eNONGQAI Vol 5 No 4 by Hennie Heymans, Nongqai Publications

Your national security history magazine without malice U nasionale veiligheidsgeskiedenistydskrif sonder kwaadwilligheid

Om die verlede te bewaar sonder om in die verlede te leef.

BSAP

SADF / SAW

NONGQAI

SAR POLICE

SAP

To preserve the past without living the past.

WIE IS ONS? / WHO ARE WE? We are an informal group of police and defence veterans who would like to foster an interest in South Africa‟s police, defence and national security history from 1652 with cut-off-date 1994; when the new South Africa came into being. We only tell and explain what we did; for we were the “on the spot” eyewitnesses! In fact we are the ones you saw in the news reels of the time following orders from parliament. However we have to debate the incidents because our memory is fallible as we grow older. In the terms of the day "we earned the Tshirt and right to tell our stories for you to enjoy with malice towards none." In the suburbs we see so many gardeners wearing those T-shirts! We all can learn from the past.

Genl Johan van der Merwe Beskermheer Patron

Ronnie Beyl

Johan Jacobs

Lt-Col W Marshall

Glenn Elsden

Anemari Jansen

Adv Len Els

HBH

The Editorial Team Editor: HB “Hennie” Heymans, MA (Brigadier, SAP & SSSC - Ret) Ass-Editor: J Jacobs (CPO SA Navy & Marines - Ret) SA Railway Police: Brig R Beyl Legal Advisor: Col Len Els, MMM, LLD, SC Special Correspondent: Anemarie Jansen (MA) Defence: Lt-Col W Marshall Webmaster & Graphic Designer: Glenn Elsden (Lt-Col, SAP & SAPS – Ret)

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Skrywers van Rubrieke / Authors

Kapt J Herselman

RSM CS Brown

Eduan Liebenberg Naudè

Kol MJJ Rensburg

LEGALITIES This publication is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in policing/ national security or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Readers should take legal and other advice before applying the information contained in this publication to specific issues or transactions. The eNongqai contains various and sundry personal opinions of different correspondents and neither the compiler of eNongqai nor eNongqai will be held responsible for any of their comments which is entirely their own and not necessarily that of eNongqai or its publishers.

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To all future correspondents

This condition must be placed at the end of your article: "The author of this article shall indemnify and hold harmless eNongqai and its publishers from any and all third-party claims, proceedings, actions, expenses, and damages (including attorney fees) in connection with a breach or alleged breach of the representations and warranties made in this article." This is not a literary magazine, but a magazine by; and for veterans of the SA Security Forces; we want to capture the words and moods as written by our former veterans. Beware of graphic language.

CONTENTS WIE IS ONS? / WHO ARE WE? ............................................................................................ 2 The Editorial Team ............................................................................................................. 3 

Skrywers van Rubrieke / Authors ............................................................................. 3

LEGALITIES ............................................................................................................................ 3 

To all future correspondents................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION / INLEIDING .......................................................................................... 8 Welcome / Welkom ............................................................................................................. 8 Facebook: Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede .................................................... 9 OUR FRONT PAGE ................................................................................................................ 9 MOMENT OF SILENCE / OOMBLIK VAN STILTE ....................................................... 10 LEDE VAN DIE REDAKSIE ................................................................................................ 10 

Len Els.......................................................................................................................... 10

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Johan Jacobs ................................................................................................................ 11

PERSONALIA ....................................................................................................................... 12 Personalia vanaf 01 Maart tot 31 Maart 2014: Opgestel deur Johan Jacobs ............ 12 

Afsterwe ................................................................................................................... 12

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Siekboek ................................................................................................................... 12

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Verjaarsdae .............................................................................................................. 13

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Kennisgewings en Reunies ................................................................................... 14

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Verlowings, huwelike en geboortes .................................................................... 14 4

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Allegaartjie .............................................................................................................. 14

Huldeblyk genl maj Martin Nel: Lt genl Manie Schoeman ........................................ 14 INFORMASIEBOEK ............................................................................................................. 16 SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE / SUID-AFRIKAANSE POLISIE ....................................... 17 Konst Hertzog Blackie: Johannesburg ........................................................................... 17 Uniformpraatjies 1: Kapt Patrick Coetzee ..................................................................... 18 Uniformpraatjies 2: Danie Terblans ............................................................................... 21 Wyle No 36317 AO DJ Coetzee: Leon Coetzee ............................................................. 22 RSM CRAIG STUART BROWN: EAST LONDON ...................................................... 23 Maj Gen IP de Villiers, CB, MC, KPM ........................................................................ 23 

Grandpa Brown: 9 SA Horse, Hartigan’s Horse, German East Africa. .......... 24

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Bandmaster WFG Leach, SAP .............................................................................. 24

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Funeral Sgt CRE Brown, SAP ............................................................................... 25

Filler: Nkandla: In lighter vein .................................................................................... 25 WAGTERS OP DIE MUUR: GA WATERMEYER: FRANCOIS GUNTER ............... 26 Polisiepraatjies: Brig David Botha .................................................................................. 27 Misdaadvoorkoming: Watter metodiek? En wat nog? – Brig Fanie Bouwer ........... 28 "I'M A POLICEMAN" – ingestuur deur Nico Pretorius.............................................. 29 COL EUGENE A DE KOCK (SAP: RET) - HBH............................................................... 30 

Eugene de Kock's parole: On the road to redemption.......................................... 30

Eugene De Kock: A Human Being died that Night ..................................................... 32 

Opgevoer in die Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg ............................ 32

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Verslag en foto`s: Anemari Jansen ....................................................................... 32

British Actors Matthew Marsh and Noma Dumazweni visit De Kock ..................... 34 SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS POLICE / SUID-AFRIKAANSE SPOORWEGPOLISIE ........................................................................................................... 36 Huldeblyk: Wyle brig JS ‚Mounie‛ Mouton: Brig Ronnie Beyl ................................. 36 SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE / SUID-AFRIKAANSE WEERMAG .............. 38 SANDF Medals and Decorations: DefenceWeb ........................................................... 38 The pre-April 2003 list is .............................................................................................. 39 5

SAAF / SALM .................................................................................................................... 45 At & Lynnette Spies (Oud-SALM) berig: ...................................................................... 45 Former SAAF Aircraft: T6 Havards on wet runway... ................................................ 48 Poetry: Col MJ Jansen van Rensburg SAAF (Ret) ........................................................ 49 A BUCKET OF TEARS .................................................................................................. 49 BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE ................................................................................... 51 1st VC for Rhodesia: Lt FC Booth, VC, DCM................................................................ 51 POLICE FORCES: INTERNATIONAL .............................................................................. 52 i-PLOD: Scotland Yard ..................................................................................................... 52 

i-Plod replaces PC's notebook .............................................................................. 52

Mexican Drug Lord's House after Police Raid ............................................................. 55 Police Comments............................................................................................................... 59 These are actual comments made by 16 Police Officers. The comments were taken off actual police car videos around the USA................................................................. 59 POLICE FORCES: AFRICA ................................................................................................. 60 ANGLO-BOER WAR / ANGLO-BOEREOOLOG ............................................................ 61 Murder of Burger JF Heymans & others: Bethlehem Commando ............................. 61 

Approach ................................................................................................................. 61

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Irony ......................................................................................................................... 62

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Victims of the Klaas-Gang Murders: Bethlehem ............................................... 62

Prinsloo & Grobler ............................................................................................................ 62 

Grobler gefusilleer deur die Boere ....................................................................... 62

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Ironies....................................................................................................................... 62

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Burgers wanted known ......................................................................................... 62

Trooper Jan Fourie: ‚OVS Rijdende Dienstmacht‛: Bethlehem ................................. 63 Steenberg: 1st policeman in Bethlehem ......................................................................... 63 

Const Steynberg ...................................................................................................... 64

Uittreksel: Oom Gideon Heymans vertel ...................................................................... 64 

Lord Mayor van Londen ....................................................................................... 64

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Manskap Jan Fourie: OVSRDM............................................................................ 66 6

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Moord op Kromspruit ........................................................................................... 69

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Rol van Gert Hendrik Grobler .............................................................................. 69

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Krygsraad ................................................................................................................ 70

Harrismith: Concentration Camp ................................................................................... 71 Arrested Boer Family departing Harrismith ................................................................ 72 Monument on the Farm: Finaal near Bethlehem ...................................................... 72 Memorial DRC Harrismith .............................................................................................. 74 The grave of Const JP Fourie & Mrs CLS Fourie (nèè De Clercq): Pretoria ............. 74 Anglo-Boere-Oorlog: Versteekte ponde bied nuwe begin vir familie....................... 75 Penkoppe – Kinder-vegters van die Anglo-Boereoorlog – Deel I: Eduan Liebenberg Naude ................................................................................................................................. 78 THE FIRST WORLD WAR / DIE EERSTE WERELDOORLOG ..................................... 81 ‚We will remember them‛: Johan Jacobs ...................................................................... 81 THE SECOND WORLD WAR / TWEEDE WERELDOORLOG .................................... 82 RSA’s REVOLUTIONARY SRUGGLE............................................................................... 82 THE BUSH WAR / BOSOORLOG ...................................................................................... 83 Wagters op die Mure: Chirundu: Johan Herselman, Snr ............................................ 83 

Rhodesië 1974.......................................................................................................... 84

Cuito Cuanavale, Executive Outcomes and the final destruction of UNITA: Alex Faria..................................................................................................................................... 87 DEFENCE & NATIONAL SECURITY: INTERNATIONAL .......................................... 90 British sniper kills six Taliban fighters with a single bullet: Rifle round triggers explosive vest worn by his target ................................................................................... 90 He's an US Marine: 63 & Tired ........................................................................................ 98 New U.S. Army Rifle! ..................................................................................................... 101 HUMOUR IN UNIFORM / HUMOR IN UNIFORM .................................................... 102 Maj Wally Engelbrecht: Ferdie Vermaak, Snr ......................................................... 102 BOOKS / BOEKE: WALTER VOLKER ............................................................................ 104 PIET RETIEF COMMANDO ......................................................................................... 104 

The Story of a Border Commando 1880 - 2007 ................................................. 104 7

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR, WALTER VICTOR VOLKER.................................. 108

SO OOR ‘N KOPPIE KOFFIE TUSSEN VRIENDE ........................................................ 109 Die weelde van Boeke: Soos winkende hande............................................................ 109 

Nog ‘n seder het geval: Kol John Wagenaar ........................................................ 112

Nog ŉ seder het geval! ................................................................................................... 114 Finale woord van Diecks Dietrichsen – Koevoet se Olifantman .................................. 115 WANTED / GESOEK .......................................................................................................... 116 OPINIONS / MENINGS ..................................................................................................... 117 ADVERTISEMENTS / ADVERTENSIES ......................................................................... 117 CONCLUSION / SLOT ...................................................................................................... 117 Kontakbesonderhede .................................................................................................. 117

INTRODUCTION / INLEIDING Welcome / Welkom We welcome all our readers all over the world to this new edition of the eNONGQAI!

Our New Website: eNongqai Publications

http://www.enongqaipublications.com You are cordially invited to visit our new website. We had a website called “The South African Police Force”. After the death of Bruce Jones we could not re-activate the “old” website and we were left with the choice to start a new website. Our main objective is still to preserve our history. Policemen have hobbies and we also cater for their hobbies, interests, militaria, books, documents and photographs. We are there to help one another! Our legacy is to preserve the past for coming generations. While our new website will, in all likelihood, remain a work-in-progress for many more months to come it has, since 15 February this year, grown into a significant project of more than 140 pages of quality content. The official launch was announced during mid-March 2014 via an e-mail newsletter which can be viewed at the following link: http://www.enongqaipublications.com/website-launch-newsletter.html We kindly request that readers spread the word; a website is of no value if it does not receive visitors!

FACEBOOK GROEP : Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede

ŉ Paar jaar gelede het ons ŉ FACEBOOK groep geskep met die naam: “Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede.” https://www.facebook.com/groups/44388598559/ Die administrateurs het besluit dat slegs lede wat ŉ verbintenis met die SAP het of vir SAP-geskiedenis lief is, lid van die blad kan word. Ja, ons het soms ŉ probleem met krutaal maar ons ignoreer dit. Politiek en godsdiens is egter taboe. Kom gesels beskaafd en indien u debat wil voer is u welkom – verdedig u stelling; moenie u opponent beswadder nie. Respekteer vryheid van spraak. Indien u wil aansluit kontak vir Patrick op FB of by epos vir Patrick Coetzee: patrickcoetzee@gmail.com

OUR FRONT PAGE The famous Harvard was also used in unrest / riots eg at Bergville, Transkei and Sharpeville in support for the SAP. This is no 1117 – “Nelson” - an illustrious aircraft. During our SAP Coin-training the Harvard was also used for our Air Contact Officer‟s Course (1974) at Maleoskop. Photo: HBH Die bekende Harvard ook gebruik in onluste bv Bergville, Transkei en Sharpeville. Hierdie is no 1117 – Nelson – „n baie bekende vliegtuig. Tydens “bosopleiding” is die Harvard ook gebruik in TEIN-operasies en is die Harvard vir ons lugkontakoffisierskursus te Maleoskop 1974 gebruik. Foto: HBH 9

MOMENT OF SILENCE / OOMBLIK VAN STILTE “En julle sal die waarheid ken, en die waarheid sal julle vrymaak” - Joh 8:32

LEDE VAN DIE REDAKSIE Lesers vra gereeld wie is die lede van die redaksie. Vandeesmaand gaan u twee ontmoet:

 Len Els Advokaat (doktor) Len Els, SC, is ook kolonel Len Els, MMM, (Burgermag). Hy loop al lank met die donker saam, beide as juris en as militaris. Hy is tans die president van die Gauteng se Vereniging van Advokate en sit soms as waarnemende hooggeregshof regter. Hy is voorsitter van verskeie tribunale, onder andere die Tshwane Drankraad. Sy tande in die regspleging is by die Departement van Justisie geslyp onder andere as streeklanddros en adjunk prokureur-generaal. Len sit ook as senior militêre regter en is aangewys as: “Best senior reserve force military law practitioner” vir 2008/09. Sy eerste kortverhaal „Die Geheim van die Meer‟ het in 1966 op die brose ouderdom van 12 die lig gesien. Gedigte en lirieke vloei uit sy pen sedert sy studentedae by Tuks. As student was hy ook die basghitaar speler vir ŉ Swaar Metaal groep genaamd Warlock.

Hy is die 2012 wenner van die Carpe Noctem Digters Penning in die kategorieë Sosiale Kommentaar en Godsdiens. Hy is ook die naaswenner in die kategorie Erotiek. Die drie toekennings het hom ŉ tweede plek besorg in die kategorie Digter van die jaar. Naas skryf is Oosterse Gevegskuns sy passie. As 5de Dan swartgordel bedryf hy ŉ dojo (klub) genaamd KARATEKA40 wat op die „volwasse‟ karateka gerig is met die klem op fiksheid en selfverdediging. Hy is ook ŉ nunchaku en mestegnieke instrukteur en beoefen Iado – die kuns van die Japanese lang swaard (katana). Hy is ook betrokke by karate-opleiding vir gestremdes, beide fisies en verstandelik. Len is getroud met kinders en woon in Pretoria. Hy het ŉ swak vir die Italiaanse voorkoms (en mooi voete) en is gevolglik reeds 38 jaar met Michelle getroud. 

Dankie Len – HBH.

 Johan Jacobs Ek het opgegroei in ŉ streng dissiplinêre huis waar my pa vir ongeveer 12 jaar in die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie was. Ek is egter baie lief vir my Afrikaanse taal, kultuur en geskiedenis en het my eerste gedig en verhale op 15 jarige ouderdom geskryf. Ek sukkel maar met tale en is glad nie 'n taal foendi nie en woorde kan soms maar stadig ontwikkel. Ek het ongelukkig op gehou skryf toe ek Weermag toe is. In 1972 is ek na die Suid Afrikaanse Vloot vir my Nasionale Diensplig en het ook daarna by die Staande Mag aangesluit. Ek het my basies by SAS Simonsberg begin en na basies ŉ Junior Leier kursus gedoen waaronder ek ook ŉ Geskut kursus deurgemaak het. In Januarie 1973, word ek as ŉ junior instrukteur aangewend met die Januarie diensplig inname. Daarna word ek oorgeplaas na NOIC Simonstad en dien op die staf. Ek word ook saam met die Vloot HK verplaas na Pretoria en later na SAS Rand in Johannesburg as instrukteur. Word vir drie maand na Walvisbaai verplaas met die stigting van ŉ volwaardige basis aldaar. Vanaf 1977 dien ek weer by SAS Rand nadat die vloot ook sy Burgermag reserwe inspan teen terreur in die voormalige SWA en dien ek as instrukteur vir die „kampers‟. Gee ook opleiding op Rand se opleidings skip te Durban naamlik SAS Nautilus. Word in 1980 verplaas na SAS Saldanha as senior-instrukteur tot 1982 waarna ek weer vir ŉ kort rukkie by SAS Rand dien en verplaas word na die Mariniers eenheid op Walvisbaai tot in met 1986 waarna ek uit die vloot bedank met die rang van Eerste-bootsman en by die staatdiens aansluit tot met 1998. Ek is nou medies afgetree en het hope tyd naas my ander stokperdjies soos my passie vir die militêr, vir lugvaart, die see, stoom treine, die woestyn en natuurlik my virtuele vliegtuig- en trein simulator. Met baie inspirasie van veral my vrou Jeanette het ek weer begin skryf, veral artikels oor die geskiedenis, die militêr, treine en van vliegtuie. Is tans ook assistent-redakteur van die ENONGQAI en ULOLIWE, twee elektroniese tydskrifte waar sommige van my artikels geplaas word. Ek is 61 jaar jonk en getroud vir 32 jaar! 11

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Johan skryf ook elke maand die SAP se Personalia en reël ons jaarlikse braai en woon elke jaar die Oud-SAP-Lede se Liefdadigheidstrust se braai by. Baie dankie “JJ” - HBH

PERSONALIA Personalia vanaf 01 Maart tot 31 Maart 2014: Jacobs

Opgestel deur Johan

 Afsterwe Dit is met innige leedwese dat ons die We deeply regret to announce the deaths afsterwe van die volgende oudlede van of the following former members of the die Mag of die van ons vriende moet force or those of our fiends: aankondig: Maandag 03 Maart: David Steynfaardt... het sy dogter Vrydagaand in 'n motorongeluk verloor Woensdag 05 Maart: Daar is die naweek afskeid geneem van SAO Jannie Brooks. Oom Jannie was gestasioneer by die V/Tak Pietermaritzburg. Hy was ook 'n uiters begaafde rugby speler in sy jong dae en het bekend gestaan as "Bobby with the Boot" . Vrydag 07 Maart: Quintin Papenfus berig; dat kaptein Tokkie van Dam gisteraand laat oorlede is Vrydag 07 Maart: Kol Gert Dempers is vanoggend na 'n kwaai siekbed in die Kloof Hospitaal oorlede. Saterdag 15 Maart: A/O EL le Roux (Bert) , POP Kaapstad is vandag na kanker siekbed oorlede. Sondag 16 Maart: Kolonel Louw Kilian is gister oggend skielik oorlede aan vermoedelik 'n hartaanval. Met sy aftrede in 1999 die DK op Graaff-Reinet. Was 67 jaar oud. Maandag 17 Maart: Kolonel Haggard, SANAB Kaapstad is oorlede. Woensdag 19 Maart: Hanlie van Straaten berig: Genl Mike Geldenhuys kondig met leedwese die afsterwe aan van kol John Wagenaar wat op 26 Maart vanjaar 92 jr oud sou wees. Donderdag 20 Maart: Carl Wernich is vanoggend om 5 uur oorlede agv ŉ maagseer wat gebars het. Woensdag 26 Maart: Kol Tokkels Jones, vader van Kol Gideon Jones, is vanoggend oorlede Saterdag 29 Maart: AO JJ Jonck, alom goed bekend van Greytown is eergisteraand oorlede!  Siekboek Ons wens die ondergenoemdes alle beterskap toe: Vrydag 07 Maart: Mickey Friedenthal sukkel tans met sy gesondheid en gaan deur „n moeilike tyd! 12

Dinsdag 11 Maart: Patrick Coetzee het vandag 'n “lamber punch” gehad (nommer vier in 'n jaar se tyd). More word hy gesny aan sy linker voet. Daar is 'n gat in en die area rondom die gat is dooieweefsel. Dinsdag 19 Maart: Frik Bruwer is opgeneem in die hospitaal! Donderdag 27 Maart: Die goeie nuus is dat Frik Bruwer uit die teater is, hulle het die kwaad met wortel en al uitgesny. Hulle het toe nie enige amputasies gedoen nie. Donderdag 27 Maart: Dana Kruger is vanoggend in die Pretoria-Oos hospitaal opgeneem vir „n skouer vervanging! Sondag 30 Maart: Koot van Schalkwyk was lank in die hoë-sorgeenheid in die hospitaal. Hy sterk nou aan by die huis. Sondag 30 Maart: Terugvoering oor Dana Kruger; hy sterk aan in ICU maar infeksie het nou ingetree met die skouer vervanging.  Verjaarsdae Ons wens die volgende hartlik geluk: Dinsdag 04 Maart: Genl. Johan Ferreira verjaar vandag!. Woensdag 05 Maart: Mariet Ferreira verjaar vandag! Woensdag 05 Maart: Kol Lesch vier vandag sy 85-jarige verjaarsdag!

Saterdag 08 Maart: Is Quintin Papenfus, se verjaarsdag vandag. Vrydag 14 Maart: Brig. Jan Visser vier vandag sy 89ste verjaardag! Maandag 17 Maart: Vandag verjaar twee oudlede: Eerstens Koot Swanepoel is vandag 61 en ook kol Japie Payne. Woensdag 19 Maart: Dit is vandag is Emsie Pienaar se verjaarsdag.! Donderdag 20 Maart: Baie geluk aan Johan Herselman Snr met sy verjaarsdag! Sondag 23 Maart: Is genl Andrè du Toit se verjaarsdag vandag! Dinsdag 25 Maart: Willie du Plessis verjaar vandag! Sondag 30 Maart: Meraai de Wet verjaar vandag! Maandag 31 Maart: Dit is Japie de Jager van Walvisbaai se verjaarsdag!

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Kennisgewings en Reunies

Saterdag 08 Maart: Die Koevoet Bond se jaarlikse kranslegging vind weer op 5 April 2014 by die Koevoet Muur van Herinnering by die Voortrekker Monument plaas. Vrydag 14 Maart: Nico Visser berig; Vandag is n heuglike dag vir my en my wederhelf, ons is vandag 50 jaar getroud !  Verlowings, huwelike en geboortes Ons wens die volgende hartlik geluk: Maandag 24 Maart: Leon Strauss berig dat hy weer oupa geword het! Dinsdag 25 Maart: Dalene Steenkamp berig dat sy ouma geword het vir die eerste keer van „n seun!. 

Allegaartjie

Sondag 09 Maart: Lynette Spies berig: Soos julle nou al weet vertrek ons more na Sjina vir 5 weke waar At moet werk en ek gaan natuurlik saam!! Sal oral in Sjina foto's neem! Sondag 09 Maart: Johan Deyzel het die Argus fietstoer klaar gemaak in 5 uur en 50 min!

