SPECIAL EDITION NONGQAI: DETECTIVE SERGEANT SIVALINGAM (SIVA / ALFIE) PILLAY: A
SEASONED DETECTIVE: FORMERLY BASED AT SA POLICE, KLIPTOWN, SOWETO WEST DISTRICT
Col Logan Govender (SAP: Ret.)
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FOREWORD
Detective Sergeant Sivalingam Pillay together with 36 other Indian men took the police force by storm in the 1970’s, by largely contributing which was an exemplary record and prestige to the South African Police. After intense training, they were honoured at a passing out parade in Westcliff, Chatsworth. During Pillay’s time of service, he dealt with extreme violent and deadly cases, however this made him stronger, until he retired 25 years later due to a health condition.
Mrs Nikita Maharaj
Journalist: Merebank and Chatsworth Tabloid
Sivalingam (Siva/Alfie) Pillay was born on the Bluff in Wentworth, Durban on 1947-07-13. He completed standard six and thereafter worked as a clerk until he joined the South African Police.
ENLISTMENT INTO THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
He joined the South African Police on 1970-07-23 (at the age of 23 years old), at Durban Central based in Smith Street, Durban. He was recruited by one Sergeant Ngidi. After attestation he was handed a second-class passenger rail ticket and was instructed to board the “milk” train from the Durban Railway Station the following day to Park Station in Johannesburg; as he was being posted to SA Police, Kliptown, based in the Soweto West District in Johannesburg.
The train only arrived at Park Station in Johannesburg on 1970-07-25 at 17:00, the following day. He reported to the office of the South African Railways & Harbours Police. They contacted SA Police, Kliptown by telephone and he was picked up by SA Police, members from the Railway Police Station after dark and taken to his station.
At the station, his arrival was recorded, and he was shown to the barracks where he met with other recruits, Narayanan (Ricky) Govindasami – [NG]; Pathmanathan; Micky Chetty; Harrichuran Dwarika and Jagadesan Pillay, all recruits from Durban who had arrived days prior to him. In addition to them there were other Indian members based at Kliptown but posted there much earlier. They were Sergeant Sham Singh; Khan; MP Govender; Krishnasamy; Jackie Naidoo; Lawrence and Lava Govender (all the above-mentioned members were formerly from Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal except for Khan who was from Johannesburg and Sham Singh was from Newcastle). It was a Friday evening.
Sham Singh was transferred to Kliptown during August 1965. The Station Commander was Captain Van Heerden.
His duties amongst others, such as administrative, enquiries, firearm licence, supervision of Reservists was to supervise and oversee the single quarters (barracks) and the mess for non-white members (Black, Indian and Coloured), due to his culinary skills. He recalls how he worked in close cooperation and acquired much culinary knowledge from the SA Police Chef, Constable Jackie Naidoo. Singh went to lengths to ensure that the Kliptown “foot soldiers” did not march on an empty stomach. However, the African colleagues did not acquire a taste for hot, spicy Indian cuisine but preferred their own indigenous cuisine, which he also went to great lengths preparing. He was certainly a Jack of all trades.
Pillay together with other members spent the weekend visiting the area and thus became acquainted with the Kliptown area.
On Monday morning all the recruits were deployed to perform duties in the respective Charge Office reliefs, where they served either as a charge office reserve, van crew, gate guard or other guard duties, etc. This continued up until October 6, 1970, when they were summoned to attend basic police training at the former SA Police, Non-European / Indian Training Depot / College, Wentworth, Durban.
The six recruits, departed for Durban by passenger train from Park Station and arrived in Durban on Saturday. For an unknown reason they decided to only report to the Training College on the Monday morning despite being emphatically instructed to report no later than Sunday evening (1970-10-08).
Needless, to say they were severely disciplined for their non-compliance. They were, placed in Platoon 15 / 08th October 1970 till 30th April 1971. Intensive basic police training commenced in earnest thereafter.
A group of recruits from Platoon 15 awaiting a regulation haircut (Source Suresh – member of this Platoon)
07
A group of recruits from Platoon 15 on the college premises (Source Suresh – member of this Platoon)
PASSING OUT PARADE
The group successfully passed out after completion of six months of intensive physical training, discipline, foot drill, use and the handling of firearms and lectures in the various laws of the country. The passing out parade was held at the Chatsworth, Unit 3, Sports grounds. The guest of honour was Brigadier CPJ De Guisti, the Divisional Commissioner of Port Natal Division. The Parade Commander was Lieutenant Subramonia Pillai, on the 29th of April 1971.
(The Parade Commander is appointed to take full charge of the parade; he shouts out commands to those on parade. This was indeed a historic occasion for a few reasons.
