civilian intelligence organisations are not trespassing on the line functional responsibilities of other departments. In the domestic arena civilian intelligence finds a reason for its existence in identifying risks and threats of an undemocratic (unconstitutional) nature whilst externally the service is not in search of enemies but is engaged in the protection and enhancement of South Africa’s national interests.
Changing notions of security
Another significant change affecting intelligence was the changing notions of security that gained momentum since the seventies and eighties of the previous century. The traditional concept of security focussed on the political-military dimensions of conflict. Especially during the last two decades of the previous century, the notion gained ground that this is too narrow a definition for a proper understanding of security. The term should be broadened to include so-called non-traditional areas such as economic, societal and environmental issues.
The South African White paper made extensive use of the broadened concept of security as the subject matter of intelligence. But many theorists expressed a need for not only broadening, but also for deepening the understanding of security. With further theoretical development the concept the notion of human security gained relatively wide acceptance during the early 1990’s. The state as referent object of security was replaced by the notion that the human person should be the central focus of security. More emphasis was placed on the quality of life of the human person and on freeing people from constraints in order allow them to improve their living conditions and living a life worthy of a human being.
What must be clearly stated is that national security deals with supporting the state to maintain its sovereignty and the integrity of state structures to ensure good governance. It is not opposed to human security but forms an indispensable component of human security. Development cannot take place without state structures guaranteeing stability and justice. National security is one side of the
same coin. Important is that national security is not a goal in itself; it is a means to an end, namely creating favourable conditions for the benefit of human persons.
But an expanded concept of security can lead to the securitisation of matters previously belonging to other areas of societal and governance affairs. A danger exists that the security organs of state may become dominant to such an extent that national decision-making will favour traditional security solutions at the cost of social development and humanitarian considerations. This is what happened during the time of apartheid. It may also lead to a situation where so many issues are proclaimed security issues that the concept would lose its meaning and utility value.
It should, however, be kept in mind that addressing security issues in its broadest sense is the task of all the organs of state, not only the security organs. If, for instance, the prevalence of hazardous diseases is considered a priority human security threat, it should in the first instance be the relevant government department (in this case the health department) which should address this matter by collecting information on the spread of the disease and devise strategies on how it could be contained, not the intelligence organs.
The impact of diseases can, however, reach a point where it impacts on good governance to the detriment of all citizens. The broad impact on national security is not within the purview of the health department to evaluate. It is a matter beyond the line functional responsibility of a single department to address. It is here where intelligence has a definite role to play. Dealing with all phenomena within the scope of national security falls within the line functional responsibilities of national strategic intelligence. Intelligence has to collect all information on the vulnerabilities, internal and external, that threatens to or have the potential to bring down or significantly weaken state structures as well as threats to the national interests and crises or potential crises which may necessitate extraordinary security measures. This is the exclusive domain of intelligence collection and also the traditional field in which intelligence has been operating over the centuries.
If this approach is correct, it raises the question of the role of intelligence within the expanded scope of human security. Is it the task of the traditional intelligence organisations to deal with the full spectrum of human intelligence? I argue for No. To my mind the role for intelligence is that of national security, in other words ensuring the integrity of state structures in order to create a proper and stable framework for good governance and development. A different structure should be created, preferably within the office of the President, to deal with human security in its broadest sense. Intelligence, operating in its traditional manner, should then provide an input to the human security structure that could operate in a manner similar to the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC).
Because the human security body will be dealing with security, it is conceivable though not necessary that the NICOC structure may be incorporated into the broader structure. Collection departments should however maintain their focus on traditional forms of security and secrecy. Despite the new paradigm of openness in intelligence, secrets remains important and in many instances critical.
What I am saying here finds parallels in Australia and the UK where the collection agencies are separated from the collection organisations. Even here in South Africa we find NICOC as an analytical entity separate from collection. One model is to simply broaden the scope of NICOC to incorporate human security. There is, however, the danger that the focus on traditional intelligence may become diluted.
My personal preference is for maintaining NICOC as a national security analytical unit focusing on a twelve months’ time horizon and the creation of a separate analytical unit focusing on human security in the long term. This body could co-opt experts from any sector including the private sector and will not be dependent on secret information. It should function like a think tank and advise government on long-term trends that may pose a threat to good governance such as the ESKOM fiasco.
In conclusion
My trek in intelligence spanned more than four decades. It was a challenging period, and many momentous events occurred along the way. It was a period of radical change. I was privileged to have had the opportunity to be an eyewitness to many of the events on the road. It was a good journey.
21 August 2014
REFLECTIONS OF A COLD WAR INTELLIGENCE OFFICER: PUTIN, GORBACHEV AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE USSR
When I was in the process of joining SAMVOA, prior to my immigration to Perth, it became evident to me that little is known about the National Intelligence Service (NIS), outside of the cloistered confines of the world of the Faceless Few that served in its closed ranks. NIS was a significant player in the liberation struggle theatre of the Cold War. It was known to all other services of the world, both friend and foe, yet veterans of our own military units know very little about them. I
interpret this as a testimony to their professionalism that their presence was felt by their enemies, but not seen by their friends. The war they participated in is over, so there is no longer the need for the deep secrecy that once protected them. More importantly, as a veteran of NIS covert operations, I have been mandated by some of my fellow veterans to tell the story of the Faceless Few.
Today we live in a bewildering world. Governments are losing legitimacy, populism and nationalism are both on the ascendency, as are anti-globalist sentiments. The democracies of the free world are showing signs of distress, as the use of social media enables information to be weaponised. The world is jittery about global economic meltdown, a recent pandemic that rewrote the rules of free trade, and an unfinished Russo-Ukrainian War that initially sent energy markets into shock and exposed the global vulnerability of food supply chains. Russia’s presence has again been felt. Since its initial attempt to destabilise Ukraine in 2014, it has failed to meet its stated objective – regime change in Ukraine – more than two years after a full-scale invasion.
As a former intelligence officer, I think about these things a lot, possibly in a way that is different to most. Tonight, I will share some thoughts on Russia, based on my direct professional experience in the final days of the Cold War. I distinguish between the government of Russia, and the people of Russia, for the two are not the same.
Let me give you some background. I was an operator in the 1980’s and 1990’s in what was then known as the Chief Directorate Covert Operations (CDCO), a specialised unit within the National Intelligence Service (NIS) that had been established as a high impact resource to be deployed in a focussed manner. In the late 1980’s several strategic events were playing out in the Southern African region, all of which created a risk landscape of extreme uncertainty. Most of you are deeply familiar with those times.
In December 1979, in distant Afghanistan, Leonid Brezhnev deployed the Soviet 40th Army, in response to the Saur Revolution. The mission, defined by the Brezhnev Doctrine, was to destroy the Mujahideen, and install a pro-Soviet government in Kabul. The Russians were in command, and chose to fight as they typically do, by strictly following doctrine. That doctrine meant establishing air superiority, and then enabling ground-based forces to penetrate defined target areas to capture designated towns and cities. The problem that they failed to appreciate, was that Afghan society is feudal, with power based on tribal loyalties found in villages, not in capital cities. In 1985, the CIA introduced the Stinger missile systems to the Mujahideen. Before the era of the Stinger, the Mujahideen never won one set piece battle against the USSR forces. After Stinger, then never lost one. Stinger challenged the conventional wisdom of the Soviets, and they were simply unable to respond. They eventually did the only thing they could do – retreat while claiming some form of
mission success. We know that was a farce, because the USSR was defeated in Afghanistan, exactly as the Americans were defeated in Vietnam. Neither admit defeat, but the reality is different, for both were clearly unable to achieve their stated mission objective.
The significance of the defeat of the USSR in Afghanistan must be understood in the context of the leadership change in 1985, when Mikhail Gorbachev came to power. He was faced with three significant crises, that had major ramifications for the world in general, but South Africa in particular.
• The introduction of Stinger systems to Afghanistan made the protracted war technically unwinnable, so increasingly a face-saving response was required.
• The arms race, characterised by the Cold War, had completely drained the Soviet Union of all resources, with a legacy of radioactive pollution a growing and existential threat that persists today.
• The fiscus was under persistent pressure to bail out State Owned Entities (SOE’s), which had become so cumbersome and inefficient over decades of central planning, to the point where it was simply unable to cope any more.
Gorbachev decided to adopt a radical new approach, in which he deescalated the tensions, and reached out to the West. We all remember the famous Reagan speech in which he made the plea, “Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall”.
It was against this strategic background that we, in South Africa, faced a historic opportunity. With the USSR busy imploding, the war in Angola changed dramatically, as the Cubans could no longer be constrained. Most people think of the Cubans as a proxy force for the Russians, but this is very far from the truth. On the contrary, the Cubans – by which I mean Fidel Castro and his cadre of elites – were deeply suspicious of the Russians. They felt betrayed by Khruschev during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and they were equally angered by the Americans after the Bay of Pigs incident. The Cubans became increasingly active in Angola at the precise time that Russian power started to decline. The precise date of their initial escalation was November 1975 at the Battle of Quifangondo, when the CIA abandoned the SADF troops to their fate. They had to be rescued by the Navy during Operation Rubber Duck. The Cubans used that event to escalate their presence through Operation Carlotta. In Angola, it was the Russians who were moderates, restraining the Cubans for fear of escalating the Cold War into a hot conflict. This reflected the Kissinger Doctrine that was designed to prevent escalation in a world of thermonuclear weapons. But after 1985, Russian power was in decline, as was its capacity to restrain Cuba. This is an important element to understand, because it became extremely relevant in the next few years. It was an unrestrained Cuba that triggered the final battles with the SADF in Angola, not the USSR.
In June 1987, at the very time that the USSR forces were withdrawing from Afghanistan, Gorbachev addressed the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). Central to his message was the need to reform the SOE’s, triggering the Soviet Joint Venture Law and the Law on State Enterprises. These two laws had a profound impact, because they invited western corporations into the USSR, but they also enabled the Oligarchs to capture the core assets of the SOE’s, effectively nationalising the liability while privatising the high value core. Both became vital in the decades to come. Unbeknownst to him at the time, Gorbachev had initiated a series of reforms over which he no longer exerted control.
This is where NIS becomes relevant.
In 1987-1988, during the big conventional battles along the Lomba River, known today as Operations Modular, Hooper, Packer, Excite and others, the Cold War ended abruptly in Africa. The SADF forces succeeded in preventing FAPLA from meeting their mission objective of capturing Jamba and neutralising UNITA. The highly aggressive Cuban 50th Brigade was unable to go onto the offensive into Namibia, its logistics line proving vulnerable to sabotage by SADF Special Forces demonstrated during Operations Abduct and Drostdy. FAPLA, along with their Cuban and Russian advisors, became holed up in underground defensive positions at Cuito Cuanavale, unable to advance on Jamba, and almost overnight a window of opportunity opened for South Africa.
This window of opportunity was defined by the following:
• Penetration by CDCO of the command-and-control line between Havana and Menongue revealed the fact that a faction in Cuba wanted a face-saving way to leave Angola.
• With the real prospect of Cubans leaving Angola, South Africa was prepared to withdraw as well, for it was dealing with internal unrest that could overwhelm the government if left unchecked.
• More importantly SA was prepared to implement UN Resolution 435 and grant Namibia its independence.
• With the USSR no longer a factor, this provided a potential opportunity that was unlikely to repeat itself again.
Within this milieu, NIS had been operating. The CDCO, of which I was then a part, was directly involved in many of the successful special operations being run in the background. These can be thought of as enablers for the big event yet to come – a negotiated ending of the Armed Struggle.
Time and space preclude me from elaborating on details of what was happening inside SA in 1989, but many of you were there, so I don’t have to elaborate. For those interested, I have recently submitted a paper for publication that deals with those times, and I will gladly share it. Within NIS
an innocuous organ had been created. It was named the Special Work Group (SWG), and I found myself seconded to it, ostensibly representing the operational interests of the CDCO. Each sub-unit had a representative on the SWG, and I was the liaison officer for K32. This was unusual, because the norm at that time was strict compartmentation of all offensive operational sub-units, with a rigid application of the need-to-know principle. For the first time I began rubbing shoulders with members of K21, K22 and K31.
The SWG consisted of a handful of operational members of the CDCO, tasked collectively with developing the intelligence foundation for a big event that the public was yet unaware of – the negotiated conclusion of the Armed Struggle and the creation of a new constitution through a process that would come to be known as the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). That handful of operators were the initial surveillance spearhead that would eventually give South Africa a new constitution. But I am getting ahead of myself, because there were many stumbling blocks in the way as a new landscape of risk opened.
Navigating that uncharted landscape of risk was the raison d’être for the CDCO. It was the very reason that the unit had been established in the first place. We made extensive use of highly trained operators, often deployed in small teams, capable of functioning with minimal assistance in a foreign hostile environment, independent of any embassy support. In fact, it was the anticipation of the total loss of embassy representation that played a core role in the creation of the CDCO in the first place. Those specialists were tasked with answering specific questions, defined in technical terms as OEI’s (Outstanding Elements of Information).
The audience needs to understand that when entering a new risk landscape, this is done with great consideration to the many ramifications of the operation. The risk-reward ratio is carefully weighed up before a suitably qualified operator is deployed, and plans are put in place to mitigate all the known risks. These are defined through the process of target analysis, which involves the definition of the Essential Elements of Information (EEI) needed to solve a core strategic problem. In essence, the EEI’s were a checklist of what we needed to know to derive an accurate answer to a question of national strategic importance, in an environment characterised by high risk and conflicting information, often coming from sources of varying reliability. It was the operator’s task to explore the risk landscape, but to focus specifically on answering the questions defined by what it is that we need to know, but don’t yet know. When you know what it is that you don’t yet know, you are suddenly in a very strong position, poised to go onto the offensive with precision targeting.
In mid-1989 the big strategic question was whether we could realistically negotiate a peaceful end to the Armed Struggle? This was highly sensitive, with a strict need-to-know restriction placed on all personnel involved. In the whole of NIS, maybe 20 people knew about this, that’s how sensitive it
was. Through targeted penetration we learned that certain Cuban elites wanted a face-saving way out of Angola. But one of the big questions was centred on the unknown factor of Russia. Stated differently, we needed to verify whether Russia still had the capacity to project power outside of its borders, in the face of the disintegration of the USSR. In short, as the USSR was fraying around the edges, would Russia send tanks to Berlin or Bucharest, as they had done to Prague in 1968? Would Russia interfere with CODESA should we decide to go the negotiations route? Did they have the capacity to derail or influence the process?
It was against this background that I was deployed in 1989. Applying strict operational rules for personal and national security, this deep penetration operation made use of the third country principle. This means that my country of temporary residence, was not the country of operational interest. In fact, all efforts were made to avoid detection by the Service in the host country, for our actions were not against their own national security interest.
I found myself at what had been the point of Cold War contestation for virtually my entire life – the Berlin Wall – during the latter part of 1989. It was there that I confronted the stark difference between reality and illusion. The illusion had been deftly portrayed that the USSR was so strong, that the Iron Curtain was impregnable. This illusion was a powerful one, underpinned by sophisticated propaganda showing the fate of those who had tried to escape to the West. The first time that I saw the wall was during seething protests. Arguably the most imposing part was the Brandenburg Gate, standing like a stark reminder of the bitter combat in 1945 that left the city under rubble from doorto-door street fighting, mostly by the Red Army, to be later divided into different sectors controlled by the Allied forces. It stood there in 1989 as a splendid reminder of the resilience of German architecture in the face of the sheer destruction of Soviet artillery. I found myself reflecting on the gravid presence of the many souls departed at that one place, now standing like a stark monument dividing the East and the West. When I first saw the old Kaiser Wilhelm Church spire at Kurfürstendam, bombed out in the war, but now a monument, I could not help but be deeply moved. I offered a silent prayer and asked for strength to complete my mission.
This was the frontline of the Cold War. This was where spies had been swapped for decades and this was where the myth of Soviet might was tested in the most public way on 9th November 1989 when it was announced that all border checkpoints between East Germany and West Germany would be opened. Note I say the myth of soviet might.
Without one shot being fired, fuelled by miscommunication, that myth was debunked as the reality of Soviet power became apparent for all the world to see on 9th November 1989. I recall the sense of utter amazement as I watched ordinary people moving over what until that moment had been the hardest of all borders in my known world. I was literally gobsmacked as I learned of one of the border
guards, Harald Jager, in command of the Bornholmer Strasse checkpoint, trying to contact his superiors for orders, but to no avail. It later became apparent that he knew his force was outnumbered, and he was reluctant to become the man who ordered the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, so he ordered his staff to open the boom and allow people to pass without checking their papers. He later became a controversial figure because some accused him of being a coward, for ignoring the eventual garbled orders to allow GDR citizens out, but not back in again. He went down in history as the man who let people move freely, rather than open fire against them. Communists have judged him harshly while freedom loving individuals have mostly forgotten his name
Over that weekend around two million people crossed the border from the GDR to West Germany, shattering the myth of Soviet invincibility forever. In one instant, 16 million people were liberated from the persistent fear of the STASI, the East German Secret Police. A year later German unification had irreversibly altered the entire gain of the Cold War. But, deep within the KGB office in Dresden was a career officer named Vladimir Putin, dealing with the fallout from the collapse of the USSR. Taking a cue from Romania, where an angry mob had successfully stormed a regional headquarters of the Securitate, the local equivalent of the STASI, overthrowing them and taking control from the state for the first time in their lives. The date was 5th December 1989, and an attempt was made to storm the STASI office in Dresden. Close by was the KGB office, and confronting the angry crowd was Vladimir Putin. He warned the leaders not to storm the building, saying that if they did, they would be shot. The crowd hesitated, and Putin gained control momentarily. Putin then did what all Russians do. He went up the chain of command to ask for orders. Remembering the Securitate incident where officers had been killed by an angry mob, Putin needed orders urgently. He phoned KGB headquarters in Moscow, but nobody answered. Undeterred, Putin then phoned the commander of the Red Army tank unit calling for protection should the crowd return. This is precisely what we were looking for – evidence of the Russian capacity to respond in the face of a disintegration of the satellite states comprising the USSR. Would the tanks roll in as before?
