NONGQAI VOL 13 NO 2 by Hennie Heymans, Nongqai Publications

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PUBLISHER | UITGEWER

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Contents PUBLISHER | UITGEWER .............................................................................................................. 2 NONGQAI: OORSPRONG & OOGMERKE ..................................................................................... 8 NONGQAI: ROOTS & GOALS......................................................................................................... 9 OORDENKING: “ROUKLERE OF FEESKLERE?” ........................................................................ 10 Pastoor Koot Swanepoel ............................................................................................................ 10 VOORWOORD | FOREWORD ...................................................................................................... 11 Lt-Col Glenn Elsden ................................................................................................................... 11 VOORBLAD | FRONT COVER ...................................................................................................... 13 CAPE POLICE MEMORIAL: KIMBERLEY..................................................................................... 13 POLISIEGESKIEDENIS | POLICE HISTORY ................................................................................ 14 TROU TOT DIE DOOD TOE.......................................................................................................... 14 •

Die veiligheidsituasie in Suid-Afrika versleg ......................................................................... 14

Genl JV van der Merwe .............................................................................................................. 14 DIE HARE WAAI IN DIE TAPKANTIEN ......................................................................................... 16 Kol Wynand Schoeman .............................................................................................................. 16 SAP HARTEBEESKOP & DIEPGEZET ......................................................................................... 18 Nico Moolman: “Buskruit en Laventel”-Museum ......................................................................... 18 AS DIT REËN IN OVAMBOLAND... ............................................................................................... 20 Kol Corrie Prinsloo ..................................................................................................................... 20 THE MURUGAN POLICE-FAMILY ................................................................................................ 25 The Nongqai June 1956 ............................................................................................................. 25 PRESIDENT VAN STELLALAND & HOOFKOMMISSARIS ZARP: GERT PETRUS JOHANNES JACOBUS VAN NIEKERK ............................................................................................................ 25 Nongqai Julie 1959 ..................................................................................................................... 25 STELLALAND ................................................................................................................................ 26 Wikipedia .................................................................................................................................... 26 FORMER SA POLICE STALWART MEMBER PASSES ON: WARRANT OFFICER MARIAPPA PILLAY ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Col Logan Govender .................................................................................................................. 31 Lieutenant-Colonel Yusuf (Pipes) Haffajee................................................................................. 35 1956, 1960, 1961 & 1963 & 1964: HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE NON-EUROPEAN (INDIAN) TRAINING DEPOT, DURBAN, WENTWORTH ................................ 36 Col Logan Govender .................................................................................................................. 36 1953: SAP AMATEUR BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS ..................................................................... 43 Capt AL du Pisani ....................................................................................................................... 43 1956: BRIG JJ DIEDERICKS EN MEV CHRISTINE DIEDERICKS ............................................... 49 “OU FOTO’S” VAN BRIG EN MEV JJ DIEDERICKS ..................................................................... 50 No 11889 Sers JJ Diedericks ..................................................................................................... 50 1953: SAP PERSONEEL ORLANDO ............................................................................................ 52 3 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

ZULU CHIEFS ............................................................................................................................... 53 TUGELA FERRY: SAP FIREARMS UNIT ..................................................................................... 53 1924: FORT NONGQAI: ESHOWE ............................................................................................... 54 1984: NICOLENE SCHEEPERS SE BETROKKENHEID BY KOEVOET ...................................... 54 Nicolene Scheepers en kol Dieks Dietrichsen ............................................................................ 54 1953: LT-KOL JJ OLIVIER: ASO NATAL ....................................................................................... 57 1980: EERSTE POLISIEVROU: KOEVOET-EENHEID: OSHAKATI ............................................. 58 Linda Bekker (Ekermans) ........................................................................................................... 58 •

Koevoet Eenheid (Ops K) .................................................................................................... 58

KOEVOET-VROUELEDE OOK BLOOTGESTEL AAN BLOED EN PYN ...................................... 61 Kol Dieks Dietrichsen (Skrywer en chirurg) ................................................................................ 61 1957: KALKBANK-POLISIESTASIE .............................................................................................. 64 Marcia du Pont ........................................................................................................................... 65 1906: GEMEENTELIKE POLISIE: DURBAN: ALBERTPARK........................................................ 66 NATIVE POLICE: VOGELSTRUIS ESTATES (MINE)? ................................................................. 67 LEWE IN DIE SA POLISIEKOLLEGE: VAN TOEKA TOT NOU .................................................... 67 Lizette Roos ............................................................................................................................... 67 NONGQAI: VOL 12: NO 13: FOTO BL 95 ..................................................................................... 72 Mnr Jan de Klerk ........................................................................................................................ 72 MY ERVARINGS AS POLISIEVROU BY KOEVOET OP OSHAKATI TYDENS DIE GRENSOORLOG .......................................................................................................................... 75 Adele de Wit ............................................................................................................................... 75 ELKE KIND HET ‘N DROOM… ..................................................................................................... 78 Kapt G J Steyn ........................................................................................................................... 78 EESTE BBP-DAMES ..................................................................................................................... 80 Brig Pieter Scholtz ...................................................................................................................... 80 1986: EERSTE DAMES: SAP BBP-EENHEID............................................................................... 81 Brig. P A Scholtz ........................................................................................................................ 81 60-JAAR GELEDE: SAP KOLLEGE .............................................................................................. 83 Brig Johan Giliomee ................................................................................................................... 83 MY ERVARING AS DIE EGGENOTE VAN ‘N POLISIEMAN EN AS ‘N POLISIERESERVIS ....... 84 Reservis- Adjudant-Offisier (v) Francis Schoeman..................................................................... 84 1916: BEGRAFNIS: OUD-PRES MT STEIJN: BLOEMFONTEIN .................................................. 86 33 JAAR GELEDE (16 JANUARIE) ............................................................................................... 87 Johan Roelofse .......................................................................................................................... 87 A LADY CHAPLAIN’S PERSONAL STORY .................................................................................. 89 Charisse Le Roux – (Retired Police Chaplain - Lieutenant-Colonel) .......................................... 89 KOMMENTAAR ONTVANG........................................................................................................... 98 HOME INVASIONS ...................................................................................................................... 100 UNISA’s School of Criminal Justice .......................................................................................... 100 4 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Before you leave your house… ................................................................................................ 100 SACP STATEMENT ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MK ............................................................. 101 TUTU’S TRC WAS FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED ....................................................................... 102 John Kane-Berman .................................................................................................................. 102 THE AFRIKANER-BROEDERBOND DID NOT DO CADRE DEPLOYMENT .............................. 105 Jan Bosman ............................................................................................................................. 105 VF PLUS PLAAS MATJHABENG OP TERME OOR BURGEMEESTERSKETTING .................. 108 Armand Cloete ......................................................................................................................... 109 VF PLUS BETREUR BRAND IN DIE PARLEMENT .................................................................... 109 Dr. Pieter Groenewald .............................................................................................................. 109 POLICE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON CALLS FOR STRATEGIES TO FIX CHALLENGES AT SAPS 13 STORES ....................................................................................................................... 109 Malatswa Molepo ..................................................................................................................... 109 POLICE MINISTER MUST ACCOUNT FOR 158 STOLEN FIREARMS AND CHAOS AT FIREARMS REGISTRY ............................................................................................................... 110 Okkie Terblanche MP. .............................................................................................................. 110 SOE-VERSLAG OOR COVID-BEDROG LYK NA OORTJIES VAN DIE SEEKOEI..................... 111 Dr. Pieter Groenewald .............................................................................................................. 111 POLISIESIELKUNDE: VEERKRAGTIGHEID IN POLISIËRING .................................................. 114 Coert Mommsen, D.Phil. (Psigologie) M.A. Kliniese Sielkunde, EEG Tegnikus. ...................... 114 NONGQAI TRUST | IT 002701/2018(T)....................................................................................... 117 THANK YOU! | DANKIE! .............................................................................................................. 118 GESKIEDENIS SA SPOORWEGPOLISIE................................................................................... 120 Brig Ronnie Beyl....................................................................................................................... 120 •

Twee offisiere – vier kartonne Maniolas ............................................................................. 120

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Die kapelaan en Boffin se bed. .......................................................................................... 121

‘N LEWENSREIS ......................................................................................................................... 122 Brig Hannes Slabbert ............................................................................................................... 122 •

Hoofstuk 14 ........................................................................................................................ 122

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"Kat” in my Lunchblik.......................................................................................................... 125

C1970’s: SAR POLICE: LOUIS BOTHA AIRPORT ..................................................................... 128 1985: KOLLEGE-KATTEKWAAD ................................................................................................ 129 Markus de Beer ........................................................................................................................ 129 RAILWAY POLICE: THE LATEST ON THE RAILWAYS IN THE FREE STATE ......................... 130 Jacque Wepener ...................................................................................................................... 130 UNIE VERDEDIGINGSMAG: GENIE: NO 131819 JCF CLOETE ................................................ 133 SAW: WYLE SKUTTER 76464025 JCF CLOETE ....................................................................... 135 Skutter JCF Cloete en sy ouers, mnr en mev JCF Cloete ........................................................ 136 Begrafnis van Skutter JCF Cloete: Daspoort, Pretoria ............................................................. 137 SKUTTER BEN EN DIE TREINRIT ............................................................................................. 137 5 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Lem Joubert ............................................................................................................................. 137 APHORISMS & OBSERVARIONS FOR THE FIGHTING SOLDIER ........................................... 142 Maj W Steenkamp MMM JCD: The Cape Town Highlanders .................................................. 142 DINUZULU kaCETSHWAYO ....................................................................................................... 144 Wikipedia .................................................................................................................................. 144 DIE RATEL EN PROTOTIPES .................................................................................................... 146 Artikel deur Koos de Wet .......................................................................................................... 146 1943: ITALIAN SUBMARINE IN DURBAN .................................................................................. 151 CAGNI-CLASS SUBMARINE ...................................................................................................... 152 Wikipedia .................................................................................................................................. 152 BOERE: BLOEMFONTEIN | BLOEMFONTEIN’S BOERS .......................................................... 155 Nico Moolman .......................................................................................................................... 155 BOER POW’S IN CEYLON (SRI LANKA): FKW BREEDT & CMDT ISAK POTGIETER ............. 156 Nico Moolman .......................................................................................................................... 156 ABW: INDIAN HOSPITAL CART ................................................................................................. 157 MINISTER MOET OOP KAARTE SPEEL OOR BRAND BY WATERKLOOF ............................. 157 Dr. Pieter Groenewald .............................................................................................................. 157 THE LORD WROTE ME A LETTER ............................................................................................ 158 Lt-Col MJJ van Rensburg (SAAF) ................................................................................................ 158 1899: ABW: ARMOURED TRAIN: CHIEVELY............................................................................. 159 WW2: SWAN: DORIS POUGNET ............................................................................................... 162 David Kettle .............................................................................................................................. 162 THE EXPENDABLES .................................................................................................................. 162 Tony Fernandes ....................................................................................................................... 162 UDF: IDENTIFICATION CARD: DD 438(A) ................................................................................. 167 Carl Vieira................................................................................................................................. 167 SOUTH AFRICANS’ COMMONWEALTH WAR CASUALTIES BURIED ACROSS THE WORLD: PART FOURTY EIGHT ................................................................................................................ 169 Captain (SAN) Charles Ross (SA Navy Retired) ...................................................................... 169 •

La Kreule Military Cemetery: Hazebrouck: France ............................................................. 169

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Fins New British Cemetery: Sorel-Le-Grand: France ......................................................... 169

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Fampoux British Cemetery: France.................................................................................... 170

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St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen: France................................................................... 170

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Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies, France ............................................................... 171

INTELLIGENCE | INTELLIGENSIE ............................................................................................. 172 NOOR INAYAT KHAN, GC (SOE) ............................................................................................... 172 International Spy Museum ........................................................................................................ 172 WOMEN IN SAP INTELLIGENCE. .............................................................................................. 173 By RS167 ................................................................................................................................. 173 HUMOR IN COURT … ALSO AND LIKEWISE ........................................................................ 175 6 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Brig Theo Kleynhans ................................................................................................................ 175 BOOKS | BOEKE ......................................................................................................................... 177 LETTERS | BRIEWE .................................................................................................................... 178 NICO MOOLMAN VIR SY MUSEUM .......................................................................................... 178 Kol Dieks Dietrichsen ................................................................................................................... 178 •

Brigadier Duveen Botha. .................................................................................................... 178

DIE BRONBERGER .................................................................................................................... 180 •

Vrae oor verlate leeu-beeld ................................................................................................ 181

PAUL ELS: BRONBERG NAVRAAG ........................................................................................... 181 TRAIN ROBBERY PIETERSBURG 1985/86 INFORMATION ..................................................... 181 Mandy Cowley ......................................................................................................................... 181 •

PERMISSION TO QUOTE LETTER .................................................................................. 182

NAWOORD | AFTERWORD ........................................................................................................ 182 SAP KOLLEGE: 58-JAAR GELEDE ............................................................................................ 182 Hennie Heymans 13 Januarie 1964 ......................................................................................... 182 SLOT | END ................................................................................................................................. 190

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NONGQAI: OORSPRONG & OOGMERKE

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NONGQAI: ROOTS & GOALS

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OORDENKING: “ROUKLERE OF FEESKLERE?” Pastoor Koot Swanepoel Jesaja 61:3: Die Lewende Bybel: “Vir elkeen wat rouklere dra in Israel gee Hy feesklere om aan te trek. Hy gee vreugde in die plek van hulle hartseer, ‘n loflied in plaas van hulle moedeloosheid.” In Engels word gepraat van “a garment of praise” wat dankbaarheid en blydskap voorstel wanneer God se kinders lof aan Hom gee. Feesklere is die teenoorgestelde van rouklere. Jes. 61:1,2 het Jesus aangehaal in die Sinagoge, rakende Homself. Ons lees daarvan in Lukas 4:18-21. Daar in die sinagoge het Jesus gesê dat Hy het gekom om die gees van moedeloosheid te vervang met die kleed van lof. En dit is nog steeds wat Jesus vandag vir mense wil doen. Hierdie boodskap, dat moedeloosheid vervang moet word met ‘n loflied, moet ons verder dra na ‘n wêreld van mense wat geestelike rouklere dra en nie moed het vir die lewe nie. Daagliks ontmoet ons hierdie mense wat bemoedig moet word. Geen wonder dat ons lees in Hand. 13:52: “En die dissipels is vervul met blydskap en met die Heilige Gees.” Kom ons bid vir ware blydskap in die harte van God se kinders, sodat hulle dit kan oordra na ander. • • • • •

Hulle wat die blydskap in die Here ken en wat feesklere dra is altyd besig om te kyk waar kan hulle God verheerlik. Hulle is besig om mense lief te hê en lof aan God te gee in alles. Hulle hou daarvan om te sing. Elke uitdaging is ‘n geleentheid om te glo vir ‘n oorwinning. Hulle geniet dit om saam met ander gelowiges te aanbid. Hulle sien die Here se hand in elke seëning en is gretig om Hom te eer.