Lieutenant S Pillai was the first Non-White (Indian) policeman to be promoted to commissioned rank in the country during 1970 and appointed to act as the Parade Commander. The second was that South Africa was commemorating 10 years as a Republic. Lieutenant Subramonia Pillai was also the first Indian appointed as Station Commander in South Africa of SA Police, Unit 2, Chatsworth on 1965-09-18. - [LG])
08
Original photograph of The Divisional Commissioner, Port Natal Division, Brigadier CPJ De Guisti, inspecting the parade (Source Suresh – member of this Platoon)
Image 01
Media Clipping
Passing-Out Parade of Indian …
(Source- Fiat Lux 1970 v16-2-Mar-1 - Courtesy of UKZN Special Collections, Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre, Mr T Munsamy, Senior Librarian, University of Kwa- Zulu Natal (UKZN), Westville Campus)
Transcript
Precision drill and an exhilarating display by Platoon 15, to the accompaniment of martial music played by the band of the Centenary High School, were features of the passing out parade of 36 Indian trainees of the South African Police, held at Unit 3 Sports Ground, Chatsworth, on the 29th April 1971.
The trainees were addressed by the Divisional Commissioner of Port Natal Division, Brigadier CPJ De Guisti, who said that the Indian policemen formed an integral and important part of the South African Police Force, and that their services were indispensable to the Police Department. Indian policemen, he said, had contributed mostly to the exemplary record and prestige of the South African Police and it was up to the new members to maintain the record and the prestige and even improve it. He urged the policemen to treat members of the public with respect and civility, and to carry out their duties without prejudice, fear or favour. He reminded them that it was not their duty to permit offences, but it is their duty to gather the required evidence if a person had contravened the law and to present it to the courts. Thereafter it is the function of the Judges and Magistrates to decide whether the alleged transgressor is guilty or not, and if so, to impose punishment.
The Brigadier presented a trophy to Constable V Moodley, for being judged the best student at the Police Training College. (According to the report published in the Fiat Lux Magazine “V Moodley" was judged the best student at this parade however this is incorrect. According to the information at my disposal via, Balakrishnan Naidoo and after interviewing several members of this Platoon 15/1970/1971, they confirmed that Balakrishnan Naidoo was judged the best student at the Police Training College and was accordingly handed the trophy. V Moodley was never a member of this Platoon. – [LG])
“The Divisional Commissioner of Port Natal Division, Brigadier CPJ De Guisti, inspects the drawnup ranks of the Indian trainees of the South African Police at Chatsworth. From left to right in the picture: Lieutenant-Colonel (Rev) JC Jansen, Chaplain of the South African Police; Mr MJ de Wit Van Eyssen, Regional Director for the Department of Indian Affairs; Lieutenant S Pillai, Station Commander of Chatsworth” .
Caption 01
“To be able to obtain 83% average in six examinations is no mean feat, but for Constable V Moodley (B Naidoo NOT V Moodley. – [LG]) it meant the coveted trophy for the best student. He is seeing receiving his prize from Brigadier CPJ De Guisti.
A large crowd of family members, relatives, loved ones and spectators were entertained with a displays of precision drill, physical and gymnastics at the parade”
Caption 02
(Source
10
Recruits on parade at a drill display with their .303 rifles and bayonets fixed.
(Source Suresh – member of this Platoon)
Photograph 11
Recruits preparing to show off their physical fitness skills to the large crowd of family, friends, and spectators.
(Source Suresh – member of this Platoon)
Photograph 12
Recruits preparing to show off their skills in the formation of a human pyramid.
(Source Suresh – member of this Platoon)
Photograph 13
Part of the group of 36 recruits of Platoon 15 / 1971/2 after successfully passing out on completion of their basic training are seen with the training staff at the Chatsworth Sports Stadium in Unit 3. Seated on the ground, from, left to right, Satchie G Vallunar; Lingappen Reddy; Venagium Roy Naidoo.
Squatting, middle row, from left to right, Rajuvello; Daniel Seevraj; Krishna; Anirudth; Anthony Joseph; Suresh.
Rear row, standing, from left to right, Sergeant DJ Lamech, late (Captain); Sundarah (Sandy) Moodley; Basil Nundkumar; Gengiah; Jagadasen Jacques Pillay; PK Pillay; Moonsamy (Mickey) Chetty; SG Pillay; Pathmanathan Moodley and Sergeant Govindasamy Reddy, late (Captain).
(Source – Sergeant S (Daniel) Seevaraj – member of Platoon 15. The names were provided by Bala Naidoo; Daniel Seevaraj and Sandy Moodley)
After the parade they returned to the SA Police, Training College in preparation of further displays for the 10th year Republic Day Commemoration Celebrations at Kingsmead Stadium and Chatsworth, Unit 3 Sports ground on the 31st of May 1971.