Putin received a curt response that the tank unit could do nothing without orders, because “Moscow is silent”. With those three words, our question was answered. Russia had lost the capacity to project power outside of its own territory. For us this was a moment of triumph, even as we did not yet understand the details of it, learning much of these later. All that we knew was that the citizens had revolted, and both the STASI and Securitate had been overrun, but the KGB office was still intact. More importantly, Gorbachev had not authorised the deployment of tanks, and of even greater significance, he met with Chancellor Helmut Köhl in December 1989 as the unification of Germany was cemented, thus ending the bitter division of the Cold War.
In my isolation at the sharp end of deployment on a deep penetration covert mission, I had witnessed the ending of the Cold War that had defined my entire life.
Putin was later to describe the breakup of the USSR as the biggest tragedy of the 20th Century. He returned to Moscow, even as Gorbachev was being ousted by a military coup that brought in Boris Yeltsin, the colourful politician who joined the popular uprising when the tanks were shelling the Duma. It was this pattern that characterised the collapse of the USSR, most notably the intervention of the security forces on the side of the revolting masses, against their former master’s in government.
This is highly relevant today in contemporary South Africa, where there is a growing likelihood of another internal revolt should the Government of National Unity fail.
I returned home in about March 1990, emaciated, consumed by the rigors of operational deployment in a foreign hostile environment, but with the personal observation that there was no tangible evidence that Russia still had the capacity to project power outside of its own borders. The USSR had disintegrated, and the most secure hard border of the then known world had succumbed, not to tanks and artillery, but rather to confused guards unwilling to give the order to use lethal force in the absence of clear instruction from above. The myth of Russian invincibility had been laid bare. The young KGB officer named Vladimir Putin was busy setting himself up to be named by Boris Yeltzin as his heir apparent, and the future legitimate leader of an isolated and demoralised Russia that was being overwhelmed by Western corporations and hollowed out from within by billionaire Oligarchs. But, more importantly, we could proceed with CODESA, safe in the knowledge that external interference from Russia would be at best be feeble, but unlikely.
I distinctly recall my return journey, in an SAA Jumbo Jet, in which I felt safe for the first time after months of lonely deployment. What made my return home so poignant for me, besides the sheer joy of feeling safe once again, was the fact that sharing my flight was a large contingent of ANC/SACP exiles coming home. I recall the bizarre disconnect of my last image of what was then Jan Smuts Airport, as I departed a few months earlier. That was my last place of safety for many months, but it was under the orange, white and blue of the SA flag. The new reality of seeing the red flag of the SACP flying at what was to become Oliver Tambo International Airport, made me instinctively realize that I had witnessed an historic transition. I slipped through customs with as little fuss as possible, eager only to see my family once again, and decompress from the relentless demands of a deep penetration covert operation.
I now return to the present by sharing some insights that I gained as an intelligence officer who found himself deployed into what was literally the last moment of the Cold War. This was the final
demise of the USSR that we were aware of in NIS, after the big battles raged in Angola in 1987 and 1988.
The first insight that I wish to share is the absolute myth of Russian invincibility. In my professional life I had the privilege of meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev in person. I can even say that I got to know him, his wife Raiza and red-haired granddaughter whose name I cannot recall, as real human beings. I even got to know two of his advisors, with whom we shared many warm moments. I never got to meet Vladimir Putin in person. We were both intelligence officers of similar rank, deployed onto the frontline of the Cold War. We both experienced the tumultuous events underpinning the demise of Nicolae Ceauşescu and Eric Honecker, strongmen of Soviet Socialist Republics. In this process I have come to realize, exactly as was reported to NIS at the time, that Russia was, and still is, a mythical force. It had lost the capacity to project authority into the world in a way that is consistent with the international rules-based system of government enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and underpinning the many legal instruments relating to sovereignty and the rule of force, way back in the 1980s. It has only sustained that myth through the sophisticated use of propaganda, and what is best described as asymmetrical warfare in the digital age. Donald Trump has helped sustain that myth. After trying to effect regime change in Ukraine in 2014, it is no closer to that objective today, even after escalation to full invasion in 2022 that has resulted in more than two years of brutal meat-grinding battle against a resilient enemy. As we speak Ukrainian forces are capturing parts of Russia.
Don’t let bluff and bluster fool you. Don’t become confused about the physical size of Russia - as the largest single country on the planet, covering eleven time zones, speaking over 100 languages - with real power. Many large countries are in fact weak powers. It’s the sheer size of the surface area that makes it impossible for a central government to project authority over the entire geographic area that we call the sovereign state. In Africa we have excellent examples of very large countries, also being the weakest in terms of projecting authority outwards. Think of Congo, Sudan and Central African Republic, all massive in size, yet militarily and economically weak. Russia is no different. It’s a massive country with an economy the size of Texas or Spain.
Think about what this means in terms of capacity to sustain a protracted war.
Hubris is not the same as empirical reality.
The second insight is related to the capacity of any state to convert new ideas into cutting edge military technology, and then develop a supply chain capable of industrialising those new weapons systems. Yes, it is true that Russia has hypersonic missiles. It is also possibly true that NATO forces might not have the capacity to intercept such weapons. Note that I say possibly, because we don’t know this as fact. What we do know is that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have not succumbed to a
brutal Russian onslaught and are currently on the offensive inside Russia. More importantly we also know that the capacity to get missile launch platforms close enough to make a difference is limited simply by virtue of the depleted capacity of the navy and air force. Right now, Russia is unable to get its navy close enough to Ukraine to make a difference. If it has failed in Ukraine, why would it succeed in America or Australia?
Let us assume, for arguments sake, that Russian hypersonic missiles are really a game changer. Then let us compare this with Nazi Germany, a truly industrial nation, in constant search for the socalled wunder waffen (wonder weapon) that would alter the outcome of the Second World War. Germany was always more technologically advanced than Russia, and even it was unable to find that single game-changing weapon that made a difference to the outcome of the war. I ask a logical question about how an economy, the size of Texas or Spain, riddled with corruption, and vulnerable to sanctions aimed at critical components like semiconductors and other items needed to control hypersonic missiles with precision, will be capable of converting new ideas into sophisticated weapons of war in numbers big enough to make a difference?
Simple logic tells me that this is impossible, when that same army was unable to sustain a logistics line capable of capturing Kyiv.
The third insight is related to the core weakness of any authoritarian society where people are afraid to tell the leader what he doesn’t want to hear. We have seen this pattern repeat itself many times. Effective military leaders always surround themselves with experts capable of giving them genuine advice, typically from dissenting views. Authoritarian leaders are intolerant of dissent, and so they are seldom given information that differs from the strong opinion they already hold about a given topic. Too many people are falling out of high buildings in Russia, or succumbing to poison, to create a safe enough space for a senior officer to point out a critical flaw in any plan of the autocrat. Saddam, Hitler, and Putin were all unwilling to hear dissenting views, and so their plans remained inflexible, and ultimately failed.
The fourth insight is related to the depth of resentment that the citizens of the former USSR states have towards the Russian government. Remember that the tanks were inserted into Prague precisely to supress a popular uprising in 1968. The feelings that ordinary citizens have towards the Russian government are not one of warmth. On the contrary, I would go so far as to say that the Russian government is feared by the citizens of the former USSR, even to the point of being hated. We must not make the mistake of believing that a leader in one of those satellite states represents the best interest of the citizens. To understand this, we must think differently about Russia as a mediaeval society based on a strictly enforced feudal hierarchy. Putin has forced order onto an unwilling populace, but in so doing he has empowered what used to known as the Boyars, now
known as the Oligarchs, who are nothing more than rent-seeking feudal warlords. They are gangsters with luxury yachts, meting out the most primitive justice imaginable, stealing from the government, and they are certainly not popular in their own sphere of interest.
Fifth, we need to ask whether an embattled Putin will resort to nuclear weapons? The answer to that is not a simple one. If Putin was a rational actor, then he would know that any use of nuclear weapons would immediately result in overwhelming retaliation. If I were to make a judgement call, I would say that Putin is not a rational actor, so he might well consider the nuclear option. In this regard we need to take comfort from the billions of dollars invested into the most sophisticated intelligence operations known to mankind, all targeting this one single issue. By this I mean that the combined intelligence services of NATO, and the rest of the Free World, will have penetrated the Russian chain of command at multiple levels. If NIS could do it to Cuba in the 1980s, then so much more can the CIA, MI6, Mossad, BND, ASIS and other sophisticated Services do the same. A high probability exists that NATO Governments will know, before the strike is ordered. The analogue here is a famous case that occurred during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when a GRU officer known as Colonel Oleg Penkovsky, defected to MI6, and provided the affirmation needed to reduce tensions by closing the gap of uncertainty. Penkovsky was eventually assassinated, for Russia does not tolerate defectors, but the citizens of the Free World owe him a huge debt of gratitude, even if the average person has never heard his name. Today, I am convinced, that many Penkovsky’s are being handled by NATO Services, and from those high value sources’, governments will get what they need to know, to protect their citizens.
Finally, where the Russian government excels today is in the field of asymmetrical warfare. Their security services, most notably the FSB, have perfected the art of targeting the single most important aspect needed for any democracy to thrive – the free flow of information. The very strength of democracy is based on policy choices at election time, and that requires an informed electorate. By carefully targeting voters through the precise delivery of micro messaging, information has been successfully weaponised by the Russian state. Conspiracy theories erode the legitimacy of any elected government, in extreme cases resulting in questioning the integrity of the election itself. We see this playing out wherever the Russians have a strategic interest, like in the USA and Britain. Frankly I know of no security structure in the free word capable of successfully countering this threat without eroding the oversight role that is vital in any democracy.
In conclusion, I am proud of my operational service as an intelligence officer. In NIS, the Faceless Few were part of something way bigger than us as individuals. We made a difference, and we developed deep insights into complex strategic matters that impacted on the daily lives of millions of people. We served with integrity, and we asked for no recognition in return.
Ab Obscuro in Apertum was our motto – from darkness into the light. I thank you for allowing me to bring part of the story of the Faceless Few, from the darkness, into the light.
CIA AND MI6 CHIEFS WARN OF THREATS TO ‘WORLD ORDER’
RT
The US and UK spy bosses have named China and Russia as the main challengers to the status quo
The global order is under threat from a number of state actors, the heads of the American and British foreign intelligence agencies – the CIA and MI6 – claimed in a joint op-ed published by the Financial Times on Saturday.
In the piece, Bill Burns and Richard Moore pledged that Washington and London would work in lockstep to retain the status quo in a world where technology has considerably accelerated geopolitical trends.
Following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, and the sharp downturn in ties with the West, senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have repeatedly proclaimed the end of US hegemony and a global shift to multipolarity.
In the op-ed, Burns and Moore observed that “there is no question that the international world order – the balanced system that has led to relative peace and stability and delivered rising living standards, opportunities and prosperity – is under threat in a way we haven’t seen since the cold war.”
“Today, we co-operate in a contested international system where our two countries face an unprecedented array of threats,” the top spies wrote.
The piece singles out an “assertive Russia” in the context of the Ukraine conflict, which both the CIA and MI6 “saw… coming.” The spy agencies’ chiefs noted that the hostilities have demonstrated the increased role of technology in modern warfare, in particular unmanned systems and satellite reconnaissance.
In addition, Burns and Moore accused Moscow of waging a “reckless campaign of sabotage across Europe” as well as spreading “lies and disinformation designed to drive wedges between us.”
However, according to the op-ed, in the eyes of the CIA and MI6 “the principal intelligence and geopolitical challenge of the 21st century” is the “rise of China.” Both agencies have already reorganized their processes to “reflect that priority.”
Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in early June, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated: “We are talking about polycentrism, a departure from previous norms, and we see the desperate resistance of the collective West... They see the norm differently, as their own dominance, as a world order based on one rule, that they must dominate as before, and everyone must do only what the dominant power allows them to do.”
The diplomat insisted that Western narratives are, however, not shared by the global majority, which has embraced the concept of multipolarity.
“We should not forget that the collective West are a minority,” Zakharova stressed at the time. You can share this story on social media:
SA SPOORWEGPOLISIE | SA RAILWAYS POLICE
ROODEPOORT: VANDALIZATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS STATIONS
Click on the link and see how our railway stations have been plundered.
����"Ghost" And Abandoned Train Stations In Roodepoort - Joburg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyAhkcliQwk
‘n Vriend wat daar naby gewoon het en die video gesien het reageer soos volg:
“Ek is uiters geskok oor daardie video. Daardie stasiegeboue lyk soos iets uit 'n oorlogsone. Hulle herinner my aan die ou verwoeste myngeboue, naby Randfontein, wat ons vir huispenetrasieopleiding gebruik het.
Vroeër het ek 'n huis aan die onderkant van Sonopstraat, naby die spoorlyn, besit. Ek het onlangs op Google Earth gaan kyk. Rondom die stasie lyk alles baie sleg. Ek kan ook nie die toestand van die ou SAP-kaserne/ kantien glo nie. Daar is altyd vir my gesê dat dit is 'n historiese gebou is. Nou is dit net 'n vervalle ou gebou wat moontlik deur plakkers beset is.
• Railway Carriage: SA Constabulary
• Foto’s P Botha – teks HB Heymans
Klas 25NC 3476 met teen-onluste trein van die spoorwegpolisie
Rytuig 9245 gebruik deur die SA Spoorwegpolisie om onluste mee te bekamp
Rytuig 9245 van binne afgeneem
Trok DZ-7 51-160-471 gelaai met klip-gruis
Bo: Trok DZ-7 51-291-193 met lig en toegerus om voorwerpe van die spoor af weg te stoot - c1996 Kaalfontein
Onder: Die SASPOL-rytuig word tans opgekap – foto J & J Wepener
• Jacque Wepener
Hi Hennie.
Ek het al die kommentaar oor die Onluste treine van Facebook hier gesit vir jou artikel.
Derick Norton
Ook in Durban geloop as ET1, 2 en 3. Spoorbaan asook polisie aanboord. Lekker ou nagskof met ‘n .22.
Vernon Saaymàn
Ook so ‘n elektriese trein snags gehad in die Kaap. Tweerytuig pakkieswa met DZ trok en soekligte weerskant, met manskappe, kan nie onthou SAP of weermaglede. Amper al vergeet tot ek vandag die idee weer sien
Jaco Holtzhausen
Ons het hulle met die ‘87 staking ook gewerk, Soweto was 2x34 met twee DZ's vol sand voor en agter die diesel, een het Lenz se kant toe gery en die ander Naledi toe, die polisie het by ons op die voetplaat gery, van hulle het nog spoorwegpolisie uniforms gedra. Die stoom het Daveyton se kant toe gewerk met iets soortgelyk, die "blowdown cocks” was omgedraai sodat dit voetplaat hoogte kon gespuit het.
Tembisa het ook die diesel/DZ samestelling gehad, die meegaande foto's se rytuig was in Germiston gebruik op die Katlehong lyn ek kan nie onthou waar pas die stofie in nie
Greg Gerg
Spook Trein? We had one in Durban. I know the one in Durban used to patrol the network in the 80s and early 90s before the elections, Jammer daar is so min foto’s.
Groete Jacque.
THE BATTLE OF HOLKRANS OR THE HOLKRANS MASSACRE:
06
MAY 1902 AT HOLKRANS, NEAR VRYHEID IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
Wolfgang Witschas
Introduction
The Battle of Holkrans took place on 06 May 1902 at Holkrans, near Vryheid in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War on 06 May 1902.
Background
In April 1902 the Second Anglo-Boer War was nearing its end. However, the British had been unable to corner General Louis Botha's Commando of about 500 Boers, which was still active in North Eastern Natal. The Boers' resources were depleted which had necessitated them raiding cattle and grain from the local Zulu, particularly the abaQulusi, who lived near Hlobane, east of Vryheid. The
ill-feeling by these raids was fuelled by resentment stemming from the battle of Tshaneni in 1884, where the abaQulusi's support of Botha's Commando had gone largely unrewarded. Relations between the Vryheid Commando and the abaQulusi had been further soured when in March 1902 the abaQulusi joined Dinuzulu’s warriors to assist British General Bruce Hamilton's operations against the Boers in Northern Natal.
There was an incident when some Boer farmers were killed by the abaQulusi in the vicinity of Vryheid. At the end of April 1902 several abaQulusi homesteads were burned down on General Botha's orders, in retributions.
When the Peace negotiations were going on at Vereeniging in May 1902, the opposing forces in the field observed a truce. In early May 1902 an independent Boer Commando from Vryheid/Utrecht, led by Field Cornet Jan (Mes) Potgieter, a man who had a reputation of poor relations with the abaQulusi, attacked and burnt the chief’s settlement near Hlobane, taking 1800 head of cattle. Chief Sikhobobo was insulted when Potgieter challenged him to come and get them back. The chief and his people were forced to shelter in the Vryheid garrison under British protection. Chief Sikhobobo had been encouraged by the British to attack the Boers and take their cattle even though an armistice was in force. They were also armed by the British. Chief Sikhobobo and his men became known as ‘Mr Shepstone’s Commando’ due to being aided and abetted by A.J. Shepstone, the British appointed Magistrate of Vryheid. Shepstone, having ascertained from spies the position of the Boers at Holkrantz, ordered Sikhobobo to attack them. The abaQulusi who had been seething at the treatment the many Boer units had inflicted on them throughout the war, the abaQulusi now saw their chance for revenge. The abaQulusi subsequently attacked the commando camp at the foot of Holkrans hill.