Watter geestelike klere is jy mee gekleed? Sien mense rouklere of feesklere, as hulle na jou kyk? God wil ons aantrek met feesklere en ons vreugde gee.

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VOORWOORD | FOREWORD

Lt-Col Glenn Elsden In forensic science, Locard's exchange principle holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it and that both can be used as forensic evidence. Dr Edmond Locard (1877–1966), a French criminologist and pioneer in forensic science, formulated the principle as: "Every contact leaves a trace". Paul Leland Kirk, the renowned biochemist and criminalist, expressed the principle as follows: Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints but his hair, the fibres from his clothes, the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the paint he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more, bear mute witness against him. This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not absent because human witnesses are. It is factual evidence. Physical evidence cannot be wrong, it cannot perjure itself, it cannot be wholly absent. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value. I find the Locard principle truly fascinating, not only from a forensic science point of you but also from how this principle applies to many other aspects of our lives in general. The perpetrator of a crime will often attempt to conceal their evil deeds by destroying evidence. For example, fingerprints and blood will be washed or wiped off, hands will be cleaned, bodies will be removed and buried in a remote location, serial numbers will be removed from firearms, and so forth. The ‘unschooled’ criminal will often focus on ‘the visible’, paying little attention to other ‘invisible’ evidence such as DNA, the ‘invisible’ traces of primer residue left behind by a fired gun, and ‘invisible’ trace metal evidence transferred to the hands by holding metallic objects. Products such as Luminol or BlueStar® Forensic can be used to magically reveal traces of latent bloodstains that have been washed out or wiped off. Our forensic laboratories can analyse individual particles of primer residue through a combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) with a high degree of accuracy. Obliterated serial numbers on firearms can be made visible to the naked eye again by using various processes of chemical etching. The list of forensic procedures, tools and techniques is extensive and in a continual process of development. Over time they will eventually solve many so-called ‘cold cases’ that are waiting to be unravelled. Sadly, some of the procedures and techniques mentioned above are not implemented nowadays due to factors such as work overload, shortage of manpower, shortage of experienced detectives, procurement challenges and so forth. The bottom line is - the volume of interpersonal violence in South Africa is simply too high for any police service to effectively cope with. These factors are no excuse for sloppy service but, regrettably, that’s the way things are at present. Hopefully, this too shall pass! Readers may be wondering what does this all have to do with the Nongqai? 11 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Well, surprisingly there are several comparisons one can easily make. Brig Hennie Heymans has, like a passionate police detective, spent a lifetime collecting, recording and publishing evidence of our police and national security history. With the aid of a team of regular contributors, he has published factual evidence that no one can dispute or deny, even though attempts have been made to steadily expunge some of the evidence from the records, often leaving behind a factually distorted or false account. These efforts border on criminal behaviour and are, in my view, no different to the perpetrator of a crime who conceals or destroys vital evidence in attempts to disguise the truth. Way too many authors and so-called novelists are writing and publishing books nowadays to fit the warped narrative of the politically correct. Future generations, with an interest in our legacy and heritage, will be more inclined to believe what they read in these distorted versions of history due to social influence and because of the immense volume of material already published, mostly about the bad and the ugly and seldom the good. Ironically, they will gladly pay for it in the erroneous belief that anything provided free of charge must surely have a diminished value. The vast majority of Nongqai readers are traditionally from the ‘old school’, with the elderly among us who appreciate the wisdom that only years have allowed them to acquire, who understand that human interaction is the basis of happiness and who fully grasp the old familiar phrase which states, “the best things in life are free!” In conclusion, we have to be realistic and accept the fact that it would be a near-impossible mission to convey the same passion we have for police history to future generations, particularly those who have no interest in the subject whatsoever. The best we can do is to share the recorded evidence with our immediate families, colleagues and acquaintances using the resources at our disposal such as social media, email or constructive word-by-mouth. Finally, and most importantly, is the privilege we have to enjoy the colourful variety of content featured in this exceptional and freely available publication! Thank you, Brig Hennie Heymans and contributors, for keeping the spirit of the old Nongqai alive and well!

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VOORBLAD | FRONT COVER

CAPE POLICE MEMORIAL: KIMBERLEY Cape Police Memorial From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia The Cape Police Memorial is a South African national heritage site located in Kimberley in the Northern Cape province. It commemorates the losses of the unit during the Anglo-Boer War. In 1994, it was described in the Government Gazette as Memorial comprising statue of a policeman on an elaborate plinth with Ionic columns and two crouching lions at the base. It features a Boer gun captured during a skirmish in the war. See also Siege of Kimberley References South African Heritage Resource Agency database ^ "Frances Baard District Municipality Tourism". Frances Baard Municipality. Archived from the original on 200710-09. Retrieved 2009-03-21. This article about a South African building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. (HBH retrieved on 17 January 2022). Photo given to me by the late Patrick Coetzee - HBH

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POLISIEGESKIEDENIS | POLICE HISTORY

TROU TOT DIE DOOD TOE • Die veiligheidsituasie in Suid-Afrika versleg Genl JV van der Merwe SUID-AFRIKA het vanaf 1980 al hoe meer onder terreurvoorvalle deurgeloop. Op Vrydag, 25 Januarie 1980 om 12.56 nm. het drie lede van Umkhonto weSizwe gewapen met AK-47-gewere en handgranate by die Volkskasbank in Silverton ingestorm. Hulle het skote in die lug geskiet en die mense in die bank skreeuend beveel om saam te bondel en hul hande in die lug te steek. Daar was in dié stadium 22 bankamptenare en ongeveer 10 kliënte in die bank. Twee verbygangers het die voorval gesien en die polisie gebel. Die bankbestuurder, mnr. N. Lighthard, was op pad om te gaan eet en het die Blitspatrollie geskakel. Lede van die moord-en-roofeenheid was binne vier minute op die toneel. Hulle het onmiddellik die gebied om die bank afgesluit en kapt. Mickie de Swardt het met die drie MK-lede binne die bank kontak gemaak. Aanvanklik is gedink dat dit ŉ gewapende roof is, maar dit het gou duidelik geword dat die MK-lede die mense in die bank as gyselaars wou gebruik. Hulle het mnr. Tiekie Witmore en ŉ vrouebankamptenaar na buite gestuur met ŉ nota waarop die volgende geëis is: • die vrylating van mnr. Nelson Mandela en die MK-lid James Mange • ŉ vliegtuig na Maputo • die teenwoordigheid van die Eerste Minister, mnr. P.W. Botha, die Staatspresident, mnr. John Vorster, en die Minister van Verdediging, genl. Magnus Malan. • die oorhandiging van ŉ bruin leersak met ammunisie en handgranate wat die MK-lede buite die bank gelaat het. Die taakmag van die polisie is ontbied en was gou op die toneel onder aanvoering van genl. Vic Verster en brig. Bert Wandrag (later generaal). Lede van die veiligheidstak op die toneel het intussen daarin geslaag om ŉ meeluisterapparaat so te plaas dat die gesprekke in die bank gehoor kon word. Bankamptenare op die eerste verdieping van die gebou is na veiligheid gebring. 14 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Brig. Johann Coetzee (later generaal), hoof van die veiligheidstak, het deur kapt. De Swardt die MKlede oorreed om hulle toe te laat om binne die bank met hulle te onderhandel. Albei het die gebou ongewapen binnegegaan. Tydens die onderhandelinge het die MK-lede ingewillig dat die gyselaars die toilet kan gebruik. Hulle het egter gedreig dat hulle ’n gyselaar sou doodskiet vir elkeen wat ontsnap. Koeldranke en sigarette is aan die gyselaars en die MK-lede voorsien. Skerpskutters van die taakmag het intussen op strategiese plekke stelling ingeneem. Die MK-lede was onverbiddelik in hul eise en het gedreig dat hulle sou begin om die gyselaars dood te skiet as daar teen 7.30 nm. nog nie aan hul eise voldoen is nie. Dit was duidelik dat hulle desperaat was en enige oomblik hul dreigement kon uitvoer. Daar was geen ander keuse as om hulle uit te wis nie. Die optrede is sorgvuldig beplan sodat daar die mins moontlike risiko vir die gyselaars sou wees. Kapt. De Swardt het die gebou weer om 7.04 nm. binnegaan en met die gyselaars gepraat. Die plan was dat kapt. De Swardt die skerpskutters met ’n kodewoord oor die meeluisterapparaat sou waarsku sodra die MK-lede, wat heen-en-weer geloop het, in die mees kwesbare posisie was. Die skerpskutters sou dan onmiddellik toeslaan. Genl. Mike Geldenhuys, Kommissaris van Polisie, wat inderhaas van Kaapstad na Johannesburg gevlieg het, het toe pas op die toneel aangekom. Toe kapt. Mof de Klerk, bevelvoerder van die Silverton-polisiestasie, hom gewaar, het hy hom aan die arm gegryp en gepleit dat hy (kapt. De Klerk) die gebou saam met die skerpskutters bestorm. Kapt. De Klerk se vrou, Annatjie, was ’n bankamptenaar en een van die gyselaars. Genl. Geldenhuys moes noodgedwonge weier, want dit kon die skerpskutters ontwrig. Toe die afstand tussen die MK-lede en die gyselaars die gunstigste was, het kapt. De Swardt die kodewoord gegee. Die skerpskutters het blitsig toegeslaan en twee van die MK-lede summier doodgeskiet. Kapt. Charles Brazelle van die taakmag het deur ŉ luik in die vloer te voorskyn gekom en op die derde MK-lid afgestorm. Dié het ŉ handgranaat waarvan die veiligheidspen reeds uitgetrek was, in sy hand gehad. Hy het die handgranaat laat val en is saam met kapt. Brazelle deur die krag van die ontploffing weggeslinger. Nog voor hy kon grondvat, is hy deur ’n taakmaglid doodgeskiet. Hy het egter in sy doodsnikke die sneller van sy AK-geweer afgetrek, wat op vol outomatiese vuur was. Dit het ŉ koeëlreën tot gevolg gehad. Mej. C. Anderson, ’n bankamptenaar, is deur ŉ koeël getref en het kort daarna aan die wond beswyk. Mev. Annatjie de Klerk, vrou van kapt. Mof de Klerk, is ook getref en het die volgende dag gesterf. Drie ander gyselaars is ernstig gewond en 17 ander het minder ernstige beserings opgedoen. Die gewondes is onmiddellik na die H.F. VerwoerdHospitaal gebring. Kapt. Frik Nel (later brigadier), verbonde aan die ondersoekafdeling van die veiligheidstak, en ander lede van die veiligheidstak het deur informante vasgestel dat die drie MK-lede deel was van ŉ groep wat die land onwettig binnegekom het. Hulle het nog twee MK-lede gearresteer, wat vertel het dat hulle beplan het om die bank te beroof. Soos dikwels in MK-geledere gebeur het, het die drie wat die plan moes uitvoer, van besluit verander en dit in ŉ gyselaarsdrama omgeskep. Verskeie terreurvoorvalle het in Augustus 1981 plaasgevind. Kapt. Nel en kapt. Gert Visser van die veiligheidstak het ná intensiewe ondersoek ŉ MK-lid, Johannes Mnisi, in hegtenis geneem. Mnisi het tydens ondervraging sy volle samewerking verleen en waardevolle inligting verskaf, onder meer dat die MK-bevelvoerders Siphiwe Nyanda en Aboobaker Ismail ŉ sterk eenheid van Umkhonto weSizwe in Swaziland gevestig het. Dié eenheid was verantwoordelik vir verskeie terreurdade in Suid-Afrika. Mnisi se onmiddellike bevelvoerder in Swaziland was ŉ MK-lid met die skuilnaam George. Mnisi is na die Vlakplaaseenheid oorgeplaas en daar is besluit om met sy hulp George na Suid-Afrika te lok en te arresteer. (Die Vlakplaaseenheid word volledig in Hoofstuk 7 bespreek.) 15 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Kapt. Nel het kol. Johan Viktor (later generaal), onder wie Vlakplaas geval het, by hoofkantoor gebel om die nodige reëlings te tref. Bewus daarvan dat die operasie op ’n konfrontasie met meer as een MK-lid kon afstuur, het kol. Viktor met die hoof van die veiligheidstak, brig. Coetzee, gereël dat taakmaglede onder bevel van brig. Bert Wandrag aan die operasie deelneem. (Word vervolg.)