Saamgestel deur Johan Jacobs: Kontak besonderhede; selnr 0769287320/Epos=jhnjacobs65@gmail.com

GROETE TOT DIE VOLGENDE PERSONALIA Huldeblyk genl maj Martin Nel: Lt genl Manie Schoeman

Seker sy laaste foto - geneem deur HBH Met die heengaan van genl maj Marthinus Johannes Nel (Martin of Tienie) op 23 Februarie 2014, verloor die gemeenskap een van sy stoere persoonlikhede en 14

geliefde vriend, iemand wat daagliks inhoud en gestalte gegee het aan begrippe soos nederigheid, opregtheid, hoflikheid, beskeidenheid, integriteit, onkreukbaarheid, en bo alles, ŉ professionele polisie-offisier. Hy was ten alle tye ŉ ware heer, wat alles netjies, korrek, afgerond en stelselmatig gedoen het. Iemand van wie sonder twyfel gesê kon word: “An officer and a gentleman” – ook iemand aan wie die hedendaagse polisie-instelling ŉ groot behoefte het. Ek het genl Nel gedurende 1969 (dit is 46 jaar gelede) leer ken toe ons die eerste Handelstak kursus deur die Dept van Justisie in die Oranje Nassau gebou aangebied, in Schoemanstraat, Pretoria deurloop het. Sedert 1992 het ek die voorreg gehad om as sy tweede-in-bevel by Hoofkantoor te dien tot en met sy aftrede. En watter voorreg was dit nie! Hy het net een roeping en doel is sy lewe gehad; dit was om die Handelstak in ŉ funksionele, elite-ondersoekeenheid te vestig. Daarin het hy met die ondersteuning van sy medeoffisiere, grootliks geslaag. Self-kennis en werk-etiek was vir hom van die uiterste belang. Daarom het hy met die grootste ywer en toewyding van alle geleenthede, vakkundige materiaal, wetgewing en die regspraak gebruik gemaak om sy kennis en vaardigheid op hierdie gespesialiseerde polisiëringsgebied te verbreed. Deur die jare het hy verknog en geanker aan die studeertafel gebly, en het besondere vaardighede ontwikkel om teorie en praktyk bymekaar te bring. Menige aangeklaagde en sy/haar regsverteenwoordiger het die les geleer dat jy nie Martin Nel sondermeer op sleeptou kan neem nie. ŉ Tyd gelede het ŉ dokument onder my aandag gekom wat deur genl Nel voltooi is. Hierdie dokument het persoonlike besonderhede van hom bevat en in die betrokke afdeling waar gevra word “Naskoolse / tersiêre opleiding” “het hy ingevul: “Die Universiteit van die Lewe”. Vir my is dit so beskrywend van hom, en, mag ek daarby voeg: “Cum Laude” wat beteken “met hoogste lof”! Genl Martin het as polisie-offisier, bevelvoerder, speurder, mentor, en “coach” waardigheid aan sy lewensroeping en amp verleen. Hy was met hoof en hart betrokke by sy daaglikse werk, en vir my persoonlik, en vir baie van sy kollegas, het hy as ŉ rolmodel gedien. Gedurende sy polisie loopbaan was hy alom bekend vir sy kennis, insig, fyn begrip en wyse raadgewing en het iemand geword by wie ons dikwels vir raad en leiding aangeklop het. Dan ook nie net kollegas nie, maar ook regslui, waaronder prokureurs, staatsaanklaers, beamptes van ander staatsdepartemente en selfs lede van buitelandse polisieagentskappe. Daarbenewens was hy ook ŉ knap opsteller van praktykgerigte dokumente – dokumente wat die toets van die tyd, asook die toets van die howe deurstaan het en ek wonder hoeveel pro forma verklarings, klagstate, briewe en buitelandse versoekskrifte waarvan hy die outeur was, doen vandag nog steeds die rondte. Genl Martin se lewenslustige gees het hom nie toegelaat om te gaan rus nie, en na sy aftrede en tot en met sy siekbed was hy steeds met opleiding behulpsaam, mentorskap en die ondersoek van handelsverwante misdrywe. Tot baie onlangs was hy ook die koördineerder met die samestelling van die geskiedenis van die handelstak as bydrae tot die Feesbundel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie. 15

Wanneer ons geliefde vriend en kollega vandag vir oulaas Pretoria, sy kinders, kleinkinders, vriende en kollegas groet, kan sy kinders en kleinkinders troos bly vind in die wete dat ons Skepper vir hulle ŉ besondere man, vader en grootvader gegee het. Ons herinnering aan sy lewe, toewyding en invloed sal as troos vir die toekoms dien. Martin Nel het die wedloop voltooi, en hoe mooi en besonders het hy sy wedloop gehardloop! Die befaamde Suid-Afrikaanse digter Jan FE Cilliers het ŉ roerende gedig oor generaal Christiaan de Wet geskryf. Hierdie gedig vind ewe goed toepassing op die lewe van ons ontslape kollega en vriend. Ek haal aan: Stil, broers, Daar gaan ŉ man verby; Hy groet, En dis verlaas. Daar‟s nog maar èèn soos hy; Bekyk hom goed. Ek dank u - Manie Schoeman: by geleentheid van sy begrafnis op 4 Maart 2014

INFORMASIEBOEK

INFORMASIEBOEK VERKIESING POLMEDRAADSLEDE Liewe kollegas, Oom POLMED skakel my vanoggend vroeg. Nou moet u asb mooi lees. Wat hier geskrywe is, is die reine waarheid, so uit die perd se bek uit: Nominasies vir die raadslede vir Polmed is “in die pos” – dit kan vandag enigiets beteken want bv more kan hulle staak om die pos af te lewer. Nie te min; ons moet die nominasievorms invul en terugpos na Polmed. Lt-kol Gideon Serfontein is weer beskikbaar as raadslid. Vul asb op u nominasievorm die volgende in: Polmed No 106549 Gideon Johannes Serfontein Kontak nr 082-4121-326

SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE / SUID-AFRIKAANSE POLISIE Konst Hertzog Blackie: Johannesburg

Comments by HBH: During the late 1940‟s my father wore the same uniform and I distinctly remember the whistle and silver chain. He never wore a helmet, he wore a black cap. Later the same blue-black cap/s with khaki cap covers when they changed to khaki. He also wore the blue/black uniform when he went to the Supreme Court to give evidence. My father took the old blue/black uniforms to an Indian tailor next to Durban Central Police Station – I think the building was called “Mandoline Buildings” – and had 17

school trousers made for me with his old trousers. Those days a 2 nd class Sergeant earned about £50-00-00 per month – HBH.

Photo: HBH with his school trousers made from an old SAP uniform in 1956. Most people were “poorish” after WW2 and lived frugal.

Illustration: The khaki cap covers on black caps. The officer is wearing the „summer uniform for officers‟ that were discontinued in 1972. Note boots, shoes and turn-ups.

Uniformpraatjies 1: Kapt Patrick Coetzee

Patrick Coetzee : 25 March at 19:27 Ha ha dit pas nog. Net my kop het effens geswel...die pet pas nie. Ek het hierdie uniform 21 jaar gelede aangehad met uitpassering as luit.

Bostaande foto het die volgende kommentaar ontlok: You, Div De Villiers, Johan Jacobs, Fanie Bouwer and 44 others like this. Mickey Friedenthal ek weet die ou saffarie uniform hetie hemp gehad, maar times change Patrick Coetzee Daar is nie 'n manier hoe ek in die hemp sal kom nie. Die tunic is baie groter!!! Mickey Friedenthal nou siet daai dae toe die Engelse nog in charge was het ons geen manier met ŉ hemp gewerk, winter somer met das en tunic, maar Gawie en Nico sal beaam, ŉ halwe hemp, net die voorstuk het jy gedra on koel te bly, onthou daar was nie ŉ trui nie en winter het jy maar onder die hemp „n sivvy trui gedra, jy het die ou British warmer-jas gehad, daai een wat 80 liters water kon absorbeer, nou ek ry perd patrollie in Natal hier innie 59s en as jy weg van die plaas is trek jy maar uit, ek het toe myse hemp ook gesny aangehad en klopetie-klop ry ek so halwe oop stuk hemp, naby St Lucia is daar „n afsaalplek gewees vir die publiek wat op die noord kus weg (nou N2) gery het, ek het daar aangekom met my swart konst, en ons pak uit vir ete ens nou sit ek agteroor oë in die rus posisie toe daat „n motor stil hou en ek het nie tyd gehad om eers op te staan of daar „n klomp doedies en ŉ man by my is, eerste vraag van die man is, het jy beserings, nou ja wat daarna gebeur het bly in Natal... Gawie Botha Moet se jy skep nog die indruk van „n regte egte polisie offisier! Mickey Friedenthal ha ha Gawie een wat uitgevang is met „n doedie innie kantoor gmmmmpffff 19

Gawie Botha ,,, jy meen hy het gou aangetrek! ,,, Nou sit hy ewe vroom daar,,,,,ha!ha!,,,,,,jy was ook maar „n "skerp" polisieman! Gawie Botha Patrick,,,,ons "grap" net,,,,,maar soos my oorlede Pa ons sou tereg gewys het, deur te sê:" Ja! maar julle het nogtans julle "sê" gesê!!! Mickey Friedenthal Patrick ek aanvaar niks van die balju nie. Mickey Friedenthal dooie drommels met daaise speakers daar agter gaan die sabc agteruit staan Willem Schoon Dit lyk darem netjies. Maak mens trots om deel van iets goeds te gewees het. Nico Frylinck Spoggerig !! Japie de Jager Die sersant lyk moeg?? John Phillip Lambert Onthou jy nog " his is the world's most beautiful men!" Videokameraman Patrick Coetzee. Upington trippie? Patrick Coetzee Ha ha Brig ja. Ek onthou. Wens ek kon dit weer sien. John Phillip Lambert Ek het nog die video Pat. Ek sal kyk of ek dit kan copy. Dit is op hi8 Fanie Bouwer Ek is nou nie so ‟n lang, groot en imposante figuur so Patrick Coetzee nie. Toe ek ‟n majoor was op Woodstock, maak ‟n vrou ‟n afspraak met my; kom daar aan steek groot-oog by die deur vas. Ek vra wat lyk sy so verbaas? Sy sê vir my: “I had this impression that that a Major in die Police was a very big tall guy”. Maar daar was plek vir ons ander gewone klonge ook darem. Gawie Botha ,,,,,,,,,,,,,laat my grootlag kry, toe ek aangestel is as SB op Namutoni in Etosha,,,was ek ook deur „n "VIP" persoon gevra: "Is jy die SB" !!!!,,,waarop ek terug geantwoord het, nou hoe het jy gedink moet „n SB lyk!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ons het groot vriende geword ! Andre Theron Waar is jou hemp en das kaptein.........en die vroumens wat jy wegsteek! Dit help nie jy trek jou tunic aan en vergeet die res nie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gawie Botha ,,,,,,,nes „n polisieman is ,,,,,,, soek foute ,,, en kry gewoonlik! Mickey Friedenthal kyk as ek voor „n offisier geparadeer is en hy het daai kyk oppie gesig weet ek: “Skuldig pleit en vra genade!” Andre Theron Ha ha dis lekker ons kan lag oor die ou dae! Laat my dink toe offisier word, was jonk en „n speur-off in Pinetown Natal. Eendag kom „n ou tannie daaraan, sê sy: “ I want to speak to the officer in charge!” Sê ek: “Thay will be me Mam!” 20

Sê sy verontwaardig: “You cannot be an officer, my son is older than you!!!!! Het nie geweet of sy my „n pluimpie gee of beledigend was nie!!!”

Uniformpraatjies 2: Danie Terblans

Danie Terblans

Uitreiking van eerste uniform Binne die eerste 14 dae word 'n student uitgereik met sy eerste stel uniform. In my geval 3 hemde, 2 velddragbroeke, 2 paar boots (1 stel altyd op die bed vir inspeksie), velddragpet (salpetervanger), harde pet, tuniek baadjie, wintersbroek x2, somer uniformbroek x2, Tekkies, PT-broek (swembroek was uit stock), frokkie en die sweetpak (lyk maar mooi). Nou die ryery na die kwartiermeester en terug van die kollege was mos hemels. Ek dink ek het meer slaap ingekry op die bus as die vorige 2 weke saam. Nou by die storie: Kan julle die AO onthou wat jou net so om die middel gevat het en dan 'n ''size'' geskree het en plof-plof is jy uitgereik. Niks te groot of te klein nie. Ons was aangetree van kort na lank. Omdat ek ou ''langes'' in die peloton was (ook die merker en die enigste ou wat nooit uit pas was nie), kon ek sien dat die man se oë ook net so goed was. Die assistent is al 'n nommer grote gegee en as die 2 hande bykom, dan is daar net bevestig en die regte grootte is uitgereik. As ek nou daaraan dink, almal in die kollege se uniform was nommerpas. Niemand was te groot vir sy uniform nie. Ook was niemand te klein vir die uniforms nie. Nooit is aan my gesê wie is die AO wat jou so op jou baadjie kon takseer nie. Daar was so bietjie spekulasie en daar is gemeld dat hy Duits is. Kan julle onthou en weet julle wie was die spesialis se naam? Ben Watermeyer hy was AO Wilken Christo Wynand Roux Jip A\O Wilken.

Wyle No 36317 AO DJ Coetzee: Leon Coetzee

Koste van lisensie: ÂŁ1-00-00 22

RSM CRAIG STUART BROWN: EAST LONDON

Maj Gen IP de Villiers, CB, MC, KPM

Craig Stuart Brown: Lt IP de Villiers an Officer in First Eastern Rifles 4th Infantry 1914 – 15. “IP” was hero in WW1 and hero of the African Campaign during WW2 and Commissioner of the SAP from 1927 - 1945. [The First Eastern Rifles 4th Infantry was what First City was known as FROM 1913 -1924]. 

Grandpa Brown: 9 SA Horse, Hartigan‟s Horse, German East Africa.

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Bandmaster WFG Leach, SAP

My wife Renee's, Great Uncle, SAP Band Master WFG Leach, from the Nongqai August 1925

ď&#x201A;ˇ

Funeral Sgt CRE Brown, SAP

Sergeant CRE Brown SAP Funeral Johannesburg Filler: Nkandla: In lighter vein

We South Africans are quick to see the humour in almost any situation: good or bad. Emily Hobhouse wrote how, in dire circumstances, how humorous people the Boers were. Well here is a bit of humour; while everybody is fussing about Nkandla.

WAGTERS OP DIE MUUR: GA WATERMEYER: FRANCOIS GUNTER

Polisiepraatjies: Brig David Botha David Botha Dit is nou absoluut stil en donker. Nie ŉ motor, nie ŉ toevallige hondblaf, nie eers die geroep van n kiewiet nie. Dit is ŉ nag vir vreemde ligte oor Calvinia, die spookkar van Leandra, die spook van Uniondale, of die ligte tred van Dirk Ligter tussen die skape van die Tankwa Karoo. Dit is ŉ stilte wat jou op voetpatrollie telkens laat doodstil staan om vas te stel of die voetval wat jy hoor net jou eie is, en of daar iets anders is wat die onverklaarbare krieweling teen jou rug af veroorsaak. Die straatligte is bakens, elke donker ingang lyk soos ŉ lokval. Die more is ver. Dit is ook die tyd vir gedagtes om ver paaie te loop, om vir ŉ oomblik die kiekies van die verlede op te roep. Om te onthou hoe die pad tot hier geloop het. You, Koot Swanepoel, Robert Brand, Koos Brits and 6 others like this. Marius Morland Het ook al daai gevoel gekry. Niel Van Heerden As jy die Ou Wiel gestap het, het jy seer sekerlik dieselfde gevoel gekry? Ai waar is my jong dae in Namakwaland? Was die beste jare van my loopbaan en lewe Fransie Theron Karstens Watter jare was jy in Calvinia? David Botha Fransie, ek was 1965 tot 1967 op Williston in die Hoërskool, vandaar na Beaufort Wes waar ek in 1969 matriek geskryf het. Met ŉ pen op papier uit my kop uit. My oom Nick Botha was ŉ werktuigkundige, nie ŉ 'fitter' nie, op Calvinia. Het die Karoo deurkruis omdat dit my hartland is, al is ek op Addo in die Oos-Kaap gebore. Fransie Theron Karstens Ek het 1967 op Calvinia begin werk en my oorlede man was toe student daar en het 1968 daar begin werk as opgeleide SAP-lid, kan nie jou oom onthou nie, maar wel Smit, Kotze, kol Koeglenberg. genl Deysel was ook op Calvinia en glo my volgens sy kollegas ook lekker bruikbaar. My man was Cassie Carstens. Was later Worcester, De De Doorns, Paarl en Krugersdorp. In 2003 oorlede. David Botha Die wêreld was ŉ groot plek, toe word dit ŉ oester, nou is hy gewoon klein. Baie Theron‟s op Williston gewees. Moet sê, Therons het mooi dogters gehad. Fransie Theron Karstens Ja, my pa het altyd gesê, mens kry nie 'n lelike Theron nie. Ons het nie naby familie in Williston gehad, Cassie Mouton se pa was 'n neef van my pa. Sy ouma was 'n nooi Theron. 27

Misdaadvoorkoming: Watter metodiek? En wat nog? – Brig Fanie Bouwer Ons praat mos in die algemeen oor misdaadvoorkoming-operasies; sigbare polisiëring en al daai soort van dinge. Maar nogtans gaan die misdaad aan en aan. In my jong dae as stasiebevelvoerder op ‟n stasie waar ek net 2 ondersoekbeamptes gehad het (op dié stasie is daar nou talle speurders), onthou ek dat ek kort-kort die stelling gemaak het van “Vang hulle eerder – dít is die heel beste misdaadvoorkomingsmaatreël”. Nou lees ek die koerantopskrif in die Burger vanoggend: “NÓG 10 KINDERS IN DELFT VERKRAG”. En die plaaslike polisie-minister sê: “Ek is moeg vir leë woorde ...” Ek ook! As só iets as polisiehoof op jou radarskerm verskyn, dán is dit tyd dat jy jou spreekwoordelike vergrootglas moet uithaal en vir jouself vra: “Wat de hel gaan hier aan?” Ek stel voor: Kry ‟n klomp puik speurders bymekaar as ‟n taakspan. Nóú! En gaan vang die verkragters. Ja, nóú - voor die 11de een verkrag word! · Frik Bruwer, Francois Beirowski and Petrus Mongie like this. Pierre van Heerden Probleem is, meeste WORD gevang, dit is 'n teken van 'n siek samelewing en die voorkoming is baie ingewikkelder as wat ons besef. Hoe kry jy dit in 'n man se kop om nie kinders te verkrag nie as hy dit om een of ander siek rede WIL doen. Ons kinders lê in die strate rond want ons is te besig met ander nonsens en hulle val die monsters ten prooi, nee, jy is wel reg maar vat die 'opportunity' weg, dis misdaadvoorkoming. Marius En Pauline Etsebeth Net jammer dat so baie lede betrokke is by misdaad. In Witbank is sommige lede op die Nigeriërs se payrol. Operasies is by ons nie baie suksesvol nie. Die inligting lek uit en dan is dit maar tydmors Pierre van Heerden Hulle se in 80 pers van misdaad deesdae is die Polisie 1e op die toneel....hehe..

"I'M A POLICEMAN" â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ingestuur deur Nico Pretorius I'm a policeman, Oh why? You may ask. It's not that the pay is well worth the task. It's something deep down, it's something inside. It's not just a job where you're there for the ride. The dangers we face, we know they're for real. But it's not just a job, it's something you feel. We're out on the beat, it's late at night. This is the time when families fight. Shouting and cursing, then comes a hit. A loud screaming child, a mad raging fit. We come on the scene there's not a set play. We have to assess with our fears pushed away. There's darting eyes and another door. Can we see all the people or are there more? A bang and a crash come from the back. Is someone else there to take a crack? We take control but it's never easy. The mess and the people can make you feel queasy. We return to the beat and hope it's all right. But we know we'll be back for the very next fight. A stop light runner and a simple chase. But we never know what we may face. Another bad drunk? A kid on a high? Or something much worse to give us a try? We can't take it easy, we can't take a chance. Always a new tune, always a new dance. There's racial tensions and rights to uphold. We have to show patience but yet appear bold. It's easier to say that "all must be fair." When you're not on the street, when you're not the one there. Those feelings of pressure we must put aside. With our actions up front and keeping our pride. It's harder on family than it is on me. Their imagined worst fear is all that they see. I'm on the job and handling it well. But they're safe at home imagining hell. When the telephone rings and it's late at night. They wake in a sweat with a terrible fright. But their awful thoughts I must leave at the station. 'Cause they might dull my senses and force hesitation. So why do I do it? Where is the joy? There's people who smile, a found little boy. There's laughter and friendship with people who care. There's knowing a difference just 'cause we're there. There's sunshine and sadness and having the nerve. To get up each morning and say that â&#x20AC;&#x153;I serve."

COL EUGENE A DE KOCK (SAP: RET) - HBH ď&#x201A;ˇ Eugene de Kock's parole: On the road to redemption 06 Mar 2014 11:45 Brent Meersman

Play examines the vexed issue of granting parole to Eugene de Kock, the convicted apartheid death squad leader. White South Africa washed its hands of Eugene de Kock, the head of the notorious Vlakplaas torture camp and death squad who was dubbed "Prime Evil" by the media. He spilled the beans before the amnesty hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission were held, and became the fall guy for his superiors. He has been in jail since 1996. Now a new play seems to suggest he should be released. Adapted for the stage by South African-born British playwright Nicholas Wright, psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's A Human Being Died that Night, subtitled A Story of Forgiveness, follows the process of her interviews with De Kock at Pretoria Central Prison.

The play was first produced in London at the Hampstead Downstairs Theatre. How faithful to the book and to the real people did you set out to be? I tried to get all of them right. If there is anything inaccurate in it, then it's my fault. Of course, I had to use material that wasn't in the book. I don't know if you know the story of the interview tapes; she [Gobodo-Madikizela] wrote the book from her notes. Her assistant was taking the tapes to the publishers and they were all lost at

Mowbray station. They put out an advertisement and offered a reward, and some were returned – about six tapes [out of 40 hours of recordings]. You spent time shadowing Gobodo-Madikizela … Yes, I spent a lot of time with her. We went up to Pretoria hoping to meet De Kock, but he didn't want any visitors … What got me started was I bought the book in London, and just because it was [about] South Africa, I read it. I was so struck by the message. Which is? It's about how we shouldn't write off people as evil however bad the things they did. That is not minimising that they've been very, very bad, but not to categorise them as some radically other kind of creature that has nothing to do with us. Pumla says at some point that it's only by empathising that you earn the right to judge. Do you think that a prerequisite for reconciliation is forgiveness? I think if there is to be reconciliation then there has to be forgiveness. Otherwise there will be resentment continuing somewhere. People can live with it – it's not impossible. But if you want proper reconciliation, you have to have forgiveness. At one point in the play, Pumla says Eugene should be let out. That's very controversial. I'm not sure if she has said it [as in taken a public stand]. But I think [the line] is faithful to what she thinks. The way I read this play, she seems to be on a mission to get him to redeem himself. Her line of questioning seems to be leading him to a path where there is redemption. Why? In the book she says something like "I was intrigued", something very light. But I think what you are saying is quite possible. She is a religious person. She is a Christian. There is one talk she gives on YouTube where she speaks about forgiveness, and the talk closes with her saying that maybe harbouring continued resentment pre-empts the role of divine justice. She says it with a sly smile – very charmingly. I think you may be right. She's a churchgoer, I do know. Do you think he should be let out? I do, yes, just logically, because he is still in prison and there are lots of people who were just as bad walking [freely] about. But two wrongs don't make a right. Surely the others should be behind bars too?