Field Cornet Jan (Mes) Potgieter
Chief Sikhobobo
The Boers had formed a laager with their wagons and, as it was a cold winter night, most had gone to sleep close to the big fire they had made in the centre of the wagon ring as it was a cold winter night,
The Attack
Under cover of darkness a large impi of the abaQulusi approached the laager and attacked, with complete surprise.
Although there was a guard over the cattle, sentries had not been posted. A warning rifle shot woke some of the Boers shortly before dawn the next day, but they had no time to prepare for the onslaught by about 300 abaQulusi the light from the fire lit up the sleeping men around it. They had no chance, a few Boers survived.
The Battle
Just prior to the Battle, Frances Pratt, one of the Boers, had preferred to settle under a wagon. He was awakened by the swishing of many legs passing through the grass beside his wagon. He was not seen because the light from the fire lit up the sleeping men around it. They had no chance. Meanwhile Frances slipped away. He got to another laager a mile or so down the valley, guarding the women and children. The abaQulusi did not attack them.
The abaQulusi attacked and many Boers were killed before they could retreat. The survivors fled up the hill, pouring rifle fire into the approaching enemy, who sheltered in the long grass. However as soon as the Boers rose from their firing positions, the abaQulusi overwhelmed them with superior numbers. During Hand-to-Hand fighting some Boers got away, but most were killed. The battle was a mutual bloodbath. There were heavy casualties on both sides, but the abaQulusi prevailed and retrieved their stolen cattle as well as all the Boer horses and their provisions. The Boers lost 56 of 73 killed, 3 wounded and taking 3 young boys as prisoners, whom they handed over to the British authorities. The abaQulusi suffered 52 killed and 48 wounded. This battle was the last victory of the abaQulusi to date.
The site of the battle: A view from the top of the hill where the battlefield monument is located.
A characteristic feature of most the accounts of Holkrantz is how little reference has been made to primary documentation and consequently how little evidence is provided for statements made and views expressed. The single major exception which offers the most thorough and best documented examination of the event, is the research of Ken Gillings and S J Maphalala.
Ken Gillings
“This action crippled the Boer Forces in Northern Natal and, coming as it did, at a critical stage in the peace negotiations, it had a major effect on the “Bittereinders”. When General Louis Botha was told of the disaster, he felt that it was pointless to continue the struggle when even the black population was turning against them. It is for this reason that this incident, arguably, can be described as one of the most decisive actions of the Anglo-Boer War, in that it was a major factor in getting the leaders of the Boer Republics to accept the final peace Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902.”
Kenneth Graham Gillings (1947 – 2016)
KEN Gillings, soldier, military historian, Moth and unparallel battlefields guide, died in a drowning accident while on holiday at Cape Vidal in December 2016.
SJ Maphalala assessment entitled "The Murder at Holkrantz (Mthashana)"
He concludes that the “blame for the incident on 06May 1902" lay largely with the British.” The crux of Maphalala’s argument is that not only were the abaQulusi under chief Sikhobobo part of the combined British force based in the Vryheid area, but that they had been encouraged to attack the Boers and take their cattle even though an armistice was in force.
Not surprisingly, the Battle of Holkrans is better and more bitterly remembered by Afrikaans South Africans than other elements of this so-called “Rainbow Nation”. The bitterness is reflected in a website that lists the Boer casualties as having been “murdered”, not “killed in action”. (As an aside, it would be interesting to know how the compiler of that website would categorize the 68 men of the Imperial Yeomanry who were killed by the Boers while sleeping in their tents at Tweefontein on 25 December 1901.)
After the engagement, a British Commission of Enquiry was convened which, according to Maphalala, after ignoring some of the crucial evidence – not surprising given the sentiments of the time – concluded that the Boers had been killed because they had been ill-treating the amaZulu and thus brought reprisals upon themselves. Amongst the crucial evidence not considered was that provided by some of the Boers and that Magistrate Shepstone was not only complicit in allowing Sikobobo to proceed to Holkrantz, when in terms of the prevailing armistice, British troops should
have prevented the attack, and that the three prisoners were taken on instructions of Shepstone. Another item ignored was the Boer contention that relations between the Zulus and the Boers were good prior to British interference and arming of the Zulus. Boers testified to the Commission that despite being alone on their farms while their men were away on commando, no Boer women or children had been attacked, harmed or ill-treated by the Zulus. Maphalala also makes no mention of any Boer insults as suggested by some writers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, he suggests that the attack was indirectly or directly carried out on the instructions of Magistrate Shepstone and that the abaQulusi were merely carrying out British orders at Holkrantz. It is not only the galling fact that the enemy at Holkrans were Zulus that so upset the Boers then, and their descendants later, but also because 56 of the 73-strong commando were killed. There can have been few, if any, battles in the Boer War in which such a high proportion of men from a single unit were killed in a short engagement. The effect on the Boer inhabitants of the sparsely inhabited Vryheid district must have been devastating. While there were many other reasons for the Boers to regret and resent the British victory in the Boer War, the Holkrans incident must have been especially significant to the inhabitants of the districts of Utrecht and Vryheid. It would be interesting to know if there are others interested in the Second Anglo-Boer War, who believe that the significance of the Battle of Holkrans has been generally under-estimated. This unusual battle came late in the war and was the first in which an indigenous impi clashed with one of the main protagonists of the war, the Boers. Histories of the Anglo-Boer War have mostly paid it scant attention. It has become a little-known footnote in a war of great battles and political events that that marked the acme of Imperial Britain and changed the course of history in South Afric
Professor Jabulani Maphalala, a retired academic and respected historian specialising in Zulu history
There is a monument at the site of the attack some 30 Kms from Vryheid towards Paulpietersburg and another at the NG Kerk in Vryheid.
A marble memorial commemorating the Holkrans incident stands in the grounds of the Dutch Reformed Church in Church Street, on it appear the names of the 56 Boers who were murdered. Most of the Boers were re-interred here on 20 January 1905. Veld-Cornet J.H. Potgieter's and L.
Potgieter's remains were transferred to the same place on 6 May 1972. The remains of J.H. Labuschagne, the last of the 56 Boers to be re-interred under the memorial, were moved in 1976. On 6 May 1962 a plaque commemorating those who escaped or were captured was unveiled by P. B. Pratt and P.J. Fourie - two of the survivors still living exactly 60 years later
Book: Field Guide to the BATTELFIELDS of South Africa: Battle of Holkrans
Pages: 178/179
Nicki Von Der Heyde Struik: Travel and Heritage
ZA Republiek
Great Brittain
Oranje Vrij Staat
SLAG VAN HELVETIA : 29
DESEMBER 1900
Kol Rudi van Wyk
Slag van Helvetia
Vroeg die oggend van 29 Desember 1900 val Boere kommando’s onder bevel van Veggeneraal Chris Muller die Britse garnisoen in die koppies by Helvetia aan. Die Britte was totaal onkant betrap.11 Britse soldate word gedood en ‘n Britse kanon “Lady Roberts” word gebuit.235 Britse soldate word gevange geneem.
AUGUST 23RD 1900; DE WET - 3 YEAR'S WAR - THE 200TH MAUSER.
Via Iain Hayter (Photo colourised by Tinus le Roux)
During the night of August 21st, we arrived at Vanvurenskloof. How delightful it was when the sun rose to see once more the well-known mountains to the south of the Vaal River in our own Free State!
"There is the Free State," we called out to each other when day broke. Everyone was jubilant at seeing again that country which of all the countries on the earth is the best. From here I despatched General (Philip,) Botha with the purpose of collecting the burghers of Vrede and Harrismith who had remained at home, and of bringing them back to join me.
We remained only as long as was necessary to rest the horses, and then at once went on. The same evening, we arrived at the farm of Rhenosterpoort, where our laager had waited since we had crossed the Vaal River more than a week ago. The proprietor of the farm of Rhenosterpoort was old Mr. Jan Botha. It could not be that he belonged to the family of Paul Botha, of Kroonstad, for Jan Botha and his household (amongst whom was his son Jan, an excellent veldtcornet) were true Afrikaners. And even if he did belong to the family of Paul Botha, then the difference in his feelings and actions from those of other members of his family was no greater than that, alas! which frequently occurred in many families during this war. One member put everything at the disposal of his country, whereas another of the same name did everything possible against his country and his people. But there was no such discord here. The two old brothers of Mr. Botha, Philip and Hekky, were heart and soul with us. Potchefstroom was not at that time in the hands of the English. I rode over to the town, and then it was that the well-known photo was taken of me that has been spread about everywhere, in which I am represented with a Mauser in my hand. I only mention this to draw attention to the history of the weapon which I held in my hand. It is as follows: When the enemy passed through Potchefstroom on their way to Pretoria, they left a garrison behind them, and many burghers went there to give up their arms, which forthwith were burnt in a heap. When the garrison left the dorp the burghers returned. Amongst them were some who set to work to make butts for the rifles that had been burnt.
"This rifle," I was told by the man who showed it to me, "is the two hundredth that has been taken out of the burnt heap and repaired." This made such an impression on me that I took it in my hand, and had my photo taken with it. I am only sorry that I cannot mention the names of the burghers who did that work. Their names are worthy to be enrolled on the annals of our nation.
Photo: De Wet with the 200th repaired Mauser.
UNION DEFENCE FORCE: 6 SA ARMOURED DIVISION: 6TH SOUTH AFRICAN ARMOURED DIVISION IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN (PART 2)
Lt-Col WS Marshall (Ret)
Crossing the Trasimene Line
By 28 June 1944, after heavy fighting on the Trasimene Line had broken German resistance, the Allies streamed North with the 24th Guards Brigade reaching Chianciano and the 11th Armoured Brigade pushing North of Lake Montepulciano.
The British Eighth Army’s XIII Corps advance on Florence led by the British 6th Armoured Division on the right, British 4th Infantry Division in the centre and the 6th South African Armoured Division on the left. The Division advanced in two columns through Rapolano and Palazzuolo until they
Lt-Col WS Marshall
Above: Maj Gen William Henry Evered Poole, Commander 6 SA Armoured Division
encountered the LXXVI Panzer Corps on the Georg Line, a delaying position on the north side of Route 73.
The strength of the panzerkorps was not known initially and the leading elements of British XIII Corps continued to probe forward expecting the German line to crumble under pressure without the need to launch a full-scale attack. The corps fed in more battalions in an attempt to secure the Monte Lignano high ground and fighting for the hill continued on 6 and 7 July 1944, but the German 15 Panzergrenadier Division continued to hold the heights. The 6th South African Armoured Division had been stopped on the left flank with the two Infantry Brigades spread over a 10-mile (16 km) front, and the armour had been withdrawn into reserve because of the difficult terrain.
Above: A map showing the Allied push to the River Arno. Florence
On 20 July, Gen Sir S.C. Kirkman, the British XIII Corps Commander, issued orders for a “Powerful thrust to seize all crossings across the River Arno to the west of Florence”. This effort was to be concentrated on the 6th South African Armoured Division front. The advance was to be led by the 6th South African Armoured Division with the US 4th Infantry Division to its right, supported on the flanks by the British 6th Armoured Division and 8th Indian Division.
The 6th South African Armoured Division advance was slowed at the approaches to Greve due to heavy mining, where several tanks were lost, but eventually the 11th Armoured Brigade succeeded in capturing Mercatale, which was defended by the German 356 Infanterie Division supported by Tiger I E tanks. The 6th South African Armoured Division advanced through Greve and were again stopped by the German 4 Fallschirmjäger Division on the River Greve on 24 July 1944. However, the 6th South African Armoured Division had outflanked the German 4 Fallschirmjäger Division who then withdrew during the night of 24/25 July 1944 allowing the South African, New Zealand and Indian divisions to advance to the Paula Line, which was reached on 28 July 1944.
Gen Sir S.C. Kirkman again placed the South African and New Zealand divisions as the spearhead of his Corps advance, this time to break the Paula Line and to take Florence. The New Zealand Division would carry out the main assault and the South African Division would neutralize the enemy on the high ground west of Impruneta and then clear Route 2 into Florence. The attack was scheduled for 30 July 1944. Field Marshal H.R.L.G. Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, Commander of Allied Armies in Italy, had indicated that he had no intention of fighting in Florence and so Gen Sir S.C. Kirkman gave orders to by-passing of the city.
On 31 July 1944, the heavy artillery support for the attack had resulted in an ammunition shortage and Gen Sir S.C. Kirkman ordered a 24-hour pause for fresh supplies to arrive. The Desert Air Force flew over 100 sorties per day on 31 July and 1 August 1944 in support of the attack and by 3 August 1944 columns of South African, New Zealand and British 4th Infantry divisions were advancing towards Florence. By 4 August 1944, advance parties were exploring the outskirts of Florence to find that all Bridges across the Arno River viable for military transport had been destroyed.
An ILH/KimR patrol however found the smaller Ponte Vecchio bridge intact and crossed it under heavy shelling, entering the centre of the city at 04:00, to be the first Allied troops to enter Florence.
Above: A graphic showing the organisation of the 11th Armoured Division
Above: The division had many trucks of all sorts, this one being a Dodge 3ton GS.
After reaching Florence, Maj Gen W.H.E. Poole recorded in a Special Order of the Day, that the 6th South African Armoured Division had “Covered 601 miles (967 km) since leaving its concentration area at Taranto, its artillery had fired 201,500 rounds, the divisional engineers had built 65 bridges and had made 196 major deviations necessitated by ‘blows’ and demolitions. The signallers had laid 3,752 miles (6,038 km) of telephone cable”.
The 6th South African Armoured Division was then withdrawn into British Eighth Army reserve for rest and maintenance in the Siena /Castelnuovo area on 6 August 1944 until 17 August 1944, when orders were issued for the 6th South African Armoured Division to be transferred from British XIII Corps to US IV Corps to partially replace divisions withdrawn to the US Seventh Army for the assault of southern France. The 6th South African Armoured Division was assigned to their new Corps in the US Fifth Army on 22 August 1944. The role of the US Fifth Army was to distract the enemy by intensive patrolling during the days preceding the British Eighth Army attack, and then to launch an offensive in the Florence area. The main effort was to be made by US II Corps astride Highway 65, in the direction of Bologna. US IV Corps was to hold the sector along the Arno to within 5 miles of Florence, and was to protect the left flank of US II Corps during its advance into the Appenines.
Advance on the Apennine mountains
To continue the main Allied thrust north from Florence, the Arno River first had to be crossed. On 21 August 1944 an order announced that the 6th South African Armoured Division would pass under command of US IV Corps with effect from the following day and would relieve the 85th US Division west of Florence. The relief of the Americans commenced on the night of 24 August 1944 and was completed on 26 August 1944.
The relief went smoothly although the 59th South African “Q” Company was bombed by eight enemy aircraft on the afternoon of 24 August 1944, and 21 PR tanks broke down on the road, because the rest period was too short to allow overhaul to be completed.
The 6th South African Armoured Division took over a front of over 20 miles along the south bank of the Arno, west of Florence. The 12th South African Motorised Brigade, with Prince Alfred’s Guard (PAG) under command, held the eastern sector and the 24th Guards Brigade with Pretoria Regiment (PR) under command, the western sector. The 11th Armoured Brigade was in reserve. The 74th British Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (now converted into an Infantry Battalion) was under command of the 12th South African Motorised Brigade, while the 166th NFLD (Newfoundland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, which had just joined the 6th South African Armoured Division, supported the 24th Guards Brigade.
The 6th South African Armoured Division was rather thin on the ground, but the artillery and the Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI) did their best to cover the wide front. The 6th South African
Above: Standard anti-tank weapon was the 6pdr AT gun here seen is action
Armoured Division’s signal squadrons had to lay some 1500 miles of cable. It was noted that the German 3 Panzergrenadier Division was on the eastern sector as far as Empoli, and thereafter 26 Panzer Division continued the front. Partisans frequently crossed the river and gave valuable information. It was impossible on such an extended front to watch the entire watercourse, and German patrols often infiltrated into the lines. The ration jeep and Company Quartermaster-sergeant of the RNC (Royal Natal Carbineers) were shot up, and the same night a strange voice rang through on the telephone and with unrewarded optimism asked the Witwatersrand/De La Rey Regiment (WR/DLR) for the password for the night. The vigorous patrolling of the 6th South African Armoured Division soon curtailed the German’s activities South of the river.
The Arno was first crossed on the night of 26/27 August 1944 by a patrol from First City/Cape Town Highlanders Regiment (FC/CTH). Reconnaissance patrols from the FC/CTH found suitable crossing points close to Le Piagge allowing the 12th South African Motorised Brigade to cross during the night of 28/29 August 1944 under light enemy artillery and mortar fire. The German observers took full advantage of the commanding ground on the southern spurs of Mt. Albano. The Germans also
Above: A map showing the II Corps advance and attack on the Livergnano escarpment
used new rocket launchers whose projectiles had considerable blast effect, which also announced their coming with an unpleasant screaming noise. Reports from prisoners indicated that the German forces in front of the 6th South African Armoured Division were withdrawing and this was confirmed by the sound of demolitions ahead of them. The 12th South African Motorised Brigade, as well as the 24th Guards Brigade was tasked to send fighting patrols forward to determine the extent of the withdrawal.
On the night of 31 August/1 September 1944 both the RNC and FC/CTH secured footholds on the northern bank, and just west of Empoli the 3rd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards did the same. Apart from some machine-gun and mortar fire, and a patrol clash on the Guards front the crossing was unresisted. Reports indicated that the Germans had withdrawn across a wide front to what was to later known as the Gothic Line. The 6th South African Armoured Division crossed the Arno River, thanks to Bailey bridges erected between the damaged abutments by the South African Engineers on 1 September 1944 and pushed into the Albano hills overlooking the river.