DIE HARE WAAI IN DIE TAPKANTIEN Kol Wynand Schoeman Ek land dié betrokke Maandagoggend vroeg in Oktober 1980 so kort na negeuur op Mpacha-lughawe op Katima Mulilo in die Caprivi. Ek was vir ‘n paar dae in die RSA (of die “ states” soos die mense in die algemene omgangstaal na die Republiek in die Caprivi verwys), om ‘n potensiële getuie in ‘n ivoorsmokkel-ondersoek te spreek. Ek stap die ontvangslokaal binne en bespeur onmiddellik onraad toe ek opmerk dat Konstabel Pollie Theron wie my kom afhaal, nie ‘n lewende haar op sy kop het nie. Toe ek ‘n paar dae terug na Waterklooflughawe vertrek het, het die man nog ‘n lekker bos hare gehad wat natuurlik volgens Staande Orders gesny was. Hy lyk soos Kojak ‘n gewilde televisie akteur van destyds. Al wat kort is Kojak se suigstokkie wat hy, sover ek kan onthou, gedurig in sy mond gehad het. Pollie Theron se kop is glad geskeer en blink soos die weerkaatsing van sonstrale op ‘n dam. Ek moet weer kyk om seker te maak ek sien wat ek sien. Dit lyk amper of sy kop met petroleumjellie blink gevryf is. Met die 21 kilometer-lange rit na Katima Mulilo vra ek hom wat van sy haredos geword het. Skaamskaam lig hy my in dat daar so klein weddenskappie in die kantien was en dat van die manne hul hare verloor het. Daar was dus meer manne wat nou haarloos rondloop. Pollie Theron was een van de meer besadigde manne op die stasie en het nie ‘n druppel alkoholiese drank gedrink nie. Die feit dat hy tussen die manne was wat haarloos opgeeïndig het, was ‘n vroeë waarskuwing wat ek op die stasie sou aantref. Die tapkantien was ‘n gewilde afsaalpunt vir die manne na werk en ‘n plek waar hul dan ook ‘n bietjie hul frustrasies kon ontlaai. Dit was veral onder die ongetroude manne op die stasie gewild en was ‘n biertjie of twee dan net die ding om die Caprivistof in hul kele af te spoel. Natuurlik was daar ook die manne wat hul hardehout geniet het. ‘n Klompie pelle het dan ook op gereelde basis aldaar ingeloer. Half huiwerig lig Pollie Theron my in wie die ander manne is wat sonder ‘n haredos nou die gemeenskap moet trotseer. Ek hoor dat ses manne van die stasie en drie manne uit die gemeenskap nou haarloos is. Een van die manne uit die plaaslike gemeenskap is die Landdros van alle manne. Ek is stom geslaan dat die Landdros een van die manne is. Hy hang gewoonlik nie by die tapkantien uit nie en wonder wat sy goeie eggenote van dié petalje sê. Ek kom agter dat daar die vorige Vrydag- aand en Saterdagaand lekker gekuier is.

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By die stasie aangekom maak ek die ses manne bymekaar en paradeer hul op die mat in my kantoor. Voor my staan ses Kojak’s. Hulle staan in ‘n ry langs mekaar en lyk na ‘n groepie stout skoolseuns. Ek vra hul om my die hele storie en die volle waarheid te vertel. Die manne is egter huiwerig om aan die praat te kom en uiteindelik besluit een van die manne, ek dink dit was Sersant Bez Bezuidenhout, om as hul spreekbuis op te tree. Die gebeure het as volg ontvou: Noord-Transvaal se rugbyspan (deesdae die Blou Bulle) sou die vorige Saterdag in ‘n Curriebekerwedstryd op Loftus Versveld in Pretoria, teen die Westelike Provinsie (nou bekend as die Stormers), speel. Dit kon die Curriebeker-finaal wees. Soos dit maar gaan was Provinsiale rugby destyds ‘n groot storie, elke span met sy, soms hardvogtige en tradisionele ondersteuners. So was dit ook op Katima Mulilo. Daar was duidelik twee kampe. Soos dit maar gebeur as veral dié twee spanne teen mekaar sou speel, is daar gewoonlik die voorafgaande Vrydagaand al in die tapkantien bymekaar gekom om die wedstryd sorgvuldig, net soos ‘n kenner dit kon doen, te ontleed. Elke speler se goeie en sterkpunte asook swakpunte is op die tafel geplaas. Almal het natuurlik nie saamgestem nie en dit het tot ‘n hewige en vurige debat en dan tot ‘n klomp weddenskappe gelei. Soos ek kan onthou het Naas Botha toe nog vir NoordTransvaal gespeel en ‘Calla’ Scholtz en Morné du Plessis vir die Westelike-Provinsie. Noem dié manne se name en dit was soos olie op die vuur. Volgens die WP-manne kon Naas Botha net skop en het hy nie eers geweet wie sy binne-senter was nie, want dié het nooit die bal gekry nie. Daarteenoor het die Noord-Transvalers geglo dat Morné du Plessis die swakste Springbokkaptein ooit was (waarskynlik net omdat hy vir die WP gespeel het). So is daar hier en daar ondermeer ‘n paar bottels hardehout met weddenskappe op die spel geplaas. Die span wie verloor se ondersteuner sou betaal. ‘n Lys waarop jy jou verwagte eindtelling kon opskryf het ook die rondte gedoen. So het die spanning opgebou. Die volgende middag vroeg, lank voor afskoptyd (wedstryde het nog vieruur in die middae begin), was die manne al in die tapkantien saamgetrek. Op een of ander manier het die weddenskappe hand uitgeruk en was dit nie meer tot ‘n bottel hardehout beperk nie. Manne het hul hare op die spel geplaas. Sover ek kan onthou het Noord-Transvaal nog die wedstryd gewen en is ‘n haarknipper, skeerskuim en skeermes te voorskyn gebring. Die hare het begin waai. Hoe later hoe lekkerder. Hoe dit van daar af presies verloop het, en wie, wie se hare geknip het weet ek nie maar op die ou einde het ondersteuners van beide spanne en klaarblyklik onskuldige omstanders, hul hare verloor. Dit was gedane sake en kon nie verander word nie. Die probleem was dat ‘n ministeriële besoek op pad was en die volgende Vrydag, oor ‘n week, by die stasie sou aankom. Daar was darem ‘n paar dae speling. Ek het kort-kort in die week daaraan gedink wat ek vir die Minister van Polisie, meneer Adriaan Vlok, of lede van die Generale staf sou sê wat van die manne se hare geword het. Hul hare sou nie binne ‘n week terug groei nie. Ek het die haar-kwessie egter agterweë geskuif want daar was groter kopsere om aan te dink. Die Ministeriële besoek. Daar was duidelike voorskrifte vanaf Hoofkantoor hoe die besoekers (‘n toergroep van 14 manne), onthaal moes word. Dit was nie iets nuuts nie en ons op die stasie, en ons gades wat die meeste van die werk moes doen, was al gewoond daaraan. Hulle moes minstens met ‘n driegang maaltyd trakteer word. Ek het my gade en nog ‘n dame of twee bymekaar gekry om dié ete te bespreek. My eggenote het ‘n Per-peri hoenderresep gehad wat by verre ‘n wenresep was. Dit was ‘n goeie vertrekpunt. Saam met dit kon ‘n verskeidenheid groente en slaai en daarna nagereg, bedien word. Die probleem was dat daar nie enige hoender, groente, tamaties, aartappels of blaarslaai in die plaaslike supermarkie beskikbaar was nie! Alles sou uit die RSA aangevra moes word. ’n Logistieke nagmerrie! (Oor die bekombaarheid van kruideniersware, vleis en ander bederfbare items asook groente, gaan ek ‘n aparte storie skryf). Ek rig noodgedwonge ‘n teleks aan Hoofkantoor en wys uit dat dié produkte nie in die Caprivi beskikbaar is nie en dat hul dit asseblief moes aankoop en op die eerste beskikbare vlug na die Caprivi moes plaas. My kopseer vererger toe dié items nie met ‘die eerste vlug opdaag nie. Dit daag 17 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

darem met die volgende vlug op maar nie alles wat aangevra is nie. Dié dames word verplig om te improviseer. Gelukkig het die stasie oor ‘n groot oopplan eetkamer en sitkamer langs mekaar beskik en sou plek vir die besoekers en personeel ingerig kon word. ‘n Tafelplan word opgestel en kaartjies gedruk sodat elkeen ‘n aanduiding gehad het waar hy moes sit. Die stasie het op daardie stadium oor n 14-sitplek bussie beskik maar ek leen nog ‘n bussie by die Weermag vir vervoer. Alles het goed verloop. Die Polisiestasie word gepolitoer. Gelukkig het ek vantevore vir my gade ‘n klompie breekgoed vir sulke geleenthede aangeskaf en dié kom handig te pas. Andersins sou ek breekgoed en eetgerei by die Weermag moes gaan leen. Sitplek word so gereël dat die kaalkopmanne op die verste punt van die tafel sou sit en nie naby die besoekers nie. Twee van die manne wie met ‘n skeermes-snymerk of twee op sy kop gesit het, is egter van die ete verskoon en sou ‘n besoek aan Ngoma, die grens-kontrolepunt tussen die Caprivi en Botswana, by die Choberivier bring waar twee plaaslike lede gestasioneer was. Die Landdros is na die ete genooi omdat die Minister van Justisie, meneer Kobie Coetzee een van die gaste was. Vanweë sy haarloosheid wou hy nie die ete bywoon nie en het hom uit die voete gemaak om aandag te gaan gee aan ‘n seekoei wat amok in ‘n paar statjies gemaak het. Dié seekoei het berserk geraak, ‘n paar statte platgeloop en tot sover as 60 kilometer binneland in, van die Kwandorivier koers gekry. Daar was geen manier hoe dié dier terug by die rivier gekry sou kon word nie en was nou ‘n gevaarlike dier. Hy moes ongelukkig van kant gemaak word. Minister Kobie Coetzee het met die ete aan my gevra waar die Landdros was en het hom maar sodanig ingelig. Met die ete het die besoekers ‘n paar lekker bottels wyn uit die tapkantien, genuttig. Die tapkantien het finansieel sterk gestaan en kon die koste by meer as een geleentheid dra. Dié besoek, ete inkluis, het goed afgeloop, en ek moet almal wat daarby betrokke was, en in besonder die gades wat weereens hande gevat en ‘n puik onthaal kon reël, komplimenteer. Nie een van die besoekers, Generale Verster of Wandrag, of die Minister van Polisie het enige vrae gevra oor dié manne se haarloosheid nie. Ek dink hul het dit gelate in die goeie gees van die oomblik aanvaar. Dit was die eerste en laaste keer wat die hare in die tapkantien sou waai.

SAP HARTEBEESKOP & DIEPGEZET Nico Moolman: “Buskruit en Laventel”-Museum Middag Brigadier Heymans, Laas Donderdag-oggend, vanaf Nelspruit, kom loer Elize Delport by “Buskruit en Laventel” in. Sy is die kleindogter van my ouers se delwers-vriende van Steynsdorp. Sy het haar ouma, tant Johanna Golding se swart album met baie-verlang-kiekies in. Van oom Will en almal... Dan eien ek my pa. Deur mistige oë sien ek hom op Hartbeeskop se stoep as polisieman en waar hy klip-sit as hy en oom Will palings vang in die Komati-rivier naby Diepgezet. ...oogknip en snuif-snuif...neem ek die kiekies af...ai....issie fair nie.... Tog gaan ek vanaand weer kan gebedjie... opsê...eks 'n kindjie klein.......want ek is.... Groetend, Nico Moolman

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Oom Will en sers Moolman langs die Komati-rivier naby Diepgezet

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SAP Hartebeeskop

AS DIT REËN IN OVAMBOLAND... Kol Corrie Prinsloo Ek het Ovamboland se reëns vir die eerste keer ontmoet iewers in die laat 1969's. Doér van Oshikango af oor Ondangwa, dan verder weg Oshivelo én Tsumeb se kant toe. Die pad tussen Oshikango na Ondangwa was toé nog gruispad, maar daarvandaan geteer. Die teerpad vanaf Oshikango was nog in aanbou. Met die oshonas en padwerke se waterpanne orals op en langs die roete. Ons kinders was toe net-net in die koshuis op Tsumeb, nadat ons die Portugese laerskool in Angola klaargemaak het. Ons moes ons Afrikaanse wortels op Tsumeb kom voortsit, het ons ouers besluit! Ons het daardie roete nog vir ses jaar gery vanaf Lubango, oor Cahama, Humbe en Xangongo in Angola na Tsumeb - totdat die oorlog hierdie klompie Dorslandtrekker afstammelinge permanente Suidwesters gemaak het... Ek het die lae, donker wolke altyd grootoog aangekyk as ons so aangery het. Die weerligstrale skrefiesoog en bietjie bangerig begluur. Die kontras met die wit sand, die lae Makaleni-palmbosse en hulle ouboet kaalstam-orent palms, in teenstelling met die kenmerkende lae wolke in die agtergrond. Pa Kerneels het ons so in die aanry vertel van die Efundja, wanneer die waters vanaf die Cuvelai vloedvlaktes en elders die Kunene oorspoel en suidwaarts beur. En ek onthou een spesifieke geval 20 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