Well, I can't really equate his continuing in prison 20 years later with justice. It's obviously a political thing, because he is an evil celebrity, such a hot potato. I don't think that's a good reason for keeping someone in [jail]. Are you religious? Yes, I am. I do have a strong individual Christian belief of my own. I would have found this difficult to write otherwise, I think. What is the difference in response to the play between Cape Town and London? In Hampstead, people were very gripped. Here – I've only seen the first preview and last night – the audience sat as though shocked. They seemed hypnotised by seeing De Kock on the stage. They didn't laugh at his jokes … there's a big difference. One English guy [in London] said: "Oh, is he a real person?" They just see it over there as a play … Also when De Kock denounces white South Africans for hanging on to their privileges [which he did the dirty work to protect] … it's one thing to say that in London, quite another thing to tell that to a white audience in South Africa!1 http://mg.co.za/article/2014-03-06-on-the-road-to-redemption

Eugene De Kock: A Human Being died that Night 

Opgevoer in die Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg

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Verslag en foto`s: Anemari Jansen

A Human Being Died that Night is at the Fugard Studio Theatre in Cape Town until March 15 and the Barney Simon Theatre at the Market Theatre in Jo'burg from March 19 to April 6

Lokteks vir die toneelstuk: “1997. Pretoria Central Prison, South Africa. Psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela prepares to sit opposite the apartheid regime‟s most notorious assassin, Eugene de Kock nicknamed “Prime Evil”– the head of the apartheid regime‟s death squads. A member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Madizikela questions de Kock who is serving a 212 year sentence for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud. She is determined to try to understand what motivated de Kock‟s actions. One is reminded of European writer and philosopher Hannah Arendt‟s endeavour to understand the nature of evil when she wrote about the Nazi holocaust architect Adolf Eichman‟s trial in Israel in 1962.”

Foto: Prof. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela en Anemari Jansen Dinsdagaand, 25 Maart 2014. Die Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela het ŉ groep uitgelese gaste genooi na die opvoering van die toneelstuk, A human being died that night, verwerk vanuit haar gelyknamige boek. Gobodo-Madikizela is `n kliniese sielkundige wat op die Skending van Menseregtekomitee gedien het by die WVK. Sy het `ŉ totaal van ses en veertig uur met Eugene de Kock in gesprek deurgebring, in C-Max, Pretoria. Die ontmoeting tussen twee mense wat wêrelde van mekaar verwyder is, word uiteindelik `n reis van selfontdekking en begrip van “die ander”. Nicholas Wright het die boek verwerk in `n toneelstuk vir die verhoog en dit is in 2013 die eerste maal in Brittanje opgevoer. Die regisseur was Jonathan Munby en die akteurs, wat ook in Suid-Afrika optree, is Matthew Marsh en Noma Dumezweni. 33

Die verhoog word strak en funksioneel ingeklee, die binnekant van `n vertrek in `n tronk. “De Kock”, in voetboeie, sit op ŉ stoel wat vasgebout is in die sementvloer. “Pumla” sit oorkant hom aan ŉ tafel, met ŉ stoel wat wiele onderaan het, sodat sy kan wegbeweeg sou hy aggressief raak. Geleidelik beweeg die twee karakters van woordspeletjies en ontwyking na werklike dialoog. De Kock openbaar uiteindelik sy agtergrond, emosies en motiewe en gee ŉ indringende en grafiese beskrywing van die wreedheid en moord wat hy gesien en aan meegedoen het. Die toneelstuk, soos die boek, het ten doel om heling en begrip te bewerkstellig in `n gepolariseerde samelewing. Sy noem ook in haar toespraak na die opvoering, dat vergifnis die enigste rigtingwyser op die pad vorentoe vir ons in Suid-Afrika is: ons missie moet wees om menswees (“humanness”) te herontdek en op te eis. Volgens Albie Sachs, in sy voorwoord tot Human Being, het Eugene de Kock eers huiwerig, toe meer openlik, op beide feitelike en emosionele vlak die verlede begin verken. Hoe verder die gesprek tussen hom en Gobodo-Madikizela gevorder het, hoe meer enigmaties het hy egter geword. Die prentjie van die verlede, volgens Sachs, word oneindig gekompliseer deur die wyse waarop Eugene de Kock hierdie prentjie op sy kop draai. Hy het die beskuldiger geword, nie van diè wat hom veroordeel en gevonnis het nie, maar van die mense wat sy dienste gebruik het en hom vir sy suksesse beloon het. Dieselfde skerp intelligensie en glashelder persepsies wat hy eens gebruik het as hoof van C1, gebruik hy nou om sy voormalige werkgewers aan die kaak te stel. Met `n formidabele vermoë tot selfanalise, beskou hy sy eie aktiwiteite, asook die van sy kollegas, en beskryf die banaliteit van die geweld waarvan hy deel uitgemaak het. Die toneelstuk spaar die kyker nie. Selfs grusame herinneringe word opgediep en aangespreek. Maar uiteindelik is die boodskap een van hoop en vergifnis. Van eerlikheid en die besef dat gesprek lei tot `n begrip van ons almal se menslikheid, “humanness”. “I don`t think Eugene de Kock is Prime Evil,” sluit Gobodo-Madikizela haar toespraak af. “I think he represents the phenomena of a perpetrator.” Doen moeite om A human being died that night by te woon. Dit word tot 6 April nog elke aand in die Market Theatre opgevoer. Dit gee ŉ dieper kyk op Eugene de Kock, sowel as op vergifnis en heling. Aan Eugene de Kock behoort die laaste woorde: “I was a veteran fighter. That‟s how I saw myself. But at the end of the day, Pumla, all that I really am is a veteran of lost ideologies. Once you realise that, you lose your innocence.‟”

British Actors Matthew Marsh and Noma Dumazweni visit De Kock  

Text: Anemari Jansen Photo: Larry Hanton

In what turned out to be a most extraordinary day, British actors Matthew Marsh and Noma Dumazweni paid a visit to Kgosi Mampuru (Pretoria Central) Prison and had the opportunity to speak to Eugene de Kock in person. Marsh commented afterwards that he was moved by the visit and felt he could relate to Eugene de Kock on many levels. His intelligence, sense of humour and humility made a deep impression on them. After the visit they took a short detour to visit the Voortrekker Monument and the Koevoet Muur van Herinnering.

SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS SPOORWEGPOLISIE

POLICE

SUID-AFRIKAANSE

Huldeblyk: Wyle brig JS “Mounie” Mouton: Brig Ronnie Beyl Baie dankie vir die geleentheid om ŉ huldeblyk namens lede van die voormalige Spoor -wegpolisie aan brig. Moanie Mouton te lewer. Dit is ŉ moeilike taak want hoe beskryf jy so merkwaarde mens wat so groot invloed op baie mense se lewe gehad het, in „n paar woorde. Oom Moanie was ŉ beginselvaste persoon wat nie geskroom het om enige stelling of saak te bevraagteken nie. Hy was „n hoogs gerespekteerde offisier en geëerde kollega. ŉ Korrelkop wat nie nonsens gevat het nie. Hy het ook geen geheim daarvan gemaak as hy nie van jou gehou het nie. Oom Moanie is ŉ vriend “for life” soos die Engelse sal sê. Hy sou deur dik en dun by jou gestaan het, ongeag die konsekwensie daarvan. Ek het in hom in 1975 persoonlik leer ken toe ek Posbevelvoerder op Komatipoort was en hy die streekoffisier op Nelspruit. Dit was moeilike dae. Dit is in die tydperk toe ANC lede na Mosambiek uitgewyk en weer die land binne gesypel het nadat hulle elders opleiding ontvang het. Daar was gedurende diè tydperk ook ŉ burgeroorlog binne Mosambiek aan die gang. In die tyd moes oom Mounie sterk leiding gegee het, wat hy ook gedoen het sonder vrese. Daar is baie dinge wat in sy roemryke loopbaan in die SA. Spoorwegpolisie uitstaan wat kan getuig van watter stoffasie hy gemaak is. Ek wil net twee hiervan uitlig. In 1974/75 nadat Frelimo in Mosambiek aan bewind gekom en die blanke Portugese begin vervolg het, het hulle na Komatipoort gevlug. Hy was daar toe hulle in hulle hordes met net die klere aan hulle lyf, by die Lebombogrenspos opgedaag het. Dit was nie ŉ aangeleentheid vir die Spoorwegpolisie nie, maar hy het die leiding geneem en binne minute alternatiewe akkommodasie vir die mans wat in die Spoorweg hostel op Komati gewoon het, gereël. Daarna was die vlugtelinge met hulle gesinne in die hostel gehuisves waar hulle van etes en beddegoed voorsien was. Hy het dit nie aan iemand anders gedelegeer nie, maar het self baie lang ure en dae daar vertoef om toe te sien dat hulle goed versorg word. Hy het nooit in die kantoor gesit terwyl sy manne ŉ operasie uitvoer het nie, hy het voor gestap.

Toe die Indiese Boeing met 44 kapers aan boord op 26 November 1982 op Louis Botha lughawe in Durban geland het, was oom Moanie die hoof van die Veiligheidstak van die Spoor- wegpolisie in Natalstreek. Wat die geval so uniek gemaak het, was dat die kapers Suid Afrikaanse burgers was wat van ŉ mislukte staatsgreep in die Seychelle terug gekeer het. Hulle was tot die tande toe gewapen en die lyk van een van hulle makkers was in die vrag- ruim van die vliegtuig. Die leier van die kapers was kolonel Mike Hoare. Hy het geëis dat hulle in ŉ ander vliegtuig gelaai moes word sodat hulle elders, as gewone passasiers van die vliegtuig kon klim en sodoende die land ongemerk kon binnekom. Die verslaggewer van Rapport, mnr Henri Crouse, het die volgende berig in die Rapport na afhandeling van die voorval geskryf. “Die 44 kapers van die Indiese Boeing het hul lewe te danke aan die oorredingsvermoë van ŉ senior veiligheidsbeampte op die Lughawe Louis Botha. Wat hulle nie geweet het nie, is dat die Spesiale Taakmag van die SA Spoorwegpolisie gereed gestaan het om hulle uit te wis.” Die veiligheidsbeampte was luit kol Moanie Mouton. Ek is van oordeel dat indien dit nie geklassifiseerde inligting was nie, kon daar van talle operasies en sake waarby oom Moanie as bevelvoerder van die Veiligheidstak in Durban betrokke was, vertel word. Oom Moanie was natuurlik ook ŉ groot liefhebber van rugby. Hy het die Spoorwegspan op Nelspruit afgerig en gesorg dat die hoogste rugbypale in Suid Afrika, by die Nelspruit Spoorweg Rugbyklub opgerig word. Hy het ook die Spoorwegpolisiespan in Durban afgerig en ook hier het hy groot welslae met die span behaal. Die jongmanne het ook geweet as hulle in oom Moanie se goeie boekies wil verskyn, moes hulle rugby speel. Hyself was ŉ goeie speler, so sterk soos ŉ bees en het geen genade op die rugbyveld betoon nie. Kan ek „n stukkie humor met u deel waarby oom Moanie betrokke was. Oom Moanie se regtervoet was maar swaar op die petrolpedaal en met diè ontvang hy ŉ verkeerskaartjie vir spoed. Hy stuur toe vir Ben Randall een van die onderoffisiere in sy kantoor om die kaartjie te gaan “squash”. Ben en Marietjie Botes moes toe in „n lang ry by die aanklaer gaan staan om die kaartjie “gesquash” te kry. Die kaartjie is toe teruggetrek en hulle beplan toe vir al hulle moeite, om vir oom Moanie „n streep te trek. Kolonel Saunders van Kentucky het net in die land bekend geword. Terug by die kantoor stap Marietjie na sy kantoor, met Ben Randall wat buite die kantoordeur wegkruip. Sy vertel toe vir hom dat hulle nie die kaartjie “gesquash” kon kry nie, daar is ŉ kolonel Burger wat wil weet wat hom so belangrik maak, dat hy nie self met hom kan kom praat nie en dat hy die kolonel Burger moet bel. Hy het in sy gebruiklike Frans sy misnoeë met die kolonel Burger se optrede uitgespreek. Marietjie geen toe vir 37

hom Kentucky se tel nr. en hy skakel dadelik. Toe die persoon aan die ander kant die oproep beantwoord, bulder oom Moanie dat hy met kolonel Burger wil praat. Toe hy hoor dat hy by Kentucky uitgekom het, besef hy wie die kolonel Burger is en Marietjie moes koes vir die vlieënde voorwerpe wat na haar kant geslinger is. Sy maak dit toe tot by die deur sonder om getref te word en daar trek sy en Ben die gang af met oom Moanie se skelwoorde wat soos ŉ handgranaat teen hulle rue ontplof. Ek sluit af met enkele insette van oud kollegas op Facebook wat gevra het dat ek die volgende aan die familie moet oor dra. 1.Tannie Heilie en die familie, almal het gevra dat ek hulle simpatie en medelye aan moet oordra. 2. Jimmy Victor skryf: “Dit was nou voorwaar ŉ Afrikaner in murg en been, rus in vrede, my simpatie met die familie met julle groot verlies 3. Zona Swart skryf: “ ŉ Hartseer dag vir die ganse SA Spoorwegpolisiemag. ŉ Man wat baie diep spore in baie van ons se lewens getrap het, deurdat ons so baie van hom geleer het. Rus in vrede. Mag die familie styf in die hand van God toegevou word en daar vertroosting vind. 4. Kobus Kuyler: “Baie dankie brig. Moanie vir wat jy vir ons wat so lank saam met jou gewerk beteken het en jou liefde vir die Spoorwegpolisie rugby. RIV jy is ŉ ware legende in ons lewens. 5. Johan Marais: “ Ag jammer om dit te hoor. Brig Moanie het geleef vir sy rugby in Durban, sal hom altyd onthou. Die aand met die geweldige trein ongeluk naby Kwamashu, het hy omtrent die hele nag op die toneel gebly om die manne by te staan met die gru tonele wat ons moes aanskou. Ons dink aan u mev. Mouton in hierdie moeilike tyd, baie sterkte vir die familie. 6. Hannes Slabbert: “Daar kan seker ŉ paar boeke oor Moanie geskryf word. Maar hy was ŉ legende in die Spoorwegpolisie en ek gun hom die rus. My innige simpatie met die familie. 7. Renier van Zyl: “As daar een ding is wat my aan oom Moanie herinner is die feit dat hulle soggens en voor elke gevaarlike situasie in sy kantoor vergader het en saam gebid het vir leiding en hulle veiligheid. 8. Oom Moanie: “ „JJ‟ ons papegaai waarvoor jy lief was, sê ook: „TSONGOLOLO JY MOET LEKKER SLAAP‟.

SOUTH AFRICAN WEERMAG

DEFENCE

FORCE

SUID-AFRIKAANSE

SANDF Medals and Decorations: DefenceWeb Written by Staff Writer, Wednesday, 12 March 2014 The medals and decorations list of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) currently numbers 66, of which 52 are for acts of bravery, valour and other meritorious deeds

performed before April 2003. The remaining 14 are presented for these and other acts performed after that date.

The pre-April 2003 list is Castle of Good Hope/ Kasteel de Goede Hoop (CGH). Instituted as the prime military award and also the highest award that may be bestowed on a South African. The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by a significant act of valour or most conspicuous bravery or during a pre-eminent act of self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of an enemy. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Honoris Crux Silver/ Honoris Crux Silwer (HCS). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing exceptional deeds of bravery, against an armed enemy, while in great danger of life. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Gold Star for Bravery/ Goue Ster vir Dapperheid (GSB). The decoration may be awarded to former members of Apla who have distinguished themselves by performing exceptional deeds of bravery against an armed enemy while in great danger of life before April 27, 1994. Star for Bravery in Gold/ Ster vir Dapperheid in Goud (SBG). The decoration may be awarded to former members of MK who have distinguished themselves by performing exceptional deeds of bravery against an armed enemy while in great danger of life before April 27, 1994. Honoris Crux (HC). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing deeds of bravery against an armed enemy while in danger of life. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Bravery Star in Silver/ Dapperheid Ster in Silwer (BSS). The decoration may be awarded to former members of Apla who have distinguished themselves by performing deeds pf bravery against an armed enemy while in danger of life before April 27, 1994. Star for Bravery in Silver/ Ster vir Dapperheid in Silwer (SBS). The decoration may be awarded to former members of MK who have distinguished themselves by performing deeds of bravery against an armed enemy while in danger of life before April 27, 1994. Pro Virtute Decoration/ Pro Virtute Dekorasie (PVD). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF in recognition of distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership in the field. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Star for Conspicuous Leadership/ Ster vir Uitnemende Leierskap (SCL). The decoration may be awarded to former members of Apla in recognition of distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership in the field before April 27, 1994. Conspicuous Leadership Star/ Uitnemende Leierskap Ster (CLS). The decoration may be awarded to former members of MK in recognition of distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership in the field before April 27, 1994.

Southern Cross Decoration/ Suiderkruis Dekorasie (SD). The decoration may be awarded to officers of the SANDF for outstanding service of the highest order and the utmost devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Pro Merito Decoration/ Pro Merito Dekorasie (PMD). The decoration may be awarded to other ranks of the SANDF for outstanding service of the highest order and the utmost devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Gold Decoration for Merit/ Goue Dekorasie vir Verdienste (GDM). The decoration may be awarded to former members of Apla for outstanding service of the highest order and the utmost devotion to duty before April 27, 1994. Decoration for Merit in Gold/ Dekorasie vir Verdienste in Goud (DMG). The decoration may be awarded to former members of MK for outstanding service of the highest order and the utmost devotion to duty before April 27, 1994. Pro Virtute Medal/ Pro Virtute Medalje (PVM). The medal may be awarded to other ranks of the SANDF and the Auxiliary Service of the SANDF and other armed forces attached to or serving with or rendering service to the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by their distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership in the field. Ad Astra Decoration/ Ad Astra Dekorasie (AAD). The decoration may be awarded to air crew members of the SANDF on board aircraft for excellent flying skill or outstanding ingenuity or skill during emergencies or unusual situations. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Army Cross/ Leerkruis (CM). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SA Army who have distinguished themselves in dangerous or critical situations by exceptional courage, leadership, skill, ingenuity or tenacity in the handling of personnel, weaponry or other equipment. The Air Force Cross, Navy Cross and a Medical Service Cross may be awarded to members of the appropriate services under similar circumstances. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Southern Cross Medal/ Suiderkruis Medalje (SM). This medal may be awarded to officers of the SANDF for exceptional meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Pro Merito Medal/ Pro Merito Medalje (PMM). This medal may be awarded to other ranks of the SANDF for exceptional meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Merit Medal in Silver/ Verdienstemedalje in Silwer (MMS). This medal may be awarded to former members of MK for exceptional meritorious service and particular devotion to duty before April 27, 1994. Silver Medal for Merit/ Silwer Medalje vir Verdienste (SMM). This medal may be awarded to former members of Apla for exceptional meritorious service and particular devotion to duty before April 27, 1994.

Military Merit Medal/ Militere Meriete Medalje (MMM). This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF for service of a high order and devotion to duty. A bar may also be awarded for a successive similar achievement. Merit Medal in Bronze/ Verdienstemedalje in Brons (MMB). This medal may be awarded to former members of MK for service of a high order and devotion to duty before April 27, 1994. Bronze Medal for Merit/ Bronsmedalje vir Verdienste (BMM). This medal may be awarded to former members of Apla for service of a high order and devotion to duty before April 27, 1994. Pro Patria Medal/ Pro Patria Medalje. This campaign medal may be awarded to members of the former SADF for service over a period of 55 days continuous or 90 days non-continuous operational service in the operational area of the former South West Africa, or other operational area as defined by the Minister of Defence, before March 21, 1990. Cunene Clasp/ Kunene Gespe. Awarded to members of the former SADF for participation in Operation Savannah over the period August 25, 1975 to March 27, 1978. Southern Africa Medal/ Suider-Afrika Medalje. This campaign medal may be awarded to members of the former SADF for participation in cross-border operations after April 1, 1978 and before March 21, 1990. General Service Medal/ Algemene Dienstemedalje. This campaign medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF for military service of 55 days continuous or 90 days noncontinuous between January 1, 1983 and August 19, 1993. The medal may also be awarded for participation in internal military operations as from August 20, 1993, or for service rendered as part of a military operation beyond the borders of the Republic of South Africa, or for official visits or inspections in connection with an operation. The period of qualifying service shall be a minimum of 30 days which may be continuous or non-continuous. Maluti Clasp. Awarded to any members of the SANDF or Auxiliary Service in the SANDF, or any armed force attached to or serving with, or rendering any service to the SANDF who was engaged, for one day or more directly in, or in support of Operation Boleas and Operation Maluti over the period September 22, 1998 until May 14, 1999 and the second phase of the operation in Lesotho, codenamed Operation Maluti over the period May 18, 1999 until May 26, 2000. Operational Medal for Southern Africa. This campaign medal may be awarded to former MK/Apla members who rendered service in a military operational capacity beyond the borders of the RSA for at least 60 days (which need not be continuous) before April 27, 1994. South Africa Service Medal. This campaign medal may be awarded to former MK/Apla members who rendered service in a military operational capacity within the borders of the RSA for at least 60 days (which need not be continuous) before April 27, 1994. Unitas Medal/ Unitas Medalje. Instituted as a commemorative medal for the unification of

defence forces and armed forces in the RSA which commenced on April 27, 1994 and who rendered actual service over the full period April 27 to May 10, 1994. Bat to the Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service. The bar may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have rendered 50 years qualifying service. Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service/ Medalje vir Uitnemende Gedrag en Toegewyde Diens. This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have rendered 40 years qualifying service. Good Service Medal (Gold)/ Medalje vir Troue Diens (Goud). This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Permanent Force on the date of 30 years qualifying service. Gold Service Medal/ Goue Diensmedalje. This medal may be awarded to persons who served with the former Apla on the date of 30 years qualifying service before April 27, 1994. Service Medal in Gold/ Diensmedalje in Goud. This medal may be awarded to persons who served with the former MK on the date of 30 years qualifying service before April 27, 1994. John Chard Decoration/ John Chard Dekorasie (JCD). This decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Citizen Force on the date of 20 years qualifying service. A clasp may be awarded for 30 years qualifying service. De Wet Decoration/ De Wet Dekorasie (DWD). This decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Commandos on the date of 20 years qualifying service. A clasp may be awarded for 30 years qualifying service. Good Service Medal (Silver)/ Medalje vir Troue Diens (Silwer). This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Permanent Force on the date of 20 years qualifying service. Silver Service Medal/ Silwer Diensmedalje. This medal may be awarded to persons who served with the former Apla on the date of 20 years qualifying service before April 27, 1994. Service Medal in Silver/ Diensmedalje in Silwer. This medal may be awarded to persons who served with the former MK on the date of 20 years qualifying service before April 27, 1994.