By the afternoon of 1 September 1944, “C” Company, RNC reached Arlimino, while the 24th Guards Brigade had secured a substantial bridgehead. The Germans had sown the river bank with mines, and the 24th Guards Brigade reported the thickest minefield which they had yet encountered. Three
Above:
bulldozers were lost in 24 hours. By 2 September 1944, the PAG was able to get their tanks across the river, and rapid progress was made in the divisional task, which was to occupy Mt. Albano. The operation was completed by 3 September 1944. The only impediments to the advance were a tremendous flood which washed away the bridge at Empoli on 6 September 1944 and delayed the crossing of 11th South African Armoured Brigade, and the orders of US IV Corps, which laid down where the front line should run each day, regardless of the opposition or lack of opposition offered by the enemy. The Germans made no attempt to hold Mt. Albano, and a foot patrol of the RNC reached the outskirts of Pistoia on 6 September 1944. The RNC entered the town without opposition on 8 September 1944 and the 11th South African Armoured Brigade was brought into the line on 10 September 1944.
On 11 September 1944, the 6th South African Armoured Division regrouped with the 11th South African Armoured Brigade on the right, the 12th South African Motorised Brigade in the centre, and the 24th Guards Brigade on the left. The 6th South African Armoured Division was ordered to advance and occupy the general line of Northing 91, running some 2 miles north of Pistoia. Maj. Gen. W.H.E. Poole observing the lack of resistance ahead of the 6th South African Armoured Division, encouraged a rapid advance, but this was countermanded in order not to compromise the surprise of the main US Fifth Army attack north of Florence. The order to wait and hold the Albano
Above: A Daimler Dingo armoured car of a signal unit on a muddy road during the advance
Massif until further notice was deeply resented by the 6th South African Armoured Division’s command and was considered representative of the persistent inflexibility displayed by the US Fifth Army leadership.
Apennines
The British Eighth Army offensive on the German held Gothic Line was codenamed “Olive” and commenced on 25 August 1944. Ultra intercepts had shown that the Allies had a significant numerical superiority in manpower, armour, air and artillery, although there were concerns regarding the relative inferiority of Allied tank armour and gun power as compared to German equipment. The US Fifth Army attack was launched on 10 September 1944 against the mountain bastions south of Bologna and the main assault of the Gothic Line was to be delivered by the US II Corps up the Futa Pass, on the main highway between Florence and Bologna. In conformity with this move, 6th South African Armoured Division as the right flanking formation of the US IV Corps, had been ordered to push into the hills north of Pistoia. The right boundary of the 6th South African Armoured Division was the Prato-Bologna road and the Western boundary ran North and South through a point a mile west of Montecatini.
As part of the plan, the 6th South African Armoured Division was ordered to advance along Route 64 leading to Vertago and Bologna and to capture the twin peaks of Sole and Capara. The 6th South African Armoured Division’s 24th Guards Brigade were first to encounter the Gothic Line defences when the 24th Guards Brigade met strong resistance from two battalions of the Lehr Brigade as well as two battalions of 362 Infantrie Division, fighting from strongly fortified positions which had been prepared throughout the previous winter.
On the morning of 11 September 1944, a patrol of the Scots Guards patrolling towards Femina Morta found the place held by the Germans and protected a thick belt of wire. The 6th South African Armoured Division had reached an outpost of the Gothic Line. On 12 September 1944, forward movement into the Apennine foothills met increasing shellfire and patrols began to clash with German ground troops. On 13 September 1944, the US II Corps opened its great attack on the Futa Pass and good progress was made. The policy for US IV Corps was to continue aggressive patrolling and maintain contact with the Germans. The 6th South African Armoured Division was ordered to occupy the high ground between the roads Pistoia-Poretta and Prato-Castiglione.
Enemy resistance stiffened and there were fierce actions at Mt. Alto which was captured by the 4/13th Frontier Force Rifles Brigade, who were specially trained in mountain warfare, and at Mt. Porro Del Bagno, which was stormed by the ILH/KimR on 18 September 1944. German shellfire was heavy, and the 4/13th Frontier Rifles Brigade had to advance along a narrow ridge commanded by Spandau posts. These were cleared one by one, and after some close fighting on the bush covered crest of Mt. Alto, the 4/13th Frontier Rifles Brigade gained their objective. They were heavily counter attacked on 18 September 1944, and ammunition ran out. Mules bringing up more ammunition were dispersed by shellfire, but the 4/13th Frontier Rifles Brigade used their bayonets and clung to the mountain.
Meanwhile the ILH/KimR was involved in sharp fighting on Mt. Porro Del Bagno. After a clash with the enemy, commanding group was captured by “A” Company, ILH/KimR on the afternoon of 16 September 1944. On 17 September 1944, “C” Company, ILH/KimR made a flank attack, but the enemy held a dominating position on the thickly wooded mountain and were driven back. Tanks of “A” Squadron, SSB attempted to give support but could not force a way through the brushwood. On the morning of 18 September 1944, two tanks succeeded in getting into the “A” Company, ILH/KimR area, and fired with effect on an enemy observation post.
Above: Mobile anti-aircraft defence was done by the Morris CS-9 fitted with a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, this one belonging to 1/12 Light AA Regiment
At 18:00 “A” Company, ILH/KimR attacked in the gathering dusk, supported by direct fire from the tanks, and a barrage was put down by the 1/6 Field Regiment, SAA and 4/22 Field Regiment, SAA. The attack was completely successful and the enemy’s use of tracer on a fixed line was much to the advantage of the attacking troops. Meanwhile “A” Company, ILH/KimR captured a spur on the south west of the mountain. The whole ILH/KimR area was heavily shelled during the three days battle for Porro Del Bagno. The capture of Mt. Alto and Mt. Porro Del Bagno did much to deprive the enemy of observation over the divisional area.
Then after being ordered to hold the Albano Massif, the 11th South African Armoured Brigade was forced due to the terrain to operate dismounted from their tanks in order to contain the German 362 Infanterie Division. By 22 September 1944, demolitions were again heard and it became evident that the Germans had started withdrawing to Green Line II, the next layer of the Gothic Line defences. Operation “Olive” officially ended on 21 September 1944.
Credits: J.C. von Winterbach, Scott Sutherland, Mike Bersiks, Rex Barret and Barry Cooper, W.S. Marshall.
Col Logan Govender
ARMY SIGNALS IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE STORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CORPS OF SIGNALS AND ITS ANTECEDENTS
Compiled and edited by
Walter V. Volker
PART I: BACKGROUND AND EARLY HISTORY
1. EARLY ROOTS
The need to find a method of communicating information or orders quickly, reliably and hopefully also securely over distances has been recognised in the distant past already. In fact, the earliest record of such activities can be traced back to the pre-Christian ancient world. Apparently, Polybius recorded two such methods – one used by Aeneas Tacticus over 300 years BC, and the second one utilised by himself in 181 BC. The latter method which he described, was a method which could spell out any word – and was therefore by implication already a forerunner of the modern telegraph systems. The ancient nations over time developed accurate and well organised systems for this purpose, consisting of flags, shields or other objects which were grouped into pre-agreed patterns with various meanings.
However, during the intervening 3000 years leading up to the mid 1700’s AD, very little material progress was made in this field of endeavour. Means of transport were confined to the horse or the sailing ship. Electricity with its great variety of uses was still a mystery at that time. Most populations remained virtually static for a millennium. Roads were few and far between, while towns and hamlets were small and isolated. The best that could be achieved in terms of speed with any significant load was less than 30 km per hour.
Runners
For many years, however, the main means of communication was by means of a runner delivering a message in person. Various such “bearers of tidings” be it good or bad, are recorded in the Bible. One of the most famous ancient Greek messengers was undoubtedly Pheidippides. In the sixth century BC, Greece was embroiled in a battle with the great Eastern superpower Persia. Western
civilization was in the balance; should Persia have won; the history books would have been very different. However, the small Greek force defeated the Persian hordes at the Battle of Marathon. To send the message to Athens, Pheidippides ran the distance of 26 miles and 385 yards in the greatest of speed, and after delivering his message “Rejoice, for we have conquered!” he fell down dead.
In many ways the runners, or any form of messenger, were patterned after the ancient Greek god of Hermes, later taken over by the Romans as their god Mercury (or Mercurius) – the messenger of the gods, who was destined to become the emblem of most western signal’s corps many centuries later.
Then came the Industrial Revolution, which increased production fifty-fold, and which significantly altered the habits, culture and world views of the human race. This revolution started in England, and in spite of its frequent wars with France (and other European nations) during this period, it was able to establish an expansive empire which stretched to the far reaches of the globe. Trade required improved manufacturing machinery, and obviously also means of transport. Roads, postal coaches, railways and steam boats placed England in the lead, with many European nations following in its wake.
Visible Signals
Back in 1597 already, one Don Martin de Padilla issued orders for the utilisation of cannon, lights and fires for purposes of communication; during the 17th century groupings of flags during daylight and lights during the night were used as method of signals. Signals endeavours remained imperfect into the 18th century.
Then in 1780 Admiral Kempenfelt developed a system of signals involving flags which was the precursor to semaphore. The latter was only perfected in 1792 in France. Only many years later than the navy did the army adopt this medium of signals. This same Adm Kempenfelt made a statement which is still relevant today and which remains an ideal for Signals Services throughout the world. The statement goes as follows:
"In the event that any project involving signals appears to be complicated and difficult to understand, you can be assured that there must be something WRONG; what is GOOD, must necessarily be CLEAR en SIMPLE".
In 1816 a message was sent from London to Portsmouth and other ports by way of a system of doors and flaps which were placed in towers on top of hills. This method was called the SHUTTER TELEGRAPH and is still remembered to this day due to the many "Telegraph hills" which are dotted
around the countryside of southern England. This system sometimes worked with a surprising degree of speed: the daily time signal was sent from London to Portsmouth and acknowledgement received in 45 seconds.
Military Communications
It was during the Napoleonic wars that of necessity incremental improvements over the traditional methods of signalling were made; however, even these flag and other signalling methods were still slow and not conducive to communicating any complex messages – just as in previous centuries. The equipment itself also remained unreliable and messages sent were often ambiguous due to their cryptic nature.
As far back as 1632 Galileo Galilei, the great astronomer, predicted a “secret art by which it would be possible to through the “sympathy” of magnetic needles, to conduct a conversation over vast distances”.
The electrical telegraphy equipment was used in a major conflict for the first time during the Crimean War; subsequently it became increasingly essential [230]
Volta and Morse
In 1805 – the same year that the British forces occupied the Cape of Good Hope for the second time – an event occurred which was destined to revolutionise the whole area of communications drastically for centuries to come. It was the year that Volta invented the primary cell through which he could generate an electric current. A mere thirty years later Samuel Morse invented his electrical telegraph system and his own code, and for the first time in history a standard signalling system existed which could be interpreted by audio and visual means.
Some twenty years later the first civilian telegraphic companies were founded in around 1855, and the first application of the telegraph for military purposes was 1856 when just over 30 km of wire was laid during the Crimean War. The honour therefore falls to the British, who were the first to use telegraphic services during a war. Unfortunately, this early experiment was only partially successful, as the wire’s insulating cover was merely a thin layer of gutta-percha – which was not even robust enough to prevent the field mice from gnawing through it!
These developments in the field of communications coincided with a broad-based Industrial Revolution in many fields of technology and industry, which in turn had a phenomenal impact on the social conditions of the day. The technological development also impacted on the military equipment industry, resulting in improvements in design and manufacture of all kinds of arms and ammunition.
During the American Civil War in the 1860s, a certain Dr Albert Myer developed a flag-system of signalling which proved quite effective on the front, while telegraph trains ensured regular communication to the rear between the front and the HQ and the government.
The first Signal Corps
The very first signal corps in the world was established in the United States on the 21st of June 1860. This development was made possible in America for two main reasons; in the first place, because the technological capabilities were in place, and secondly, because of the sheer size of the army units involved in the Civil War and the vast distances that were covered during their operations – which required a substantially improved system of communications if they wished to be effective at all. For these same reasons, the converse was true in the two British Colonies as well as the Boer Republics in South Africa at that time. Due to a lack of industrial development, even the need for a railway and telegraphic infrastructure was not regarded as a necessity until late on the nineteenth century. Further, expeditions on South African soil prior to 1875, when the heliograph first made its appearance in a military context, were never of such a size or significance that a more effective communications medium than the usual rapport rider or runner were regarded as being essential. The heliostaff (forerunner of the heliograph) was apparently never deployed in South Africa.
By 1821an early prototype of what was destined to develop into the very popular heliograph, but which would take a full fifty years before being applied to military purposes. The heliograph became available for military purposes in Britain in 1875 and was used on South African soil four years later for the first time during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 by the British forces. The British signals unit which was sent to these shores succeeded to establish heliographic communications links with the beleaguered forces at Eshowe. After this the local telegraphic links were expanded to the extent that during the First Anglo-Boer War in 1881, links had already been established from Newcastle to Pretoria.
In the meanwhile, experimentation with the new telephone had advanced to the extent that by 1878 it was useful enough for household and business use, although in both Great Britain and South Africa it would be many years before it was used within a military context.
At the conclusion of the American Civil War, the thought that further development in the area of technology would warrant the establishment of a separate and specialised signals unit, was debated at length in both British and American military circles The exact nature and extent of the tasks of such signal’s units, would be a topic of debate for many more years. Traditionally the signals functions were coupled to other military activities.
With the further invention and development of a variety of new technical pieces of equipment which would make the task of communicationseasier, these were eagerly adopted by military commanders and incorporated within existing units, but without any attempt to establish a separate specialised signals unit. It was common practice for several men to be attached to existing units who had received specialised training in the secret art of semaphore or Morse Code. Only the telegraphist presented problems. In Brittain they were first trained in the usual military disciplines and then encouraged to follow a telegraphist career in civilian life as prospects of a career in the military were slim. Only under the Engineers Corps was a semblance of such a career possible. An instructor for telegraphy and a second for general military signals services was appointed for the purposes of training men for these purposes in the cavalry, artillery and infantry corps – which would then form a section within the context of such regiments. This approach was followed within the British Colonies, including in South Africa.
When a School of Signals was eventually established in Britain, its sole focus of training was in the visual signals techniques, while electrical signals techniques was left exclusively to the engineers. Together with the mounted messengers, by 1880 three basic signal departments came into
existence in Britain. These departments were constituted in such a way that each met a specific need and that each role would not overlap with that of another, while at the same time they would be complementary and would not be able to do without each other. In the end, the mounted messenger was just as indispensable to the commanding officer was his colleague, the telegraphist. Where the cable bound telegraph was unavailable, the rapport rider could take over, while he could on the other hand to supersede the telegraph completely due to his slow speed. The British policy about communications remained largely unchanged for economic reasons until the end of the First World War, and because South Africa was largely dependent on the British military policy makers, these same factors also influenced the character of signals services in this country. As a result, volunteer corps in the British Colonies during this period, such as the Prince Alfred’s Guards and the Durban Light Infantry only had access to their own regimental signallers.
In 1880 is estimated that every cavalry regiment enjoyed the services of on average twelve signallers, while even infantry battalion needed at least eight signallers, plus additional signallers required for each brigade.
The Signals Corps of the United States of America was especially characterised by the exceptionally wide range of activities which were allocated to them. During the Civil War their real value was recognised, but in addition also their value for reconnaissance as well as their effective liaison with the intelligence services. These functions were therefore not differentiated, and as a result US signals units were equipped with balloons for air reconnaissance by the end of the nineteenth century, and a few years later they were even able to start experimenting with air-to-ground telephone systems. It is therefore not entirely surprising that the first military aeroplane was ordered according to the requirements of Maj George Squier of the Corps of Signals! Within the span of a century specialised signals services became possible through the technological improvements over the old semaphore (flag-based signals), to the development of the heliograph, then the telegraph and eventually to Marconi’s wireless in 1898. It would still take many more years, however, before the military policy makers and organisers would receive clarity about the function of signals units and what was required to ensure the most effective use of specialised and increasing sophisticated signals equipment. By the end the nineteenth century it was already possible for these gentlemen to differentiate between the tasks of a signaller and a guard, but by then they could still not distinguish between a signaller and a scout. In addition, the place of the equipment was also shuffled around between corps; the electrical telegraph, for example, was in turn allocated to signals units, engineers corps, or civilian institutions.
PASSING OF GEN GL MEIRING
ARMY IS A TIME FOR LEARNING
Article from Koos de Wet
It is generally accepted that the purpose of sending young people off to the army is to teach them how to manage weapons, weapon systems and be trained how to fight in defence of their country and everything associated with that – physical fitness, respect, discipline and much else as well. But there is also another very important part of army training beyond about learning how weapons and weapon systems work – it is about learning about yourself, learning about others around you, learning to live with people from various walks of life and very importantly, learning how to get on with them and of course learning about other cultures and languages to name but a few.