tussen die brug by Xangongo (Vila Roçadas) en Humbe, so 'n paar kilometer weg in 'n noordwestelike rigting. 'n Wit Angolees (Portugees?) met sy visstok, op die rand van die teerpad, met sy lyn in die oorgestote Kunene. 'n Paar elmbooglengte babertjies by sy voete. Drie kilometer van die brug en hoofstroom rivier af, noord van die dorpie Xangongo! Dit was die Efundja in volle swang en glorie, daardie jaar van 1970. In goeie reënjare het die Efundja met mening die Kunene riviervallei verlaat, reguit suid gevloei en die jati op 'n breë front binnegespoel. Die voorloper stroompies in die oeroue vloedslote in. Dan, as die waters meer en meer geraak het, het die stroompies strome begin word, wal verlaat en die droë oshonas begin vul. Meedoënloos. Altyd suid. En altyd vullend. En die reëns uit die hemele het dit aangehelp. Ovamboland het skielik vol water geraak. En daarmee saam het die vis afgekom. Hoofsaaklik vingerlinge wat die spoor hoër op byster geraak het en meegesleur is. Ook grotes wat uit die oorlewende, enkele diep poele en/of putte in die ou, droë panne ontsnap het - om die lewensiklus voort te sit in die nuwe, vars weiwaters van die Efundja. Die vingerlinge sou later groter word en 'n uiters noodsaaklike bron van voedsel word vir die Ovambos. Met hulle visfuike orals in daardie panne en strome. Onthou julle nog...? Die reënseisoen en die Efundja het natuurlik die comrades van SWAPO se PLAN (gevegsvleuel) baie bevoordeel. Hulle het dit gebruik as aansporing om die hoof-infiltrasies te begin en om nonsens te kom aanjaag suid van die jati. Die Spes Unit-, Zebra- en Typhoon-groeperings was só dankbaar vir die reëns en Efundja dat hulle sonder om te skroom beplan verder suid ingestorm het oor die Rooilyn en in die boerderygebiede in. Waar ons hulle natuurlik moes voorkeer, terugjaag en daaraan herinner het om vis iewers noord van Xangongo in die Kunene te gaan vang, want die Otjikoto- en Guinas mere se tilapia was té klein, doér suid... Ek het Ovamboland se oshonas en panne droog gesien. As die stof-dwarrels die hangoor donkies probeer oortuig het om tog so 'n bietjie te piepie... net om daardie natgrond-reukie te kry. Maar ek het ook daai panne, oshonas en stroomslote vol water gesien! As die donkies penshoogte daarin gestaan en biesiegras en witlelies gevreet het. As die mêmes en jongmeisies met hulle fuike in lyn vorentoe beweeg en druk-druk palmling - en net bietjie groter jong-babers gevang het. Ook ander vissoorte soos kurpers, bream en silwerbabers. Julle weet mos! Verder weg by die cucawinkels deur dure ondervinding net-net bo die Efundja se hoogwaterlyn opgerig - hang die vis gesout in die lug om te droog. Om geëet of geruil te word. Heerlik saam met mahango-pap en 'n skaal tombo (mahangobier). Vra vir my, uitgehonger vanuit noord ná 'n voetlangs taking, net-net terug suid oor die jati...! Op Ruacana het ek altyd die tradisie voorgehou om met die eerste groot reëns vanaf die Barracks om die blok te stap. Gewoonlik in die eerste week van Oktober gewees, voor Oom Paul Kruger én my se verjaarsdae! Weswaarts om, verby die afdraai na die 40 mil Bofors Pappa Xray geskuttoring van Iain Groom en makkers, die huis van Dirk Bredenhann en sy vrou Nikki Bredenhann, skoolhoof Gerda en oom Douw Steyn (RIV, julle twee liewe mense), hulle bure (en later my Skoonmense) die Steyns - Louis en Chrissie Steyn van Ruacana, die Van der Merwe’s, Danie en Nellie Oosthuizen en dan oppad na my liefling-vriende Chrisjan en Sara Steenkamp (RIV, julle twee) en hulle kinders Fanie Steenkamp, sy sus Christa Liebenberg, en boeties Leroy Steenkamp en Marius Steenkamp (RIV). Op die teerpad langs, kaalvoet en saliglik lekker sopnat gereën. Dan by daardie boesemvriende Chrisjan en Sara se huis ingestap. Vir Sara se gewoonlike jaarlikse uittrap... "Sekel! Jy gaan longontsteking kry!" Of, "die weerlig kan jou tref, swaap...!" Dan het ons drie op die trappies by die voorstoep gaan sit, en na Angola in die horison gestaar. Ek, met 'n lekker warm beker kakao of koffie in die hand, te danke aan Sara se liewe vergewensgesindheid, handdoek oor die skouer en 21 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

rokende Chesterfield in die een mondhoek. Dan het ou Chrisjan sy arm om my skouers gesit... "Tor... dink jy die Efundja gaan kom hierdie seisoen?" Ja, ons Suidwesters het maar altyd na die wolke gekyk. En in Ovamboland... na die Efundja ook! Ek onthou as ons spore gejaag het, en die PLAN-comrades begin draai het in die rigting vanwaar dit gelyk het dat 'n op-hand reënbui kon uitsak. Om hulle spore te verdoesel! Ek onthou dat ek, kollega Kobus (Oubaas) Meyer (RIV) en Swaer Bertie Steyn dan ons voorspoorsny vir die Koevoet opvolgspanne daarlangs gaan doen het. En as die reën die spore uitgewis het, was daar seker 'n paar dankbare PLAN vegters iewers voor ons. As ons eerlik met mekaar moet wees, was die teleurstelling in ons geledere dan maar groot gewees. Maar ook skalks nie té groot nie - want dalkies, net perdalkies, het die PG 7 vuurpyl of Oos-Duitse 60 mil HEATstrim daardie dag onder die reënwolke my, Oubaas en/of Bertie se magsnommers op gehad! Twee van ons lewe vandag nog rus in vrede, Oubaas...! In die droë tyd loop al die paaie deur en oor die oshonas. Maklik. Maar as die reënseisoen en die Efundja gekom het, was alles onder water. Tog, ons het geweet waar die paaie geloop het. Veral ons Ovambo drywers. Ons het soms pens-hoogte met die Casspirs en Blesbok vir meer as 'n kilometer deur 'n waterpan oshona gery. Maar o wee, bewaar jou siel as daardie voordrywer net 'n meter afwyk! Dáár sal jy vasval. En daar sal jy bly lê vir 'n paar dae totdat baie karre, die Blue Bells en ander manne jou kom uithelp het! Met of sonder kinetiese trektoue. En natuurlik - biddend dat die PLAN-comrades eerder iewers elders deur die bospolisiemanne van Koevoet en Veiligheidstak óf die Romeo Mike’s van die Weermag rondgejaag word - en nie tyd kry om jou doér in die vol oshonas in hul visiere te kry nie...! Ons het baie kere Koevoet- en Weermag gevegspanne deur die oshonas van die Okolongadhi-, Uukwaludhi- én Ongandjera stamgebiede gelei. My kardrywers het die area baie goed geken. Trouens, van hulle het daar grootgeword. Hulle het presies geweet waar die pad onder die water gelê het. Vasgetrap deur baie jare se oorry. Moet net nie afdwaal nie... asseblief tog! Eendag het ons 'n Weermag Romeo Mike gevegspan langs 'n lang oshona by Ehunda gekry. Hulle wou deur, maar was nie baie seker nie. Ons weer, was haastig oppad om te gaan aansluit by 'n opvolg naby en net suid van Tsandi, in die Uukwaludhi stamgebied. 'n Hoofman was ge-"ref" die vorige nag. Nog baie oshonas gehad om te kruis. My nommer een Casspir het langs hulle nommer een tot stilstand gekom. Ek het die bevelvoerder saaklik aangesê dat ek oorgaan, en dat hulle presies in my Blesbok se agterkant (gewoonlik ons laaste kar in lyn) moes volg as hulle ook wou oorgaan. Die eltie het omgedraai sonder om my te antwoord. Dalk omdat ek in Camoes was. Dalk sou hy eerder luister na 'n Koevoet-gevegspanleier in Olive Greens. Of ook nie. Dalk wou hy nie regtig deur die vol oshona nie. Tjikaka, my hoofspoorsnyer, het aangeplas gekom en gesê dat die Romeo Mike manne reken ons moet f*koff! Hulle weet wat hulle doen! Wel, ons het gef*koff. En by ons Koevoetmakkers gaan aansluit. Twee dae en 'n paar kontakte later is ons oppad terug Ruacana toe. En doér by daardie selfde Ehunda - twee Romeo Mike Casspirs vasgeval tot by hulle sy-skietgate in die modder van die oshona! Ons het langs hulle verby gery deur die water (én op die pad, natuurlik) met ons rooi kopvlaggies (suksesse behaal) wapperend op my nommer een Casspir se twee sweep-antennas. En my Ovambos het baljaar! Van oor tot oor geskaterlag, gejil én na hulle bedremmelde Ovambobroers in Browns beduie! "Ó Santa yetu... ó shirumbu onêne...!" Of so iets. Ons Sersant... 'n gróót witman! Arme soldate. Het hulle ons maar net oor die waters gevolg twee dae terug... Ek onthou die donderweer en blitse op Ruacana, wanneer dit 'n goeie reënjaar was. Partykeer het die eerste donderslae en blitse in die nag ons laat hop! Die comrades seker weer besig om hulle 82 22 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

mil. mortiere, PG 7's of B10 terugslaglose kanonne op ons in te oefen, om ontslae te raak van ou ammunisie voor die vervaldatums. Maar dan begin die groot druppels val. En almal juig. Ons grootste deurdringende reëns het altyd vanuit die ooste gekom. Donderstorms gewoonlik noord uit Angola en uit die suidweste. Swaar reëns uit die rigting van Concor en Ombalantu. Dit het gelyk asof die aan rollende lae wolke die bome se toppies raak. En ons het gedwee natgereën op patrollie... voetlangs óf karlangs! Maar ons was Suidwesters. Dit het ons nie gepla nie. Elke druppel reën was vir ons kosbaar én geseënd gewees. Of dit nou iewers in die Suide geval het, in die Khomas Hochland, by Sesriem se waters of Buitepos, by Bagani, Aranos of Torrabaai. Op Ruacana, Ondangwa of Namatoni se fonteine. By Gobabis, Orupembe of Lüderitz. Dit het ons dorre land vreugdevol natgemaak. Dit het die Kunene én Kavango laat vloei. Die Efundja suidwaarts laat juig deur die oshonas heen. Die Omaramba Omataku, die Khan-, die Swakop-, én ander sandriviere laat afkom... Ons Suidwesters het nooit omgegee om nat te reën nie. Vandag toe nog nie! So ook alle soldate, polisiemanne, vryheidsvegters en PB's noord of suid van die jati. Want elke natreën het ons aandag weg van die oorlog gevat. Die vryheidsvegter seker na sy moeder se kimbu en mahangolande laat verlang, die Republikein na sy ouerhuis iewers in die States. Vir die Suidwester - na sy pa se plaas, sy skooldorp, sy Heimat. En vir die PB...? My mahango, pampoene en grondbone kan nou weer groei - dankie, Kalunga yetu!! Mag die groot riviere bly vloei. Mag die Otjikoto en Guinas nooit droog word nie. Mag Sesriem bly poele vorm. Mag die Efundja jaarliks bly afkom, water bring en vis verskaf vir ons Ovambomense. Mag ons oud-soldate, bospolisiemanne en PLAN vryheidsvegters van ouds nooit die donderweer en reëns van ons ou Ovamboland vergeet nie. Mag daar altyd reëns oor Namibië en suid Angola uitsak. As ek dit nou nederig mag vra én smeek, o Goeie Vader. Ter wille van ons almal se bloed wat daar rondlê - want ons gebede is gewoonlik vir reëns orals oor in die reënseisoen. Verligting vir 'n vreeslike droogte! Dit was mos orals droog in Namibië en suidelike Angola die afgelope tye. Die reëns die voorafgaande jare was hoofsaaklik uiters swak en die laagste reënval in baie jare is aangeteken. Die oshonas en poele was kurkdroog. Die Kunene het op tye glad nie eens gevloei nie. Daar is bykans nie geplant in die mahangolande nie. Die vee en donkies het op groot skaal ten gronde gegaan. Wat opgekom het, is doodgebrand! Die Efundja het nie afgekom vanaf die Cuvelai-vloedvlaktes nie. Dit het nie goed gegaan met mens en dier in groot dele van die land nie. Veral in Ovamboland. Ons het bly bid... En ons gebede gaan verhoor word! Namibië sal weer juig, al is dit nog plek-plek droog, én is die droogte nie ten volle gebreek nie. Maar dinge lyk belowend. Die hoop begin weer opflikker. Die donkies sal weer pensdiep in die oshonas rondwei agter waterlelies en biesiegras aan. Gert Jacobie en sy gevlerkte vriend Uil sal weer reëndinge praat vroegoggend oor die eerste beker koffie! Sakaria Gumede Kandenge, die reëns sal weer kom oor Owamboland en elders, my broer... Want Kalunga luister na ons smekinge!

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(Foto @ Facebook. Ovamboland se bekende visfuike).

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THE MURUGAN POLICE-FAMILY The Nongqai June 1956

PRESIDENT VAN STELLALAND & HOOFKOMMISSARIS ZARP: GERT PETRUS JOHANNES JACOBUS VAN NIEKERK Nongqai Julie 1959

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Die geskiedenis bevestig bovermelde berig:

STELLALAND Wikipedia Stellaland Republiek Stellaland & Het Land Goosen Verenigde Staten van Stellaland 1882–1885

→

26 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Vlag

Wapen

Ligging van Stellaland in Suid-Afrika tussen 1882 en 1885. Hoofstad

Vrijburg 26°57′S 24°44′OKoördinate: 26°57′S 24°44′O

Taal/Tale

Nederlands, Afrikaans, Tswana

Godsdiens

Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerkfamilie

Regering Administrator - van Stellaland - van Goosen

Republiek

Wetgewer

Die Bestuur

Geskiedenis - Stigting - Stigting van Goosen - Unifikasie - Anneksie deur Republiek - Britse inval - Britse anneksie Oppervlakte - Stellaland[1] - Goosen[1] Bevolking - Stellaland[1] skatting Digtheid - Goosen[1] skatting Digtheid

Gerrit Jacobus van Niekerk Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius

26 Julie 1882 Oktober 1882 Augustus 1883 die Zuid-Afrikaansche

September 1884 Desember 1885 Augustus 1885 15 500 km2 5 985 vk mi 10 400 km2 4 015 vk mi 20 500 1,3 /km² 3,4 /vk mi 17 000 1,6 /km² 4,2 /vk mi 27

Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Geldeenheid

Pond (£)

Stellaland, amptelik Republiek Stellaland & Het Land Goosen, ná die unifikasie met Goosen Verenigde Staten van Stellaland, was vanaf 1882 tot 1885 'n onafhanklike Boererepubliek in die noordelike deel van die destydse Kaapkolonie en nou deel van Suid-Afrika. Vandag word die naam steeds gebruik om die streek aan te dui wat die dorpe Vryburg, Stella en Reivilo insluit, asook kleiner plekke soos Bray, Tosca en Vorstershoop. Die naam kom van Stella, die Latynse woord vir ster en is blykbaar gekies omdat daar 'n komeet in die nagruim sigbaar was tydens die gevegte wat aanleiding gegee het tot die stigting van die republiek. Daar is ook 'n dorp met die naam Stella naby Vryburg. Geskiedenis