John Chard Medal/ John Chard Medalje. This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Permanent Force on the date of 10 years qualifying service. Good Service Medal (Bronze)/ Medalje vir Troue Diens (Brons). This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Permanent Force on the date of 10 years qualifying service. De Wet Medal/ De Wet Medalje. This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who served in the Commandos on the date of 10 years qualifying service. Bronze Service Medal/ Brons Diensmedalje. This medal may be awarded to persons who served in the former Apla on the date of 10 years qualifying service before April 27, 1994.

Service Medal in Bronze/ Diensmedalje in Brons. This medal may be awarded to persons who served in the former MK on the date of 10 years qualifying service before April 27, 1994. SADF Champion Shot Medal/ SAW Kampioenskut Medalje. This medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF who were adjudged the annual champion shots in the categories of small bore, full bore, service and pistol shooting. Cadet Champion Shot Medal/ Kadet Kampioenskut Medalje. This medal may be awarded to the school cadet who is annually adjudged the champion during the final school cadet Bisley. Mention in Despatches/ Vermelding in Berigte. This award is a miniature replica of the national Coat of Arms worn on the appropriate campaign medal related to the operational service the member rendered. The award may be awarded to members of the SANDF as special recognition for conduct and devotion to duty during operational circumstances for which no other medal can be awarded. If the recipient has no campaign medals the emblem is worn junior to all medals, mounted on a bar covered with the appropriate piece of tunic. If the member has no medals, the emblem is worn mounted on a bar covered with the appropriate piece of tunic. Chief of the SANDF Commendation/ Hoof van die SANW se Aanprysing. This award is a certificate and may be awarded to military and civilian members of the SANDF and DoD, civilians employed by the State or the private sector and other institutions who have committed themselves to render a direct contribution and meritorious service towards the SANDF. Other Commendations. Commendation certificates are instituted for all Chiefs of the Services as well as Chiefs of Staff Divisions for meritorious service and a meaningful contribution towards the SANDF. Various officers commanding have instituted commendation certificates and the use thereof enjoys high esteem.

Decorations on the post April 2003 list are Nkwe ya Gsuta (NG) (Golden Leopard). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of exceptional bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded for a successful similar achievement. The award of an insignia shall indicate the award of the decoration for service in active military operations. Insignia will be awarded/issued according to the Service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. Nkwe ya Selefera (NS) (Silver Leopard). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of conspicuous bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. The award of an insignia shall indicate the award of the decoration for service in active military operations. Insignia will be awarded/issued according to the Service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. Nkwe ya Boronse (NB) (Bronze Leopard). This decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of bravery during military

operations. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. The award of an insignia shall indicate the award of the decoration for service in active military operations. Insignia will be awarded/issued according to the Service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. iPhrothiya yaGolide (PG) (Golden Protea). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who distinguished themselves by exceptional leadership or exceptional meritorious service and the utmost devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. The award of an insignia shall indicate the award of the decoration for service in active military operations. Insignia will be awarded/issued according to the Service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. iPhrothiya yeStilva (PS) (Silver Protea). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who distinguished themselves by outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a similar successive achievement. The award of an insignia shall indicate the award of the decoration for service in active military operations. Insignia will be awarded/issued according to the Service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (PB) (Bronze Protea). The decoration may be awarded to members of the SANDF who distinguished themselves by leadership or meritorious service and devotion to duty. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. The award of an insignia shall indicate the award of the decoration for service in active military operations. Insignia will be awarded/issued according to the Service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service). This campaign medal may be awarded to members of the SANDF and of any Auxiliary Service in the SANDF and of any Armed Forces attached to or rendering any service to the SANDF who was engaged for one day or more directly in or in support of a military operation, belligerent or otherwise. Medalje vir Troue Diens/ Medal for Loyal Service. The medal and be awarded to members of the SANDF and of any Auxiliary Service character and conduct have been irreproachable and who, on or completed the required years qualifying service, which need

subsequent bars may of the SANDF whose after April 27, 2003, not be continuous.

Emblem for Reserve Force Service (RD). This emblem is awarded to officers and other ranks of the SANDF Reserve Force who, after April 27, 2003, completed the prescribed period of 20 years loyal service to qualify for the award of the Bar to the Medalje vir Troue Diens 20 years and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who are in every way considered worthy and deserving of recognition for Reserve Force service. The required minimum of five yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x; service in the Reserve Force may be rendered in any years (which need not be consecutive) prior to, during or after, the qualifying period for the award of the 20 year Bar to the Medalje vir Troue Diens provided the member shall be serving as a member of the Reserve Force at the time of qualifying for the Emblem.

Okhankanyiweyo (Mention in Despatches/Vermelding in Berigte). The award is a miniature replica of the national Coat of Arms worn on the appropriate campaign medal related to the operational service the member rendered. The award may be awarded to members of the SANDF as special recognition for conduct and devotion to duty during operational circumstances for which no other medal can be awarded. If the recipient has no campaign medals the emblem is worn junior to all medals, mounted on a bar covered with the appropriate piece of tunic. If the member has no medals the emblem is worn, mounted on a bar covered with the appropriate piece of tunic. Long Service Awards for Civilians. The award of long service certificates may be awarded to civilians members (PSAP) of the SANDF. Certificates are awarded for 10 and 20 years continuous service. Public Service Certificates (PSAP members). The award of long service certificates may be awarded to civilian members (PSAP) of the SANDF. Certificates are awarded for 20 and 30 years continuous service. A cash amount is also awarded on completion of 30 years continuous service. The amount will be adjusted annually on April 1 according to the CPIX for the period January to December of the preceding year. Badge for Voluntary Reserve Force Service. This emblem is awarded to members of the SANDF Reserve Force who have distinguished themselves by rendering five years praiseworthy voluntary Reserve Force service. This emblem is awarded for service rendered from October 28, 1985. Commendation by Chief of the SANDF. This award is a certificate and may be awarded to military and civilian members of the SANDF and DoD, civilians employed by the State or the private sector and other institutions who have committed themselves to render a direct contribution and meritorious service towards the SANDF. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33945:sandfmedals-and-decorations&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159

SAAF / SALM At & Lynnette Spies (Oud-SALM) berig: Middag julle, Net 'n paar foto's wat ek by die ou stadsmuur van Nanjing en die Xuanwu Lake (grootste meer in Nanjing) geneem het. Sjoe het honderde foto's geneem en moes mooi kies om op te sit. Dit was ongelooflik mooi! Die eerste foto's is van At met se verjaarsdag. Die studente het hom verras met 'n tradisionele sponskoek met room en vars vrugte en dan natuurlik sjokolade. Hy het ook 'n vulpen gekry en daar was vir hom in Engels gesing. Mooi dag verder. Lynette, 28 March 2014, 09:06.

Former SAAF Aircraft: T6 Havards on wet runway... Received by email (JJ) Early morning anglers are treated to the spectacle of four T6 Harvard aircraft from The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team water-skiing across the Klipdrift Dam near Johannesburg, South Africa. Arnie Meneghelli from Academy Brushware, owner of the aircraft, had this to say, 'What we did today I believe is a world first. It illustrates that South African air show pilots are amongst the best in the world.' This unusual act, approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and supported by Castrol Aviation, was meticulously planned and took place under the watchful eye of divers and paramedics that were on site.

Extremely skilful even looking ahead... But doing it while keeping formation... WOW!!! This was pretty daring. Just one little ripple or downdraft, etc., and it would all be over!

Poetry: Col MJ Jansen van Rensburg SAAF (Ret) A BUCKET OF TEARS. How the splendid human frame in travails racked by deaths horror fears. Steeped in lonely desperate nights through tears, yes ! Tortured in curses of illness. How frail the soul of man, born to live and yet to die,. Confounded in multi-cycles of nights and glorious mornings. How often our joys take to flight to escape out of sight. Our tides of joy recede to be stored in the moon light. Man is born in the fibres of love, baptised in the beauty of heavens above. We dance, we sing and we shout. Tis youth time, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about in every breeze, every breath so fine. On the golden altars of romance we sacrifice our dreams of love. We stroll in the paradise of the roses 49

and take flight among the pearly stars. Do we see the shadow with the bucket.. Diamond shine bright in the eyes of human sight Love abides in its perfection and offers its strength in compassion. O God ! My gracious God, plucked from my heart is my love. Hewed down the giant, the Adam from my glorious sanctuary. Autumn and winter share my soul. All my passions and dreams they stole and left me with a bucket of tears. All has come to naught, Poverty and riches lost. A time of life I treasured, how insane. Wow! I am diced in many parts, all in vain the proverbs taught. Heaven mourned when it lost its Son. The Angels filled a bucket of tears. Life has pruned my life with its shears. I too, have shed a bucket of tears.

MJJ van Rensburg January 2014.

BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE 1st VC for Rhodesia: Lt FC Booth, VC, DCM

Source: The Nongqai, Dec 1917:361

POLICE FORCES: INTERNATIONAL i-PLOD: Scotland Yard  i-Plod replaces PC's notebook Scotland Yard spends £200m to give its 20,000 officers tablets to record crimes, check warrants and even order new uniforms    

The notebook has been a British police equipment staple for 118 years Now Scotland Yard is spending £200 million for new technology Officers will be given iPad minis in order to try and cut down on paperwork 20,000 police officers will be given the Apple products in the pilot scheme

By Rebecca Camber; Published: 00:42 GMT, 10 March 2014 | Updated: 00:49 GMT, 10 March 2014 For 118 years, it has borne witness to crimes committed throughout the land. But now the trusty pocket notebook is facing the axe as Britain‟s biggest police force announces plans to roll out tablet devices to every bobby on the beat. Scotland Yard is pumping £200million into new technology which will allow officers to record crimes, check warrants and intelligence on suspects, and even order new uniforms at the touch of a button.

+3 The pilot scheme of giving 20,000 policemen iPad minis in replacement of their notebooks will be rolled out soon in Hammersmith and Fulham. Apple iPad minis will be handed to 20,000 officers in a bid to slash paperwork and get police out from their desks and back onto the streets. A pilot is launching in Spring with a trial purchase of 600 devices for officers across Hammersmith and Fulham ahead of an anticipated 52

force-wide roll-out from autumn this year. If successful, the tablets will be handed out to every frontline officer over the next three years, making expected annual savings of 30 per cent on the current IT systems. The force will design its own apps, providing templates for recording crimes and taking witness statements, as well as giving officers access to local data such as the number of repeat victims in the area and directions to the nearest A&E department.

Officers will also have an app to take evidential pictures and send victims advice directly. Richard Thwaite, the Met‟s chief information officer said: „We want the officers out there fighting crime on the streets rather than sitting in a police station tapping on a keyboard, not solving anything. „Even if they are in Starbucks keying in details, then at least they are out there, visible and accessible and reassuring to the public.‟ The new technology is expected to free up police time equivalent to bringing in an additional 900 officers and save £60million.

+3 The iPad mini is the smaller counterpart to the original iPad, and is intended to help officers record crimes, as well as check warrants and intelligence on suspects. But critics have questioned the huge expense at a time of unprecedented cuts to frontline officers. John Tully, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said: „I remember when I walked the beat with a notebook and whistle, we really have to move on from there and I hope this will be a progressive step. „But there will be times when the battery runs out or there is technical problems. „This is a lot of money when we have just gone through a massive swathe of cuts. „It is always preferable to maintain police officer numbers as opposed to new pieces of equipment.‟ Previous mobile devices have failed to deliver anticipated savings. In 2012, the National Audit Office found that a £80million Home Office scheme to equip officers with 50,000 smartphones had produced savings of just £600,000 out 53

of a projected £125million. In one force, officers spent nearly two hours more per shift behind their desks instead of out on the beat. Last year the Association of Chief Police Officers warned that the Met‟s own smartphone purchases could end up as „expensive paperweights‟ unless they were properly tested, pointing out that constables were unlikely to take their gloves off to use a phone at 3am in the rain. But Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is convinced it will reduce paperwork, duplication and lead to more criminals being convicted by presenting better evidence at court. He said: „We are going to use technology to stop crime, arrest offenders or help victims. „We need to keep police officers out of police stations and reduce bureaucracy. Digital policing will help us to do this.‟ The Met also wants the public to be able to report crimes using their smartphones and send a text to speak to a police officer. It hopes to shift 1million of the 5million telephone calls received each year to „online channels‟. The force is already investing heavily in computer programming to forecast where offenders will strike next.

+3 The hope with the scheme is that it will get the police out from under their desks and back on the beat by streamlining paperwork and busywork that they have to contend with on a daily basis. In a plot straight out of the Tom Cruise film Minority Report, where a „pre crime‟ department detains murderers before they kill, police are using computer algorithms to map out where future burglaries are likely to take place. At the same time, 1,000 body-worn video cameras are being introduced across 11 boroughs and in the training unit of the Firearms Command. The cameras will mean that the actions of armed officers will be recorded and may be used as evidence. The move comes as police are trying to win back trust following the police shooting of Mark Duggan, whose death in August 2011 sparked riots across the country. Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, said: „By taking tough decisions on the budget and the Met Police estate, we are freeing up savings to 54

reinvest in frontline policing and technology, so we can get more officers out on the beat and keep them mobile. The public expect the police to have accurate information on-the-go, and cops deserve the best kit to help them cut crime and serve the public. This strategy heralds a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the Met and ensure it is fully equipped for the demands of 21st century policing.‟ London Assembly member Baroness Jones, who is deputy chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, said: 'This is very expensive and it should be very carefully rolled out.I know myself that technology can go wrong, but the concept is a good one.‟ Share or comment on this article Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2577039/iPlod-replaces-PCsnotebook-Scotland-Yard-spends-200m-20-000-officers-tablets-record-crimes-checkwarrants-order-new-uniforms.html#ixzz2vXHci77q Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Kommentaar – HBH: Gedurende 1979 was ek 10 weke in Engeland en die VSA en in terme van Staande Order 957 (Doeltreffendheid) het ek ŉ verslag opgestel oor wat ek destyds ervaar het en by die polisie in die VSA geleer het. Een voorbeeld: Die polisiebeampte het benewens sy radio ook ŉ rekenaar in sy motor gehad en kon die rekenaar raadpleeg; ook het hy van sy patrolliemotorvoertuig direkte toegang tot die NCIC. So kon die een beampte dadelik my persoonlike besonderhede kontroleur. ŉ Ander voorbeeld was die bofbalpet vir mense op operasionele diens. Met ŉ platkêps soos wat ons gedra het; verloor jy gou die pet tydens hardloop en voetagtervolging as jy inbreker jaag of as jy afmetings neem – vir jare was die bofbalpet in Koos Louw se kantoor nadat Steve du Toit dit vir hom gegee het. Nie te min ek wens vandag ek was 20 jaar oud en weer die “vêndrywer” op die Bluff. Dink net; met vandag se tegnologie kan jy jou eie digitale foto‟s by ŉ botsing neem, digitale opnames maak van dronk bestuurders, jy kan al jou verdagtes fotografeer en in jou persoonlike “SAKB” bêre. Jy kan al die misdaadtonele behoorlik afneem en presiese feitlike getuienis aflê jare na die voorval. Met feitlik bedoel ek: Ons gee getuienis: Die prokureur vra my hoe vêr was dit; ek sê: “20 tree” Die prokureur vra my bemanning hoe vêr was dit; en hy sê: “50 tree” Ek dink vandag se polisiemanne leef in ŉ wonderwêreld met al die goedkoop en onmiddellike tegnologie tot hul beskikking. Met so baie skelms in die polisie sou ek voorstel dat die polisie sy eie selfoonnetwerk kry. My oorlede stiefseun was op radiobeheer en by die hoofwegpatrollie, hy vertel tydens ŉ “chase” (jaagtog) het hulle vir sekerheid slegs hul persoonlike selfone gebruik om met mekaar onderling te kommunikeer. Met ŉ gesteelde polisieradio weet ŉ kaper alles van die polisie se voorsprongoperasies ...

Mexican Drug Lord's House after Police Raid Received by email (JJ) 55

Just a quaint little villa in the hills - Drug money bought it all!

This guy had a better gun collection that most legitimate museums do. 56

The back yard pool.

Exotic art collection - some of which was illegal to own - some stolen.

This pile of cash before it was counted was estimated to be approximately 18 Billion Dollars!

Stacks of cash were found in every nook and cranny... The money and valuables found in this one house alone, would be enough to pay for health insurance for every man woman and child in the USA for 12 years! It is estimated to be approximately 27 more of these houses in Mexico alone. Not to mention the ones in other countries who are enriching themselves in the drug trade. 58

These people have so much money, they make the Arab oil sheiks look like welfare recipients. Their money can buy politicians, cops, judges, whatever they need they just throw down stacks of cash and it is theirs! This is why the drug problem is so difficult to fight.

Each of these stacks of 100's holds USD250,000 (a quarter of a million US dollars)! They also had millions in Columbia n money and Mexican Pesos, although they preferred American dollars for the most part. There were even stacks of Chinese Yuan found in one closet.

Police Comments These are actual comments made by 16 Police Officers. The comments were taken off actual police car videos around the USA. (Received via email from Piet van Zyl) 1. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through." 2. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while." 3. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document." 4. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired." 5. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the 59

bullet that'll be chasing you." 6. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?" 7. "Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?" 8. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket." 9. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?" 10. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop." 11. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven." 12. "In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC." (National Crime Information Centre) 13. "Just how big were those 'two beers' you say you had?" 14. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can." 15. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours, so you know someone who can post your bail." AND THE WINNER IS... 16. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't... Sign here."

POLICE FORCES: AFRICA Our third edition of the Africa Police Journal has seen the light of day. The purpose of the magazine is to focus on law enforcement in Africa (including post-1994 South Africa) and the history of policing in Africa. It is our view that we as Africans know our continent better and we know our people, we should reach out to one another in Africa and share knowledge with one another. We would like to hear from South Africans and other friends who have visited other police forces in Africa. Share your experiences and photographs.

We would also like to hear from other policemen in Africa, where ever they may be. You are invited to please share your knowledge about police in Africa with us. Here is the ISSUU link to the latest edition: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/apj_vol_1_no_3_-_march_2014 The latest edition is also available on our website, in a large scroll-type format, at the following Internet address: http://www.enongqaipublications.com/africa-police-journal---march-2014.html

Contact details: Hennie Heymans: africapolicejournal4363@gmail.com

ANGLO-BOER WAR / ANGLO-BOEREOOLOG Murder of Burger JF Heymans & others: Bethlehem Commando

Burger JF „Frik‟ Heymans

Gen CR de Wet

Gen “Rooi Machiel” Prinsloo

Gen “Swart Wessel” Wessels

 Approach As a researcher (and retired policeman) into my family history I bear no grudge against the British or the “hendsopper” (National Scout) Gert Hendrik Grobler and his Klaas-Gang who murdered, inter alia, my great-grandfather and his sister‟s son, Daniel McCarthy. We need to understand the events that took place more than 100 yrs ago and we judge the same events against the backdrop of the war and in the 61

light of human weaknesses that over-took Grobler as well as both the British and the Boer.  Irony The irony is that two famous Free State Boer generals, the Prinsloo brothers were both married to a Grobler and that my great-grandfather was also by marriage related to the Grobler‟s. I don‟t bear a grudge towards any Grobler either.  Victims of the Klaas-Gang Murders: Bethlehem Burger2 JF “Frik” Heymans3 Burger Daniel McCarthy Burger Koos Mostert

Prinsloo & Grobler Generaal Prinsloo Marthinus: gebore 9-10-1838 in die Kaap Kolonie en oorlede te Winburg op 30-01-1903 te Winburg. Na hy as senior offisier (“generaal”) oorgegee het by die Brandwaterkom het hy op sy plaas Waterval afgetree as ongelukkige mens. Hy was na bewering met ŉ Grobler getroud. 12 kinders, twee sterf in konsentrasiekamp te Winburg, die ander ses dogters en vier seuns het hom oorleef.4 Antonie Michael (Rooi Machiel) Prinsloo, OVS, Boeregeneraal, gebore te Bloemfontein op 11-07-1862 en vermoor te Bethlehem op 26-11-1931. Getroud met Maria Catharina Grobler van Kaallaagte5 6  Grobler gefusilleer deur die Boere Gert Hendrik Grobler getroud met Hendrina Frederika Grobler, sy is gebore op 0312-1852 en oorlede 09-11-1910, beide is op ŉ plaas buite Bethlehem begrawe.  Ironies Beide genl CR de Wet en Rooi Michiel Prinsloo se broers het tydens die ABO oorgegee en beide helde het verklaar dat hulle hul broers sou skiet indien hulle hul teë sou kom. Moet mens aflei dat genl Marthinus Prinsloo en genl Piet de Wet verraaiers was omdat hulle nie verder wou veg nie – ek sal graag kommentaar wil hoor van ons lesers. (Sien foto bo en lees Oom Gideon se storie verderaan.)  Burgers wanted known Burger Jacobus Cornelius (Koos) Papenfus Burger Marthinus Jooste Burger Theunis Dreyer Any particulars on these Burgers would be appreciated.

Burger is the lowest rank on the Boer side. Burger = Citizen = Private - HBH Frik Heymans was married to MS du Preez, however his mother was MM Heymans born Grobler. 4 SABW Vol 1 p 690 5 SABW Vol I p. 690 – geen GISA of SABW verwysing kan gevind word nie. 6 Gisa Vol 8 p. 492 – slegs verwysing na SABW Vol 1 p 690. 3

Trooper Jan Fourie: “OVS Rijdende Dienstmacht”: Bethlehem A photo of Constable Jan Fourie of the Orange Free State's Mounted Dienstmacht who was stationed at Bethlehem. During the Anglo-Boer War he was involved in the investigation of the complaint of stock theft at the Koos Mostert's farm. Mr Mostert is murdered and Constable Fourie was left behind for death. Mr Gideon Heymans knew Constable Fourie well. (Bethlehem Museum). Foto van konstabel Jan Fourie van die Oranje Vrystaat se Rijdende Dienstmacht wat te Bethlehem gestasioneer was. Hy was tydens die ABO betrokke by die ondersoek van die klagte van veediefstal by die Koos Mostert se plaas. Mnr Mostert is toe vermoor en konst Fourie is vir die dood agter gelaat. Mr Gideon Heymans het konst Fourie goed geken. (Bethlehem Museum).

Steenberg: 1st policeman in Bethlehem In the Bethlehem Museum I saw a portrait hanging on the wall of the 1st policeman in Bethlehem. Inside the portrait was a cutting of a newspaper. On the cutting was a group photo which is enclosed below:

The press cutting – no date or source mentioned said: 63

“The above photograph which shows a group of six members [of the] Oranje Vrij Staat Berijdende Dienstmacht (Mounted Police) stationed at Bethlehem is at present in the possession of a local resident. The names reading from left to right are: Standing Const [Jan] Fourie; Const Steenberg and Const Dawie van Aswegen; Seated [Const] Matthys Verster, Sgt S Hartman and Const Esterhuyzen ... Const.‟s Jan Fourie and Matthys Verster, the latter a well known [resid]ent is still alive.” 