The army certainly is a great leveller in this regard, and I will be forever grateful for what the army taught me in this regard. Starting with language and culture. Recognizing that South Africa only had two official languages at the time, English and Afrikaans (thankfully we were not “blessed” with eleven!), there was a rule in place that the languages had to be strictly treated equally, that is 50/50 usage. I can hand on heart confirm that in my time this rule was strictly adhered to with at least one
day English and one week Afrikaans every alternate week. The English days (I can remember at least 10 English days in my time) of course played havoc with the “outback boertjies” and during the Afrikaans days the Durbs boys may as well have been on Mars with the little Afrikaans they could understand. For them Afrikaans was a type of slang language from the Kaap, widely spoken by petrolboys who therefore knew exactly what “maak hom vol skaap” meant - the last outpost of the British empire was still very much alive in those days. And the bilingualism also reached back into our bungalow with Afrikaans surnames matched to Afrikaans language, English surnames matched to English language, Afrikaans surnames matched to English language and English surnames matched to Afrikaans language and then also few “no name brands” to round out our lot. We were a truly cosmopolitan group and a bit like the TV ad “I like it when you talk forrin Henry” … when the boertjies spoke the “rooitaal” which they considered necessary for self-defence. Yet somehow, we all learnt to get on with each other and to fill in the translation and mistranslation holes which frequently arose. Then of course there were also differences in music appreciation from those loving Led Zeppelin all the way through to the Nico Carstens with his Boeremusiek and everything in between and this is where careful diplomacy was required. You could not have your Beatles music on full blast when the bed next to yours was occupied by a Boeremusiek lover from Alldays in the Northern Transvaal as it was called in those days or a “langarm” dancing boertjie from the Swartland who happened to love it too. You can say what you like – I still like “langarm” today. Which is leading up to a very important incident I need to share before it escapes my fading memory after almost 60 years. In our bungalow we had a laaitie from Germiston (quite goodlooking he was too according to the girls he went out with). To protect the innocent, for the purpose of the article I will call him John John was a gentle and somewhat sensitive soul who could play the guitar and sing in his unique and soulful manner that would have moved Bob Marley to tears. I make specific reference to Bob Marley because John shared something else with the delightful Bob – he just loved smoking the “Green Mamba” (Whacky Baccy for the boys from Durbs, dagga for the Boertjies – remember the 50/50 language thing). He preferred the Transkei variety because it apparently had more punch and how he managed to always obtain his supplies remained a mystery until the day we “klaared out”. There is no getting away from it, when he took up his guitar and was not too far gone on the mamba stuff, he could make the most beautiful music and almost everyone could listen to him and enjoy his music, but when he went heavy on the mamba pips and drifted off into weird “dark” music with repetitive jarring notes the love of his music also went up in smoke in the bungalow. So, a fateful day arrived. Oudtshoorn in February is bloody hot, and we had been worked over bigtime by our sarge that day in blistering heat of 45C with the result that by the time it was “Tjaila” time we were all moerig in the extreme and just wanted to rest in the bungalow before supper. Hardly had we settled back, when our own John “Marley” decided to light up (to relax is what he told us) and with that familiar sweet-smelling cloud gently swirling around his head he produced some “sweet-
smelling music” that filled the bungalow. All good so far. Most of us had not yet recovered from a really tough day at the office when unfortunately, John had unexpectedly gone too heavy on the mamba stuff and soon his dark and weird music started getting to us all together with the nauseating sweet smell of his favourite baccy. A few guys then “asked him” nicely to calm it a bit but we suspect the baccy must have interfered with is hearing because he just kept going and if anything, pumped it up a bit more. And then the rubber snapped. That is when “Pietie” as I shall refer to him must have become unhinged, I suspect. 2m of exquisite, toned and solid Swartland, pure red-meat fed, Boeremuscle got up from his bed in his white underpants and strode three metres across to John “Marley” and uttered the following immortal sentence which would have made CJ Langenhoven proud and brought tears to his eyes and should surely be preserved for posterity and recited at the centenary celebration of Afrikaans next year, 2025 – “Stop nou jou blerrie musiek of ek moer jou met jou fokken kitaar oor jou bliksemse kop sodat dit om jou nek hang soos ‘n slap “honeymoon” pxxl” (translation for the Durbs boys – would you mind please stop playing your guitar?) John “Marley” sensed that continuing playing his guitar with his head poking through the sound hole was likely going to be a bit challenging as he had never done that before, so he decided to leave that acrobatic guitar move for another day. Mind you, with a 110 kg, red-meat fed, 2-meter-tall example of prime Swartland Boere-muscle (and in his white underpants, nogal) looming over you, it would take a very brave guitarist to defy that gentle request. And there several takeaways from this memorable event – readmeat fed 2 metre tall, pure muscle 110kg Swartland Boertjies clearly do not like Bob Marley music, laaities from Germiston making music in a bungalow whilst going too heavy on the green mamba risk getting moered by said Boertjies and the Durbs boys probably still have no idea what Pietie was saying during that clearly very dangerous and emotional encounter. Despite all this we became a tight band of brother who certainly had each other’s backs regardless of language or cultural differences. Yes, the army is a place where you certainly learn a lot about life and mine is richer for the time I spent with a wonderful group of young men from whom I learnt a lot and whose lives I also hope I impacted a in a positive way. The army certainly is a great leveller. Koos
HULDEBLYK BY HULDIGINGSDIENS
Genl-maj GN Opperman
THE OTHER SIDE OF JAN BREYTENBACH
Christiaan Bakkes
Christiaan Bakkes - Author
Col Jan Breytenbach, VRD, SD, MMM
Col Jan Breytenbachretired
Colonel Jan Breytenbach (right) is often praised - or reviled for being the founder of the old Apartheid South African Defence Force's Special Forces. Depending on which side you served on, he inspired awe and respect or horror and fear.
He was obviously a brave man. Courage comes in many forms, both physical and moral. Physical courage includes meeting an enemy or an obstacle head on, despite the odds and prevailing in the face of it. Moral courage is different. It means standing up for something you believe in and turning against your own, should your principles and conscience so decree.
I never served under Col. Breytenbach or knew him personally. As a national service man in the SADF I was made aware of his legacy. His audacity, aggressiveness in battle and leadership qualities were the stuff of legend. He founded the Reconnaissance unit of the South African Defence Force during the crisis in Biafra in 1967. He fought to the outskirts of Luanda, the capital of Angola, during Operation Savannah in 1975. The "Terrible" 32 Battalion was forged by him in battle. He led the airborne assault in the controversial Battle of Cassinga.
My father served with him on Operation Protea in 1981. He came back and told me stories of Col. Breytenbach advancing on and attacking enemy positions far ahead of the main force, often turning captured enemy guns and artillery pieces on its previous owners, much to the consternation of his commanding generals left far behind.
If ever the SADF had a George Patton, it was Jan Breytenbach.
As a newly commissioned second lieutenant conscript, I arrived at Fort St. Michel in November 1988. The great battles on the Lomba and Quito rivers had been fought. I was still polishing my boots in a bungalow in Diskobolos when we heard of the attack on Calueque Dam. From all accounts, the war was over. United Nations Resolution 435 was to be implemented on 1 April 1989.
Fort St. Michel was a rear echelon base on the Kwando River, close to the Angolan border, in the quiet Sector 10 in the West Caprivi, known today as Namibia's Zambezi Region. It served as a logistical springboard supporting Jonas Savimbi and his UNITA rebel force. I did not expect to stay long. I also did not regard myself as much of a soldier and was wondering what I was supposed to be doing up there.
What I did realise from the outset was that I have landed in paradise. Fort St. Michel was Col. Breytenbach's last base of operations before he left the military several months before I arrived
there. It was here where I learnt of the other side of Jan Breytenbach. He had left a different, lesserknown legacy.
At St. Michel I was appointed as conservation officer. Before I knew it, I was training an anti-poaching unit out of Barakwena Bushmen troops. I was patrolling the Kwando River by boat past pods of countless hippos and swarms of magnificent water birds. On foot patrols through the woodlands, flood plains and savannah we encountered vast herds of elephants and buffalos. Antelope like sable, roan, tsessebe and red lechwe cantered ahead of us. Tucked away in a thicket there was even a small family of black rhino. The Barakwena troops taught me the finer skills on tracking these animals, as well as tracking people.
The officers and NCO's at St. Michel were all hardened warriors that served under Col. Breytenbach and in them he instilled a conservation ethos and a sense of pride in the wildlife and natural beauty of this place. He took a hardline on poachers, both within the military and outside.
I realised that I have become a continuation of the legacy left by Col. Breytenbach. He was a true conservationist with a deep love and understanding for wildlife and the wilderness. He saw how the Angolan civil war had ravaged the wildlife of Angola and lamented the destruction and exploitation that war wrought on wildlife and the wilderness.
The same destruction was not going to happen in the Caprivi - not on his watch.
In the decades while Col. Breytenbach was commanding bases in the Caprivi, he conducted antipoaching patrols, and closely supported the government conservation officials with coordinated operations. He did game counts and aerial censuses with army personnel and air force helicopters and studied the elephant migration patterns. He rescued and raised orphaned lions and leopards and tried to reintroduce them back into the wild. Under his guidance and discipline the West Caprivi became a haven for the war zone's embattled wild animal herds. It was his dream to one day, when the war was over, be the chief warden of the West Caprivi game reserve in an independent Namibia. It was not to be.
I realised that I had a great responsibility. For the next year I waged my war against the elephant poachers of the West Caprivi. I teamed up with my buddy, Lt. Simon Mayes, from a neighbouring base. We coordinated our patrols. In this we were supported by Col. Breytenbach's former comrades in arms. Men like Col. Bert Sachse, Warrant officer Jannie De Boom, Alisdair McDonald and Steve Gildenhuys. I have stayed longer than expected.
Our crowning achievement was when we apprehended a notorious gang of poachers. We chased them for months through the bush, up and down the length and breadth of the West Caprivi. On the patrol where we eventually brought them to justice, they left fifteen dead elephants in their wake with the ivory crudely removed. I think Col. Jan would have been proud of us.
Col. Jan Breytenbach's conservation campaign made some of his superiors uncomfortable. Some of them might have had something to hide. He was a free-thinking unconventional soldier, both in warfare and conservation. He was also a man of principle and moral courage, who stood up for his beliefs.
Col. Jan Breytenbach left the military on early retirement. He also left the Caprivi never to return. His legacy remained behind.
The Namibian conservation authorities owe a great debt of gratitude to Colonel Jan Breytenbach. The old Caprivi Game reserve is today the Bwabwata National Park. It is a gem of natural beauty and a haven for the embattled elephants and other wildlife of the region. Through more than two decades of war Colonel Jan Breytenbach and his men guarded the ecological integrity and the wildlife of the Bwabwata National Park. Today, in independent and free Namibia it is a flourishing wildlife sanctuary.
But his legacy goes further than that. A generation of younger special forces soldiers and army officers have followed in his footsteps to become conservationists in post-apartheid Africa. Men like the late Sam Fourie, Jack Greeff, Johan Jooste, Brian Harris and others have continued his work in a time when Africa's rhino and elephant populations faced a tragic slaughter.
Colonel Jan Breytenbach died on 16 June this year. He was a man of honour, principle and integrity.
I salute you, Sir.
Christiaan Bakkes
Nota: Christiaan Bakkes skryf: Ek is 'n veldwagter, natuurbewaarder, safari gids en omgewings aktivis. Ek skryf ook veld en natuur verhale in Afrikaans. Ek het Kol. Jan se storie in Engels geskryf want ek wil hê meer mense moet weet.
SOUTH
Mike Huxtable
SECURITY FAILURES AT SANDF AMMUNITION DEPOT
Jacques Broodryk | 09 September 2024
Security fence surrounding the depot is in a state of severe disrepair, with portions of it completely dilapidated
AfriForum has raised the alarm about serious security failures at the South African National Defense Force (SANDF)’s ammunition depot outside Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape. The organisation is now demanding that Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, answer several questions about the security of the depot and the ammunition stored there.
Reports received by AfriForum indicate that the security fence surrounding the depot is in a state of severe disrepair, with portions of it completely dilapidated, making it easy for unauthorised individuals to breach the perimeter. Additionally, many of the security floodlights are not functioning, rendering the area vulnerable to nighttime security threats. Alarmingly, AfriForum has been informed that a number of trespassers have already gained access to the high-security area in recent months.
In the letter, AfriForum has asked the Minister to provide answers to the following critical questions: What is the current condition of the security fence, and what steps will be taken to repair or replace it?
Are the security floodlights operational, and if not, when will they be repaired?
Have there been investigations into the reported incidents of trespassing, and what measures are in place to prevent further breaches?
Are permanent guards assigned to patrol the depot, and are they equipped to respond to security threats?
What is the state of readiness of the military’s fire service to respond to any emergencies at the depot?
What type and quantity of ammunition are stored at the depot, and is it in a safe condition?
The surrounding community has voiced their concerns about the potential risks posed by the depot’s poor security, and AfriForum is calling for immediate action from the Minister. The organisation believes that a military facility of such strategic importance should be safeguarded with the highest level of security, and the current situation represents a severe and unacceptable failure.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of the ammunition stored at the depot, especially considering recent security breaches. Bear in mind that foreign militias have recently been revealed
to have a presence in South Africa, it certainly paints an alarming picture” said Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.
“The community deserves answers, and more importantly, they deserve action. We cannot afford to wait until an incident occurs. The time to act is now.”
AfriForum is urging the Ministry of Defence to take swift corrective measures, including repairing the security fence, ensuring proper lighting and guard patrols, and verifying the safety of the ammunition stored at the depot. These steps are critical to ensuring the security of both the depot and the surrounding community.
Issued by Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson: Community Safety, AfriForum, 9 September 2024
EXERCISE BETWEEN SANDF AND CHINESE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY WELCOMED
Siphiwe Dlamini | 23 August 2024
This will focus on rendering free medical support to local population and strengthen diplomacy between two militaries
Defence and Military Veterans welcomes military health exercise between South African National Defence Force Military Health Service and Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Hospital Ship Peace Ark 866
23 August 2024
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, has welcomed the humanitarian relief medical exercise that will take place between the South African National Defence Force and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The Chinese Naval ship Daisho Dao known as Peace Ark will conduct humanitarian and medical exercise with the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) in Cape Town from 22 – 28 August 2024.
The exercise will focus on rendering free medical support to the local population in the areas and strengthen diplomacy between the two militaries. The medical exercise will allow the population to access health services provided by the military personnel of the SAMHS and the Chinese medical personnel on board the ship.
The Minister said “The exercise provides an opportunity for both country’s military health services to share their service unique military health support expertise enhancing interoperability between
South Africa and the Chinese militaries. This will have a positive impact on future humanitarian medical relief exercises”.
The exercise will also improve medical skills transfers between the two militaries and provide opportunities for sharing experiential knowledge in joint medical consultation, medical technologies, skills and other related activities in the medical field. Furthermore, it will enhance the diplomatic relations between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China.
The vessel is a fully equipped medical vessel with clinical and medical professionals providing medical screening, oral health and eye care to name but a few. The SAMHS will collaborate with the Western Cape Department of Health in implementing health programmes provided by the joint exercise.
Issued by Siphiwe Dlamini on behalf of Department of Defence and Military Veterans, 23 August 2024
• Durban War Memorial (Cenotaph). Postmarked 1929.
SADF:
Manuel Ferreira
L to R Cpl Maans Nel, SAAF Intelligence, S Sgt Manuel Resende Ferreira, Military Intelligence and Lt Riaan Koertzen, SAAF Intelligence.
SOUTH AFRICAN COMMONWEALTH WAR CASUALTIES BURIED ACROSS THE WORLD – PART EIGHTY.
By Captain (SAN) Charles Ross (SA Navy Retired)
South Africans participated in almost every war theatre during the First and Second World Wars. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty Data Base 7 290 (includes 607 unknown) First World War casualties and 9 986 (includes 84 unknown) Second World War casualties are buried in 1 207 cemeteries. In contrast, 2 959 First World War and 2 005 Second World War casualties are commemorated on 48 memorials. This does not include the more than 2 700 South Africans not recently commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. A new memorial to commemorate these South Africans is being constructed in the Gardens in Cape Town and should be completed by November 2024.
• St. Nicolas British Cemetery – France
From March 1916 to the Armistice, the village of St. Nicolas was occupied by Commonwealth forces and for much of that time it was within the range of German artillery fire. The cemetery was started in March 1917 and used by the divisions and field ambulances stationed there until October 1918. St Nicolas British Cemetery contains 364 First World War burials.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
Nine South African casualties of World War One are buried in this cemetery.
• Serre Road Cemetery No 1 – France
In June 1916, the road out of Mailly-Maillet to Serre and Puisieux entered No Man's Land about 1,300 metres southwest of Serre. On 1 July 1916, the 31st and 4th Divisions attacked north and south of this road, and although parties of the 31st Division reached Serre, the attack failed. The 3rd and 31st Divisions attacked once more on the 13 November, but again without success. Early in 1917, the Germans fell back to the Hindenburg Line and on 25 February, Serre was occupied by the 22nd Manchesters. The village changed hands once more in March 1918 and remained under German occupation until they withdrew in August. In the spring of 1917, the battlefields of the Somme and Ancre were cleared by V Corps and a number of new cemeteries were made, three of which are now named from the Serre Road. Serre Road Cemetery No.1 was begun in May 1917 and these graves can now be found in
Plot I, Rows A to G. The rest of the cemetery was added after the Armistice, when graves were brought in from the nearby battlefields and from smaller cemeteries in the area.
There are now 2,426 casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 1,728 of the graves are unidentified but special memorials commemorate 10 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 3 men who were buried in Albert German Cemetery, 7 men who were buried in Beaucourt British Cemetery and 2 men who were buried in Puisieux Churchyard, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. Most of the graves date from 1916.
The cemetery was designed by N A Rew.
Six (three known and three unknown) South African casualties of World War One are buried in this cemetery.
• St. Etienne-Au-Mont Communal Cemetery – France
No.2 Native Labour General Hospital was posted to Etienne-au-Mont from 1917 to 1919 and the communal cemetery contains burials from that hospital, mostly men of the Chinese Labour Corps. There are now 168 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery.
Five members of the South African Native Labour Corps, casualties of World War One, are buried in this cemetery.
• Zouave Valley Cemetery, Souchez – France
The cemetery takes its name from French Regiments which fought in the vicinity of Souchez 1914-15. The cemetery was begun in May 1916 and used until June 1917. It suffered severely from shell fire. It was increased after the Armistice by the concentration of graves (which now form Plot I) from a wide area round Souchez. There are now nearly 250, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over a quarter are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 8 soldiers from the United Kingdom and 3 from Canada, known or believed to be buried among them. Five graves in Plot II, identified as a group but not individually, are marked by headstones bearing the additional words: "Buried near this spot". The cemetery covers an area of 1,533 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall. One German Soldier is buried in Plot II, Row G. Grave 2.
Eight South Africans from World War One, are buried in this cemetery.