Kaart van die Boererepublieke

Kaart van Stellaland en omliggende gebied Die republiek het ontstaan nadat Boere betrokke geraak het by 'n konflik tussen twee swart stamme, die Batlaping en die Korannas. Albei groepe het wit huursoldate gewerf. David Massouw, die leier van die Korannas, het aan die Boere plase beloof. Toe die konflik in Julie 1882 beëindig is, het 416 28 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

van die Boere wat plase ontvang het, hulleself as vryburgers beskou en Stellaland op 26 Julie 1882 as hulle eie onafhanklike republiek uitgeroep. Vryburg, die hoofdorp, is toe uitgelê op 'n plek wat die Tswanas as Huhudi (Tswana vir "lopende water") ken. Gerrit Jacobus van Niekerk (1849-1896) was die eerste (en enigste) president van die republiek wat in Augustus 1883 formeel geproklameer is. Stellaland het 'n eenvoudige administrasiestelsel ontwikkel en op 23 Februarie 1883 ’n Volksraad in plek gestel. Die grondwet van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek is aanvaar. Op 11 Oktober 1883 sluit Stellaland en Goosen, 'n naburige onafhanklike gebied, 'n voorlopige ooreenkoms om saam te smelt om die "Verenigde State van Stellaland" te vorm, maar dit is nie uitgevoer nie en hulle het aparte state gebly. Stellaland wou met die Transvaalse Republiek verenig, maar die Britse regering het dit teengestaan en wou hê dat die westelike grens van die Transvaal gehandhaaf moet word. Gedurende Februarie 1885 het 'n Britse ekspedisiemag onder Sir Charles Warren die dorp ingeneem en op 30 September 1885 die gebied by Brits-Betsjoeanaland ingelyf, wat toe in 1895 deel van die Kaapkolonie geword het. In 1910 het die Kaapkolonie die Kaapprovinsie (een van die vier provinsies van die Unie van Suid-Afrika en later die Republiek van Suid-Afrika) geword. Gedurende die tuisland-era, was Vryburg en omstreke 'n "wit eiland" in die onafhanklike tuisland Bophuthatswana. Sedert 1994, toe die land in nege provisies ingedeel is, is hierdie gebied deel van die Bophirima ("Westelike")-streek van die Noordwes-provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Vlag Hoofartikel: Vlag van Stellaland.

Vlag van Stellaland Stellaland het minstens drie vlae gehad. Die eerste was blou met 'n rooi ster daarop. Die tweede was groen met 'n wit ster daarop. Die derde, wat slegs deur die Bestuur gebruik is en as die 'standaard' bekend gestaan het, was groen met die staatswapen daarop. Laasgenoemde is in 1885 aan koningin Victoria gestuur[2] en in 1934 deur koning George V terugbesorg.[3] 'n Ander vlag, van groen en rooi met 'n agtpuntige wit ster daarop, wat sedert 1952 in verskeie boeke as die Stellalandse vlag voorgegee is, is eintlik van onbekende herkoms. Posseëls

29 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Posseël van Stellaland In Februarie 1884 het Stellaland hulle eie posseëls uitgegee, met 5 verskillende waardes. Hierdie seëls is vandag baie skaars en sommige eksemplare is meer as R5000 werd. Sien ook • Gereformeerde kerk Vryburg • Lys van streeksname in Suid-Afrika Verwysings up to:1,0 1,1 (en) Tijdschrift ↑ Jump van het Genootschap (Amsterdam) 2 (1): 690f, 1884 ↑ Wes-Kaapse Argief: BCC 4 : notule dd 21 Augustus 1885. ↑ Bornman, H. (1982). Vryburg 1882-1982.

Nederlandsch

Aardrijkskundig

Bronne • Erasmus, B.P.J. (1995). Op Pad in Suid-Afrika. Jonathan Ball Uitgewers. ISBN 1-86842-0264. • Bornman, H., Vryburg 1882-1982, 1982. • Rosenthal, Eric, Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Juta and Company Limited, Kaapstad en Johannesburg, 1978. • Flags of the World. Bron: https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaland ( HBH – 18 Jan 2022)

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FORMER SA POLICE STALWART MEMBER PASSES ON: WARRANT OFFICER MARIAPPA PILLAY Col Logan Govender

Photograph Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay (Courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay) It is with deep regret and much sadness that we have learnt of the passing of a dear friend and former colleague, Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay, affectionately known as “Marie” by his friends, after a long battle with cancer. Pillay was born on 07 July 1943 in Pentrich, Pietermaritzburg. He joined the SA Police on 1965-0408 at Pietermaritzburg Central (Loop Street). Sent to SA Police, Indian Training Depot, Wentworth the same year.

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Photograph South African Police Indian Training Depot Wentworth Platoon 6 of 1965 Members Identified Second row, L-R, MY Bonoobhai, late Third row, L-R, Dasrath, late (Lieutenant-Colonel D Bhawanideen), 5th Fourth row, L-R, Sivalingum, 2nd; D Sadheo, late, 7th; Mariappa, late, 9th (Courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay) He joined the South African Police at Loop Street on Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1969 and thereafter to Warrant Officer.

April

1965.

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Photograph South African Police Mechanical School Class 1 September- October, 1970 Members Identified Seated in the Vehicle, L-R, I / Sergeant M Pillay, late (Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay); I / Constable VV Naidoo, late (Warrant Officer Vartharajaloo Naidoo); I / Constable Ramlall, late (Captain R Michael) (Courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay)

33 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Photograph Members Identified SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE - FIRST EFFICIENT COMMANDERS COURSE 1971 Seated on ground - 1st from left, Somaru, late (Richmond [N]) 2nd, Narainsamy Naidoo (detective, Mountain Rise, entered local government after retirement, deceased); 4th Udal Singh, late (Captain, Branch Commander, Wentworth Detective Branch) and Ray Munilal, late (Lieutenant-Colonel, Head Detectives, Chatsworth) Middle row - 6th from left (Aaron Bernard Pillay, first Indian Spiritual Services, PMB - retired Colonel - deceased); 7th - Krishnasamy Naidu (Mountain Rise) Rear row - 1st right - Bob Sewpersad (first Indian Commissioned Officer and Station Commander Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, Mountain Rise, retired Captain); 2nd right - Mariappa Pillay, late (retired Warrant Officer); (Courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer Mariappa Pillay) 34 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Based at Pietermaritzburg Central (Loop Street), he was transferred to Mountain Rise in 1973. However, in 1975 he was posted back to Pietermaritzburg Central and in 1979 to Camperdown until his retirement on 31 July 1994 with 30 years of Loyal, Faithful and Meritorious Service. Pillay became a member of the SA Police, Retired members Social Club from 10 September 2016. He regularly attended meetings up until November 2020. Pillay attended all the funeral of former police members and was always attired smartly for the occasion. Whilst as a serving member he was known as a strict disciplinarian and a knowledgeable member. Pillay has been a long serving Elder at Faith Tabernacle. “Death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). Death reminds us of the brevity of life and that we only have a certain amount of time to live and love well. I wish to convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Pillay family. We shall sorely. Thank you for your dedication and devotion to the various communities you served. Sir, we salute you! Logan Govender

Lieutenant-Colonel Yusuf (Pipes) Haffajee

Photograph Lieutenant-Colonel Yusuf (Pipes) Haffajee When I joined the South African Police Force, i was a student constable and worked under Mariappa Pillay who was a sergeant at that time. This was a new beginning for me and being quite a young man at that time and nervous it was going to be a challenge. In Mariappa’s company I was 35 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

immediately, put at ease and taught what was expected of me. He was a strict mentor and always smart in his dress code. Although strict, he never abused his powers and always considered your position despite being the senior, (Sergeant). He always took his duties seriously. He is one of the members in my early years of the police that carved me to excel in the South African Police. After I climbed up the ranks, he always addressed me as his senior, which used to make me feel uncomfortable at times, because I always considered him to be one of the many mentors I had during my career. During our interactions at the RETIRED POLICE MEMBERS-meetings he always kept that protocol. He will be sadly missed.

1956, 1960, 1961 & 1963 & 1964: HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE NON-EUROPEAN (INDIAN) TRAINING DEPOT, DURBAN, WENTWORTH Col Logan Govender

Photograph 1 Courtesy family of Warrant Officer Kistan Naidoo 36 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

South African Police Wentworth Refreshers Course April 1956 Members Identified Front row, L-R, I/Sergeant M Grunjulu, 3rd; Sergeant HA Vorster1, (Station Commander), 4th Middle row, L-R, Kisten Naidoo, 4th;

Photograph 2 Courtesy of the family of Sergeant Anamalai Govender. Sergeant Anamalai Naidoo is still alive at 85 years old. South African Police Non-European Training Depot Durban, Wentworth Troop 42 of October 1960 Member Identified Centre row, from L-R, A Naidoo, 3rd Sgt HA Vorster was fluent in isiZulu - we later worked together 1970’s at the Durban Security Branch. He was a good cook of kerrie-afval – HBH. 1

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Photograph 3 Courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer Odin Moorcroft (still alive at 90 years old), Former Station Commander of South African Police Non-European (Black & Indian), Training Depot, Wentworth, Durban. South African Police Non-European Training Depot Wentworth, Durban Troop 1 July, 1961 Members identified First row, L-R, AG Vurdan, late Sergeant 6th Middle row, L-R, Sergeant R Munilal, late ((Lieutenant-Colonel, Detective Head, SAP Chatsworth), PT Instructor, 5th; Odin Moorcroft, 6th; GV Govender, (late Warrant Officer), 9th

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Photograph 4 Courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer [Detective] Dewnund Maharaj, late Troop 1, 1963 South African Police Non-European Training Depot Wentworth, Durban 1st February 1963 30th July 1963 Members identified Troop 1 Back row, L-R, Udal Singh, 1st; DGS Pillay, 3rd; Seated, L-R, Dewnund, 2nd; Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy, 6th: Morgan Chetty, 7th; Krishnasamy Naidu, 10th.

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Photograph 5 Group of recruits who trained in 1963. Rear row, standing, 4th from left, Warrant Officer [Detective] Dewnund Maharaj, late Unfortunately, at this stage the other members are not identified. Photograph courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer [Detective] Dewnund Maharaj, late It is reported that two platoons of Indian members were trained at Wentworth in 1963. The other Platoon was No 2 of 1963.

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Photograph 6 Photograph courtesy of the family of Colonel Henry Budhram Troop 2 of 1963 South African Police Non-European Training Depot Wentworth, Durban Troop 2 1st February 1963 30th July 1963 Members identified Back row, L-R, Gordas Budhram 4th; Seated, L-R, DJ Lamech, 2nd; Sergeant Ray Munilal, late (Lieutenant-Colonel, Detective Head, SAP Chatsworth); Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy, late (Captain) 6th:

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Photograph 7 Warrant Officer Odin Moorcroft2, Station Commander of South African Police, Non-European (Indian) Training Depot, Durban, Wentworth.

In 1964 he became Station Commander at SAP Wentworth – I served under his command. He was an excellent commander and RSM of Police Parades – HBH. 2

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Photograph 8 South African Police, Non-European Training Depot, Platoon 3m Wentworth, 1964 Photograph courtesy of the family of Warrant Officer [Detective] S Chetty Members identified Second row, L-R, GC Pillay (Warrant Officer), 10th; S Chetty, late (Troop Leader), 13th, last Third row, L-R, S Singh, (Warrant Officer), 11th, last NB: It appears that although DJ Lamech, late (Captain) underwent his basic police training in 1963, ++he only returned to the Training Institution during 1965. M Chetty, late (Lieutenant General) joined the training staff after his basic training in 1963 and Govindsamy Reddy, late (Captain) joined the 1963 already as a Senior Sergeant from SA Police, Clairwood (now Montclair)

1953: SAP AMATEUR BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS Capt AL du Pisani

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Recruit Constable JV van der Merwe – later Commissioner of the SA Police. 44 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

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1956: BRIG JJ DIEDERICKS EN MEV CHRISTINE DIEDERICKS

Brig JJ Diedericks was ‘n gewaardeerde en uiters lojale kollega. Ek het saam met hom gewerk in die Veiligheidstak te Pietermaritzburg en later op dieselfde eenheid te Veiligheidshoofkantoor in Wachthuis. Beide Johan – of soms Dieks genoem - en Chrsitine is al oorlede. Ons het baie pret gehad omdat hy so lekker kon skrik! HBH.

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“OU FOTO’S” VAN BRIG EN MEV JJ DIEDERICKS No 11889 Sers JJ Diedericks

O/Sers JJ Diedericks (links) saam met ander lede – ook die hondemeester wat agter in die middel staan. Christene het hierdie notatjie vir my gegee – haar Oupa Schlebusch was ook ‘n polisieman. (Ek kon hom tot datum hom nog nie in die SAPS-argief opspoor nie)

Onder: ‘n Foto van ‘n onbekende beredepolisieman uit vergange se dae, dit mag dalk konst. JA Schlebusch wees 50 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Let op die woord AFNEMER vir fotograaf -

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1953: SAP PERSONEEL ORLANDO

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ZULU HOOFMANNE

In Natal van Ouds was daar altyd ‘n baie spesiale verhouding tussen die NP later die SAP en die isiZulu opperhoofde, die hoofmanne en die stamkapteins. Ons het hulle altyd met groot respek en volgens tradisie hanteer. Baie hoofde het ook hul eie stampolisie gehad wat die voormalige SAP altyd behulpsaam was met ondersoek van misdaad en die aankeer van belhamels.

TUGELA FERRY: SAP FIREARMS UNIT

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1924: FORT NONGQAI: ESHOWE

1984: NICOLENE SCHEEPERS SE BETROKKENHEID BY KOEVOET Nicolene Scheepers en kol Dieks Dietrichsen Ek is in 1983 Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie-Kollege toe. Ek het my man Willem Scheepers in die kollege in 1983 ontmoet. Ek het 6 maande opleiding ondergaan waar hy net 3 maande opleiding gedoen het omrede hy alreeds in die Weermag se Valskermbataljon was en is toe op Koevoet toe. Ons is getroud in 1984 en ek het ‘n oorplasing gekry na Koevoet, Oshakati, toe. Ek was van 1984 tot 1989 verbonde aan Koevoet. Op Oshakati aangekom het die karavaan waarin ons moes bly net voor Okavebasis van Koevoet se hek gestaan. Ons is net daar afgelaai. Die karavaan moes nog op ‘n staanplek geparkeer word met ander woorde daar was geen pype vir water of riool gekoppel nie. Ek is daar oor die drumpel getel…. nie gedra nie.