Const Steynberg

A white card on the frame of the portrait in which the cutting is preserved indicates that the portrait is a picture of the first police officer in Bethlehem who is identified as "Steynberg". He could also be called “Steenberg”. If I look at the man in portrait he looks identical to Const Steenberg whose photo appears in the cutting above.

Uittreksel: Oom Gideon Heymans7 vertel “ ...... / My vader, Frik Heymans, was by uitstek transportryer, want in sy jong lewe wat tragies geëindig het, nog voor hy veertig jaar oud was, had hy die volgende plekke met vragte transportwaens besoek, nie in dieselfde volgorde nie, nl. Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Kimberley, Barberton en laaste die sogenaamde Goudvelde naamlik Johannesburg. Hierdie is sommige van die belangrikste plekke maar sy einde was nie meer ver nie. Hy is gebore op 5 Oktober 1860 en die einde was op September 1900. “Op 4 Oktober 1899 het die uitbarsting tussen Boer en Brit gekom, oorlog is verklaar en my pa het hom as burger van die Oranje Vrystaat by die Bethlehem Kommando aangesluit onder Kommandant Michael Prinsloo, die later deur die Engelse gedoop as “The Red Devil”; hierdie skeldnaam het hy behou tot die einde van die oorlog.  Lord Mayor van Londen “Verskoon dat ek hier `ŉ staaltjie inlas wat later in Londen gebeur het tydens `n besoek aan Engeland van die drie Boere Generaals nl Botha, De La Rey en De Wet. Op `ŉ onthaal aangebied deur die “Lord Mayor” van Londen vra die groot heer aan Generaal De Wet wat hy dink van die groot stad en of hy kans sou sien om die te kan verower, en sonder aarseling antwoord hy; met 100 man soos ”Rooi Michael” Prinsloo en “Swart Wessel” Wessels kan ek al die Engelse die see injaag. Hierdie selfde brawe Boere generaal (Prinsloo) is jare daarna in 1934 deur `ŉ waansinnige moordenaar onverwags buite Bethlehem langs die Reitz-pad naby die kerkhof doodgeskiet, hy as een van elf slagoffers voor die moordenaar homself doodgeskiet het. (Sien foto van die twee generaals aan die begin van die srtikel.)

Oom Gideon Heymans is my Oupa HB Heymans se broer - HBH

ŉ Foto van die Prinsloo-begrafnis gedurende 1934 te Bethlehem is opgespoor. Vier SAP-berede lei die stoet, berede burgers vorm ŉ erewag – HBH. “Op Kommando is die Bethlehem burgers eers na die Natalse grens en later terug na die Kaapkolonie, ek meen so ver as Colesberg, maar weens die heen en weer trek en veg het hulle perde in die winter so swak geword dat daar besluit is om vir die ergste koue maande die wyk te neem na die Transvaalse Laeveld waar dit warm is en genoeg kos vir die diere [is]8 om aan te sterk. Hiervandaan het hulle eers in September terug gekom na die Vrystaat om in oorleg met generaal de Wet die Engelse laers op onverwagte plekke aan te val en hulle oneindige skade te berokken aan voorrade sowel as manskappe. Dit het die Engelse generaals op die gedagte gebring om blokhuislinies te bou m.a.w. blokhuise van sink, klip met sandsakke met skietgate in en die afstande tussen die blokhuise met loopgrawe te verbind. So is daar in Bethlehem in die rigting van Lindley gewerk met die natuurlike koppe Naudèskop, Kafferskop en met Honingkop9 byna aangrensend aan Naudèskop. Hierdie laasgenoemde Honingkop was op die woonplaas van Gert Hendrik Grobler wie uit die staanspoor die Engelse goedgesind was, so erg dat hy by wyse van sy woonvolk `n spioenkorps had wie aan hom enige bewegings van die Boere kommando‟s moes rapporteer en dan self die informasie snags aan die Engelse bekend gestel het.

8 9

[ ] = invoegings deur HBH Staan seker vandag bekend as Heuningkop?

“Gedurende Junie1900 was Bethlehem nog in die hande van die Boere magte en het alles nog meer of min normaal op die boereplase gegaan behalwe dat waar die gewoonte was om die groot vee nl beeste snags in die krale of kampe te hou en bedags was hulle deur klein klonkies onder toesig van `ŉ ou werker opgepas, daar die plase in die dae nog nie omhein was nie, het dit in die omgewing van Honingkop gebeur het dat die krale snags oopgemaak was en dan dwaal die vee weg in alle rigtings en as hulle weer bymekaar gemaak word en gekraal is, is daar gewoonlik `ŉ paar kort. So is daar deur mev Magrietjie Mostert besluit om die polisie op Bethlehem van die gebeure in kennis te stel.  Manskap Jan Fourie: OVSRDM “Opdrag is aan Jan Fourie, ŉ polisieman, gegee om na Tamboekiesbank te gaan en ondersoek in te stel. Koos Mostert was toevallig tuis en is saam met Jan Fourie na die strooise van Grobler se swartes; daar aangekom het hulle een van die strooise toe gekry. Op aandrang van die twee mans is die deur oopgemaak en Koos Mostert is in. Op die grond het hy ŉ rooi-bles koei van hom se kop gekry en met die kop aan die horings gevat, wou hy uitgaan, die deur was laag en moes hy buk want hy was ŉ groot man, en terwyl hy buk kry hy ŉ slag wat hom dadelik buite aksie stel. Hy en Fourie word daar koelbloedig vermoor; die twee lyk het daar bly lê tot - ek meen die volgende dag – toe ŉ bywoner10 van Koos Mostert opdrag kry om te gaan ondersoek instel. Hy was Koos Cornelissen en daar kom hy op, wat hy gemeen het, twee lyke af. Hy het „n kar en perde gaan haal om die lyke huis toe te neem. Met die oplaai merk hulle dat Fourie nog lewe ten spyte daarvan dat sy kop en liggaam vermorsel was. Hy had nog een assegaai deur sy liggaam. Koos Mostert is huis toe geneem en begrawe en Jan Fourie is met kar en perde Bethlehem toe geneem. By hulle aankoms daar moes hulle verneem dat die Rooikruis ambulans of hospitaal verskuif is vir veiligheidsredes na die plaas Spitskop – in die rigting van Noupoortsnek, die plaas van mev. Dina Viljoen. Fourie is daarheen geneem en versorg en na tien dae het hy weer sy bewussyn terug gekry. Hy het ten volle herstel en sowat 84 jaar oud geword en is enige jare gelede in Pretoria oorlede. “Ek het Jan Fourie persoonlik goed geken op Bethlehem en in 1937 terwyl ek op pad was vanaf Johannesburg af het ek hom op ŉ fiets sien ry; ek het hom opgelaai, hy was op pad na Ficksburg, hy het die nag by my oorgebly en die volgende oggend het hy sy ontblote liggaam aan my en my vrou gewys, ook sy kop het ons bevoel en selfs die kinders gewys. Dit was ongelooflik om te dink dat die man die marteling kon oorleef. Al gebrek het hy gesê, was dat hy niks kon ruik nie. “Ek wil graag hier verduidelik dat in die dae, in die Vrystaat, enige grondbesitter die bedrag van £10-00-00 kon betaal en dan soveel plakker volk op sy grond aanhou as wat hy wou en ek vermoed dat ook Gert Grobler so ŉ permit had want hy had ŉ baie groot getal op sy grond.

Met die ontbinding van die SAW Kommando‟s het die tyd aangebreek om weer ŉ stelsel van bywoners in te voer om ten einde die platteland en die plaasboer te versterk en te ondersteun - HBH 10

“Na die moord van Koos Mostert en Jan Fourie het die Engelse magte Bethlehem beset en was die Boere Kommando [lees: Bethlehem Kommando] in die Transvaal, maar by hulle terugkeer in September [1900] was hulle êrens in die omgewing van Kroonstad of Lindley. My pa het verlof gekry om vir ŉ paar dae sy huis te besoek, seker omdat hy ŉ vermeerdering in die familie verwag het en hy neem toe sy vrou se susterskind11 saam, om gedurig die wag te hou daar by sy woning maar sowat 17 – 18 myl direk van Bethlehem was. Sy naam was Daniël Christoffel Benjamin McCarthy. “Dit was 22 September 1900, my broer Marthinus12 se vyfde verjaarsdag. In die laat namiddag sien hulle – van die huis af – vreemde swartes van die rigting van Gert Grobler se huis kom, deur die Valsrivier en wes in die Witklipspruit verdwyn. Hulle verskyn kort daarna bokant die klipbank op Kromspruit. My pa en McCarthy ry toe in Kromspruit af en draai in die rivier-vlei, in ŉ laagte, terug weswaarts. Almal is nou buite gesig van Kromspruit se opstal - my pa was gewapen maar McCarthy nie. Wat agter die bult in daardie laagte gebeur het, weet net een ou veewagter van my vader; die groter kinders nl my broer Frik en Herklaas en ŉ kleinneef het ŉ geweerskoot gehoor en toe sien hulle die perde hardloop. “Hulle het die perde gaan vang en huis toe geneem. Die veewagter het my ma die tyding gebring, daar is baklei en die mans het bly lê en na wat hy kon hoor moet sy liewer vlug want hulle [die Klaas-bende] sal almal kom doodmaak. “Die veewagter het vertel dat terwyl my pa met hulle in Sotho gepraat het, is hy van sy perd afgeskiet en toe McCarthy wou help is hy oorrompel. Die hele tragedie is deur die een werker aanskou en gehoor op ŉ afstand. Hy het na hy die tyding gebring het, die druiwekar ingespan en is sy [Moeder ?] met die hele familie weg na Witklip; daar gekom is ook my oupa, ouma en hulle jongste dogter almal verder wes deur die Sandrivier tot by ou mnr Jan Celliers, [van] Heuningfontein. “Die volgende dag is my oupa en sy skoonseun Hendrik Pitout terug na die plek waar die toneel hom afgespeel het. Daar het hulle die twee lyke opgelaai en naby waar die teenswoordige kerkhof is, gaan begrawe, elkeen in ŉ kombers toegedraai en in een vlak graf seker nie meer as 18 – 24 duim diep. Hier het die twee gebly tot ongeveer 1905 toe hulle op die inisiatief van ŉ debatsvereniging opgegrawe en in kiste herbegrawe is saam met drie ander burgers wat in skermutselings gedurende die oorlog doodgeskiet is. “Die drie burgers was ene Papenfus (agter die kop op Witklip geskiet en daar opgegrawe) ene Jooste (op Naudèskop geskiet min of meer waar Paul Naudè sy opstal had) en Casper Dreyer (op Salem geskiet, in die rante bokant die opstal). Salem was vroeër ŉ gedeelte van Witklip en lê suid van [die plaas] Rome. In omtrent

11 12

D.C.B. McCarthy M Heymans

1930 is deur ŉ Burger Monumente Kommissie ŉ klein graftablet op die grafte gesit, met die vyf manne se name.

Graf van Jacobus Cornelius (Koos) Papenfus tussen die kakiebos “In 1948 is daar op inisiatief van mnr Hendrik Fourie van Vaalkrans begin om fondse in te samel en die hulp van die families Mostert en Heymans is daar ŉ paslike monument op die plaas Kromspruit opgerig. Die gedenkteken is onthul deur die twee oudste dogters van Jacobus Petrus Mostert en Johannes Frederik Heymans – hulle was mevv Sannie van Wyk en Bellie Rademeyer13. As spreker by die geleentheid was ds JP Steyn, ŉ vroeëre medeburger van die oorledenes van Bethlehem Kommando. “Hier moet ek terugkom na wat met my moeder Maria Heymans en kinders gebeur het na die moorde. Sy was aangeraai om met die nege kinders haar te gaan oorgee aan die genade van die Britse magte op Bethlehem, wat sy ook gedoen het.14 Na ŉ verblyf van enige tyd op Bethlehem is sy saam met ander vroue en kinders op muilwaens gelaai, getrek deur agt muile elk, is hulle in die rigting van Reitz, maar meer na Bloukop se kant, en later gedraai om uiteindelik op Harrismith aan te kom en daar in ronde tente, konsentrasiekamp te beland. Hier is ons jongste sustertjie dood en saam met talle ander kinders begrawe. Na ŉ tydperk van sowat agt na twaalf maande is al die inwoners per spoor na Ladysmith, Natal, daar is die families in sink barakke gehuisves. Hierdie geboue had almal net een gemeenskaplike ingang, die nommer van ons kwartiere was no. 55. “Ek het nog in my besit ŉ portret van die tentekamp op Harrismith sowel as een van die sinkgebou no. 55. In Ladysmith was die behandeling volgens my moeder baie 13 14

[a.b2.c4.d4.e1] Mej MI Heymans Versugting na voedsel & veiligheid het haar seker genoop om die stap te onderneem - HBH

redelik. Hier was daar selfs Sondagskole en ander geriewe, kos was baie goed voorsien en die kamp was genoem Tinton, na die Engelse uitspraak “Tin Town”. In hierdie kamp het ons gebly tot in die begin van 1903 toe ons per trein terug vervoer is Vrystaat toe, sover as die teenswoordige Aberfeldy stasie aan die Elandsrivier tussen Harrismith en Kestell. Van hier is ons weer per ossewaens vervoer na ons afgebrande woning op Kromspruit, ongeveer 65 myl, maar weens die gemengde spanne trekdiere, koeie, verse en miskien ŉ paar osse, het die tog besonder stadig gegaan en kon [die tog] maklik drie weke geduur het.. Daar bestaan ŉ foto van die Heymans gesin wat in ŉ konsentrasiekamp, met tente in die agtergrond, geneem is. Kyk ook keersy van foto.  Moord op Kromspruit “Nou terug na die moord op Kromspruit. Na die moord op Koos Mostert en Jan Fourie in Junie 1900 was die naaste Boere kommando die van kommandant Haasbroek van Winburg en hy had glo opdrag om met die swart bende af te reken. Weens die formasie van die omgewing van koppe, spruite, bulte en banke en ook versigtigheid vir die vyand het die kommando egter die wyk geneem en was die swartes vry om meer manhaftig te word in hulle bedrywighede van diefstal en spioenasie en het hulle by enige onraad na hulle spelonke in die berg gaan skuiling soek.

 Rol van Gert Hendrik Grobler “Nou kom ek terug na die tydperk Junie tot September 1900, en wil van die rol vertel wat Gert Hendrik Grobler gespeel het in sy omgewing tot in Bethlehem. Ek wil hier 69

erken dat alles wat ek daarvan skryf aan my vertel is deur verskeie persone wie die man goed geken het, sowel as burgers van die tyd en natuurlik van wat my ma en my ouer suster Bellie Rademeyer en my broer Frik aan my vertel het. “Soos ek reeds vroeër gesê het, was die kommando‟s in Junie nie in die omgewing nie en had Gert Grobler ŉ gulde geleentheid om sy swartes te gebruik vir kwaadwillige dade soos later geblyk het toe die burgers die swartes uit die grotte gehaal het, en ŉ hele aantal gewere en ammunisie daarin gekry het. Die gewere was van die fabrikaat wat die Engelse leërs gebruik het. “Die nuus van die moord op Heymans en McCarthy het die Bethlehem Kommando bereik terwyl hulle in die rigting van Vredefort op pad was. Hulle het opdrag gekry om, om te draai en die swartes op Gert Grobler se plaas op ŉ behoorlike wyse te gaan straf. Hulle het die hele middag en nag getrek en teen sonop op die plaas Naudèskop aangekom en tussen Leeuspruit en Valsrivier afgesaal. Hulle was baie moeg maar voor hulle die perde kon los, hoor hulle geweerskote en gewaar dat op hulle gevuur word. Hulle het dadelik opgesaal en in klompe verdeel en bevele gekry om die grotte die volgende more, aan te val, uit drie rigtings. Dit het hulle gedoen en na heelwat heen en weer gevuur is, het die swartes oorgegee. ŉ Getal is dadelik doodgeskiet en baie jonges het met stiegrieme slae gekry. Die ou leier Klaas het geweier om uit die grot te kom en is deur twee jong manne uit sy skuilplek gehaal, die een was Hans Mostert, ŉ broerskind van (oorlede) Koos Mostert, die ander was Frikkie van Wyk. Hulle is met gelaaide rewolwers die grot in en het Klaas lewendig uitgebring. Hy is ook daar en dan doodgeskiet. Hans Mostert is later in „n geveg doodgeskiet. Frikkie van Wyk is later op Kestell oorlede – hoewel ek hom daarna gevra het was sy antwoord net: “Ander moet daaroor praat, ek praat nie van myself.” So is sy heldedade met hom begrawe. Getalle wat genoem was van swartes (wat betrokke was) het baie verskil – party het gesê sowat 30 is doodgeskiet, ander weer dat dit net twaalf was, so ek weet glad nie.  Krygsraad “Gert Grobler is by sy huis gevangene geneem, aan ŉ burger vasgebind en op „n perd gesit en saamgeneem na die Kommando wat waar Valsrivierstasie geleë is, gekampeer het. Die volgende oggend is die kommando in die rigting van Reitz, waar daar met Vrystaatse Regering in die veld kontak gemaak was. ŉ Krygsraad is saamgestel uit ŉ regter, genl. Hertzog, president M.T. Steyn, genl C.H. Olivier, kmdt Michael Prinsloo en nog een, die naam het my nou ontgaan. Daar is die beskuldiging teen hom gemaak dat hy swartes gewapen het om teen Vrystaatse burgers te veg en dat hy verantwoordelik gehou word vir die dood van drie burgers en dat die vierde op wonderbaarlike wyse herstel het. Hy is skuldig bevind en voor ŉ vuurpeloton, op die plaas Beaurain naby die woning van wyle Lukas Snyman, [van] Montreol in Petrus Steyn-distrik, doodgeskiet. Hy het glo met die hulp van een swart man sy graf gegrawe en is daar begrawe. Hy is later daar opgegrawe en op (die plaas) Berlin begrawe. 70

“Gedurende 1938 toe gevoelens hoog geloop op politieke gebied het ek in DIE VADERLAND ŉ verslag gelees dat wyle senator Seef van Rensburg op Ventersburg in ŉ vergadering ŉ relaas gegee het wat daar op Honingkop gebeur het tydens die Engelse oorlog [Anglo-Boere Oorlog] toe hy daar was as burger van Winburg se kommando. Hy het onder andere vertel dat genl Hertzog die regter was voor wie Gert Grobler verskyn het en veroordeel was. Ek het dit uitgeknip en alle besonderhede soos ek dit toe van ander verneem het aan genl Hertzog gestuur en gevra dat hy dit moet beaam as korrek, maar hy was destyds eerste minister en hoewel ek hom beloof het om onder eed geen politieke munt daaruit te slaan nie, het ek ŉ antwoord van hom gehad by wyse van sy privaat sekretaris, mnr Jooste, dat hoewel hy nog alles goed onthou, kan hy nie aan my versoek voldoen nie daar alle dokumentêre bewyse gedurende die oorlog tot niet gegaan het. ..../

Harrismith: Concentration Camp

The Family of the late Burger JF Heymans in a tented British Concentration Camp. The baby seated on her mother lap died while in captivity at Harrismith. See memorial below – right; the last name. My grandfather is sitting on the front - right. Their mother was formerly a Miss du Preez. So many despairingly remarks have been made about the Boer in the concentration camps – but my forbearers seem healthy, clean, fat and suitably attired. It has been stated that 26 000 women & children died in British concentration camps. I can fully understand why Maj Wilson 71

devised the plan which General Staff implemented – but this is war by barbaric methods; to keep innocent women and children under these conditions. My grandmother‟s parents and siblings – the Faure-family - died in the Honingspruit Concentration Camp, nr Kroonstad. If I am showed pictures of the Nazi concentration camps I always remember the grief of my grandparents in the British Concentration Camps. We Boers were a small nation; only two Boer republics which later became the old Orange Free State & Transvaal provinces. Many Africans who were pro-Boer also died in concentration camps. Strange, the same men who formed the ANC (as it was known later) criticised Britain for their action against the Boers. We, the Boers, were the first “freedom fighters”. Remember in a nutshell: The British obtained the Free State diamond fields (look at the strange border between the OFS and the Cape Colony) and the Boer War was because of the gold on the Witwatersrand – that‟s the bottom line!

Arrested Boer Family departing Harrismith

The Memorial of Boer Children who died in Harrismith – Heymans & a Fivaz. They were treated much better in “Tintown” in Ladysmith. Monument on the Farm: Finaal near Bethlehem

Memorial DRC Harrismith

In the DRC Bethlehem – A memorial to those who paid the highest sacrifice! My Great Grandfather‟s name also appears there BUT not in the War Memorial in Bloemfontein.

The grave of Const JP Fourie & Mrs CLS Fourie (nèè De Clercq): Pretoria Const Fourie, also affectionately known as “Jan-poliesman” was lucky to live after his ordeal. I traced his grave to Pretoria, he died in 1963 and in spite of his injuries he died at the ripe old age of 88 yrs.

Anglo-Boere-Oorlog: Versteekte ponde bied nuwe begin vir familie. Met vergunning van Afrikaner Boere Geskiedenis via Johan Jacobs Die besonderhede van £6000 wat deur die familie Muller op die plaas Poortje, Vereeniging, met die uitbreek van die Anglo-Boereoorlog (ABO) begrawe en ná die oorlog weer opgegrawe is, is deur mnr. Flippie Kok vertel. Hy skryf só: “Die verhaal is so interessant dat ek die inligting graag met al die lesers deel. Ek was so gelukkig om mnr. Flippie Kok in Pretoria en sy broer Michal in Ermelo op te spoor. Michal het my die verhaal gegee wat deur sy pa, Jan Kok van Poortjie, neergeskryf is. Hulle was onderwysers. Ná die uitbreek van die oorlog is die seuns van oupa Michal Muller - oom Nols, oom Pieter, oom Mannetjie (Michal) en sy skoonseun oom Thys Geldenhuis opgekommandeer. Hul oupa, wat te oud en sieklik was, het op die plaas Poortje agtergebly. Die oupa het saam met hul ouma, oom Mannetjie se vrou, tant Gritha, en haar dogtertjie, Hestertjie, op die plaas bly woon en hul oupa het met sy werk aangegaan en na die vee omgesien. Hulle was 'n vermoënde familie - hardwerkend en vooruitstrewend en het £6000 kontant in die huis gehad. Voordat oom Mannetjie weg is op kommando het hy, hul oupa en outa Piet op aandrang van hul ouma die geld in vrugtebottels en blikke gepak, dit verseël en in 'n bliktrommel gepak. Daarmee is hulle na ``Ou Plasie'' Wildebeesfontein - waar hulle dit onder die enigste boompie op 'n ysterklipkoppie noord van ou Evaton (nou by Sebokeng) begrawe.