• Alamein Memorial – Egypt
The campaign in the Western Desert was fought between the Commonwealth forces (with, later, the addition of two brigades of Free French and one each of Polish and Greek troops) all based in Egypt, and the Axis forces (German and Italian) based in Libya. The battlefield, across which the fighting surged back and forth between 1940 and 1942, was the 1,000 kilometres of desert between Alexandria in Egypt and Benghazi in Libya. It was a campaign of manoeuvre and movement, the objectives being the control of the Mediterranean, the link with the east through the Suez Canal, the Middle East oil supplies and the supply route to Russia through Persia.
The ALAMEIN MEMORIAL forms the entrance to Alamein War Cemetery. The Land Forces panels commemorate more than 8,500 soldiers of the Commonwealth who died in the campaigns in Egypt and Libya, and in the operations of the Eighth Army in Tunisia up to 19 February 1943, who have no known grave. It also commemorates those who served and died in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Persia.
The Air Forces panels commemorate more than 3,000 airmen of the Commonwealth who died in the campaigns in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Greece, Crete and the Aegean, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the Somalilands, the Sudan, East Africa, Aden and Madagascar, who have no known grave. Those who served with the Rhodesian and South African Air Training Scheme and have no known grave are also commemorated here.
The Memorial was designed by Sir Hubert Worthington and unveiled by Field Marshal The Rt. Hon. Viscount Montgomery of Alamein on 24 October 1954.
1 229 South African casualties from World War Two, are commemorated on this memorial.
RHODESIAN DESK
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS MAGNITUDE OF WORK SAPS MUST DO TO REGAIN TRUST – COMMITTEE
Ian Cameron | 28 August 2024
Ian Cameron says trust deficit between SAPS and communities is a major Achilles heel in fight against crime
Public Safety Survey highlights magnitude of work SAPS must do to regain trust 28 August 2024
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has expressed concern that only 58% of housebreaking victims report the crime to the police, mainly because they believe that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will not do anything about it. The Chairperson was responding to Statistics South Africa’s release of the 2023/24 Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey.
“The trust deficit between the SAPS and communities is a major Achilles heel in the fight against crime. It is up to the South African Police Service to work hard, through deeds and action, to reverse this negative sentiment,” Mr Cameron said.
The Chairperson welcomed the release of the survey, as it gives a deeper analysis of the crime picture in the country. What is worrying, Mr Cameron said, was the general decline in reporting acts of crime across the board, especially sexual offences.
“The decline in reporting sexual offences from 92.3% to 78.4% should be reversed through training of police officers to adequately handle sexual-related crimes to prevent secondary victimisation. Also, the effective investigation of crimes leading to prosecution and the constant updating of victims will enhance trust between the police and victims,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
“It is extremely concerning, as SAPS is not currently equipped to really support victims and unfortunately when protection orders are not adequately enforced victims lose faith in the system,”
Mr Cameron said. “Part of the budget adjustments the committee wants to propose can help address some of these shortcomings,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson underscored the serious concern that the use of illicit firearms, the weapons of choice in many criminal incidents, continues unabated. “We need more capacity within the SAPS to do destruction of firearms handed in and seized by police, as well as effective consequence management against those involved in smuggling firearms. The ease with which criminals access firearms is unacceptable,” Mr Cameron said.
The Chairperson also highlighted that it is unacceptable that people feel unsafe walking the street after dark. Statistics SA revealed that this fear is particularly pronounced among women, who reported feeling less safe walking in their neighbourhoods after dark than men. Additionally, the percentage of people who feel safe walking alone during the day fell from 86,6% in 2019/20 to 84,8% in 2020/21, continuing to decline throughout the reporting period and reaching 80,4% in 2023/24. The Chairperson called for heightened police visibility to curb this worrying trend.
Furthermore, the Chairperson encouraged communities to actively participate in community neighbourhood watches and community police forums, and to continue to be the ears and eyes of the police. “It is crucial that communities exhaust all lawful remedies to help prevent and combat crimes as we work to help adjust resources and budget of the SAPS,” Mr Cameron said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson welcomed yesterday’s multidisciplinary operation undertaken in eThekwini where at least 123 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested. The police also recovered counterfeit US dollars equivalent to R4.1 million, seized 117 rounds of ammunition of various firearm calibres and a large amount of liquor. Also, one suspect was arrested after he was found in possession of cocaine, crystal meth and an undisclosed amount of money. Mr Cameron emphasised that these kinds of disruptive operations are necessary in the fight against crime, and he called the SAPS to intensify such operations.
Issued by Malatswa Molepo, Media Officer, Parliament, 28 August 2024 https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/survey-highlights-magnitude-of-work-saps-must-dot?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=904e4885baEMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_08_28_04_28&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-904e4885ba%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
Jacques Broodryk | 16 September 2024
Organisation demands urgent reform, says a total of 4 135 unlawful arrests were carried out in the 2023/2024 financial year
SAPS has coughed up more than R2,4 billion in payouts due to unlawful arrests since 2018 – AfriForum demands urgent reform
15 September 2024
Payouts of claims following unlawful arrests by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the duration of former Police Minister Bheki Cele’s term, from 2018 to June 2024, amounted to more than R2,4 billion, according to the civil rights organisation AfriForum. In 2023/2024 alone, payouts of at least R600 million were made. Compared to payouts made in 2018/2019, last year’s payouts show an increase of almost 70%. AfriForum maintains that this shocking revelation now necessitates the urgent reform of the SAPS’ training programmes and practices.
AfriForum’s demand for reform follows in response to alarming figures of unlawful arrests that the current Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, revealed earlier in parliament. According to Mchunu, a total of 4 135 unlawful arrests were carried out in the 2023/2024 financial year, which resulted in claims of more than R2 billion. Although Mchunu emphasised in his parliamentary response to the matter that the amount does not reflect the actual payouts, the extent of the problem, which clearly reached critical levels in Cele’s term, is enormous.
Wrongful arrests are unacceptable and seriously erode public trust in South African law enforcement, AfriForum maintains.
AfriForum therefore strongly urges the SAPS to conduct an in-depth review of its training programmes and pay particular attention to the legal aspects that accompany arrests. Proper training is crucial to ensure that officers not only have sufficient knowledge of the law but are also equipped with the necessary skills to carry out their duties fairly and effectively.
According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, the civil rights organisation is also calling for a comprehensive review of the SAPS’s internal systems and processes, as wrongful arrests are symptomatic of a much bigger issue in the Police.
While AfriForum appreciates the hard work of the large number of dedicated police officers, the recruitment, vetting and training of SAPS personnel require urgent attention. The devolution of policing powers is another way to ensure that quality training and accountability will be reinforced among police officers.
AfriForum maintains that the reform of the SAPS is a key step in building a safer South Africa and that this reform should include the devolution of policing powers to lower levels of government.
“We call on the new SAPS administration to take immediate steps to address the internal challenges facing the police, including poor training standards, low morale among Police members and
resource shortages. AfriForum is convinced that, with the right leadership and reforms, the SAPS can regain the public’s trust and ensure that all South Africans are protected against crime.”
Issued by Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson: Community Safety, AfriForum, 15 September 2024
POLICE COMMENDED FOR DECREASE IN GAUTENG CRIME STATS
Thebe Khumalo | 16 September 2024
Legislature reaffirms its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to further ensure the reduction of crime
Gauteng Legislature commends decrease in Gauteng crime stats 16 September 2024
The Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has welcomed and congratulated the Gauteng Police as well as Law Enforcement Agencies in the Province for achieving a significant decrease in overall crime during the 1st quarter of the 2024/25 Financial Year.
The decrease in the overall crime statistics as presented by the Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Friday, 23 September 2024 before the Committee, reflects a positive step towards ensuring safer communities across the Province.
The statistics show a reduction of 4,709 counts as compared to the same period in the previous year, resulting in a 4.5% decrease in overall crime
During the quarter under review, which is April – June 2024, Gauteng recorded several successes, including 65,445 arrests, with 11,688 of those being illegal immigrants.
Notably to the Committee, the Province also reduced 16 of the 17 community reported crimes, a remarkable achievement for Gauteng residents. Additionally, a total of 1,492 firearms and 1.968 kg of drugs were recovered, contributing to a safer environment.
Contact crime in the province has decreased by 5.4% including offences such as murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Arson and malicious damage to property have both seen a reduction with the category decreasing by 7.5%.
All crimes under the category of Property Related crime, including residential and business burglary, vehicle theft and stock theft have decreased with an overall reduction of 6.7%.
During the same period Police managed to secure 37 life sentences and an additional 1,827 years of imprisonment. This includes 26 life sentences for sexual offences, nine life sentences for murder and significant convictions for infrastructure related crimes.
While the Committee acknowledges and commend these achievements, it remains mindful of the findings in the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey (GPSJS) 2023/24, released by Stats SA. The survey reveals that many South Africans still feel that more needs to be done in the fight against crime. This concern is valid and the Committee shares the public sentiment that crime continues to pose as a significant challenge.
The Committee reaffirms its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to further ensure the reduction of crime and improve community safety in Gauteng and urges Law Enforcement Agencies in the province to maintain and build on this progress.
Issued by Thebe Khumalo on behalf of Gauteng Provincial Legislature, 16 September 2024 https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/police-commended-for-decrease-in-gauteng-crimesta?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=4dab536a77EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_09_16_05_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-4dab536a77%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
Warrant Officer Manisha Maharaj-Marie
‘Being a police officer demands a unique blend of strength, commitment and passion’
Working a “normal job” was never on the cards for award-winning Warrant Officer (W/O) Manisha Maharaj-Marie of Tongaat SAPS who was recently recognised with an excellence award for her outstanding performance in the Visible Policing Component during the eThekwini District SAPS Excellence Awards Ceremony in Durban on Friday, 6 September.
Warrant Officer Manisha Maharaj-Marie of Tongaat SAPS was awarded her Excellence Award.
“It was my first time attending an event like this within SAPS, where I was a recipient among highranking officers. It felt very meaningful and I felt truly humbled. I want my colleagues to experience this as well,” said W/O Maharaj-Marie following her major win.
W/O Maharaj-Marie grew up in Salt Rock and attended Shakaskraal Primary School before moving on to Shakaskraal Secondary School. She joined the police force in 1998 and was initially stationed at SAPS Mtunzini, thereafter at SAPS uMhlali before being transferred to SAPS Tongaat in 2009.
In addition to her 15 years of work as a warrant officer, she is happily married to Selvan Marie and a mother to 22-year-old Kumisha, 19-year-old Hoshan, and 17-year-old Deevaran. W/O MaharajMarie works with social crime prevention and is involved with community partnerships, school interventions, the youth desk, the gender-based violence (GBV) desk, and the Community In Blue (CIB).
When asked what inspired her to take up a career in the police force, W/O Maharaj-Marie said: “I have never been one to prefer a normal job. I enjoy the action and adrenalin of running towards trouble rather than away. However, being a police officer demands a unique blend of strength, commitment, and passion.”
The mother of three said that being in law enforcement is more than a job, “it is a calling” that involves facing challenging situations and making significant sacrifices. “Officers need to recognise this calling and the passion it requires to show a deep understanding of the role and its demands. You need to be able to work under pressure, think on your feet, and carry more than one task at a time. The SAPS moulds these qualities into you as you gain knowledge and understanding on the job,” said W/O Maharaj-Marie.
Speaking on some of the challenges she has faced in her career W/O Maharaj-Marie said: “It is not easy being in a male-dominated career. You have to prove yourself capable before you are taken on as part of the team. Perseverance and determination to succeed are important. Working with the community can also be challenging because people come from different backgrounds expecting you to understand their situations from their perspective only. One has to be tactful in dealing with this so that all parties are happy and the relationship between SAPS and the community is maintained.”
Speaking on some of the rewarding experiences of her career W/O Maharaj-Marie said: “I have enjoyed preventing crime, intervening in situations that could have led to serious crime, and
preventing harm. Providing aid to vulnerable individuals in distress such as the homeless and victims of abuse is its own reward. As is developing trust and strong relationships with the community, which enhances cooperation and safety. Most rewarding has been empowering youth as volunteers within the SAPS, encouraging and educating them on being public speakers and role models to other youngsters in the community.”
W/O Maharaj-Marie advised aspiring police officers to: “Focus on your education. Many police forces require a high school diploma or equivalent, but some may prefer or require further education or specialised training. Pursuing courses in criminal justice, psychology or forensics can be beneficial. Remember, becoming a police officer is more than just enforcing the laws; it’s about serving and protecting your community with dedication and compassion.”
W/O was congratulated on her win by her fellow officers who expressed their pride on her achievements. Captain JV Naidoo, SAPS Tongaat communications officer, said that W/O MaharajMarie has done SAPS Tongaat proud and that they applaud her achievements.
“She has and continues to serve the community diligently with social issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, problems with children at schools, counselling, heading the SAPS Trauma Unit, and in many more fields. On behalf of the station commander, Colonel N Moodley, and staff at SAPS Tongaat I thank W/O Manisha Maharaj-Marie for holding our banner high and wish her the best for her future.”
“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten” – Calvin Coolidge
“Agnoscere et honorare servientibus” –
“To acknowledge and honour those who served”
“Soli Deo Gloria” - “To God Alone Glory”
Logan Govender
AFRIFORUM CALLS FOR DEVOLUTION OF POLICING POWERS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL DETECTIVE SHORTAGES
Jacques Broodryk | 06 September 2024
Organisation notes that there is currently a shortfall of 8,594 detectives nationally
AfriForum calls for devolution of policing powers to address critical detective shortages
The alarming shortage of detectives in the South African Police Service (SAPS), as revealed by Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, underscores the urgent need for a strategic overhaul of the policing system. With a current shortfall of 8,594 detectives nationally, the situation is dire, particularly in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. AfriForum
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believes that the most effective solution lies in devolving policing powers to the municipal level, allowing for the employment of detectives in the same manner as Metro Police and Law Enforcement Advancement Programme (LEAP) officers.
Mchunu’s recent parliamentary response highlighted the critical gaps in the law enforcement framework, with over 50 detectives leaving their positions every month, often transitioning into the private sector. This trend exacerbates the existing shortage, leaving communities vulnerable and law enforcement stretched beyond its capacity.
Calls for improved working conditions and the SAPS to get its house in order in general, have fallen on deaf ears. In light of these challenges, AfriForum argues that the centralization of police services is no longer tenable in a country grappling with such severe shortages and decades of mismanagement. Instead, devolving policing powers to local municipalities would enable more tailored, efficient, and responsive law enforcement. By employing detectives at the municipal level, similar to Metro Police and LEAP officers, we can ensure that local law enforcement agencies have the resources and personnel necessary to tackle crime effectively. Some of the benefits of creating local detective units will be:
1. Localised response to crime: Municipalities are better positioned to understand the unique challenges and needs of their communities. Devolving powers would allow for a more localized and agile response to crime.
2. Improved community trust: Local detectives, employed to serve their specific communities, more likely to foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and residents, crucial for effective crime prevention and resolution.
3. Enhanced accountability: With local oversight, there would be greater accountability and transparency in the performance and conduct of detectives, ensuring that the needs of the community are met.
“AfriForum calls on the national government of unity to take immediate steps towards the devolution of policing powers. We urge Parliament to consider legislative amendments that will empower municipalities to recruit and manage their own detective forces. The current centralized system is failing our communities, and without bold reform, the situation will only deteriorate further” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.
“As South Africa continues to face increasing crime rates and dwindling law enforcement capabilities, it is imperative that we explore innovative solutions that can bring about real change. Devolving policing powers to the municipal level is not just a necessary step; it is the most practical and effective way to ensure that our communities are safe, secure, and served by a law enforcement system that truly meets their needs,” Broodryk concludes.
Issued by Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson: Community Safety, AfriForum, 6 September 2024
POSITIEWE TEKENS DAT MISDAAD AFPLAT, MAAR GEWELD TEEN VROUE
EN KINDERS EN PLAASMOORD BLY KRISIS
Mediaverklaring uitgereik deur: Heloïse Denner
VF Plus-LP en hoofwoordvoerder: Polisie
30 Augustus 2024
Terwyl ʼn effense afplatting in misdaad luidens die polisie se jongste statistiek verwelkom word, bly toenemende ernstige misdaad teen vroue en kinders en plaasmoord steeds ʼn ernstige probleem.
In die eerste kwartaal van die 2024/25-finansiële jaar het al drie kategorieë misdaad teenoor vroue en kinders toegeneem teenoor die ooreenstemmende tyd verlede jaar.
Moord op vroue is op vanaf 895 moorde tot 966 (71 meer), poging tot moord is op vanaf 1 417 tot 1 644 (227 meer) en ernstige aanranding van 12 872 tot 13 757 (885 meer).
Wat kinders aanbetref, het moord toegeneem van 293 tot 314 (21 meer), poging tot moord van 354 tot 424 (70 meer) en ernstige aanranding van 1 432 tot 1 596 (164 meer).
Hierdie syfers is vir die VF Plus uiters kommerwekkend gegewe die bewusmakingspogings van verskeie rolspelers; van regeringskant tot die burgerlike samelewing, om vroue en kinders te beskerm.
Dit is duidelik dat veral die inisiatiewe van die regering, soos die 16 dae van aktivisme teen geweld teen vroue en kinders, geen werklik impak het nie en dat alle rolspelers sal moet herbesin oor hoe om hierdie euwel te pak.
Dit is ʼn ernstige aanklag teen ʼn gemeenskap en ʼn regering as vroue en kinders op ʼn skaal soos hierdie vermoor en aangerand word.
Wat plaasmoord aanbetref, is 9 moorde aangemeld. Vier hiervan is boere en vyf werkers en hul gaste. Die VF Plus veg al vir jare om plaasaanvalle en -moorde tot ʼn prioriteitsmisdaad te laat verklaar en sal nie sy pogings hieroor laat vaar nie.