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Dit was ‘n aanpassing tussen al die jong manne. Hulle het jou aangekyk en ook maar soms ‘n kans gevat om te kyk of jy oor die draad sou trap. Gelukkig het hulle my almal as ‘n suster hanteer. Hulle het baie respek gehad vir Wim. Wim het nie gerook of gedrink nie … net geoefen en fiks gebly. Ek het in die Koevoet-kantore gewerk met die teleksmasjien en die kriptomasjien maar eintlik as jy iets kon doen het Generaal Dreyer sommer van daai dienste ook gebruik gemaak. Daar was nie iets soos “ek kan nie”. Nee, as hy vir jou gesê het doen iets, dan het ‘n mens probeer om dit na die beste van jou vermoë te doen. Ek kan nog onthou daar was ‘n onderonsie tussen die Koevoet-mans en van die Weermag-mans. Toe kom die Generaal en vra wie was betrokke? Nee niemand nie! Hy’t dadelik gesê: “Baarde en hare af.” Ek was swanger met my seun en het gestaan en die Koevoet-mans se hare en baarde geskeer. Die pens was groot en moes ek dikwels om verskoning vra vir die skuur van die maag teen ‘n rug. Ons was en is een groot familie. Die Koevoet-gevegspanne het een week in die veld en een week in die basis gewerk. As daar spore gejaag is, was almal in die radiokamer. Naels word gekou en daar word gebid tot kontak geskreeu was oor die radio en almal weet Koevoet-manne is veilig of jou man is veilig dan het almal weer gaan werk. Ons vrouens was maar ‘n handjie vol en het mekaar bygestaan. Daar was nie katterigheid soos partykeer met ‘n klomp vroue nie. Almal het almal gehelp met kinders grootmaak want jou ouers was nie naby om te hoor wat kan mens nou doen nie of wat gaan nou aan nie. Johan was 2 maande oud toe die kind net begin skreeu. Ek’t nie geweet wat om te doen nie. Hy wou glad nie aan my drink nie. As ek hom wou borsvoed het hy eers geskreeu. Hy het met sy handjies gekeer so gedruk teen my borste. Die Ovambo-vrou wat vir my gewerk het, het vir my gesê ek het malaria en het melkkoors gekry. Sy’t my in ‘n warm bad gesit, ‘n graaf warm gemaak oor die stoof en toe die graaf voor my borste gehou sodat die melk kon uitkom. So het ek toe ontslae geraak van die oortollige melk. My baba was op blik-melk gesit. Ek het nie baie siviele klere gehad nie en het die Generaal gevra of ek ook uniform kan dra. Generaal het vir my gesê ek kan Koevoet-uniform gaan trek by die store maar moet eers kom wys hoe die langbroek sit. Ek het dit gedoen en vir hom kom wys. Hy wou natuurlik kyk of die broeke nie ons agterstewe te veel wys nie want daar was ‘n paar wolwe. Die uitdagings was groot. Ons het byvoorbeeld net vrugte op Woensdae by die Blouwinkel gekry. Dis nou die dorp se winkel. Toe ek swanger was het ek ‘n lus gehad vir ‘n geelperske en toe ek by die Blouwinkel kom was alles al klaar uitverkoop. Ek het stoor toe gegaan, ‘n vrot een gekry… alles mooi uitgesny en my stukkie perske gekry. Brood was onverkrygbaar. ‘n Ou Portugese oom het vir ons Pao-broodjies afgelaai by ons huise. Wanneer jou man die week in die veld was, was jy alleen by die huis. Met ‘n mortier-aanval op die dorp het ek net ‘n matras bo-oor my en my seun getrek toe ons in die karavaan gebly het waar ons nie ‘n bomskuiling gehad het nie …. en dan bid jy baie-baie hard. Druk jou kind se ore toe en bid dat daai bom wat nou iewers naby die karavaan ontplof het en wat die karavaan laat bewe het, nie nog nader moet kom nie. Later het ons getrek na ‘n huis waar ‘n bomskuiling was. Dit was beter. Die bomskuiling het bestaan uit sandsakke wat buite gepak was en in die gang was ‘n deurtjie - nie baie groot nie. Jy moes jou 55 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

duik geken het anders was die velle van jou rug af. Die bomskuiling was elke week skoongemaak met skoon komberse en water. Alles was daarin om te oorleef. Na ‘n aanval op die dorp het die vrouens bymekaar gekom om te hoor of almal reg is en om ‘n koppie koffie te drink. Dan het die grappe uitgekom hoe elkeen gehardloop het skuiling toe en die sêgoed van die kinders tydens die aanval met mekaar gedeel. Ek was op rusdae toe Wim tydens ‘n kontak geskiet is. Dit was op n Vrydag 14 Februarie 1986. Duppie het na die karavaan toe gekom. Dit was baie vreemd omrede daar nie mans na my toe gekom het nie as Wim in die veld was. Hy was baie ongemaklik. Ek het hom gevra wat aangaan. Hy’t gesê die Generaal gaan hom doodmaak maar hy moes net vir my kom sê het dat Wim geskiet is in ‘n kontak en hulle het hom afgevoer na Ondangwa toe. Duppie het by Johan gebly. Ek het in die kar gespring en na Ondangwa toe gery. By die hek het die Generaal my voorgekeer en vir my gesê: “Ounooi Wim gaan okay wees …. hy’t net skrapnel opgedoen”. Generaal het my ‘n klap agter op die blad gegee dat ek hik. By Wim aangekom waar hy gelê het op ‘n "stretcher", nog geen dokter na hom gekyk het nie, kon ek net sy hand vashou. Weereens kan jy niemand bel nie. Jy moet sterk wees vir jou man en kind. Dank die Vader vir ‘n goeie Weermag-chirurg wat Wim kom ondersoek het en gevind het dat hy geskiet was. Die koeël is bo die naeltjie in en teen die rugstring uit. Hy verloor daai aand met ‘n operasie sy linker nier, ‘n gedeelte van sy linker long en sy milt. Ons is die volgende oggend, dit was toe Saterdagoggend afgevoer 1 Militêre Hospitaal, Pretoria, toe waar Wim binne ‘n week volkome herstel het. Ons is Saterdag by 1 Militêr gewees …..die Sondag het Wim begin trappe klim en die Vrydag daarop ontslaan en die volgende week en Vrydag was ons weer terug by die huis in Oshakati. Koevoet-manne het almal begin oefen en bietjie minder gedrink. Eintlik ‘n gespottery. Wim kon glad nie meer kontaksport soos rugby doen nie en mag ook nie meer uit veld toe gegaan het nie. Hy is geplaas by Onaimwandi-basis waar hy te doen gehad het met die ondervraging van die gearresteerde Swapo-lede. Ek was toe een van die vroue wat die geskiedenis moes tik van die SWAPO-lede ….waar hul opleiding gekry het tot waar hul gevang was. Ek was 3 maande swanger toe Wim in ‘n ongeluk op die Oshakati-pad was. Die Generaal het my laat kom na sy Kantoor toe omrede ek daai tyd by die Store gewerk het. Ek het in die admin-kantoor gesit. Generaal het 2 keer verby my geloop by die een deur in en ander een uit. Toe kom hy na my toe en sê Wim is nou net in die ambulans oorlede en hulle moet my dadelik na die Siekeboeg toe vat sodat die dokter my ‘n kalmeermiddel kan gee. Ek was die enigste een aan wie die Generaal ooit slegte nuus oorgedra het. Mens kan sê ek was sy "blue eye" gewees. Kolonel Viljoen het altyd die slegte nuus aan naasbestaandes gaan oordra. Wim (Willem Christaan Scheepers) is op 29 Januarie 1987 oorlede. Sy naam verskyn op paneel 7 van die Koevoet Muur van Herinnering by die Voortrekkermonument in Pretoria. Ek en my seun Johan is saam met Wim se kis in die Flossie afgevlieg Waterkloof toe. Ek moes vir die res van die swangerskap op medikasie wees om nie die kind te verloor wat ek gedra het nie. Ek was 3 maande swanger. Dit was baie moeilik omrede ek nie ook die baba wat ek verwag het, wou verloor nie. Ek het Nicol, ‘n baba-dogtertjie, in die lewe gebring …. alleen sonder ‘n man of geliefde. Daarna is ek weer terug Oshakati toe met my seun en dogter. Generaal het my verplaas Rundu toe want hy’t gesê hy steek my daar weg vir die wolwe (die Koevoet-mans). Ek het daar gewerk by Arendsnes, die Koevoet-basis in die Okavango. Op ‘n stadium het SWAPO die kinders ontvoer en moes ek die kinders na my ouers toe stuur omrede daar geen beskerming was by die kleuterskool nie. Ek was alleen sonder kinders maar nog lojaal aan Koevoet. Ek het daar gebly en was van die laastes wat terug verplaas is Suid-Afrika toe. Ek was ook een van die eerstes wat kos voorberei het vir Sam Nujoma.

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Koevoet en die lewe alleen sonder hulp het my groot en sterker gemaak vir die lewe wat voorgelê het.

1953: LT-KOL JJ OLIVIER: ASO NATAL

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1980: EERSTE POLISIEVROU: KOEVOET-EENHEID: OSHAKATI Linda Bekker (Ekermans) Linda Bekker Opleiding te Pretoria: 17 Januarie 1977 Verplaas: Durban Sentraal Ongelukstak / Durban Sentraal finansieel & Aanklagkantoor / Berea Radio beheer / Durban Hof / Veiligheids tak. Koevoet: 1980 – 1983. Eerste Polisievrou wat verplaas is na Koevoet Eenheid Oshakati: Operasionele kantoor gehanteer en lug- en grond-bystand aan alle gevegsgroepe met die Roepsein Zulu. (Z – is aan Koevoet toegestaan.) Ek dien op die Nasionale Bestuur van die Koevoet Veterane Bond. Aangeheg: Koevoet inligting. Herdenkingsmuur geskied elke jaar Altyd begin April van elke jaar: Voortrekkermonument

Muur is opgerig by die

Ek is ook lid van TIN Veterane Bond Linda Bekker

•

Koevoet Eenheid (Ops K) Die Koevoet Eenheid (Ops K) is op 1979-01-11 onder die bevel van oorlede Genl Maj Sterk Hans Dreyer -gestig. Die eenheid is aanvanklik getaak om inligting te versamel en ondersoeke te doen. Die behoefte vir gevegspanne is egter vinnig geïdentifiseer en het gelei tot die stigting van verskeie gevegspanne wat vanaf Oshakati, Rundu en Opuwo geopereer het.

Die eenheid het in 1989 ontbind en meeste van die lede het na die RSA teruggekeer en is in die normale strukture van die SAP of die privaatsektor opgeneem. Dit het gelei tot die stigting van die Koevoet Veterane-bond (KVB) wat onder andere ten doel het om al die voormalige Koevoet lede te verenig en sosiale bystand te verskaf waar nodig. In 2012 is die Koevoet Herdenkingsmuur by die Voortrekker Monument ingelyf. Op die MUUR verskyn die name van ongeveer 170 van die gevalle helde van die eenheid. Dit is ‘n jaarlikse instelling dat Koevoet lede elke jaar in Aprilmaand by die MUUR versamel vir ‘n seremoniële geleentheid waartydens daar eer gebring word aan hierdie gevalle lede maar ook om die Broederderlike band tussen die lede te herbevestig. Die KVB is ‘n aktiewe organisasie en het verskeie inisiatiewe wat daarop gemik is om die tradisies en geskiedenis van die eenheid vir die toekoms te bewaar.

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Deur ‘n aktiewe bydrae tot die funksies en etos van die KVB te maak kan enige lid van die publiek na suksesvolle oorweging as ‘n VRIEND van die KVB ingelyf word. Die VRIENDE van Koevoet lewer ‘n aktiewe bydrae in die dag tot dag aktiwiteite van die KVB en hul kundigheid op verskillende fasette van die openbare lewe word tot groot voordeel van die KVB aangewend. Die JUNIOR BOND (JB) verteenwoordig enige nasaat wat deel is van die bloedlyn van iemand wat ‘n lid van die KOEVOET Eenheid was. Die JB se uitsluitlike taak en doel is om die tradisies en geskiedenis van Koevoet vir die toekoms te bewaar. Die JB is dus verantwoordelik om die legende van Koevoet vir die toekoms te verseker. Die KVB is ook betrokke by die groepering van Ovambo spoorsnyers wat tans te Vingerkraal woonagtig is. Deur interaksie word opheffing en versorging van die groep verseker. Daar is ook verskeie projekte wat vir die toekoms beplan word. So word daar onder andere gestreef na ‘n Museum wat die geskiedenis en werksaamhede van die eenheid ten toon sal stel. Daar word ook beplan vir die skepping van ‘n Aftree fasiliteit vir oud-Koevoetlede. In opsomming is die KVB ‘n dinamiese en lewendige organisasie wat ‘n verlengstuk is van die eens bekende Koevoet eenheid wat ‘n aktiewe bydrae gelewer het in ons land se militêre geskiedenis vanaf 1979 tot 1989.