From the 1st of May 1971 till the day of the festival the platoon was rehearsing drill, physical training and gymnastics. They were given the afternoon off after lunch and allowed to leave the confines of the college premises but had to return to base at 16:00 and thereafter under the supervision of experienced police members, perform prevention of crime duties in the Wentworth and Merebank areas till 9pm after which they were brought back to base. The day after the Republic Festival they were posted to their respective stations. The six members were reposted back to the Transvaal and a number remained there till retirement. Those posted outside Durban and surrounds were loaded onto a troop carrier and left at the Durban Railway Station to travel to their respective stations by passenger train.
Photograph 14
Narayanan (Ricky) Govindasami – [NG] (Member of Platoon 15) (Source – [NG])
Upon their arrival at SA Police, Kliptown members were posted to each of the 4 reliefs at the station. Their duties included charge office clerk, van crew, guard duty and foot beat. The Kliptown police precinct included Eldorado Park; Pimville in Soweto West; Nancefield; Lenasia; the area extended, from the border of Vereeniging up to Uncle Charlie’s intersection. When available, two patrol vehicles were utilised to service this extensive area.
Photograph 15
Brigadier Anesh Haripersad
(Source Brigadier Anesh Haripersad –[AH])
(“I was enlisted into the SA Police and placed in Kliptown on 5th February 1973 to 1977 then transferred to Durban.
The Station Commissioner was Major Van Rensburg who was later promoted to brigadier and transferred to Port Natal division. He presented the Port Natal soccer team with soccer jerseys.” –[AH])
SA POLICE, DETECTIVE BRANCH, KLIPTOWN
After serving in the uniform branch for two years Pillay was summoned by the Detective Branch Commander, Lieutenant Laubscher, “hey c… jy moet aansoek doen aan die spreuders”. Pillay was subsequently transferred to the Detective Branch. At the Detective Branch he met BK Pillay and Constable Appoo; these members were formerly from the Transvaal.
Whilst at the SA Police he studied and passed Matric.
SA POLICE, MECHANICAL SCHOOL, BENONI
During 1974 Pillay was nominated for a Mechanical Course in Benoni. In those years the duration of the course was 6 weeks considering it was an advanced and Intensive course. The course involved intensive tuition – theoretical and practical instruction in the driving, care, handling and maintenance of police vehicles and also to promote safety of both humans and protection of Stateowned property.
16
South African Police: Mechanical School: Benoni
Group (1): May 1974
Member Identified
Standing, left to right, 2nd , I/Constable S Pillay
Photograph 17
South African Police
Mechanical School
Benoni
Class (1)
May 1974
Member Identified
After successful completion of the course in May 1974 he returned to the Detective Branch where he was permitted to drive State Motor Vehicles.
The June 16 1976 Uprising began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. Events that triggered the uprising can be traced back to policies of the Apartheid government that resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953. Political consciousness of many students while others joined the wave of anti-Apartheid sentiment within the student community. When the language of Afrikaans alongside English was made compulsory as a medium of instruction in schools in 1974, black students began mobilizing themselves. On 16 June 1976 between 3000 and 10 000 students mobilized by the South African Students Movement's Action Committee supported by the Black Conscious Movement (BCM) marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive. The march was meant to culminate at a rally in Orlando Stadium.
On their pathway they were met by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on demonstrating students. This resulted in a widespread revolt that turned into an uprising against the government. While the uprising began in Soweto, it spread across the country and carried on until the following year. – (South African History Online)
Members of The South African Police, based at Kliptown were mobilized and Indian members were issued with pick handles with a leather strap attached to the end to defend themselves and were confined to the station premises for three days. However, during the evenings members were dropped off at various points in Soweto to patrol on foot to maintain law and order, protection of inhabitants, State Property, schools and Infrastructure in the area.
The Lenasia Police Station was officially occupied on the 17th January 1977 to serve the residents of Lenasia and Ennerdale. These areas were previously served by SA Police, Kliptown. Warrant Officer Sham Singh was appointed the Station Commander.
18
Group
Bottom
Rear
Photograph 19
South African Police: Kliptown Detective Branch
Soweto West District: Circa 1978
Front row, left to right, Detective Constables S Bharat; S Singh; Warrant Officer BK Pillay; Constables Moetsele; Mazibuko; Tsele; Mhlongo; Makhvu
Second row, left to right, Detective Constables Dhlamini; Mathobela; Majija; Buthelezi; Simelane; Ngobese; Constables Erik; Wade; Govender.
Third row, left to right, Detective Constables Appoo; Mkorwana; Ndaba; Mathebula; K Ramaloo; Tshabalala; S Pillay; Constable Mabaso.