Ander misdaad, van moord tot roof en diefstal, het afgeplat en in baie gevalle is daar ’n welkome afname. Suid-Afrika se misdaadvlakke, veral wat geweldsmisdaad aanbetref, is egter só hoog dat daar nie ʼn valse gerustheid mag ontstaan nie.
Moord is in die tydperk van drie maande byvoorbeeld af vanaf 6 228 tot 6 198. Die realiteit is steeds dat dit bykans 70 moorde per dag is. Dit is bloot skokkend vergeleke met die res van die wêreld.
Ander noemenswaardige misdade wat grootliks afgeneem het, is die sogenaamde trio-misdade. Motorkaping is af met 0,9%, rooftogte by woonhuise is op met 0,2% en rooftogte elders is af met 8,6%.
Verkragting is op met 0,4% maar algemene seksoortredings is af met 10,5%. Transitorooftogte, bankroof en vragmotorkapings is saam af met 14%.
Wat eiendomsmisdaad aanbetref, is daar ʼn algehele afname in inbraak en diefstal by woonhuise (7,4%), elders (11,5%), diefstal van motors en motorfietse (5,2%) en diefstal uit motors (3,6%).
Die VF Plus is bewus daarvan dat misdaad in baie gevalle in noue verband staan met die ekonomie en die gevolge van werkloosheid en armoede.
Die vroeë tekens van ʼnekonomiese oplewing onder die nuwe regering van nasionale eenheid (RNE) is daarom welkom en bring na dekades van deurlopende aftakeling onder die ANC weer ʼn sprankie hoop vir die toekoms.
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE MEDAL PARADE: POLICE OFFICERS RECEIVE SERVICE AWARDS
(Source – The Natal Witness dated 28th June 2024)
The event was held to show appreciation and acknowledgement for the officers' loyal service.
One hundred police officers, who have served the South African Police Service for between 10 and 30 years, received medals at a special parade at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Tuesday. The event was held to show appreciation and acknowledgement for the officers’ loyal service. Deputy provincial commissioner Major-General Siyanda Ngcobo urged the recipients to keep carrying the SAPS flag high and to do their job without fear or favour.
Photograph 01
(Source - Ntombizethu Ngcobo)
Deputy provincial commissioner Major General Siyanda Ngcobo addressing medal recipients at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall yesterday.
“It is not easy. I know your struggles. I know the challenges you are faced with. South Africa needs you,” said Ngcobo, adding that it was no easy feat to remain with one company for 10 years, let alone 30 years and more. “I am standing with the greatest of humility because not everybody attains this feat. Many get lost on the way. We simply lose members because of the nature of the job that we in. We are grateful to God, that you to reach 10, 20 and 30 years of service.”
Ngcobo said it gave him great pride to see officers in the SAPS carry their badges with pride, and looking healthy and fit after serving for longer than 30 years.
“It saddens me every month when we look at the number of people that leave SAPS because of death, resignation, retirement and, worse, because of dismissals. Those that have attained 10 years, what I expect of you is keep your character straight. Make sure that your record is not blemished. Make sure that you don’t get misconduct [charges]. Families, I want to thank you very much for giving us these members.”
Acting uMgungundlovu District Commissioner Brigadier Bhekisisa Hlongwane said they appreciated the steady work done by members of the SAPS over the past years.
“There’s still more that needs to be done to reclaim streets from criminals so that the ordinary citizen can live without fear of becoming a victim of crime.
“We want to call on our members not to allow any negativity to affect their morale or break their spirit,” Hlongwane said.
“Without meaningful participation by members of the community in the fight against crime, we will not win the war. Criminals are becoming more brazen, and their methods of operation are more sophisticated. We appreciate the already established collaboration with the security companies and business against crime. These sectors have played a meaningful role in our fight against crime.”
Col David Reeve
More Hennie
Nogal ‘n interessante lekker dag storie.
Barry
Prachin Buri
Thailand
ROBERT MCLAREN, AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER
Via Barry Taylor
Robert McLaren, an Australian soldier, was captured by the Japanese during the Second World War and had escaped to a jungle. It was then, stranded in the middle of this leafy expanse, that he was suddenly struck with appendicitis. There was no option other than to put his life on the line. It was going to be a risky operation (no pun intended).
After having fought intensely during the First World War as a teenager, the man would've surely settled down for the rest of his life as a retired veteran but this was someone who defied pretty much all expectations.
Upon the outburst of the Second World War, McLaren immediately signed himself up, without any knowledge of what he’d have to endure.
The veterinary officer was soon captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp, where many soldiers were worked to death.
Luckily, he wasn't one of them; he arranged an escape plan and managed to flee the camp with a few other friends.
Having trekked through miles and miles of Malaysia, he was captured yet again in another prison camp in Borneo, with even worse conditions.
Despite this, he escaped (yes, again) with another companion, a Chinese man, who had been tortured by the Japanese for his assistance of prisoners.
After a bit of island-hopping, having 'sailed' (allegedly on a hollowed-out log) from one to another, they landed on Mindanao.
It was then that McLaren found himself stranded in the Mindanao jungle. He then learned quickly that he had developed appendicitis, and he’d have to act quickly.
There was no choice but to get it out himself the only option was certain death.
'I knew I had appendicitis and that if I did not do something I would die.'
So he took out his pocket knife, accumulated some jungle fibres, placed a mirror on his knees to see what he was doing and began to operate on himself.
'With the aid of a mirror and an ordinary knife I took out the appendix. The operation took four and a half hours. It was hell, but I came through all right.'
He cut out his own appendix and stitched up the incision himself.
Only two days later, McLaren was on his feet once more, fleeing the Japanese. He met great success, having later commanded The Bastard, a 26-foot whaling ship, and he went on to receive several military awards.
Operating on yourself in the middle of a foreign jungle with no anaesthetic is something I’d describe as the definition of epic
AFWENTELING VAN POLISIËRINGSMAGTE NA MUNISIPALE VLAK
Fanie Bouwer
Misdaad is reeds geruime tyd besig om soos 'n ongeneeslike kanker in verskeie vorme te versprei. Dit het dan ook intussen een van die vernaamste politieke kwessies van die dag geword.
Die baie ernstige misdaadprobleem wat Suid-Afrika in die gesig staar, is in werklikheid massief, ingewikkeld en buitengewoon ernstig.
'n Oplossing vir hierdie probleem is dus 'n reusetaak, wat innoverende denke en buitengewone besluite verg. Die tyd is nóú.
Daarom is dit nie verbasend nie dat iemand soos Geordin Hill-Lewis, die DA se Provinsiale Adjunkleier in die Wes-Kaap, pleit vir die afwenteling van polisiëringsmagte na munisipale vlak nie. In hierdie verband word hy ook sterk ondersteun deur Afriforum.
'n Interessante aspek van Hill-Lewis en sy kollegas se pleidooi, is die feit dat hy ook veral sterk pleit vir bevoegdhede vir munisipale polisie om misdaad te ondersoek. Anders gestel: hulle wil soos die SAPD se speurders ook kriminele sake ondersoek en die oortreders self voor die hof daag.
Die weghol misdaad in SA is lank reeds besig om 'n baie ernstige, negatiewe impak op SA se ekonomie te hê. Om net enkeles voorbeelde te noem: ek dink hier aan die konstruksiemafias, wat nou ook uitgebrei het met afpersingmafias oral oor, die steel van honderde kilometers se spoorlyne, ensovoorts. Die lys is langer.
Die speurders wat hierdie misdade moet ondersoek, kan geensins die mas opkom nie. Dink ook aan oplossyfers van tussen 10-12% vir moorde. Dít skree ten hemele.
Waar SA voorheen 'n formidabele speurdiens gehad het wat taamlik onafhanklik van die ander afdelings gewerk het, was dié afdeling geherstruktureer deur speurders onder bevel van stasiekommissarisse in te deel. Sekere spesiale eenhede was ook ontbind. Die speurders van SA suig nou al lank reeds aan die agterspeen.
Dié uiters treurige situasie was dus oor 'n tyd nie net self toegedien nie, maar ook weens 'n verlies van institusionele geheue.
Die speurders dra ook te veel dossiere, is ongemotiveerd, bedank op 'n streep en tussen die wat oorbly, is daar geen espirit de corps nie. Die gevolg is dat jong lede van die uniformtak nie belangstel om 'n oorplasing te aanvaar nie.
So lank as wat die polisieminister en die nasionale polisiekommissaris dus nie die insig het om die kousale verband te kan insien nie, so lank sal speurondersoekwerk so gekortwiek bly, en so lank sal ernstige misdaad gedy. Net die kriminele sal bly glimlag.
'n Samewerkingsooreenkoms tussen die Stad Kaapstad, die Wes-Kaapse regering en die nasionale polisiedepartement is op Vrydag, 30 Augustus in Kaapstad onderteken.
Die woordvoerder vir Senzo Mchunu, minister van polisie, Kamogelo Mogotsi, het gesê: “Die doel en oogmerke van die ooreenkoms is om die samewerking van die partye aan te teken in Kaapstad en wat sal strek tot die hele provinsie, wat verskeie inisiatiewe, programme en strategieë insluit wat daarop gemik is om ’n veilige, veilige en bevorderlike omgewing te bevorder.”
Die Wes-Kaap word polities goed bestuur, maar Stad Kaapstad spesifiek se misdaadsituasie - veral in haar townships - is weer erg problematies. Hierdie ooreenkoms is dus natuurlik nie naastenby wat die Wes-Kaap verlang nie naamlik, onder andere, dat die munisipale polisie ernstige misdaad ook moet kan ondersoek. Die tekens is daar dat die nuwe minister van polisie dalk vatbaar vir dié idee sal wees.
Die ooreenkoms tussen die drie regeringspartye kan reeds as samewerkende of plurale polisiëring gesien word en wat moontlik 'n vername rol kan speel in die oplos van die ernstige polisiëringskrisis wat SA in die gesig staar. Die tyd sal egter leer.
Die afwenteling van polisiëringsmagte kan vir seker 'n rol speel om die huidige speurder tekort in die land te help oplos. Die tyd is oorryp vir nuwe, innoverende idees. Die tyd vir strategiese denkers op hierdie gebied het aangebreek.
Veral Stad Kaapstad, met sy uitstekende politieke bestuur, is dalk net die plek om 'n eerste proeflopie van dié aard van stapel te stuur. Sou dit realiseer, sal dit vir seker nie 'n maklike taak wees nie. Nog minder een wat sommer oornag sal geskied nie.
Ek is egter bevrees dat om iets soortgelyks in die ander provinsies te probeer, dalk vir eers nie 'n goeie gedagte is nie. Die premier van Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, met sy half-opgeleide misdaadvoorkoming kadette in groen uniforms, was bv. 'n dwase opsie en mors van geld. Hulle sal nié 'n impak op misdaad hê nie. Daardie eenheid was ook destyds te haastig en om verkeerde, politieke redes tot stand gebring.
Plurale of samewerkende polisiëring in die praktyk bestaan lank reeds in Stad Kaapstad. Die ondersteuning vir en samewerking met die Metropolisie daar - onder beheer van die uiters bekwame Burgemeesterskomiteelid vir veiligheid en sekuriteit, meneer JP Smith - is uit die hoogste rakke en navolgingswaardig. Die nuwe ooreenkoms sal verder hiertoe bydra.
Polisiëring in SA is 'n besonder groot staatsuitgawe. Die SAPD se begroting is tans R113.5-blijoen per jaar, met ander woorde so gemiddeld R12.6-biljoen per provinsie.
Ek aanvaar dat die Wes-Kaap en Stad Kaapstad reeds goed oor die volle lopende uitgawes besin het sou hulle magtiging verkry om 'n kriminele ondersoek-afdelings tot stand te kan bring.
Henning van Aswegen
DIE BURO
SECRET OF THE MOUNTAINS
Paul J Els
OOR ‘N KOPPIE KOFFIE
HBH
• Die polisie en staatbou
In my tyd was die SA Polisie die primêre gesagsorgaan van die staat. Die staat en die publiek kon op ons reken. Van grondvlak af, wyk vir wyk, distrik vir distrik en afdeling/streek vir afdeling/streek het die SAP wet en orde gehandhaaf – toe was dit die hele Suid-Afrika plus Suidwes-Afrika; en Rhodesië waar ons destyds ontplooi was. Ons het ook grensposte gehad, grensbeheer en grensbeveiliging gedoen. Elke wyksersant het sy wyk gedomineer en geen onrus of onwettigheid geduld nie. Elke patrollie het die grens bewaak deur patrollies te stap. Ons het die staat gebou en die staat gerugsteun. Dossiere is behoorlik ondersoek en noodklagtes het stiptelik aandag geniet. Ons het nie goed soos sindikate, taxi-Mafia, bou-Mafia geken nie. Ons was nie deel van Interpol nie maar tog het ons suksesvol internasionaal geskakel. Grootskaalse korrupsie was onbekend.
Vandag speel die polisie “tweede viool” – so asof hulle ‘n aanmeldingskantoor geword het, die publiek het privaat-sekerheid eerste op hul noodnommerlys. Ek kyk op my gemeenskaps-WhatsApp – privaat sekerheid word eerste gekontak, is eerste op die toneel, rapporteer spoedig terug ... die polisie speel ‘n onbeduidende rol in my gemeenskap.
• Stadspolisie
Ons het ‘n nuwe era betree – stadig maar seker polisieer ons, onsself in die woonbuurte met (betaalde en bekostigbare) privaat sekerheid. Dit lyk of die staatspolisie terugstaan onbetrokke is. Hulle neem nie die leiding nie. Ek voel ons moet polisiëring op twee vlakke kry – plaaslike polisie onder die burgemeester en die staatspolisie wat dan aandag aan die staat se hoogste belange kan gee soos bv veiligheid, grensbeveiliging en grensbewaking, rekords, en internasionale skakeling. Die staatspolisie het “rang-mal” geword, dit maak hom duur en lomp!
• Vertroue in Polisie
Gerald Potash skryf in sy nuusbrief: “We have lost faith in our police and the headline in yesterday’s Citizen newspaper editorial reads “Why report crime with inept cops?” It goes on to report that only 43.8% of us would report a crime, even if it happened before our eyes. What is worse is that in 28% of instances the police never arrive!” [Gerald Potash – 28 Aug 2024 in “Hallo from Gerald”.]
• Intelligente Patrollies
Die polisie is daar om die speurdiens te ondersteun. In my dae het ons “intelligente patrollies” uitgevoer. As ons ‘n man gesien het in die straat loop met ‘n pak klere oor sy arm, met ‘n tuinslang oor die skouer of met ‘n visstok, is so persoon voorgekeer en ondervra. Ons het ook die eerste bus en taxi’s deursoek wat ons woonbuurt verlaat het. So is baie verdagtes vir die speurtak aangekeer. Wat maak jy met 34 kapteins op ‘n stasie?
BRIEWE | LETTERS
BRIEF UIT THAILAND
Lt Barry Taylor
Ek het die polisie in 1978 verlaat met die rang van luitenant na Anglo American wat my ‘n werk aangebied het as ‘n ondersoekbeampte.
Ek was eers geplaas te Elandsrand Goudmyn en na drie jaar vir een jaar op Western Deep Levels beide myne toe na Carletonville. Daarna is ek verplaas na Anglo American Hoofkantoor in Johannesburg as hoof van die Antikorrupsie eenheid en dit het ondersoeke ingesluit by De Beers en ook die Steenkoolmyne.
Ek het ook ‘n paar ondersoeke te Londen en Zürich gedoen In 1986 op ‘n
Vrydagoggend word ek deur toe my baas, lt-kol. FAJ van Zijl (Fatty) meegedeel dat ek verplaas is na JCI - Johannesburg Consolidated Investments die ou firma van Barney Barnato wat ‘n affiliaal van AAC was
Gordon Waddell, mnr Oppenheimer, se ex-skoonseun was die voorsitter. Dit het platinum, goud en steenkool ingesluit, wat deel was van die portefeulje van JCI
Destyds was die raffinadery vir die Platinum metale te Wadeville, Germiston. Platinum metale bestaan uit sewe metale oa Platinum, Palladium, Rodium, goud ens. Tans en ook toe, was Rodium die duurste metaal en nie platinum
Tans Augustus 2024 is die prys van Rodium nog steeds die duurste, nl 4750 USD per ons. Die fabriek in Wadeville het die beste en nuutste kameras en sekuriteits sisteme gehad want dit was miljoene Rand se metale wat elke week daar raffineer was.
Een Maandagoggend in 1989 was ek te Randfontein-opleidingsentrum van JCI waar ek klas gegee het in regte en ander vakke so eenmaal in drie maande.
Ek kry toe ‘n boodskap ek moet dadelik Wadeville raffinadery toe gaan maar word nie gesê waaroor nie Ek wil net meld dat ek besig was met die opening van die twee weke lange kursus en daar was so 12 beamptes op die kursus oa een van Weston Area goudmyn wat tydelik by Wadeville diens gedoen het Met my aankoms te Wadeville word ek meegedeel dat die kas waarin die goud was leeg was en ongeveer 2 miljoen Rand se goud weg is. Die goud wat uit die proses kom is in poeiervorm en word eers later in stawe gegiet
Destyds was goud so 400 USD per ons en die Rand was so R1.10 per USD Dit was so ‘n klomp Kilogram se goud en daar was geen teken daarvan. Al die kameras is nagegaan en al die deure is nagegaan en die goudkas was in die middel van die raffinadery wat ‘n groot saal was. Die slot was ook nie gebreek maar oopgesluit.........
Die sekuriteitsbeamptes aan diens was natuurlik die eerste wie verdink is en hulle is van hulle huise af gaan haal en ondervra deur my en Doppies Minnaar, die majoor in bevel van die Goud- en Diamanttak te Germiston.