Foto: Wikipedia NĂĄ 'n tydjie het hul ouma onrustig geword en by hul oupa aangedring dat die geld opgegrawe en op Poortje begrawe moet word, omdat sy outa Piet nie vertrou het nie. Hul oupa en oom Mannetjie het toe so gemaak, maar besluit om dit alleen, sonder die medewete van outa Piet of enige ander, in die dorsvloer te begrawe. Hulle het die strooi weggewerk en 'n gat min of meer 1 m diep gegrawe. Die verseĂŤlde trommel is in die gat geplaas en 'n blou leiklip daarop geplaas. Die grond is toe daarop teruggewerk, goed vasgetrap en -gestamp. Koringstrooi is weer daaroor gewerk en ook vasgetrap. Oom Mannetjie is later weg op kommando. Die Engelse het besluit om alle vee van die plase weg te voer, alle kosvoorraad te verniel, die Boere se huise af te breek en af te brand en alle vroue, kinders en ou mense is in konsentrasiekampe saamgehok. Een oggend is oupa, ouma en tant Gritha met haar dogtertjie, Hester, gevang en met 'n ossewa na Bankstasie vervoer. Toe hulle min of meer een en 'n half myl van die plaas was, het hulle gesien hul pakhuise is aan die brand. Hulle is in beestrokke gelaai en na die kamp in Potchefstroom gebring. Die oupa was reeds 'n siek man en hulle het by die Engelse kampowerheid aansoek gedoen om toegelaat te word om in hul tuishuis in die dorp te gaan woon. Op aanbeveling van die Engelse kampdokter, 'n dr. Ramsey, het hulle die vergunning gekry op voorwaarde dat hulle die kampregulasies streng moet eerbiedig. In die huis, onder toesig van dr. Ramsey, is hul oupa op 31 Mei 1901 oorlede. Die gesinne van oom Nols, oom Jan en oom Thys Geldenhuys is toegelaat om by hul oupa op dieselfde standplaas te woon, onderhewig aan dieselfde voorwaardes.

Foto: Wikipedia Gelukkig het oom Mannetjie bly lewe en vertel hy soos volg van die opgrawery van die £6000 op Poortje: Hulle het 'n ou kar en 'n paar perde in Potchefstroom in die hande gekry en hy en outa Hendrik - seun van outa Piet - is gestuur om te gaan kyk of die geld nog op Poortje begrawe lê. Die eerste aand het hulle tot by oom Jan Pistorius op Losberg gevorder, omdat die ou perde baie swak en maer was. Hulle is die volgende oggend vroeg na Poortje waar hulle 'n afgebreekte huis en afgebrande pakhuise gevind het. Alles van waarde, ook al oupa se gereedskap van sy smidswinkel, is verwyder. Hulle begin toe na die geld soek. Verbysterd vind oom Mannetjie 'n gat in die dorsvloer. Ná deeglike ondersoek het hy vasgestel dat dit nie die gat was waarin die geld begrawe was nie. Baie stukkies breekgoed soos dele van koppies, pierings en borde het rondgelê. Hulle werk toe die strooi weg en soek verder na die geld. Oom Mannetjie en outa Hendrik het net 'n ou koevoet, hamer en 'n ou graaf gehad om mee te grawe. Hulle het tot omstreeks 14:30 gegrawe toe hulle die leiklip tref en oom Mannetjie skree: ``Stop, hier is die geld.'' Hulle het die gat tot op die klip oopgegrawe, dit verwyder en daar sien hulle die trommel met die geld nog net so. Ná drie jaar in die grond wat dit weliswaar erg geroes. Hulle haal dit toe uit, laai dit op die kar en maak spore na oom Jan Pistorius. Nadat hulle by oom Jan oornag het en die waardevolle trommel in die huis in bewaring gehou het, is hulle die volgende oggend vroeg weg na Potchefstroom. Toe die trommel daar oopgemaak is, het hulle gevind dat die geld in die blikke baie geroes en aangeslaan was. Daar word vertel dat ouma, tant Gritha, tant Sannie en tant Miemie dae en aande ná mekaar die geld met as skoon en glad geskuur het. 'n Groot gedeelte van die geld was goue Krugerponde. Ons familie het nou nog een van dié ponde in ons besit. Die geld is 77

onder ouma en die kinders verdeel. Van die familie is met 'n muilwaentjie na Mosselbaai na die Mullers, wie se nasate nog daar woon. Daar het hulle met dié geld beeste van hul familie gekoop waarmee hulle ná die oorlog weer op Poortje begin boer het.””””””

Penkoppe – Kinder-vegters van die Anglo-Boereoorlog – Deel I: Eduan Liebenberg Naude Die Brit, Roland Schickerling, vertel in sy boek „Commando Carageous‟, dat toe hulle ‟n dertienjarige Boerseun op ŉ donkie en gewapen met ŉ MartiniHenrygeweer voorkeur en hom ondervra, hulle die lakonieke antwoord gekry het: “Ek is Jooste, ek gaan Engelse skiet!” In enige stryd is daar meermale onbesonge dade en gebeure wat in die geskiedenis en mens-geheue ŉ stille „onverklaarde‟ dood sterf. Dade waaroor daar nie veel geskryf en opgeteken is nie, of indien wel opgeteken, mis gevat, mis gesien, of mis gelees word. In ŉ oorlog waar harde en ervare krygers in die aangesig van die vyand en die dood, lewens belangrike opsies moet uitvoer, bring slagveld besluite en harde baard aksies, dade van onverskrokke dapperheid en moed na vore - dade waarvoor die vele mans sal terugdeins. Die wêreld en oorlog geskiedenis is deurspek met heldedade wat nog altyd die mens se verbeelding aangegryp het en waaroor daar onophoudelik romantiseer word. Maar wat sou die mens kon dink wanneer seuns wat nog “cowboys” en “crooks” by die huis moet speel of top moet gooi, die wapen opneem en huis en haard op die slagveld gaan verdedig - in „n tyd toe man, geweer en perd, en nie elektroniese tegnologie, die gevegsveld domineer het? Die Afrikanervolk het ŉ geskiedenis wat ryk is aan seuns-krygers, maar dit gaan arm aan erkenning. Daar is ŉ gebrek aan kennis by die opvolgende geslagte aangaande die onbesonge dade van hierdie „kinders‟ wat vir ons vryheid op die slagveld in die stewels gestaan, en in die saals gesit het – inderdaad ook dapper geval en gesneuwel het. “Penkoppe” is hierdie boerseuns van Afrika genoem. Daar is aanvanklik algemeen aanvaar dat die “penkop” benaming daarvan gekom het dat die jong seuns se hare kort gesny was en dat die regop hare soos die penne van „n krimpvarkie gestaan het. Maar brigadier Tom van Dyk, seun van die skrywer J.H. van Dyk, van Die Kwêvoël Kommando, gee ŉ ander verklaring vir hierdie benaming wat algemeen in die Oos- en Wes-Transvaal gebruik is. Die jong seuns is vergelyk met jong blouwildebees rammetjies – wanneer hulle horinkies uitkom is dit reguit en nie gekrul soos die ouer ramme sin nie. Jong blouwildebees rammetjies het dus penkoppe. Hier kom die tipiese gewoonte van die Afrikaner om mense se byname ruimskoots aan inheemse diere se voorkoms en gewoontes te koppel, natuurlikpragtig na vore. Jong blouwildebees rammetjies stamp op hierdie ouderdom graag kop, baljaar pronkerig rond en is uitdagend en waaghalsig – netsoos seuns. Hierin is dit dan toepaslik opmerklik dat die blouwildebees definisie ŉ bietjie ouer is as die „penkop‟ van die kortgeknipte haar definisie. Afrikaanse Etimologie se verklaring neig ook na „n bietjie ouer indruk waar dit praat van “jong burger” in plaas van jong seun. 78

Indien mens dus die gees en karakter van die Afrikaner inroep, klink die blouwildebees definisie vir my na die werklike een. Toe ek as jong laerskool seun in die sestiger jare Woensdae middae my groen en swart kortbroek-uniform aangetrek het, was ek „n „Vootrekker-Penkop‟ in moderne vredestyd, en was dit opwindend en lekker om onder die toesig van die grootmens kommandante, avontuurlustig te leer tent opslaan en knope maak in toue. Maar sewentig jaar vantevore het die penkoppe van die tweede vryheidsoorlog met ŉ roer in die hand geveg ...”Kommandant PD. Potgieter het vertel dat hy ses seuns tussen 12 en veertien jaar by hom op kommando gehad het vir wie hy geleer het om ŉ geweer in „n geveg te gebruik” skryf Professor Fransjohan Pretorius van die Departement Geskiedenis en Kultuurgeskiedenis, van die Universiteit van Pretoria... Professor Pretorius skryf dat seuns van 16 jaar, volgens die kommando wette van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek en die Oranje Vrystaat, krygspligtig was. Dit beteken dat alle seuns van 16 jaar verplig was om te moes veg in die Boereoorlog. Hoewel dit op sigself in vandag se terme noemenswaardig is, skryf Professor Pretorius dat dit daardie tyd algemeen was dat seuns jonger as 16 reeds in die eerste maande van die oorlog as „penkoppe‟ op kommando was. In 1956 het die destydse Minister van Finansies, meneer Eric Louw, bepaal dat deelnemers aan die Anglo-Boereoorlog minstens 12 jaar oud moes gewees het om op ŉ oudstryderspensioen aanspraak te kon maak. Daarop het Evert Domisse, voorsitter van die Bond van Oudstryders, verklaar dat daar seuns van jonger as 12 jaar was wat inderdaad aan gevegte deelgeneem het. Hy beweer dat daar selfs enkele agtjarige seuns op kommando was. Gedurende die oorlog was die onderlinge Boere kriteria dat indien ŉ seun die swaar Mauser geweer van vier kilogram kon oplig om te skiet, hy krygsvaardig was en op kommando toegelaat is. Verskeie Britse en ander oorsese skrywers het na hierdie jeugdige vegters verwys. Sophia Izedinova, ŉ Russiese verpleegster wat ses maande lank saam met die Russies-Hollandse ambulans aan Boere kant diens gedoen het, skryf: “I personally met twelve year-old boys at Fourteen Streams who had run away from home after their fathers and immediately punged into the most dangerous places”. In meeste van die gevalle het, of moes, die kinders toestemming by hul vader gehad het om op kommando te wees indien hulle onder die ouderdom van 16 jaar was. Maar, soos wat die omstandighede opgekom het, so is daar aangepas en was daar verskillende scenario van aanmelding en diens wat deur die penkoppe uitgevoer is. Gewoonlik het die jonger penkoppe saam hul vaders, broers, ooms, neefs of ander aanverwante persone op kommando geveg – net solank daar iemand was wat „verantwoordelikheid‟ vir hulle kon neem. Die praktiese denke van die Afrikaner Boer het in baie gevalle ook bepaal hoe die situasies hanteer is. Daar was gevalle waar groepe seuns in die omgewing waar hul vaders se plase was, groepeer het en hul eie klein kommando‟s saamgestel het. Sommige het net met hul vaders en oupas kleiner groepies gevorm en so opereer. In die Oorlogsmuseum, Bloemfontein is daar ŉ pragtige tafelreël uitbeelding van die kleinste gevegseenheid gedurende die AngloBoereoorlog, naamlik oupa, vader en seun saam op patrollie. Baie van die jonger seuns moes teen hulle wil by die huis op die plase bly om na hul moeders en die plase om te sien, maar die Engelse het in die meeste gevalle, omdat die penkop situasie by hulle bekend was, die seuns van die plase verwyder en as 79

krygsgevangenes na die interneringskampe oorsee gestuur waar hulle uit die pad en onbeskikbaar was. Dit het dus meegebring dat die moeders maar die jong seuns liefs op kommando laat gaan het waar die moontlikheid dan bestaan het dat die kind ten minste weer gesien sou word. Danie Stegman15, die skrywer van Nooit Gevang Nie, die oorlog wedervaringe van mevrou A. G. Olivier, vertel hoe haar oudste seun, ŉ penkop van pas sestien jaar, moes soebat om toegelaat te word om op kommando te gaan. Die pa het ingestem op die voorwaarde dat die seun net gaan om met die pakperde te help. Stegman skryf egter: “Hy was skaars op kommando of hy het ŉ geweer in die hande gekry en saam geveg.” ŉ Mens kan jou voorstel dat hierdie gebeure in talle gesinne afgespeel het, want watter warmbloedige seun sou tevrede daarmee te vrede wees om perde te versorg wanneer ŉ oorlog oor die naaste rantjie gevoer word?”, skryf Pets Marais 16 in haar uitstekende navorsing oor die „Penkoppe van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog‟. Joop Venter se pa het gewond in die hospitaal gelê en het Joop in die sorg van ŉ ouer broer, met die volgende woorde oorgegee: “Kyk hy is nog nie sestien nie; die offisiere sê hy is ŉ volle manskap, maar dit is kaf. Hy is baie astrant en jy moet hom uit die gevegte hou.” Hierdie opgetekende weergawes kan vir ons aanduidings gee waarvolgens ons verbeelding scenario kan skep wat relevant is tot die verskeie gebeure wat afgespeel het toe Victoria se Engelse op ons volksgeskiedenis en vryheid kom inbreek maak het. Daar is ŉ ryk, inspirerende geskiedenis verbonde aan die jong seuns wat teen die Engelse geveg het. ŉ Geskiedenis wat spreek van kinders wat die moed en durf openbaar het wat by volwasse mans tuishoort. ŉ Geskiedenis wat duidelik aandui uit welke stoffasie ons saamgestel is. ŉ eie Geskiedenis wat ons moet oproep om erkenning te gee aan daardie kinder-borse, waarin dapper harte, met ŉ eiesoortige volk- liefde geklop het. Hierdie klein reeks sal ŉ poging wees om erkenning te gee aan die “penkoppe” – daardie blouwildebees rammetjies, wat vir hul, en ons vryheid en identiteit, op die werklike slagveld „gestamp en gestoot‟ het...

15 16

Danie Stegman is identies met wyle kol JM de Wet van Wachthuis - HBH Eduan – ek ken haar goed maar sy het glad nie eens meer „n kopie van haar boek nie – HBH.

THE FIRST WORLD WAR / DIE EERSTE WERELDOORLOG “We will remember them”: Johan Jacobs

THE SECOND WORLD WAR / TWEEDE WERELDOORLOG -

RSA‟s REVOLUTIONARY SRUGGLE This comes from a highly revealing report from the Irish Political Review of January 2014. In this report, written by Manus O'Riordan, he states inter alia:"Kader Asmal was South Africa's Minister of Education on the occasion of our last meeting in May 2006, when he and Louise hot-footed it from Dublin Airport to spend the afternoon with the O'Riordan family on the day of my father's funeral. There was, however, one Asmal-O'Riordan secret that my father had taken to the grave with him, and Kader certainly did not divulge it to any of us on that day. Indeed, it was only after Kader's own funeral -five years later -that their secret was first published in his memoirs, in Chapter 3 on Ireland: "'The 1980s opened with a spectacular coup de main against one of South Africa's most strategic installations (which) did involve an Irish connection, a fact that till now has not been public knowledge. In the late 1970s I was asked if it was possible to arrange military training for some MK [ANC terrorists] combatants. I wanted very much to undertake this task, but it was a delicate one because it would of necessity involve the IRA. I went to see the general secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland, Michael O'Riordan, who was a man of great integrity [sic] and whom I trusted to keep secret the information at his disposal. He in turn contacted Gerry Adams of Sinn Féin, and it was arranged that two military experts would come to Dublin to meet two MK personnel and take them to a safe place for two weeks of intensive training. Later we did arrange a successful meeting, the training was conducted, and I believe the expertise the MK cadres obtained was duly imparted to others in the ANC camps in Angola. Then on 1 June 1980 South Africa was shocked by one of the most daring [sic] and audacious acts of military [sic] insurgency in the struggle against apartheid. On that day the country's major oil refinery plant in the town of Sasolburg was bombed by explosives. Black smoke billowed over the Highveld. Every newspaper and television station carried pictures, footage and stories of the attack. The propaganda value and its effect on the morale of the liberation movement [sic] were inestimable. I had again been approached by the MK High Command who wanted us to find two people to conduct a reconnaissance operation and report back on the feasibility of attacking Sasol, South Africa's major oil refinery, vital to the maintenance of the apartheid state [sic]. Once again I arranged the task with Gerry Adams of Sinn Féin through the intermediation of Michael O'Riordan. They laid the ground for one of the most dramatic operations carried out by MK personnel. Some months after we''d set arrangements in place Louise rang me at work to say that I must come home immediately. I excused myself from an important academic meeting at Trinity College and drove as fast as I could in the Dublin traffic. There on the television was the extraordinary spectacle of Sasol in flames, lighting up the sky for miles around. We cheered and felt we had made a major contribution to the struggle. It was a huge morale booster, and must have been the same in South Africa. It was evident that the regime [sic] had suffered a demonstrable loss and 82

embarrassment. Yet only Louise and I knew (plus, of course, O'Riordan and Adams MO'R) that the attack on Sasolburg was the result of reconnaissance carried out by members of the IRA.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Mandela fully approved of Asmal's revelations in Politics in My Blood, and penned an appreciation of Kader as a forward to that book. His debt to Adams was, in turn, repaid by his inclusion in the Mandela guard of honour this December 14th." So there we have it, straight from the horse's mouth. It has been known for some time; of course, that the Ellis Park car bombing in 1988 was a direct operation carried out by IRA operatives, but never before has the full extent of IRA involvement in ANC terrorism in South Africa been revealed. Not only this, but the fact that the SF/IRA terrorist leader Gerry Adams was given the "honour" of being in the guard of honour at Mandela's funeral (something sinisterly ignored by most of the international media at the time) shows just how close ANC/IRA links have been. Source: Springbok Cyber Newsletter March 2014 edition. springbk@netcomuk.co.uk

THE BUSH WAR / BOSOORLOG Wagters op die Mure: Chirundu: Johan Herselman, Snr

 Rhodesië 1974 Chirundu area: Kanyemba circa 1974/1975.

Die skedel voor op die helikopter was so swaar dat die vlieënier nie behoorlik kon opstyg nie en is toe vinnig verwyder.

Die “Big–Daddy” [Bedford] toon duidelik die lae sandsakke in die bak. Die wiele was vol water gepomp - teen landmyne.

Die BOSBOK vliegtuig was in gebruik vir lugvaart patrollies oor die Mosambiek grens en nood casevac na Chirundu HK.

Die Swaarloop FN geweer op die foto druk die slang vas terwyl die lede beraadslaag wat om nou te doen. Los die slang en almal gaan in die bosse inhardloop. Slang was toe maar doodgeskiet want hy is mos gevaarlik, nĂ¨? Volle Kamoefleer uniform met "Full Kitt" wat gedra is ten tye van patrollies kan gesien word soos gedra deur die lid wat die slang omhoog hou.

Cuito Cuanavale, Executive Outcomes and the final destruction of UNITA: Alex Faria

Dr Peter Lamb, Mr & Mrs Manuel Resende Ferreira and Mr Alex Faria at the Waterfront in Cape Town. Note: Manny runs the Facebook site: “SADF & Southern Africa Military History Books.” Dear Hennie, You asked me to write you as short précis on my views regarding the eventual destruction of UNITA by a relatively small group of ex-SADF mercenaries assisting the Angolan armed forces. Let me begin by reminding you that I had previously had no interest in military matters and knew very little of what actually happened during South Africa‟s involvement in Angola as I had never been called up for military service. In my days the SADF drafted two out of three school-leavers for army service and I happened to be one of the number threes. However, when you visited Cape Town about four years ago and stayed with me, I accompanied you to the house of your friend A.P. Stemmet17 and was privy to your conversations with him. Amongst other things he made the statement that “there wasn‟t really a Battle of Cuito Cuanavale”. This statement roused my interest and I started acquiring books on the subject and have since read much on this famous battle (or lack thereof). Let me start by saying that, in short, the SADF involvement in Angola at that specific time, which led to it being at Cuito Cuanavale in the first place, came about because 17

Mr AP Stemmet was Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat of State Security Council

of a huge build-up of FAPLA forces which was making its way southeast towards the UNITA stronghold of Mavinga – which was clearly a stepping-stone to an assault on Jamba, Jonas Savimbi‟s and also UNITA‟s headquarters. This force was equipped for a conventional war and UNITA was made up solely of men trained in guerrilla warfare and was not equipped to withstand a conventional force of this size and armed as they were with tanks, heavy artillery etc.. UNITA therefore sent word that it needed the SADF to assist it against this FAPLA onslaught. Initially the SADF agreed to send some advisors to assist but, when these saw the size of the FAPLA force and their heavy weapons, they let the SADF top brass know that UNITA would need more than some advisors to contend with this force. From an SADF perspective, the main reason for supporting UNITA in the first place was that UNITA controlled much of southern Angola – especially Cuando Cubango Province, which borders on the Caprivi strip through which SWAPO was infiltrating SWA from Zambia. South Africa agreed to assist UNITA on condition that UNITA stop assisting SWAPO, the real SADF enemy. If South Africa refused to assist UNITA against this huge conventional force and UNITA was defeated, SWAPO would again have had free access to Caprivi where UNITA acted as a buffer against SWAPO infiltrations. So South Africa sent in a conventional force of around 3,000 men, including recces, with Ratels, G5 and G6 long-range canons etc. and, eventually, tanks as well. This SADF force attacked the FAPLA forces at the Lomba River and routed them. One FAPLA battalion was totally annihilated while another was almost totally annihilated. FAPLA had to retreat in disarray and, in the process, left vast amounts of military equipment on the field, which the SADF was able to take. This included a complete, intact SA-8 anti-aircraft missile system – the only such system ever captured by the west. At this point the SADF could have totally destroyed the FAPLA force but a series of mistakes was made, which allowed the retreating FAPLA forces to make good their escape and return to the Tumpo Triangle and Cuito Cuanavale. At this stage the SADF had to allow many of the soldiers, who had been involved at the Lomba River and Cuito, to return as their two year stint of military service had come to an end and the new national servicemen who replaced them needed to be trained virtually from scratch. In addition, much of the SADF equipment was in desperate need of servicing and repairs and the resultant delays gave FAPLA time to replenish their lost weapons and, more importantly, to dig themselves in (with the help of their Cuban allies) and to set up heavily mined and strong defences around Cuito Cuanavale. The SADF tried on three occasions to attack Cuito to try and chase the enemy further to the northwest but were not successful and lost two or three tanks in the 88

process – both to mines not enemy fire. It is worth noting that the Cuban/FAPLA alliance never once tried to attack the SADF so their victory over the “Boer” was simply managing to prevent him from taking their positions. The SADF has always maintained that this was not their war and that they were only there to try and prevent the total destruction of UNITA, which would probably have happened if the FAPLA forces had succeeded in taking Mavinga and Jamba. By destroying FAPLA at the Lomba River they had already ac hieved their goal whereas FAPLA failed dismally in theirs. As the SADF definitely was not defeated and sent running from the field as Fidel Castro tried to insinuate, surely the victor had to be the one who achieved his goals! Something else which has to be borne in mind is that the SADF commanders in the field were adamant that, if the enemy was to be driven out of Cuito, then they had to attack Cuito from the west. However, the generals back home would not agree to that and so the SADF finally gave up their efforts to dislodge the enemy but kept a small force close by to keep bombarding and harassing the enemy at Cuito while the bulk of the SADF soldiers returned to SWA. The point I made in my recent e-mail to you is that the MPLA government had thousands of Cubans assisting them in their struggle against UNITA (anything between 30,000 and 60,000 - depending on your source) but, thanks to the SADF support for UNITA they were not able to defeat UNITA though they were in Angola for about 15 years. After the UN monitored elections in Angola, which saw Savimbi defeated by a very narrow margin, Savimbi escaped from Luanda and resumed the bush war against the MPLA and, since the Cubans had already withdrawn from Angola, he was steadily winning the war. Then the MPLA government approached Executive Outcomes, a company consisting of ex-SADF soldiers, to train their army (by this time known as FAA and no longer FAPLA). He agreed and steadily they defeated UNITA in a series of battles and then suddenly Savimbi called for peace talks. In the process he insisted that the MPLA have Executive Outcomes removed from Angola. The UN was very happy to oblige as mercenaries – and especially South African mercenaries - were not the UN flavour of the day. However, by that time the FAA troops had been moulded into a formidable fighting force and, even though Executive Outcomes had to withdraw, the FAA eventually cornered and killed Savimbi, which led to the demise of UNITA and finally, after nearly twenty years, the MPLA was finally in total control of Angola. Now, if, as Cuba, FAPLA, SWAPO and the ANC insist, the SADF (and by corollary UNITA, its ally) was defeated and forced to retreat at Cuito Cuanavale, how come UNITA was able to carry on the war with the MPLA and, what‟s more, be in control ? Then, with the help of a small mercenary force of ex-SADF men, the MPLA/FAA was able to turn the tide and systematically defeat UNITA in one battle after the other 89

whereas FAPLA, with the help of thousands of Cubans, were not able to achieve this after fighting UNITA for some 15 years? One must also bear in mind that Executive Outcomes didn‟t have the weapons which the SADF had available to them yet they were able to achieve what the Cubans were never able to achieve. It makes you think!! Regards Alex Alex Faria is a retired banker who has taken up book binding as a hobby. He is also interested in South African history and also in Portuguese history iro Africa.