Linda Bekker – “April by ons herdenkingsdag word vir almal wat respek wil betoon – ‘n rooi blom gegee om teen die Muur te gaan lê”. 59 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Koevoet teenwoordigheid – Gedenk dag

Nasionale Bestuur

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Herinneringsmuur

KOEVOET-VROUELEDE OOK BLOOTGESTEL AAN BLOED EN PYN Kol Dieks Dietrichsen (Skrywer en chirurg) Gedurende die vakansie aan die einde van die derde kwartaal in 1980 erf Onaimwandi-basis van Koevoet ‘n jong olifantbulletjie. Die olifantjie is die vorige jaar deur lede van die Teeninsurgensie-eenheid wat grensdiens in Ovambo gedoen het, uit ‘n watergat in die weste van Ovambo gered waar Ovambo’s besig was om hom met pangas aan te val…. waarskynlik om te slag en eet. Die olifantjie is Oshakati toe geneem waar ‘n onderwyser van Ongwediva Tegniese Kollege, Fritz Botha, hom aangeneem en versorg het. Omdat olifante tropdiere is, is ‘n jong donkiehings saam met hom in die kampie in sy agterplaas aangehou. Die olifantjie se naam was Ollie en die donkie is Ruben gedoop. Die twee was onafskeidbaar. Fritz is terug RSA toe verplaas en moes ‘n tuiste vir sy aanneem-kinders kry. Toe ek hoor hy soek pleegouers vir sy diere-kinders het ek aangebied om hulle aan te neem. ‘n Hok is in Onaimwandibasis met lang teerpale gemaak en die twee wesies is daarin geakkommodeer. Weens die beperkte ruimte en met die toename in grootte en massa het Ollie vinniger as Ruben gegroei en Ollie het sy massa-voordeel uitgebuit en Ruben gekarnuffel in die hok wat nie baie ruimte gelaat het vir Ruben 61 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

om van Ollie weg te kom nie. Ons was dus genoodsaak om Ruben uit die hok te laat wat hy baie geniet het weens die veel groter ruimte. Maar die twee het meeste van die tyd weerskante van die paal-grens tussen hulle by mekaar gekuier … soos twee goeie bure mos maar maak sonder om mekaar se drumpels deur te trap. Daar was ook ander diere in die basis wat vryelik saam met Ruben in die basis kon rondbeweeg waaronder ‘n Koedoe, Blouwildebees, Springbokke, Duikers en Steenbokkies. Net buite Ollie se hok en met toeganklikheid vir al die diere in die basis was ‘n groot bak – John Deere trekker se agterwiel-rim waarin voortdurend kos beskikbaar was veral afval groete en skille uit die kombuis. Al die diere het daar geëet. Ruben het partykeer sy donkie-streke uitgehaal en na die ander diere gebyt sodat hy alleen eers die lekkerste kos kon beetkry. So het dit gebeur dat Ruben eendag ‘n jong duiker aan die linker agter been net bokant die hoef beetgekry het en hom sommer opgetel en eenkant toe gegooi het. Die arme Duiker se been is stukkend gebyt met ‘n stuk vel wat Ruben seker ingesluk het, skoonveld. Die wond was rou en pynlik. Die arme duiker het swaar geloop. Ten spyte van vele behandelings met Betadine en verbande wou die been net nie genees nie – want Ruben het hom weer beetgekry. En wat is seerder as om op ‘n seerplek weer gepynig te word??!! Ek het die Staatsveearts van Oshakati genader met versoek dat die been bokant die seerplek afgesit word. Hy het net geantwoord: Sny die ding se keel af. Ek het ook twee diensplig-dokters by die Weermag se siekeboeg versoek om die arme duiker met sy pynlike been te help. Hul albei se antwoord was: Sny sy keel af. Ek het die Duiker gaan inlig dat die deskundiges van gesondheid die doodsvonnis oor hom uitgespreek het. Hy het my verslae aangekyk met ‘n soebat in sy oë: Ag tog, net nie nou nie. Ek het besluit as niemand anders iets vir hom wil doen nie, dan doen ek dit myself. Die been moet bokant die sweerplek afgesit word. Daarvoor het mens die regte gereedskap nodig. Ek het in my toolbox gaan krap vir die regte gereedskap: ‘n saag vir die been se afsaag. ’n Hamer vir narkose om hom katswink te slaan. Nee, dit klink bietjie wreed! Ek het nie nou met ‘n skoonma te doen nie. O ja… die bloeding moet gestop word. Daarvoor het ek ‘n elektriese soldeerbout wat ek vir ‘n elektroniese kursus van vroeër jare gebruik het, uitgehaal. In ons siekeboeg in die basis het ek die ander benodigdhede gekry: Vir narkose en pynverligting het ek ‘n butterfly gevat, ‘n boog-naald met gare om die wond mee toe te werk en ‘n scalpel om die vel mee oop en af te sny. Wel, ek moes ‘n assistent ook hê. Ek het geweet daar word altyd gepraat van ‘n teatersuster wat hoogs gekwalifiseerd moet wees om ‘n snydokter te assisteer. Ek het nog nie van ‘n manlike teatersuster gehoor nie. Dus moet my assistent ‘n vrou wees. Maar in die flieks sien mens altyd daar is meer as een teatersuster by operasies betrokke. Ek moes dus ook ten minste twee vroue by my hê. Wel, nou wie is beskikbaar vir die belangrike taak. Konstabel Adele de Wit (links) het by my in die kantoor administratiewe werk verrig. Sy was sommer naby. Wie nog? Sersant Linda Baker het in die Ops-kamer by Brigadier Dreyer-hulle in Okave-basis gewerk. Sy was ook ‘n potensiële kandidaat as teatersuster. Toe Linda by ons kom koffie drink die oggend, is my plan met hulle bespreek. Versigtig, tog baie opgewonde het hulle ingestem. Omdat hierdie operasie ‘n eerste sou wees moes dit op film vasgelê word vir opleidingsdoeleindes. Adele sou my bystaan met vashou-werk van die Duiker …. Daar was nie plek vir meer as twee hande om die Duiker vas te hou nie. Daarom is besluit dat Linda sal sorg vir die opleidingsmateriaal. 62 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Eers is die massa van die Duiker geskat en gekyk wat is die voorskrif vir die gebruik van die butterfly vir menslike gebruik volgens massa. Die verhouding is wiskundig uitgewerk om nie te veel van die butterfly vir die bok in te spuit nie. Ons pasiënt mag nie onder operasie die gees gee nie. Die instrumente is met brandspiritus gesteriliseer en op ‘n skoon handdoek op my lessenaar uitgepak… mooi netjies net soos in ‘n regte egte teater. Ek het die Duiker by Ollie se bak gaan vang waar hy maar weer versigtig moes wees om eers vir Ruben kans te gee om sy eetlus te stil voor hy sou waag om ‘n happie of twee kos te gryp en dan eenkant te gaan staan en kou. Ek het die Duiker teater toe gedra waar my twee teatersusters (Adele en Linda) gereed gestaan het vir die chirurgiese baanbrekers-aksie in Onaimwandi-basis van Koevoet. Die duiker is sy narkose met die regte uitgewerkte hoeveelheid van die butterfly toegedien. Hy’t aanvanklik so bietjie geskop en protesteer maar het gou weggeraak in bok se droomland met oë wat wasig geword het en krag in die skop verswak het. Nou die aksie. Dit moes vinnig en met die nodige presiesheid geskied sonder om die dier onnodig onder verdowing te hou. Eers is die been waarop die operasie uitgevoer moes word ontsmet met ‘n Dettol-oplossing. Met haar een hand op die Duiker het Adele se los hand soos ‘n robot gewerk. Toe ek nog wou scalpel sê, lê die ding al klaar in my hand. Wat ‘n professionele teatersuster dink ek by myself … maar ek sê dit nie want netnou kry sy groot kop nog voor ons klaar is en sy het nog nie eers bloed gesien nie. So terloops: Ek het hulle vooraf gewaarsku dat daar gaan bloed vloei en hulle mag nie omkap en my in die steek laat nie. Albei het gesê-vra: “Ons is Koevoet vroue! Wat dink jy van ons”?!!! Die vel is rondom die been net bokant die sweerplek afgesny. En daar loop die bloed! Daar is nie veel vleis onder op daardie dun beentjie nie. Die slagaar pomp so spuit-spuit. Ek druk met my duim die aar toe en wil nog vra of die soldeerbout al aangesit is maar Adele het my daar ook voorgespring. Sy gee aan sonder om my aan die warm punt te laat vat. Ek druk die soldeerbout se punt teen die slagaar. Dit ruik half na braaivleis en ander goed wat ek nie nou kan beskryf nie. Laat my sommer half honger word. Die bloeding word sommer veel minder en toe kon ek aangaan met die res van die operasie. Linda buk en styg op dan hierdie kant van my en die bok en onder Adele se arm deur om die beste posisie van die operasie op film vas te lê. Ek maak twee kort snitte parallel met die been hoër op na die hakskeen toe om die been hoër op af te saag en seker te maak daar bly nie van die vrot weefsel agter nie. Ek beur die vel ook hoër op teen die been sodat die plek waar die saag sy werk kan doen mooi sigbaar is. Nog bloed vloei! Ek loer so oor my wenkbroue na Adele en Linda of hulle oraait is. Geen bleek gesigte nie! Hulle is vol konsentrasie op dit wat gedoen moet word. Adele plaas die saag in my hand … net reg sonder dat ek moet verander aan my vat. Die dun beentjie maak so grrrr-grrrr-geluid toe ek saag. Linda merk op: “Sjoe, dis nogal weird!” Toe die been met die kloutjie af is word dit eenkant toe geskuif. Lê daar jou nikswerd poot… dink ek by my sigselwers maar sê dit nie hardop nie. Netnou dink my teatersusters ek is gevoelloos. Die vel word onder die been getrek en aan die buitekant van die been opgetrek sodat die been se oop kant beskerm word deur die vel. O gaats! Die slagaar is te lank en kan nie omgevou word nie. Weer doen die scalpel sy werk om die slagaar net so lank as die verkorte been af te sny. Dis weer net bloed wat spuit-spuit. Die keer verder as die eerste keer. Adele is sommer weer byderhand met die soldeerbout. Met die aar toegedruk met my linkerduim sweis ek daardie slagaar se punt so mooi toe dat ‘n Casspir se oliepomp hom nie eers sou ook kon kry nie. Nou die finale afronding. Die vel word met netjiese fyn stekies toegewerk. Dit lyk soos ‘n groot ‘N’ van die kant af bekyk. Daar is geen teken van bloeding wat op die nate waar die steke ingesit is, uitkom nie. …. ook geen swelling van die been wat op inwendige bloeding dui nie. Die been word lekker dik met Betadine gesmeer en toegedraai met verband. Bokkie haal nog asem en daar is tekens van wakker word. Hy moet ‘n 63 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

naam kry stel Adele voor. Kom ons noem hom Driepoot kom dit van Linda. Dit klink sommer na ‘n gepaste naam sonder enige teenstem. Ek het Driepoot in die draadkampie wat langs my kantoor vir skilpaaie gemaak is, gaan neerlê, vergesel van my twee teatersusters. So paar minute later het hy kop opgelig en probeer opkom maar butterfly het nog so bietjie met sy kop gesmokkel. Na nog ‘n paar minute het hy dit reggekry om op te staan. Die eerste keer het hy omgeval maar dadelik weer opgekom en so hinkepink na die draad van die kampie toe gestap. Met ‘n groot tevredenheid het ons drie in die kantoor gaan koffie drink en Ouma-beskuitjies ge-eet om ons sukses te vier. Driepoot se wond is elke derde dag weer met Betadine behandel en toegedraai. Op dag een-zero is sy steke uitgehaal. Die vel het mooi toegegroei met geen komplikasies nie. Driepoot is weer tussen die ander diere vrygelaat waar hy so hinkepink gestap het. As hy moes spoed aansit het hy op die drie lang bene gehardloop dat mens nie eers kon agterkom dat daar een shortie was nie. Driepoot het nog twee jaar in die basis gebly…. in hoogte toegeneem tot ‘n volgroeide Duiker. Onder sy bokpêlle het hy gespog dat hy tydens Grensdiens gewond is, geopereer is en op ligte diens geplaas is. Hy het almal teen Ruben se venynigheid gewaarsku. In sy tweede jaar na sy been se amputasie het George die volgroeide bobbejaanmannetjie uit sy hok gebreek. George het Driepoot uitgekies om so bietjie skrik op die lyf te jaag oor gedurige gebrag met sy grensdiensbesering. Driepoot het tot agter in die basis tussen die boumateriaal vir George probeer afskud. In die proses het hy sy ander agter been en een voorbeen gebreek. Arme Driepoot. Ek het sy toestand ge-evalueer. Een van die opsies was om al drie lang bene af te sit soos die eerste een. Dan sou hy soos ‘n Worshond gelyk het … lyf laag bokant die grond. Dan kon ons hom Worsbok noem. Die ander opsie was om hom uit sy pyn en ellende te verlig en te slag. Die tweede opsie is ter wille van menslikheid …of is dit nou dierlikheid … gevolg. Toe maak ons Bokwors! Dicks Dietrichsen Skrywer (en chirurg) 11 Januarie 2022

1957: KALKBANK-POLISIESTASIE

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Marcia du Pont

Kalkbank se polisiestasie, waar my pa gestasioneer was as jong Konstabel in die Polisie 1957-59. Foto: Bo - die Polisiestasie destyds

Polisiestasie wat bestaan uit ‘n enkel vertrek - links En die een regs was sy woonkamer

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Foto: stasiebevelvoerder se huis

1906: GEMEENTELIKE POLISIE: DURBAN: ALBERTPARK

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NATIVE POLICE: VOGELSTRUIS ESTATES (MINE)?

Note armbands.

LEWE IN DIE SA POLISIEKOLLEGE: VAN TOEKA TOT NOU Lizette Roos Terwyl ek vandag met ‘n pynappelbier in die hand sit, dink ek terug na my kollege dae. Ek het drie bottels pynappelbier na naweekpas saam teruggebring kollege toe en so verdwyn die een bottel die Sondagaand uit my kamer uit. Ek het nie omgegee nie, maar ongelukkig het die een wat dit geneem het, dit in haar trommel gebêre. Donderdagaand “sssssh” daardie bottel net, en ons hoor die volgende oomblik ‘n “Boep” terwyl ons rustig sit en studeer in ons kamers. Die gis- en pynappelreuk vul die hele Heidehof en almal voel naar. Die vermiste bottel het so pas ontplof in iemand se trommel. Al die boeke, strykyster en als in trommel was vol bier. Die sersant moes ‘n nuwe strykyster vir die student gaan koop want die bier is in die gaatjies van die yster in en als wat gestryk word, het na gegiste pynappel geruik. Hierdie gedagtes bring my toe by ons verblyf in die kollege. Ons was in 1988 vyf vroue-pelotonne en ons was genommer van nr’s 112 tot 116. Sondag, 3 Julie, meld ons aan by die kollege, die meeste het reeds ses maande op ‘n stasie gewerk en was goed voorberei op range en dril. Almal in hul pragtige kerkrokkies met sykouse en hoë hakskoene. Die mans netjies in kerkpakke. Hulle lyk baie tuis en ek voel soos ‘n verskrikte vlakhaas. Ek was twee dae voor die inname eers in kennis gestel ek kom.