Geen VA is gevind en geen voetspore buite die gebou gevind nie en die hondehanteerders het ook niks gesien of gehoor nie. Daar was absoluut geen leidrade nie en die saak het doodgeloop. Ongeveer 18 maande later sit ek in my kantoor te JCI Hoofkantoor en ek word deur die deurwag gesê dat daar ‘n vrou is wat my wil kom sien. Hy stuur haar toe na my kantoor en na ek myself voorgestel het, vra ek haar wat kan ek vir haar doen?
Sy het maar redelik armoedig gelyk en het ‘n kind by haar gehad Sy vra toe vir my of ek die saak ondersoek van die goud wat te Wadeville gesteel is en ek bevestig dit toe. Sy sê toe uit die bloute vir my sy weet wie die goud gesteel het en ek vra haar toe wie dit is en sy sê toe haar man en sy broer. Ek vra toe haar wie is haar man en sy sê toe hy is ‘n sekuriteitsbeampte by n goudmyn van JCI (Weston Area)
Ek vra toe hoe sy dit weet en sy sê toe hulle het die hele voorval by ‘n braai by hulle huis bespreek. Om te se ek was verbaas, was nie eintlik die regte woorde nie. Ek deel haar toe mee dat as van die goud teruggevind word, kan sy dalk geregtig wees op ‘n deel van die waarde en ‘n verdere beloning deur JCI uitgeloof vir inligting met ‘n skuldigbevinding Sy verbaas my toe nog verder deur vir my te sê sy weet waar die goud is. ‘n Deel is in ‘n "sump" van ‘n bulldozer (wat is ‘n bulldozer in Afrikaans? Kruiptrekker.) op ‘n boer se plaas in Zeerust en die ander is verkoop aan ‘n swartman wat 'n juwelierswinkel in Kimberley besit Ek vra toe vir haar of sy seker is en sy bevestig dit toe.
Ek bel toe vir majoor Doppies en hy stuur toe die een A/O wie ek mee goed bevriend was en ons ondervra haar toe verder. Sy sê haar man rand haar aan en het ‘n ander meisie en het haar uit die huis gejaag en sy weet nie waarheen nie. Dit was die rede om ons te kom sien
Na ons ‘n verklaring van haar geneem het, het ek die saak met my baas en die een direkteur bespreek en die direkteur sê toe ons kan nie in een dag na Zeerust en Kimberley gaan en ons moet maar ‘n vliegtuig gaan huur by Lanseria Sy het ook gesê haar man se broer wat die ander verdagte was, is tans op Vaalharts en woon in ‘n skemahuis daar en sy verskaf toe die adres. Sy vrou en kind was ook daar met hom
By Lanseria neem ek en die A/O toe ‘n straler wat vir ons gereël was en oud-majoor Chris Mulder van die Dranktak wat ook by JCI gewerk het in Pretoria, vlieg toe saam nadat hy gereël het die Goudtak op Rustenburg hom by die lughawe sou kry
Van Rustenburg is ek en die A/O na Kimberley waar die Goudtak ons by die lughawe gekry het met twee voertuie en ons ry toe na Vaalharts Ons kom by die huis aan net toe dit donker is en kry die persoon en sy vrou en ‘n klein baba in een kamer.
Ek sal nooit vergeet daar was geen meubels in die huis en die kind het op ‘n kussing, langs die man se groot paar stewels, gele Ons het nie geklop en net ingestap en toe ek die ou sien herken ek hom as ‘n werker van die Goudmyn. Die een Goudtak ou sê net vir die ou hy moet saamkom en al sy goed bring Ons het ons nie voorgestel en nie gesê waaroor dit gaan nie Hy het ons nie
gevra wie ons was of wat ons wou hê nie wat my verbaas het en ek het maar later daaraan gedink hy het goed besef waaroor dit gaan
Sy vrou en baba is een die een kar gelaai en ek en hy en die ander speurder in die ander voertuig. Toe ons veel later die aand by die lughawe aankom ry ons tot langs die vliegtuig en ek het nog die vrou gehelp met die baba en bagasie en nog steeds is niks gesê nie Na ons ruk gevlieg het vra die arme vrou my, waar gaan ons heen en ek sê Johannesburg toe
Nou die vliegtuig het sulke Lazyboy sitplekke ingehad en die baba het in een lê en slaap en die vrou en haar man het op ‘n rusbank oorkant ons gesit. Sy kyk hom toe so aan en vra hom: “Wat het jy gedoen dat die mense ons met ‘n vliegtuig kom haal?” Hy antwoord haar toe nie
By Lanseria het ons hulle geneem na die Goudtak se kantore in Germiston en toe ons daar aankom en sy sien sy broer daar sit en sy hoor dit is die Goud- en Diamanttak begin die arme vrou huil. Die ou se oë het net groot geword toe hy sy broer daar sien sit Dit het verskriklik gereën toe ons in Germiston aangekom het. Doppies stel hom toe voor aan die outjie en sê toe vir hom waarom hy by die kantore is Hy vra hom toe wat weet hy van die diefstal en dadelik sê hy dat hy nie weet waarvan Doppies praat. Doppies waarsku hom toe volgens die regte Polisie regtersreëls en toe onthou die ou skielik alles!
Wat hy en sy broer gedoen het was as volg: Beide het gewerk as sekuriteitsbeamptes by Wadeville en op nagdiens was daar net twee persone aan diens en terwyl die een die kameras dopgehou het die ander een buite gegaan en toegesien dat die hondemanne hulle werk doen en verder maar saam kameras dopgehou.
Al die duplikaat sleutels het aan ‘n bord gehang in die sekuriteitskantoor en moes uitgeteken word
Daar was oa ‘n sleutelvir die hek aan die agterkant van die gebou wat reg teen die spoorlyn was. Dit was ‘n groot staaldeur groot genoeg vir ‘n voertuig om toegang te verkry tot die perseel.
Hy en sy broer het toe besluit om ‘n duplikaat van die sleutel te maak en een nag die sleutel geneem en gedurende die dag ‘n duplikaat laat maak en die volgende aand getoets op die hek en ook een van die goudkas wat hulle nie getoets het nie
Daarna het hulle die gebou buite goed bespied terwyl aan diens gedurende die dag. Die aand wat die misdaad gepleeg is het hy toe die sleutels geneem na Wadeville gery en deur die hek ingeglip aan die agterkant terwyl die hondemanne aan die kante en voor was Hy het toe op die dak geklim aan die agterkant en begin loop tot min of meer waar die goudkas was. Daar het hy ‘n plaat van die dak losgemaak en ‘n tou aan die dakbalk vasgemaak en afgeseil na die goudkas Hy het geweet dat die PIR's nie daar werk nie en hy het die kas se slot oopgesluit van nog ‘n duplikaat en toe die goud wat in poeiervorm was in ‘n rugsak geskep wat hy by hom gehad het en wat ‘n plastiese sak binne in gehad het om te keer dat die goudstof nie sou uitval nie Hy het toe die kas weer gesluit teen die tou opgeklim en is weer agter deur dieselfde hek uit. Hy het net gesê dat die sak baie swaar was en hy moeilik geklim het om bo te kom Hy vertel toe vir ons dat terwyl hy op die dak gelê het,
het ‘n hondeman verby gekom en skielik het die hond begin blaf en opgekyk na die hek en die honde man lig toe met ‘n flits maar kon hom nie sien want hy het platgelê op die dak.
Die dag wat die diefstal ontdek was, was hy op kursus by Randfontein en het hy in my klas gesit Hulle het van die goud by die boer op die plaas gesmelt en in die sump weggesteek met sy toestemming en die res het hy aan die juwelier te Kimberley verkoop Die juwelier het natuurlik alles ontken en goud is goud en hoe identifiseer jy goud na ‘n jaar of meer. Die juwelier se lisensie is weggeneem om in juwele handel te dryf en die boer is nooit aangekla nie Die een ou het 11 jaar gekry en die ander een 13 jaar.
Wat van hulle geword het weet ek nie, ook nie van die vrouens en kinders nie Chris Mulder het my later vertel dat toe hulle op die plaas aangekom het die boer van niks geweet het maar toe hulle vir hom se waar die goud is en hy gaan tronk toe, toe praat hy heel vinnig.
Die vrou het ‘n beloning gekry ek weet nie hoeveel nie
Daar was ook die geval van ‘n baie welaf sakeman wie Platinastof uitgesmokkel het na ‘n raffinadery in Frankryk Daar was destyds baie min plekke in die wêreld wat platina kon ontgin Wat hom weggegee het was dat hy later weekliks tussen Frankryk via Zürich en Johannesburg gereis het met net ‘n briewetas vol Platinastof. Hy is nooit aangekla nie en het nog later ‘n beloning gekry vir inligting verskaf,
Ek het nog die tjek vir hom geneem en by Fourways die tjek van R40K aan hom oorhandig. Toe ek hom vra waarvoor dit was, het hy net gelag. Hy was ‘n regte glyjakkals maar ‘n baie nice ou gewees Nou in 1989 was R40K baie geld gewees.
Dan was daar die geval in Rustenburg van ‘n baie ou swartman wat by die raffinadery daar gewerk het en Vrydae die voertuie van die direkteure moes was. Onthou geen voertuie kon by die hekke ingaan nie. Elke week het hy met sy emmer seepwater uitgeloop en die voertuie gewas. Die water was vol seep en ‘n mens kon nie die bodem sien nie
Eendag besluit een van die wagte by die hek hy gaan sy hand in die water steek en voel toe ‘n dik laag sand op die bodem lê. Raai wat dit was, nie sand, maar wel Platinastof ongesuiwer en het so ‘n waarde van R20K gehad. Hy is aangekla maar het die karre al vir jare gewas. Hoeveel hy uitgesmokkel het weet ons nie. Hy is darem tronk toe vir die een geval. Die bestuurders en ons almal het maar lekker gelag oor die slim karwasser en die dom Boere!
Barry Prachin Buri
Thailand
BRIEF UIT OOSTENRYK
Marthinus de Lange
Op 26 September sou dit wyle mev Winnie Mandela se 88ste verjaardag gewees het. Hier in Oostenryk is ek al gereeld oor die Mandela-gesin gevra. Mense wil blykbaar weet of ek hulle al ooit ontmoet of gesien het.
Nou ja, ek het wyle oud-president Mandela nooit persoonlik ontmoet nie. Ek het wel 'n klagte by sy huis in Soweto, saam met die luitenant, bygewoon maar ons het net met die sekuriteitswag gepraat. Mev. Mandela was 'n ander storie. In 1992 het ek 'n nogal "interessante" interaksie met haar in Soweto gehad.
Dit was een van daardie dae waar daar nie baie klagtes in die wyk was nie. Maar, oor die radio, het ons gehoor van onluste naby een van die hostels. Daar was altyd probleme met die hostelinwoners en die plaaslike mense.
Beide die Honde-eenheid en die Onluste-eenheid was reeds daar. Toe ons met ons Blitspatrollie Njala daar aankom was dit alles min of meer onder beheer. Elke nou end dan was daar nog 'n paar sporadiese voorvalle, maar die manne van die Onluste-eenheid het hulle baie vinnig onder beheer gekry.
Ek was daardie dag op diens met 'n haelgeweer. Een van die opvoukolf Beretta haelgewere wat ons in die Blitspatrollie gehad het. Dit was met SSG gelaai. Nie iets wat man, normaalweg, vir onlustebeheer gebruik nie! 'n Adjudant-offisier het rondgegaan met 'n knipbord en die manne van die Onluste-eenheid, die haelgewere gehad het, gevra hoeveel rondtes hulle afgevuur het. Hy het my ook gevra en toe ek verduidelik het dat ek net SSG en "slugs" het, het hy met my geskerts en gesê dat ons hopelik nie daardie tipe ammunisie sal moet gebruik nie.
Die sporadiese voorvalle het voortgeduur en die onluste-eenheid manne het nog meer rubber en donshael uit hul haelgewere geskiet. Ongelukkig het die adjudant toe sy werk aan 'n paar konstabels gedelegeer en hulle het na elke voorval vir my kom vra hoeveel ammunisie ek uitgeskiet het. Dit het my geïrriteer en ek het die haelgeweer oor my skouer gehang en, saam met 'n kollega, met twee Honde-eenheidlede, wat op die kantlyn gestaan het, gaan praat. Ons het gestaan en kyk hoe 'n "Madala", geklee in kleurvolle kleure en gewapen met 'n knopkierie, heeltemal onbesorg, deur die Onluste-eenheid se donderbuise, traanrook en haelgeweer salvos van rubber en donshael Toi-Toi.
Selfs op 'n afstand kon man van sy oë sien dat hy redelik "hoog in die takke" was. Met sy wysvinger het hy vir ons beduie hoe hy ons wil keelaf sny en hy het sy knopkierie wild rond geswaai. Ons kon net staan en die skouspel aankyk. Die polisiehond was heeltemal onbeïndruk deur sy dreigemente en wou hom opvreet. Kort daarna het die Madala toe besluit dat wysheid beter as dapperheid is en huis toe gegaan, maar die hond was toe nog baie opgewonde.
Ek het opgemerk dat daar regs van ons 'n TV-span gestaan het. Hulle het nie Engels of Afrikaans gepraat nie, maar Nederlands en Duits wat my nogal vreemd voorgekom het. Hulle het ook blykbaar nie daarin belang gestel om die oproer te verfilm nie.
Ek het nog vir die TV-mense gestaan en kyk toe ek 'n hand op my skouer voel. Dieselfde skouer waaraan my haelgeweer gehang het! Ek het aangeneem dat dit weer een van die konstabels was. Hoogs geïrriteerd het ek het vinnig die haelgeweer van my skouer afgetrek, en begin vloek: "Los die f..." Toe sien ek dat die persoon, wat my skouer gegryp het, mev. Mandela was! Sy het haar pad direk deur vier polisiemanne en 'n polisiehond gestoot!
Skielik het dinge alles in stadige aksie begin gebeur! Die hond is nou mos van mev. Mandela se optrede verras en nog meer geïrriteerd as voorheen. Ek sien hoe die "tannebox", dood stil, sy kop draai en sy kake wawyd oop maak. Sy teiken was die onwetende mev. Mandela se been! Die hondemanne het gelukkig die hond vinnig gestop en weggeneem. Ons was baie gelukkig dat niemand enigiets opgemerk het nie. Ons vier het net stil vir mekaar gekyk, al vier van ons het geweet dat daar amper groot probleme was!
Ek kon toe hoor dat mev. Mandela besig was met 'n toespraak. "Comrades" ens. Ek het toe omgedraai om te sien wat aangaan. En net daar sien ek dat die TV-span nou besig was met verfilming en dat mev. Mandela besluit het om haar toespraak reg voor my te hou. Ek is 1,85 meter lank, wat beteken het dat ek perfek sigbaar agter mev. Mandela gestaan het. Ek kon my weerkaatsing in die TV-kameralens sien! Nou maar mooi! Ek staan daar en voel soos 'n idioot met my haelgeweer nog steeds in albei hande. Ek het probeer om so professioneel as moontlik te lyk en geen emosie te wys nie, maar dit was nie maklik nie. Dit het gevoel asof haar toespraak vir eeue aangehou het. Tot vandag toe kan ek nie onthou waarvan sy gepraat het nie. Of selfs met wie sy
gepraat het nie, aangesien die meeste van die oproeriges teen daardie tyd uitmekaar gegaan het. Maar daardie buitelandse nuusspan het baie beïndruk gelyk. Ek kan maar net aanneem dat hulle net vir haar gewag het. Ek is net baie bly dat mev. Mandela nie, direk langs my, voor internasionale televisie mense, deur 'n polisiehond gebyt was nie!
Nadat ek die SAP verlaat het, het ek as vuurwapeninstrukteur gewerk by 'n maatskappy wat opleiding vir lyfwagte gedoen het.
Baie van die wagte het vir mev. Mandela gewerk en sy was dikwels daar. Soms was sy in 'n vieslike bui, veral wanneer daar vertragings was met haar mense se vuurwapenlisensies. ’n Engelsman wat betrokke was by die bestuur van die maatskappy kon haar altyd kalmeer maar hy het ons altyd gewaarsku om uit haar pad uit te bly. Ek het daardie waarskuwing nie nodig gehad nie. Ek was altyd bekommerd dat sy my sou herken.
Deur die jare het ek gewonder of dit alles iewers op buitelandse TV verskyn het. Sedert YouTube op die toneel gekom het, het baie van daardie ou beeldmateriaal beskikbaar geword. Ek het al gesoek, maar ek het myself en mev. Mandela nog nie gevind nie. Ai tog, ons het almal, blykbaar, ons 5 minute van roem. Dit was ongelukkig myne.
AFSTERWE: RON GREENWAY: SKOONSEUN VAN WYLE LT-GENL HJ DU PLOOY
Helen Greenway
Goeiedag Hennie,
Hoop dit gaan goed met julle. Baie dankie dat jy my in julle groep hou. Ek waardeer dit opreg.
My dierbare man, Ron, is verlede Sondag oorlede in die ouderdom van 73 jaar. My seuns is hier by my. Dit is so bitter hartseer. Ek hou net die Here se Hand styf vas.
My man, was 'n diep gelowige, nederige, hardwerkende, gentleman, opregte, lojale en getroue, liefdevolle eggenoot en vader, met 'n besondere liefde vir die natuur en 'n wonderlike humorsin. Hy het ook 'n tere hart, vir die armes gehad en gehelp waar hy kon. Hy laat 'n baie groot leemte, in ons familie.
Vyftien jaar gelede was Ron op die hartoorplantingslys geplaas, weens hartversaking, maar nadat Angus Buchan vir hom gebid het, by 'n groot Christelike byeenkoms in ons kerk, Cityhill in Hillcrest, het die Here Ron se hart genees en was ons, 'n ekstra, geseënde 15 jaar saam, gegun, alleen deur die onbeskryflike Genade van ons Here Jesus Christus. Jakobus 5.