DEFENCE & NATIONAL SECURITY: INTERNATIONAL British sniper kills six Taliban fighters with a single bullet: Rifle round triggers explosive vest worn by his target    

Record-breaking shot was fired by a Coldstream Guards marksman Was on one of the last missions by British troops in Afghanistan Sniper, who cannot be named, was intercepting a suicide bomber Commanders feared insurgent wanted to blow himself up at a UK base

By Ian Drury; Published: 23:01 GMT,31 March 2014; Updated: 07:38 GMT, 1 April 2014 With a Taliban fighter looming in his sights half a mile away, the British sniper knew a clean shot would take down his enemy. What he could not have known was that the single bullet he fired would account for five more insurgents. But, incredibly, his rifle round triggered the explosive vest worn by his target, killing all those around him.

Deadly: How the lance corporal from the Coldstream Guards took down six insurgents with a single shot

Lt Col Richard Slack (centre), Commander of the 9/12th Royal Lancers, and Col John Mead (right) take a last look at the frontline of the Helmand river outside Sterga 2 Observation Post.

Game of table football anyone? Day to day life continues for British soldiers from 4 Scots and 9/12th Royal Lancers at the Sterga post. The record-breaking shot was fired by a Coldstream Guards marksman on one of the last missions to be carried out by British troops in Afghanistan. UK forces are preparing to leave their last frontline base in Helmand as part of their withdrawal from Afghanistan.The sniper, a lance corporal who cannot be named for security reasons, was on a mission to intercept a suspected suicide bomber. Commanders feared the insurgent was planning to blow himself up at either a UK base, an Afghan security checkpoint or a civilian target such as a school or government building.

Down time: The isolated Sterga base is manned by soldiers from 4 Scots and 9/12th Royal Lancers. Located around 18miles from Camp Bastion, it allows UK forces to watch over a huge swathe of central Helmand and two key roads.

Captain Ed Challis (left) and Major Guy Simpson, commanding officers of the last British frontline base outside Camp Bastion.

The build-up of the Afghan army and policeâ&#x20AC;&#x;s capability is a key plank in the decision to end UK combat operations. Since January 1, the ANSF have requested British help on just one occasion in this stretch of Helmand. Some 335 soldiers from the Brigade Reconnaissance Force and 90 Afghan troops were deployed on the operation on December 14 last year. As they moved to tackle the suicide bomber, they ran into fire from a group of 20 Taliban. As they moved to tackle the suicide bomber, a massive firefight broke out with up to 20 insurgents at about 9.30am. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Slack, commanding officer of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, who was overseeing the operation at Kakaran, said: â&#x20AC;&#x17E;The guy wearing the vest was identified by the sniper moving down a tree line and coming over a ditch. He had a winter shawl on which rose up and the sniper saw he had a machine gun. He was moving to a firing position when the sniper engaged him and the guy exploded.

The lack of UK operations has raised hopes presidential elections held on April 5 will be a success - although commanders acknowledge the vote is likely to be blighted by Taliban attacks.

Lt Col Richard Slack

Soldiers on the base at the Sterga 2 Observation Point Lt Col Richard Slack praised the sniper, saying: 'He has had a great tour of duty'. „There was a pause on the radio and the sniper said: “I think I‟ve just shot a suicide bomber.” The rest of them were killed in the blast.‟ The sniper also killed a Taliban machine gunner from a staggering 4,400ft with the first shot of his tour of duty. It is believed he was using a British-built L115A3 Long Range Rifle, the Army's most powerful sniper weapon. He was so far away the 8.59mm-calibre bullet would have taken one second to reach the target. Lt Col Slack said: „He has had a great tour of duty.‟ Surveillance for the operation was carried out by British troops based at Sterga 2, the observation post built on high ground overlooking the Helmand River.

Elections: Separately on Monday, presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah held a campaign rally in Panjshir province. Sterga 2 will operate 10 polling stations on Saturday.

A police officer stands with his weapon at a checkpoint in Kabul. Some 450 UK troops have died since operations began in Afghanistan in October 2001 Located around 18miles from Camp Bastion, it allows UK forces to watch over a huge swathe of central Helmand and two key roads, Highway One and Route 601. The isolated base is manned by a company of troops from the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers. It uses powerful cameras and sophisticated radars to keep watch for signs of the Taliban trafficking guns, bomb-making equipment or rockets. The state-of-the-art cameras are attached to a surveillance balloon – dubbed the „white whale‟ by insurgents – which can monitor activity miles away. Troops at Sterga 2 also use Desert Hawk 3 drones – controlled by a Play Station-style handset – to spy on the area. Details of any suspicious behaviour can be relayed to the Afghan National Security Forces – trained by British troops – who investigate. The build-up of the Afghan army and police‟s capability is a key plank in the decision to end UK combat operations at 96

the end of the year. And since January 1, the ANSF have requested British help on just one occasion in this stretch of Helmand. No UK operations have been carried out in the fertile „green zone‟ – where most of the population live – since 7th Armoured Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, began their six-month tour of duty last autumn. It has raised hopes that the presidential elections on April 5 will be a success – although commanders acknowledge the vote is likely to be blighted by Taliban attacks. Sterga 2 will be able to monitor 10 polling stations in a bid to make sure civilians remain safe. Lt Col Slack – who runs the Istar Group for Task Force Helmand, which is responsible surveillance and intelligence – said Helmand was „absolutely unrecognisable‟ from when he deployed in 2007. He said: „I think there is a sense of history and if the elections are delivered in a secure and transparent way, I think it is a historic moment and I‟m proud to be part of it.‟ Lt Col Slack, who lost one soldier Lance Corporal James Brynin, 22, of the Intelligence Corps, during his stint in charge, acknowledged the cost in lives and money during the war had been „heavy‟. He said: „The price has been heavy for the Army and in particular it has been heavy for the families of those nearly 450 [dead troops], and no one is under any illusions about that. „I will finish my tour knowing one of our NCOs will not be coming home and that is a heavy price to pay. „Has it been worth it? At my level when I look at security that is here and the way the ANSF have developed I certainly think it‟s been worth it. „But as a commanding officer I‟m not going to sleep properly until the last one of my soldiers is off the ground and back home safely.‟ Captain Ed Challis, who was in charge of Sterga 2, said he was not thinking of being at the last British outpost of the war. He said: „I‟d imagine once I get back it‟s something I‟ll look back on and sort of realise the historical importance of it but at the moment we‟re just focussing on our primary role here. Once I‟ve got a beer in hand and looking back at what‟s been achieved it will sink in.‟ Close shave for Brit soldiers as blast almost takes out two

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593804/British-sniper-kills-sixTaliban-fighters-single-bullet.html#ixzz2xcaMRTU4 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

He's an US Marine: 63 & Tired Received by email from Tubby Myburg

Robert A. Hall is an actor. He plays the coroner on CSI if you watch that show. He also is a Marine Vietnam War Veteran, but does not mention that he had his legs blown off in that war. This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America "I'm 63 and I'm Tired" by Robert A. Hall I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired. I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought Mc Mansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble use their own money to help them. I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America provided to them. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have: 1. The economy of Zimbabwe 98

2. 3. 4. 5.

The freedom of the press of China The crime and violence of Mexico, The tolerance for Christian people of Iran The freedom of speech of Venezuela.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honour"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Sharia's law tells them to. I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois. I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly in an all-knowing government. I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must not complain when Saudi Arabia uses the money we pay for their oil to fund mosques and madras Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance. I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough. I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think gay people choose to be gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from "cool" people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana. I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers", especially those who aren't working, but living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion.

I'm willing to fast track citizenship for any Hispanic who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honourably for three years in our military. Those are the kind of citizens we need. I'm tired of the trashing of our military by latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlementhandicapped kids near a recruiting station. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's a deal for those folks. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, while the critics of our military can be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the bloodspattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of school girls in Indonesia because the girls were Christian -- then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and hand-outs, instead of hiding from in fear. I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois, where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has looted the public treasury for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet. I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about "innocent" mistakes, "stupid" mistakes or "youthful" mistakes, when all of us know they think their only mistake was getting caught. Speaking of poor, I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement who have airconditioned homes, colour TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing. I'm real tired of people, rich or poor, who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. Yes, I'm tired, but I'm also glad to be 63, mostly because I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam Veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

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New U.S. Army Rifle! Received by email from Len Els (JJ)

The MXT135 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System has a range of roughly 7,800 feet - and is to be deployed in Afghanistan soon. I would call it the "Equalizer." Some call it the "Punisher". The rifle's gun sight uses a laser range finder to determine the exact distance to the obstruction, after which the soldier can add or subtract up to 10 meters from that distance to enable the bullets to clear the barrier and explode above or beside the target. Soldiers will be able to use them to target snipers hidden in trenches rather than calling in air strikes. The 35-millimeter round contains a chip that receives a radio signal from the gun sight as to the precise distance to the target. Lt. Col. Christopher Lehner, project manager for the system, described the weapon as a 'game-changer' that other nations will try and copy. The Army plans to buy 42,500 of the MXT135 rifles this year, enough for every member of the infantry and Special Forces, at a cost of $11,900.00 each. Lehner told Fox News: "With this weapon system, we take away cover from [enemy targets] forever. Tactics are going to have to be rewritten. The only thing we can see [enemies] being able to do is run away." What one of the revolutionary bullets looks like that can be pre-programmed to explode to hit troops that are hiding.

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HUMOUR IN UNIFORM / HUMOR IN UNIFORM Maj Wally Engelbrecht: Ferdie Vermaak, Snr

Ferdi Vermaakt Snr 28 March at 17:36 Ek wil graag hierdie staaltjie tot vermaak van die Kapenaars vertel. Gedurende die jare Des.1985 - Jan 1986 het ek diens verrig tydens die onluste in die Kaap. Ons Vaallies het in die weermagbasis by Goodwood in tente gebly. Majoor Engelbrecht van die onluseenheid in die Kaap was in bevel van ons. Die eerste dag toe maj Engelbrecht ons welkom heet, vra hy ook toe sommer wie belangstel om in die kombuis te help want sy personeel het hulp nodig gehad. So ŉ jong konstabel steek sy hand uit en volunteer vir die joppie. Die majoor vra hom: “Hoeveel minute dit jou neem om ŉ eier te kook?” Die jongman antwoord: “10min. majoor!!” “En as jy 10 eiers kook hoeveel minute sal dit neem?” vra die majoor. Die jongman bly so rukkie stil en antwoord hard en selfversekerd: “100min MAJOOR!!!....” Die Majoor sonder emosie: “Nee my maatjie jy moet maar saam met die ander manne klim na Crossroads toe.....” Ek dink elke keer aan storie as ek eiers kook. · Johan Herselman Snr, Fanie Bouwer, Robert Brand and 14 others like this. Francois Beirowski julle verstaan nie, die lid wou die eiers hard genoeg kook sodat dit as ammunisie gebruik kan word. Francois Beirowski Ferdi Vermaakt Snr. die plek se naam is Wingfield. Ferdi Vermaakt Snr Francois,is dit nog steeds ŉ weermagbasis? Frikkie van Eeden Danksy dat die Olimpiese spele nie in 2000 in Kaapstad plaasgevind het nie, is dit sover ek weet nog weermaggebied. Siende dat ons nie

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meer ŉ weermag het nie betwyfel ek of daar nog ŉ basis is. Die gebied is voorgestel as waar huisvesting vir die atlete gebou sou word as die aanbod sou geslaag het. Ferdi Vermaakt Snr Dankie Frikkie, ek was na my diens daar, nog nie weer in die Kaap nie. Nico Visser Ferdi, laat my dink aan 59 toe ek in die Depot was. Vra die paradesersant die oggend na parade, op „n Saterdag: “Almal die wat swaarvoertuiglisensies het, staan hierdie kant.” Die Ouens spring hier kom ŉ kans om lorrie te ry. “Ok, die manne met ligte lisensies, staan anderkant.” Hier staan die twee groepe, ek is nou ook spyt dat ek het nog nie „n lisensie het nie. “Reg” sê die Sersant: “Julle manne met die swaarlisensies, gryp daai dubbele besems en vee die paradegrond hierdie kant. Julle met die ligtelisensies, vat die enkel besems en vee die anderkant. Julle wat nie lisensies het nie, tel alles op wat nie daar moet wees nie. Blougatte !!!!” Francois Beirowski Ferdi Vermaakt Snr. Dit is nog steeds ŉ vloot basis, net soos Ysterplaat ook is. Die weermag het mos in hul wysheid besluit om Ysterplaat toe te maak. Dit is alles goed en wel sê die De Villiers Graaf-trust. Maak dit toe dan raak die area weer ons sin. Die weermag het nie geweet dat die area plus Wingfield gehuur word van die De Villiers Graaf-trust nie. Nico Visser In 1973 was ek in Noord-oos Rhodesië. Is daar toe ŉ tekort aan swaarvoertuigbestuurders vir die "Big Daddys". Stuur die majoor ŉ sersant om te vra wie nog swaarlisensies het. Ek sê nee, hierdie Sersant het nie so iets nie. ŉ Rukkie later kom die sersant weer by my: "Sersant, die majoor vra wie die hoftrok in die Paarl gery het?" Nou ja, daar sit ek toe. Maar eerlik, ek het nie gedink die majoor onthou my nog nie. Daar word ek toe op die voorradetrok gesit en hy was voorin en agter in die bak uitgepak met sandsakkies en hy loop voor om die koekblikke raak te loop. Dit was ŉ senuwee vretende job daai, maar was tog gelukkig, nooit iets raak gery nie. Nico Visser In hierdie tyd, raak hierdie Sersant 14 dae voor ons huis toe kom, so "Bossies" dat n Luitenant my vergesel na Voortrekkerhoogte Hospitaal. In Pretoria, nadat ons, ons betalings by finansies getrek het, kry die luitenant vir ons ŉ lid met ŉ swart kar en ons ry gou Kollege toe om ons bagasie daar te kry en ons weer terug te neem na die Lugdienskantoor. Die luitenant kry vir hom ŉ vlug Kaap 103

toe en ek spring die aand op die trein. ŉ Week daarna kom ŉ luitenant van DK op ŉ Saterdagoggend by my aan. Hy sê: “Ou Vissie, hier is nou ŉ groot fout. Hierdie telegram sê hy moet reëlings met my vrou tref dat sy my in Pretoria in die Hospitaal kan besoek.” Ek sê hom toe: “Luit. dit is ŉ groot fout, ek het by my DG rapporteer en is nou onder sy behandeling.” Gelukkig nooit probleme opgetel nie. Ander dae daai. Neelsie Borea Dankie vir de deel van jou staaltjies Nico. Ek geniet dit terdeë. Mooi loop swaer. Deon Huysamen Laat my nou weer ver terugdink toe Wally Engelbrecht SB op Mitchellsplein was. Het so 'n "strafstoepie" gehad waar lede kon asemskep. Daar was net een van sy soort. Ferdi Vermaakt Snr Deon weet jy, ek het hard gedink wat die majoor se naam was, jy is reg, “Wally”, lewe hy nog? Hy het darem gas gegee in die onluste........Hy kom eendag by die badkamers inspeksie hou en daar is ŉ groepie manne wat stort en hulle boude is rooi gebrand, en hy sê: “Julle manne moet nie by my kom huil as SANAB vir julle daar by Sandy Bay vang nie!” Deon Huysamen Hallo Ferdi, sover ek weet leef hy nog. As ek dit nie mis het nie is hy lid van die Bond van Oudlede by Bellville. Het hom 'n paar jaar gelede by 'n re-unie by Bellville Hoërskool raakgeloop. Het nog goed gelyk en nog so stout soos altyd.

BOOKS / BOEKE: WALTER VOLKER PIET RETIEF COMMANDO  The Story of a Border Commando 1880 - 2007 This volume is probably one of the most comprehensive and thorough histories of any South African commando unit published to date. It is thoroughly researched, and represents a well-balanced blend of archival and documented material, but also personal experiences and anecdote. What makes it so unique is the detailed coverage of its origins during the pioneering days of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), through two Anglo-Boer Wars, the German South-West Africa Campaign, the modern Border War era, right to its changing role into crime prevention in support of the police. Further, it also places the commando firmly within the context of the community which it served.

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The author has drawn from a number historical accounts written down by former members of the commando, but has also relied extensively on the input and active participation of its last commanding officer, Lt Col Mike Trebble. When reviewing the table of contents, it is striking to take note of the inclusion of brief histories of surrounding units as well â&#x20AC;&#x201C; paying homage to its neighbouring brothers in arms, such as the Swaziland, Pongola, Ermelo, Wakkerstroom and Northern Natal Commandos. To this must be added the German Corps, Group 12, Regiment Botha, 111 SA Infantry Battalion, the MOTHs and others. For former members of the unit, or their families, an extensive nominal role of both the Anglo-Boer War era, and for the period 1908 to 2007, is included, as well as a medal role. A further attraction is the generous sprinkling of photos and illustrations throughout the book, including a number of colour plates which highlight the various emblems, badges, flashes and uniforms worn by members of the Piet Retief Commando. There is no doubt that this volume will form a valuable and rare addition to the library of anyone interested in South African military history, and will be sure to be a reliable and coveted reference work for future researchers of the district or of other commando histories. Any current or former member of the army, commando units, other arms of the defence force or even police, would be proud to have part of his or her heritage preserved and recorded in this way; it would be worth their while investing in a book 105

of which only a limited number (200) will be printed in the first edition – for their own enjoyment or for their children and grand-children to remember with great pride and nostalgia. Extract from the Foreword to “Piet Retief Commando”…. During my terms as Chief of the Army, and then Chief of the Defence Force, I came to appreciate the important role of securing the territorial integrity of our vast land – which they did very effectively with limited manpower and minimal equipment. This allowed the bulk of the Permanent Force and National Service units to focus on other tasks which were possibly further afield, or which required more specialised expertise. The Piet Retief Commando was one of those that typified the dedication, loyalty and capabilities of the many others dotted around the length and breadth of the country. More than that, they were one of the best! This book will help to ensure that we remember with greater accuracy and deeper understanding. General J.J. (Jannie) Geldenhuys SSA SD SOE SM PRICE: R 470-00 ISBN: 978-0-620-52685-2 The format of the book is A4 (210 mm x 297 mm); with over 650 pages in length, including numerous illustrations and 20 pages of colour plates. It is available in the following versions: Hard back edition: Full case with printed cover. De lux limited edition: Full case genuine leather roundback binding. This version will be limited to only 20 numbered copies, and each certificate is signed in person by Gen Jannie Geldenhuys, Gen Georg Meiring, Lt Col Mike Trebble and by the author.

Veritas Books PO Box 37672, Faerie Glen, Pretoria 0043 Account holder: T. Volker Account number: 4073941138 (Cheque account) Bank & branch: ABSA Menlyn branch, code no. 42-16-45 Walter Volker: 082-851-6166 volker@boardwalkmanor.co.za In the Piet Retief area orders may also be placed with: Lt Col Mike Trebble: 082-418-4347

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BOER WAR STORIES OF THE PIET RETIEF COMMANDO AND DISTRICT This second volume is a companion to the first, but with an exclusive focus on the experiences of the Piet Retief Commando and the district during the First Boer War (1880 – 1881), as well as the devastating and harrowing years of the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899 – 1902). We are all privileged that a wealth of reminiscences and personal memoirs from that era have survived. Unfortunately, to date, most of these have not been generally accessible to the public for a number of reasons; the first being that by far the majority were written in the local mother tongue – German. Further, many remained in private possession and written by hand, and if published at all, only in a few family genealogies printed in very limited numbers. This is the first time that many of the accounts have been made available in English, and in a single volume. Others that had already been translated or written in Afrikaans, were left untouched except for a few editorial comments. To these stories have been added a compilation of accounts from official British sources, which makes for very interesting reading when contrasted with those of the locals. Once again, this volume will be well worth while investing in due to the relevance and interesting nature of its contents, and also because of the very limited numbers (150) that will be printed in the first edition. PRICE: R 270-00 ISBN: 978-0-620-52686-9 The format of the book is A4 (210 mm x 297 mm); with over 300 pages in length, including numerous illustrations. It is available in the hard back edition only with full case with printed cover.

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR, WALTER VICTOR VOLKER Walter Victor Volker was born in 1958 and grew up in the south-eastern Transvaal (now Mpumalanga) town which forms the centre-piece of this commando history Piet Retief. His mother Anneliese (née Staats) was born in the district, while his father arrived there and established a business in the early 1950s. During his high school years, Walter was an active member of the cadet‟s drill platoon. Both his younger brothers were also involved in the cadets – Heinz in the drill platoon, and Dietmar in the cadet band. Heinz progressed to becoming a member of the State Presidents Guard during his national service, but when he returned to the town to take over the family business, he became a member of the Piet Retief Commando. Dietmar, always interested in music, became a member of the SADF-sponsored David band during his national service, during which time he travelled around the country, giving performances at various military bases and churches. After high school Walter completed his studies at the University of Pretoria, and later did his national and citizen force service as an officer (Captain) in 2 Signal Regiment. Walter is Chief Executive Officer of the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) with head office in Parktown, Johannesburg. Prior to that he was at Absa Bank for 17 years. He holds a B.Sc. and an MBL degree and is married to Trudie (née du Toit). In recent years he has already published a number of books on genealogy and a trilogy on military history. These include:  THE COTTON GERMANS OF NATAL. From Bramsche to New Germany: the Story of the Bergtheil Colonists and their Descendants 1848 – 2006 (published 2007). 