Seated, left to right, Detectives Warrant Officer D Coetzee; Sergeant P Buys; Lieutenant Nic Olivier; Warrant Officer Jan Augustyn; Sergeant Van Brakel; Constable Hebert; Seated on the ground, left to right, Detectives Sergeant Makhachkala; Constable Seotjie.
20
(Same photograph kindly colourised by Mr Frederick
Email forwarded to The Editor, Brigadier Hennie Heymans
Marthinus de Lange
Date: So. 18 Aug. 2024 om 07:06
Subject: Kliptown Detective Branch Photograph
To: HB Heymans
I just want to say ‘thank you’ to both Detective Sergeant Pillay and Colonel Govender for the photo on page 18 of last month’s Nongqai.
I knew Warrant Officer P. Buys, the individual seated second from the left (Sergeant P Buys) in the bottom row of the photograph.
After his retirement and until 1993, Oom Piet worked as a “special” at Roodepoort SAP Enquiries and Investigations Branch. He was an old school policeman who knew the job very well, very correct and always properly dressed in a jacket and tie. Oom Piet was also always quick with a joke and had great stories about his time in the police and in Soweto. But he was also a very kind man, with a heart of gold, who once helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I often think of him.
Thank you both for the memories.
Kind Regards
M d L
Dear Marthinus
Thank you for your feedback!
We have published your letter in Nongqai Vol 15 No 8 - we like it when we get feedback!
HB Heymans
Dear Logan
Copy for your information - Marthinus and I served in Soweto - he was an ‘Yster’ in the Flying Squad!
Greetings
Hennie Heymans
Pillay was promoted to the rank of Sergeant with effect from 1980-04-01.
Certificate 01
CERTIFICATE OF AWARD
The South African Police Medal for Faithful Service was awarded to Sergeant Sivalingam Pillay for 10 years of Faithful Service and Exemplary Conduct with effect from 1980-07-23.
A FEW OF THE CASES SUCCESSFULLY INVESTIGATED BY HIM
During 1980’s a coloured male was stabbed by another, and his intestines were hanging out his body. It was apparently a gang related incident. After careful, meticulous and time-consuming investigation and a protracted manhunt, Pillay tracked an independent eye witness who testified at the hearing in the Supreme Court in Johannesburg. The Judge remarked that the only reason that prevented him from imposing the death sentence was the accused’s age. (He was apparently only 18 years of age) He was committed for rehabilitation.
In another investigation Pillay witnessed the stabbing of a black female by another with a dagger through the chest. The victim succumbed to death on the scene. The suspect was summarily arrested by Pillay charged and brought before the Supreme Court, Johannesburg and sentenced to 8years imprisonment as she was a first offender.
An Indian male was burned alive in his motor vehicle in the presence of eye witnesses. 5 Indian males of a rival gang were arrested after an intensive investigation. Before being brought to trial, all five were rumoured to have been killed in an act of revenge. It is not known whether the culprits were arrested or not.
Photograph 21
Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo –[VM]
(Source Lieutenant General V Moonoo)
(“Kliptown Uniform branch from 1984-06-18 to 1986-09-22. Kliptown. The Detective Branch Commander was Captain Jordaan. From 1987-11-14 to 1988-07-24. Kliptown Detective Branch Commander was Major Breedt. From 1990-02-01 to 1993-06-30 I was the Branch Commander of the Kliptown Detective Branch. From 1995-05-01 to 1996-02-19 I was the second in command of the Kliptown Internal Investigation Unit. The Commander was Colonel PJ Smuts.” - –[VM])
During 1986 a new station was built at Lenasia
During 1986 whilst the old station at Kliptown was being rebuilt Pillay was transferred to the Detective Branch in Lenasia.
On 1st April 1988 he qualified for the South African Police, Commemorative, 75-year medal.
A Special Investigation Unit was established during 1988 at Kliptown, and he was nominated to serve in that unit. The unit dealt mainly with the investigation of allegations against SA Police, Railway’s & Harbours Police and Prison’s officials.
He attended a course held in Protea, Soweto West District for the duration of 1 month and he qualified to be nominated for the Specialised Unit. They were tutored in the techniques of the Investigation of Crime, preservation of Crime Scenes, preservation, safeguarding and securing of evidence, confessions, etc
24
South African Police: Investigator’s Course: 3/1988
Member Identified
Certificate 02
A certificate was awarded to Pillay for the successful completion of a Crime Investigation Course No 3/1988 from 1988-0606 till 1988-07-22 held in the Soweto Region.
On 23rd July 1990 he qualified for the South African Police Medal, for 20 years Long Service and Exemplary Conduct.
In 1992, Lieutenant Natty (NG) Govender was posted there and was responsible for Visible Policing. In 1993 became Area Head of Management Services, Krugersdorp and Later in 1995 as a Brigadier was appointed the Provincial Head of Organisational Development and Strategic Management, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