ARMY SIGNALS IN SOUTH AFRICA. The Story of the South African Corps of Signals and its antecedents (2010).



SIGNAL UNITS OF THE SOUTH AFRICA CORPS OF SIGNALS AND RELATED SIGNAL SERVICES (2010).



9C – Nine Charlie! ARMY SIGNALLERS IN THE FIELD. The Story of the Men and Women of the South African Corps of Signals, and their Equipment (2010).

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SO OOR „N KOPPIE KOFFIE TUSSEN VRIENDE Die weelde van Boeke: Soos winkende hande Tussen boeke is ek ŉ ryk man! Ek is nou 68 jaar, ek het met my boek versameling begin toe ek vyf-jaar oud was. My vader het toe ek ŉ kleuter was, vir my ŉ boekrak geskenk. Ek het steeds die boekrak uit kiaat. Ek het my eerste boek in 1952 gekry, dit was die Kinderbybel – daar het ek prentjies gekyk wat ek tot vandag onthou. Soms as ek na my onskuldige jeug verlang kyk ek weer na die ou prentjies en onthou die gedagtes wat die prente by my opgetower het. Ek het baie ure na skool in die Durban-museum en biblioteek deurgebring. Een van die eerste biografieë wat ek deurgelees het was die van veldmaarskalk Bernard Law Montgomery. Ek was toe seker nege of tien jaar oud. My tweede naam is Bernardus; ons noem ons seun Bernard. Het BL Montgomery ŉ rol gespeel? Later het die Bluff sy eie biblioteek gekry en baie dae ipv huiswerk doen het ek gelees, soms “Rooi Jan-” en “Swart Luiperd‟-boeke en boeke in dieselfde klas “so onder dekking” gelees ipv om te leer! Boeke met oorlog-strokies prente het my geboei! Ek was ŉ avontuurvraat! Stadig maar seker het my versameling gegroei. My Moeder het my voorgestel aan Lawrence Green se boeke – jammer ek het nie al sy boeke nie! Uit my Vader se boeke het ek “The Guide”; Gardiner & Landsdowne, uitgewysde sake en dies meer

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gekry. Ek is verbaas oor die standaard van destyds se Std 6 manne in die Mag. Veral die ou-sersante het „alles‟ geweet. Vandag sit ek met ŉ moewiese versameling: -

Polisieboeke veral oor Suidelike Afrika, Nederland en die Britse kolonies; 99% van al die Nongqai‟s van 1942 tot datum. Daar was tye toe mens met kursusse besig was; met verlof was en iemand het jou SAP-tydskrif gegaps; “Politiek maak my siek” maar ek het boeke van „ons‟ leiers van genl Louis Botha tot FW de Klerk; (O ja, ek het ŉ paar van die egpaar Mandela ook – maar dis in my SAKP/ANC versameling.) Afrika en veral Suidelike-Afrika, ons staatsdiens, provinsies en stede; Afrikaanse letterkunde (Marais & Van Wyk Louw); Antropologie, religie en “lekker om te weet”; Boeke oor die SAKP, die ANC, Inkatha en linkse gesindes; Boeke oor diere – veral olifante, visse, hoenders; beeste en voëls; Boeke oor inligting (ook bekend as boeke oor intelligensie), spioenasie, teeninligting (teen-spioenasie); Boeke oor verskeie mense wat destyds goed aan die SAP of SAP (V) bekend was goed; Boeke oor Vrymesselaars, die Broederbond en samesweringsteorieë; Die Anglo-Boereoorlog (het sy eie muur in ŉ spaarkamer), die rebellie 1914 en die 1939 Ossewabrandwag; Die Vryeweekblad laat bind – veral die wat op SAP van toepassing was. (Die VWB was ŉ uitstekende Afrikaanse nuusblad – Max du Preez het baie durf gehad om die staat en die magtige SAW + SAP aan te durf. Ek bewonder vir Max omdat hy so vreesloos was en soos ŉ man vasgestaan het! Ek sou nie die staat so kon aanvat nie! Ek het die voordeel van die kennis wat in ons veiligheidoorsigte gestaan het, hy was in die kol met sy nuus!) Eietydse geskiedenis; Genealogie, heraldiek, etiket & toesprake en aanspreekvorme Geskiedenisboeke, aardrykskunde & toere Muntversameling, boeke oor goudmyne en geld; Nederlandse Boeke – polisie en oorlog; Oorlogboeke veral oor rebellies, rewolusies, terreur en konvensionele oorlog; Ou bottels & argeologiese artefakte Outobiografieë van bekende mense veral oor weermaggeneraals. (Ek weet slegs van een boek oor ŉ polisiegeneraal – Lothar Neethling); Polisiememorabilia, kentekenversameling & loodsoldaatjies; en Seelversameling en boeke oor seels. Treine (eie muur); modeltreine & treinnommerplate Tydskrifte, boeke, pamflette & dokumente; en

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Verskeie misdaadboeke; veral oor SA misdade. (Ons kriminele was rof; lekker rof en dis glad nie ŉ nuwe ding nie. Misdaad is so oud soos die mensdom self!)

Eindelik het die dag aangebreek en ek het ŉ biblioteek saamgestel. Ek het AL my polisieboeke in my studeerkamer en die res in ŉ spesiaal ingeruimde biblioteek geplaas en nog ŉ “biblioteek” in een spaarkamer. Ek het baie boeke deur die skrywers (of karakters daarin vermeld) geteken. Gutenberg was seker die eerste geslaagde “positiewe” rewolusie en die kennisontploffing is ongeëwenaard! In my studeerkamer is twee baie gemaklike gemakstoele – ek en my Prinses drink nou koffie in die biblioteek en kyk na die vissies in die vistenk en ek adem die aroma van koffie (of drank) saam met die boeke in. O ja, ek het opgehou drank koop! Sal nou voortaan eerder boeke met my “drinkgeld” koop! (Geen meer Brannas & Coke; geen bier; en geen jenewer en gegeurde warter meer vir my nie! Ek oorweeg nog of ek op koue wintersaande Old Brown Sherry moet uitskakel. ) Boeke is ŉ beter belegging vir my erfgename. Boeke is vir my soos goeie vriende. Elke boek is ŉ dierbare vriend. Ek weet nie hoeveel boeke ek het nie. Soos die skaapwagter wat 100 skape het en een verloor en dan die 99 sal los om die een te soek; so mis ek boeke wat ek uitgeleen het – baie nooit weer teruggekry nie; soos my boek oor kapt Andre Stander en spoorwegboeke van 1910 – 1914. Boeke laat my baie aan ŉ goeie hond dink: Hulle is altyd bly om jou te sien! Jy kan hulle vir weke uitlos, maar as jy hom uit die rak haal is hy bly om jou te sien! Ek hou van die reuk van boeke! Dis ŉ gevoel van weelde! (Miskien moet ek net in die winter OBS of Gemmer Brandewyn drink – u weet daai ryk atmosfeer wat die boeke skep? Vriende wat sigare rook is welkom in die library.) Al die boeke wat bymekaar hoort is bymekaar. Dis so lekker. Gister vier boeke gekoop: -

Outobiografie oor (regter) Anton Mostert (sg Inligtingskandaal); Outobiografie oor verskillende regslui deur prof Hahlo; Hennie van Deventer se Kroniek van ŉ koerantman; en Boek van Padrach O‟Mally oor Mac Maharaj.

Ja inderdaad – ek kan nie alles onthou wat ek gelees het nie, maar sit die boek voor my neer en die dis soos ek gesê het, ŉ ou vriend – as ek so na die boek kyk word ek oorval met ŉ stortvloed van herinneringe. Stap ek verby my library verby dan kom Eugene Marais se “Winternag” by my op. Die boeke steek hul arms uit en met “winkende hande” nooi hul my in; ek kan nie altyd by hulle sit nie aangesien ek baie skryfwerk het. Daar is tyd vir lees, tyd vir mymer en tyd vir skryf – ons het ŉ wonderlike en interessante lewe gehad en ons het ŉ verpligting om die nageslag in te lig en daarvoor gebruik ons ŉ wye reeks van 111

visuele- en kommunikasiemiddele om ons erflating interessant aan te bied. (Vir my nageslag: Moet nie alles glo wat hulle oor ons skryf en sê nie!) Ek hoor duidelik hoe prof Phillip du P Grobler “Winternag” aan die klas voordra nadat hy eers ŉ Rembrandt van Rijn sigaret aangesteek en ŉ diep teug rook ingesuig het: O koud is die windjie en skraal. En blink in die dof-lig en kaal, so wyd as die Heer se genade, lê die velde in sterlig en skade. En hoog in die rande, versprei in die brande, is die grassaad aan roere soos winkende hande. O treurig die wysie op die ooswind se maat, soos die lied van ŉ meisie in haar liefde verlaat In elk‟ grashalm se vou blink ŉ druppel dou, en vinnig verbleek dit tot ryp in die kou!18 Die gedig het deurslag gegee dat Afrikaans as spreek- en skryftaal aanvaar is – wat ŉ wonderlike soete literêre taal is Afrikaans!

 Nog „n seder het geval: Kol John Wagenaar Hanlie van Straaten berig Genl Mike Geldenhuys kondig met leedwese die afsterwe aan van kol John Wagenaar wat op 26 Maart vanjaar 92 jr oud sou wees. Hy was presies „n jaar en 6 maande jonger as sy ander neef, die legendariese Oom Fred Geldenhuis. Begrafnis reëlings sal nog bekend gemaak word. (20140319) AGTERGRONDKOMMENTAAR: HBH (So paar jaar gelede opgestel.) Twee kleinneef oudpolisiemanne ontmoet mekaar vir die eerste keer. Oom Fred Geldenhuis (90) is geen onbekende by Nongquai lesers nie. Hy is ŉ Tweede Wêreldoorlog-veteraan, wat as sestienjarige by die Spesiale Diens Bataljon (SDB) aangesluit het. Hy het die Eed as vrywilliger afgelê om as soldaat oral in Afrika diensbaar te wees. As lid van 2 Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie bataljon, is hy in 1940 aan die 8ste weermag van genl. Wavell in die westelike woestyn vir diens toegewys. Oom Fred is by Tobruk gevange geneem, het verskeie kere ontsnap en was betrokke by ondergrondse weerstandsbewegings. 18

Moet vergeet om: Rousseau, Leon. 2005. Die Groot Verlange: Die Verhaal van Eugène N. Marais. Pretoria: Protea Boekhuis. ISBN 1-86919-104-8 te lees nie. Ek kan die werk aanbeveel - HBH

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ŉ Biografie oor oom Fred se wedervaringe tydens die Tweede Wêreldoorlog verskyn eersdaags. Die ou veteraan het maar heel onlangs deur ŉ familielid vasgestel dat hy ŉ kleinneef in Pretoria het, wat presies een jaar en ses maande jonger as hy is. Die familielid is lt.kol. J.P. (John) Wagenaar, wat op sy dag as lyfwag vir die destydse Eerste Minister John Vorster, wat ook ŉ kleinneef van beide oom Fred en oom John was, opgetree het. Oom John was ook die lyfwag van oud Pres. Nico Diedericks . Oom John en sy eggenote, tannie Orpa verhuis oor minder as twee weke na Somerset-wes, en Hanlie van Straaten, die gemeenskaplike familielid het gereël dat oom John en oom Fred mekaar op 4 April by oom Fred se woonplek ontmoet. Hennie Heymans was natuurlik ook daar met sy kamera om die baie spesiale ontmoeting in beeld vas te lê. Anders as oom Fred, het oom John nie die sogenaamde “rooi Eed” afgelê nie. Hy was nog op skool toe hy by die Ossewa Brandwag aangesluit het en was ŉ Stormjaer. Kleinneef John Vorster het hom nog as lid van die organisasie ingesweer. Oom John het hom uit die Polisie vry gekoop en vir Sanlam gaan werk. Hy het in 1948 weer by die Polisie aangesluit. Maar dit is alles ou koeie en toe die kleinneefs mekaar se hande vasklem, was daar nie eens verwys na die dae van bitter verdeeldheid onder Afrikaners nie. Daar is rustig so oor ŉ ou brandewyntjie familie uitgelê. Oom Fred se oupa en oom John se oupa was broers en die twee oupas se jongste suster was Bettie, die moeder van John Vorster, wat Minister van Justisie en later ook onderskeidelik Eerste Minister en Staatspresident was. Van die bloedverwantskap het oom Fred ook maar onlangs uitgevind. Albei die kleinneefs het laat blyk dat hulle meermale sou wou bymekaarkom, as dit nie was dat oom John eersdaags die Jakarandastad gaan verlaat nie. Maar al het hulle vir die eerste en ook die laaste keer mekaar se hande vasgehou, sal hulle altyd mekaar met toegeneentheid onthou. Luit-kol John Wagenaar vertel:       

Hy het die SAP-lede wat te Koffiefontein geïnterneer is, per trein, begelei. Hy het daarna ŉ brief vir sy suster geskryf wat onderskep is. Dit het gelei tot sy ontslag uit die SA Polisie. Hy het destyds £15-00-00 per maand verdien. Na ontslag werk hy by Sanlam waar hy £50-00-00 per maand verdien. Na 1948 is hy weer in diens geneem. Hy is ŉ neef en oudlyfwag van adv BJ Vorster. In sy ouerhuis te Sterstroom het adv Vorster by hulle loseer. Die later kommissaris, genl GL Prinsloo, het ŉ kamer met adv Vorster gedeel. 113

 

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Oom John vertel in sy jong dae was hy ook te Roamer‟s Rest in die Matatieledistrik, gestasioneer. Sers Mitchley was die SB op Mt Fletcher toe hy wat Oom John Wagenaar was, aangekla is en uit die Mag bedank het. Ironies het genl JC Smuts gehelp sodat Oom John na sy skuldigbevinding die Mag kon bedank. Oom John is ook ŉ neef van AO Fred Geldenhuis, MM, MMM. [20120526]

Nog ŉ seder het geval! “Petro sê vir Hennie as my voete beter is, staan ek hier op en bring ŉ bottel brandewyn en dan? Dan gesels ons lekker!” aldus, “X X” die grapmaker. Ek ontvang die boodskap sonder om werklik ag te slaan op ou “X” se boodskap. Dis mos nie belangrik nie! Ek het ook nooit weer daaraan gedink nie totdat Petro my vanoggend vroeg weer daaraan herinner het. So dikwels op die korttermyn vergeet ek. Ja, Woensdag loop ons in die winkel – dit was eers Shoprite en toe is dit Checkers, of is dit anders om? Nie te min ek stoot die trollie en Petro koop. Gelukkig is ek op hoë protien dieet: Niks drankies, brood, suiker, aartappels. By die delikatesse, ek mag biltong eet, raak ŉ pragtige vrou aan my arm. Sy is mooi, aantreklik en netjies aangetrek. Ek kyk diep in haar mooi blou oë maar ek herken niks in die oë nie. Ek is ŉ totale blank! Vraend kyk ek na haar: “Wat sou sy verkoop? Bemarking? Smous seker vir iets? Vriendelik sonder ŉ teken van smart sê sy: “X is twee weke gelede oorlede!” Ek is oorbluf, ken nie diè vrou nie, ook nie vir X nie”. Voel soos ou Jimmy Kruger; want dit laat my koud. Soos die twee polisiemanne wat in die hospitaal lê en die een sê vir die ander: “Chips, hier kom Kajavas!” Dis nou die kapelaan-generaal van die ou SAP se kapelane korps. Die ander outjies sê vraend: “Kajavas?????” Toe die dominee langs hom staan, sê hy verbaas: “ Ooooooo - Ou Kajavassss.” Petro moes eers verduidelik wie “X” is, dit het tydjie geneem om te realiseer wie “X” is, want ou “X“ was nou die dag nog blakend gesond! Sy weduwee lyk nou soos iemand anders – iemand met baie geld. “X” is „n jongman en nou is hy weg. Ek “ou man” het my plig versaak om daai “Brannas & Coke” saam met hom te drink! Dood is so finaal! Dis soos die fluitjie wat by die eindwedstryd geblaas word. Soos die valbyl wat val – daar is geen keer nie! Die les is: “Hulle kap maar oral in die bos! Hier en dan daar! Soms is dit verwags en soms onverwags. Soms kan mens nie glo wie opgeroep word vir hoër dienste nie! So, my Weledelgestrenge Maat, gaan drink daai dop met daai pêl wat jy so verwaarloos! Straal bietjie liefde uit en reik uit – moenie ou pelle vergeet nie!” 114

Ook miskien tyd om hulde te bring aan my goeie vriend: Ons groepie braaiers se ere-DG. Hy vergeet nooit verjaarsdae en die herdenking van sterfdae van vriende nie! Hy lig vriendelik, minsaam en kollegiaal sy glas: “Here is to old D M, he is gone three years to-day! We miss him and shall never forget him!” Vir my ou veteraan-vriende: Koffie in die plek van Brannas & Coke is net so lekker! Swart en bitter! Maar „n Drinkie-drink met ŉ vriend is kosbaar – dankie vir vriende wat gereeld inval en lekker gesels! Dankie vir die liefde en omgee! Dit laat my ook ryk voel!!! [En daai lekker skinnerstorie is ook soms interessant, wie wil nou „n lekker skinner storie met feite bederf?] Dankie aan veteraan-vriende wat gereeld skakel. Ek moet afsluit met ou Ben wat ek in 1960 (54 jr gelede) in Mt Ayliff raakgeloop het, toe hy en my Vader daar van Durban afgedeeldediens gedoen het tydens die opstand in Pondoland. Ou Ben gesels altyd so lekker oor die ou dae, die mense wat ons van Durban af ken wat nou in sy dorpie woon! Ja netwerk met ou pêlle is wonderlik. Ons ere-DG vra altyd: “Whose like us”? Dan antwoord hy sy eie vraag, met: “Damned few”! Pas julself op en drink daai “Vit C–pille” dit keer griep en daardeur bestuur jy jou Polmed-begroting. Onthou: stem vir Gideon Serfontein as ons Polmedverteenwoordiger!

Finale woord van Diecks Dietrichsen – Koevoet se Olifantman MOET VIR GEEN REDE UIT JOU HUIS UITGELOK WORD NIE !! Daar bestaan nie meer iets soos DIEWE nie net BARBAARSE MOORDENAARS. EN WEES TEN ALLE TYE PARAAT:■ Moenie uitgaan na jou “krag-box” om te kyk wat aangaan as jou krag afgaan nie – kry eers hulp van buite af in !! ■ Moenie uitgaan om te kyk hoekom loop daar water uit jou krane of in jou tuin nie – die krane kan nie vanself oopgaan nie – kry eers hulp van buite af in !! ■ Moenie uitgaan as iemand om “hulp roep” of “gewond” by jou huis aankom nie – bel die nodige nood-eenhede soos polisie, ambulans, ens !! ■ Moet ook nie goedsmoeds vir die “polisie” oopmaak nie .. kontak jou naaste polisiestasie en bevestig eers alle details !! ■ Moenie uitstorm as jou voertuig(e) se alarm afgaan nie – daar moet „n (moontlik gevaarlike) rede wees daarvoor !! ■ Moenie uitstorm om te kyk hoekom jou honde dringend en aanhoudend blaf nie – daar moet ŉ (gevaarlike) rede wees daarvoor !! 115

■ Moenie gaan kyk hoekom “huil daar ŉ baba” by jou kamervenster of by jou hek nie – die “Suster Theresa-gevoel” kan jou lewe kos !! ■ Moenie uitgaan as klein hondjies op jou stoep of by jou voordeur neergesit word nie. Skakel dan eerder jou naaste SAP of Buurtwag om uit te kom en ondersoek in te stel asb. Lyk my dis die nuwe Modus Operandi deesdae. Kriminele sit klein hondjies saans naby jou huis se deure en wag vir jou om uit te kom. MOENIE daarvoor val nie! ■ Moenie reageer op “hulproep” van jou werkers in die nag nie - maak ŉ alternatiewe reëling met hulle - in mediese noodgeval byvoorbeeld, kan hulle jou bel en jy kan ambulans reël !! ■ Moenie vir “verkoopsfoefies” of “herstelwerk foefies” of “opname truuks” of “werk soek truuks” val nie – as hulle nie met jou ŉ afspraak kan maak nie, dan mag hulle jou nie te siene kry nie !! ■ Moet GEEN vreemdes by of naby jou huis toelaat nie (dag of nag) .. hanteer dit altyd as ŉ moontlike roof / plaasaanval as daar vreemdes per voertuig of voet aankom - roep onmiddellik hulp van buite af in voordat hulle naby jou kom !! ■ Reël al hierdie nood-drils ook met jou bure rondom jou – praat met mekaar, al is dit 3-uur in die nag en help mekaar so beskerm teen al hierdie slinkse truuks !! ■ Kry AL die nooddienste, SAPS, CPF, Buurtwag, Plaaswag, ens. se noodnommers op julle selfone en roep ALTYD EERS hulp van BUITE af in om jou eiendom te beveilig VOOR jy self uitstorm ■ Ons is geregtig op privaatheid en ŉ “veilige spasie” om ons – moenie dat daardie regte binnegedring word nie – handhaaf dit baie streng !! ■ Vertrou ALTYD jou “6e sintuig”, die “stemmetjie” wat jou waarsku of “daardie gevoel” – dis gewoonlik reg ŉ Nuwe ding is ook die oopmaak van jou buite krane. Onthou aanvallers en moordenaars sal alles in hul vermoë doen om jou na buite te lok. Dit maak dit vir hulle baie makliker om toegang tot jou en jou huis te verkry!

WANTED / GESOEK 1. ŉ Ou SAP Adresboek; 2. ŉ Model van geel SAP Helikopter wat die Bejaardesorg verkoop het; en 3. ŉ Ou SAP- en R-nommerplaat. Kontak Hennie Heymans asb

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OPINIONS / MENINGS Die e-Nongqai bevat die uiteenlopende en diverse persoonlike menings van verskillende korrespondente en die opsteller van e-Nongqai kan nie vir enige deel van die inhoud daarvan in sy persoonlike hoedanigheid verantwoordelik gehou word nie. The e-Nongqai contains various and sundry personal opinions of different correspondents and the compiler of e-Nongqai cannot be held responsible for any of their comments.

ADVERTISEMENTS / ADVERTENSIES Enige advertensies of enige sake voortspruitend is tussen u en die ander party.

CONCLUSION / SLOT May our friendship never come apart, Especially when it's straight from the heart! Dankie aan almal wat gehelp het om hierdie uitgawe ‟n sukses te maak! Baie welkom aan ons nuwe lesers!

Kontakbesonderhede / Contact details Hennie Heymans: heymanshb@gmail.com Johan Jacobs: jhnjacobs65@gmail.com Anemari Jansen: anemari@koorsboomcottage.co.za Ronnie Beyl: rbeyl@iburst.co.za Greetings – Groete Salute! Saluut! Hennie Heymans No 43630 © 2014

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