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Ons was in Heidehof. In die “ou dae” was dit ‘n vroue-slaaplokaal. Die meisies het twee-twee in ‘n kamer geslaap. Peloton 112 en 113 het daar geslaap en die ander drie pelotonne was in Rosehof. Die res van die Kollege was mans-bungalows. Ons mag glad nie oor die hoofstraat beweeg het, tensy ons kantien toe gegaan het nie. Die kantien was die een kuierplek waar mans en dames kon kuier. Die nat kantien het eetgoed verkoop en die droë kantien goed soos slotte, skoen politoer, toksakke en die mooiste metaal Casspirs en ander aandenkings. Ons was uitgereik met twee rompe en drie ligblou hemde, student-skoene, sykouse, en ‘n langbroek wat baie sleg pas. Maak nie saak hoe goed jy gebou was nie. Dit het ‘n gladde band voor en ‘n rek agter gehad met ‘n ritssluiter op die kant. Dit was gebruik net vir skietkuns. Die sweetpak was van crimpeline gemaak, koningsblou met geel panele op die baadjie en blou broek. 1988 Feesjaar: SAP is 75 jaar oud Ons was feesjaar in die kollege en het dus baie aandag aan dril gegee sodat hulle ‘n vertoon peloton kon kies. Peloton 113 het dadelik die voortou geneem. Onder leiding van Liza de Lange as pelotonleier wat die vorige jaar op George Vroue Leërkollege was. Volgens ons peloton-sersant, Sersant Gouws (Botha), was ons kop en skouers bo die ander. Waar die ander studente elke tweede naweek af gehad het, het ons in verskillende dorpe gaan dril, partykeer met die polisiebus gery en ander kere met die trein gery. Dit was heerlik om die middelpunt van belangstelling te wees en so groot rol te vertolk maar dit was harde werk, ekstra ure se dril oefening om die beste te bly. Ons het vir Ahgmed die kameel ontmoet, hy was een van die eerste vervoermiddels in die SAP. Ons was uitgereik met ‘n stel lakens, een kussing en kussing sloop en een kombers, dit was ook jou linne vir jou bed vir inspeksie. Jou bed moes gestryk wees vir inspeksie. Ons het “braai-stands” gehad met ‘n deurgelegde spons matras. Jy moes baie vindingryk wees om jou kano (bed) soos ‘n tafel te laat lyk. Jy het hom opgestop onder met boeke, ‘n kombers of ou koerante. Party studente het op hul trommels geslaap om seker te maak die bed is perfek vir inspeksie sesuur die oggend. Dis nou 32 jaar later en my bed by die huis word nog steeds soos ‘n koevert opgemaak. Reg vir inspeksie. Ek stryk net nie meer die bokant van my laken nie. A/O Oom Neels Kelder was in beheer van die vroue menasie. Ons was baie lief vir hom. Wanneer ons peloton in bly die naweek, was daar net twee dames pelotonne en het hy gewoonlik vir ons ‘n poeding gemaak. Hy het altyd gesorg dat daar genoeg grondboontjiebotter en pynappel-konfyt op die tafel was. Ons was so bevoorreg om een aand Unisa toe te aan. Ons het as plekaanwysers gaan werk by ‘n gala-aand en het baie hoë offisiere ontmoet. Skielik was ‘n Generaal ook ‘n mens en nie net die naam van ‘n senior polisieman nie. Ons ander feestelike geleedheid was ‘n Boeremusiekorkes-uitdun wat by die kollege aangebied was en ‘n klomp van ons het met swart rompies, wit bloese en voorskootjies met wit kappie gaan help het met bediening. Dit het gewoonlik beteken dis ekstra lekker kos wat jy kry. Ons het ook ‘n feesjaar funksie gehad waar ons, ons beste aand klere aangehad het. Die meisies het meesal hulle matriekafskeid-rokke aangehad en die mans het hulle natuurlik verkyk aan hierdie kloosterkoeke wat skielik in modepoppies verander het.

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Saterdag aande was natuurlik ‘n hoogtepunt vir al die verliefde paartjies in die kollege. Fliek aand. Die meisies het bo op die galery gesit maar in die donker het heelwat “floor-crossing” plaasgevind. Veral van die meisies studente wat onwettig verhoudings met manlike instrukteurs gehad het. Nog ‘n hoogtepunt in 1988 was die medaljeparade. Alle student wat reeds ingesweer was op 1 April 1988 het vir die 75 jr fees-medalje gekwalifiseer. Die ouers was ook genooi vir die geleedheid en daarna kon die student hulle ouers hul kamers gaan wys. Die vakke wat destyds aangebied was, was “Polisie prakties”, regsvakke, etiek, skietkuns en Fisiese opleiding. Elke vak het sy eie instrukteur gehad. Daar is fantastiese instrukteurs met regsgrade wat klas gee. Uitpassering was natuurlik die hoogtepunt waarheen almal uitgesien het. Dieselfde vertoning wat daarvoor geoefen was, is as ‘n spesiale fees vertoning ook by Loftus opgevoer. Ons is met Canters en busse aangery Loftus toe en in die reën geoefen - maar dit het nie saak gemaak nie, want ons was trots op wat ons doen. Uiteindelik breek die week voor die uitpassering aan. Inspeksie van ons uniforms, rompies net te kort nie, hare reg vir die hoed, naels mooi skoon. Die aand voor die 25 November reën dit liggies, ons is baie benoud. Wat gaan more gebeur as dit reën. Ons bekommernis is meer oor ons ouers wat gaan nat reën. Die oggend breek sonnig aan. Geen teken van die nie. ‘n Geskarrel om aangetrek te kom, jou privaat- en polisie-eiendom in jou trommel te pak en dan jou trommel te dra tot waar jou provinsie jou gaan oplaai. Groot opgewondenheid heers onder die studente. Netnou is ons konstabels! Terug in die bungalow staan ons vir oulaas inspeksie voor die gebou in jou kleredrag en ontvang jy jou Polisie ID-Kaart. Die kat skree - “sirene” - en ons gaan tree in ons pelotonne aan om af te loop rugby veld toe. Daar waar jou ouers en geliefdes wag. Die mense wat die PT-vertoning doen, se klere hang reeds in die tent in ‘n sakkie met jou naam op, DIE FINALE In ‘n reguit ry marsjeer ons op die veld, my peloton net regs van die middel in die tweede blok van voor af. Humiditeit slaan op van die gras af en ons voel warm. Warm hart, warm lyf maar al wat nou saak maak is die sukses van die vertoning. HALT. Ons stop, loer kante toe om te sien jy is in lyn. Moenie beweeg nie. Ons gaan “regs rig” en dit regstel. Gaan deur my gedagtes. Ons is mooi geleer. Kolonel Van Vuuren kon vreeslik kwaad raak as ons roer. Moenie krap nie. Moenie jou kop draai nie. HAAL ASEM. Moenie op jou tone staan nie. Ons gaan deur die bewegings, die gebed, die verbymars. Dankie tog, niemand het geval nie. Heel laaste die afmarsjering. Moenie jou hoed in lug gooi nie. Moenie raas en gesels nie. Dit is ‘n parade. Gaan Kolonel Van Vuuren se stem weer deur my kop. Jou lekkerruik sal van jou was. Daar man se sêgoed was vir my super-snaaks. Uiteindelik is die wapenvertoning en die massagimnastiek verby en kon ons ouers by ons aansluit. Die wat nie saam met hul stasie of provinsie wou ry nie kon saam met ouers ry. My trommel is gelaai en soos ons uitry, kyk ek vir oulaas om. Totsiens kollege, sien jou weer want ek het geweet ek gaan eendag terugkom. Dinge het baie verander in die twee jaar wat ek gaan stasie ondervinding opdoen het. Op 2 Januarie 1991 rapporteer ek terug in die kollege as instrukteur. 69 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Baie van die bekende gesigte wat vir my klas gegee het was nog daar. Kleredrag het verander vir die student. Die studente se sweetpak het darem bygehou by die tye en is later van ‘n poly-katoen gemaak wat baie beter sit. Veral met die rek om die enkels en arms. Geen meer krimpeline nie. Daar word soveel meer vrouens opgelei as in die verlede, dat die mans geboue nou ook daarvoor aangewend word. Aan die een kant van die pad, geboue 1, 3, 5, 7 word vir vroue aangewend en die mans is in geboue 2, 4, 6 en 8. Dit was baie moeilik om hulle te leer dat die oorkant die straat buite perke was vir die teenoorgestelde geslag. Op ‘n stadium in 1991 was die studente uitgereik met ‘n duvet maar vir inspeksie, het hulle steeds ‘n blou deken met lakens gehad. Vir gesondheidsredes was daar in latere jare matrasse en basisse aangekoop. Iewers het hierdie kontrak skeef geloop en is daar honderde driekwart beddens afgelewer. Die blou staats-lakens wou om die dood nie oor die bed gaan nie en daar was skielik nie meer plek om jou trommel te bêre nie. Die laaste 10 jaar word opleiding in velddrag gedoen en PT in die sweetpak. Akademies word ook in velddrag gedoen so dit beteken baie minder aan- en uittrek. Ook maar goed want ons studente is meer op die foon as hulle gaan klere ruil as wat hulle hul steur aan tyd. Selfone is die nuwe euwel van ons tyd. Ons het soms tot ‘n uur gewag om die tiekieboks te gebruik. As jy deesdae die woord tiekieboks gebruik kyk hul jou net vraend aan. Hulle ken dit glad nie. Elke student het ‘n selfoon en party selfs twee. Een vir bel en een vir WhatsApp. Die student word nie toegelaat om hul selfone by hulle te hê nie. Dis ‘n luukse slegs vir peloton-leiers en adjunkpeloton-leiers maar die studente is so afhanklik van die fone dat hulle hul nie aan die reëls steur nie. Elkeen het ‘n ander verskoning waarom hul foon by hulle is. Die ou beredeblok se naam het verander na gebou 9 en was die vorige inname n vroue-blok. Die “braai-stands” is intussen herstel deur die metaal wat deur die jare uitgerek het, weer te vervang met nuwe metaal en van die spons matrasse is vervang met nuwe matrasse. Die laaste paar jaar het daar glad nie meer fliekvertonings plaas gevind nie aangesien die rolle films nie meer vervaardig was nie. Met die herbou en opgradering van die kollege-hospitaal, is daardie personeel afgeskuif ‘n opleidingsarea toe en is die siekeboeg in die onderste (naaste aan akademies) westelike vleuel van Heidehof en die kantore in die boonste gedeelte. Die apteek het in die blok saam met die kapelaan en maatskaplike werker ingetrek. Die oostelike gedeelte was steeds bungalows. Die daaglikse program Die student staan tussen 04:00 en 05:00 in die oggend op want 06:00 is inspeksie. Hulle het dan ook al klaar geëet. Temperatuur word geneem en sterkte word gaan opgee by dienskamer. 07:00 Maandag en Vrydag is parade, en res van die week hou dril instrukteurs, mini-parades. 08:00 begin die eerste van 4 blokke klas hetsy akademies, dril, skietkuns of PT. 11:30 verdaag hulle vir ete, weer ‘n mini-parade en 13:00 hervat klasse tot 16:00. 17:00 is aandete en 18:30 is dit studietyd tot 21:00. Dit vind in die “klasse” plaas. Daarna weer parade en “roll-call”. Eers as die diensoffisier gelukkig is, is dit slaaptyd. Covid jaar

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Deesdae is Heidehof se een vleuel beset deur die siekeboeg se personeel, die voorste vleuel gebruik vir siek studente, aan die ander kant van die gebou, word gebruik vir kwarantyn. Rosehof is ook kwarantyn-gebied. Na hulle (studente) gediagnoseer is, word hulle die middag 16:00 geneem na die Covid-hospitaal. (Die ou kollegehospitaal). Dis die een aan die einde van hospitaal bult. Dit word tans deur Polmed geadministreer nadat dit herbou is. Dit was ‘n ander nagmerrie om te oorbrug. Alle student moes ‘n Covid-toets doen twee dae voor hul inkom en moes die uitslae wys voor hulle op die bus klim. Hulle was twee weke in hul peloton geïsoleer waartydens hulle gemeet was vir uniform en hul Polmed-registrasie gedoen was. Hulle was veronderstel om heeltyd hul maskers te dra maar julle ken self die mensdom. Groot kanne saniteerder is aangekoop en elke student het twee lap maskers 25 wegdoenbare maskers en n klein botteltjie saniteerder gekry wat hulle by hulle moes dra. Die pelotonne het in “oop orde mars” beweeg waar hulle gaan en instrukteur mag nie oor die lyn beweeg het wat voor in die klas geplak was nie. Daar was slegs 19 studente per peloton. In die bungalows was daar ‘n bed tussen elke student oop gelos en vensters moes ten alle tye oop wees. As iemand in die peloton siek was, is die hele peloton na ‘n kwarantyn-area oorgeplaas tot die gebou gedisinfekteer was. Die sieke was dan vir die dag in die siekeboeg en die middag oorgeplaas na die Covid-hospitaal. Die hele peloton was dan terug gestuur na hul gebou en kos is by hul bungalow afgelewer en is hulle daar ge-kwarantyn. As iemand dan siek word is die hele proses weer gevolg. Na 11 dae kon die peloton terug keer klas toe en voortgaan met klas. Terwyl hulle in kwarantyn was, moes hulle voortgaan met selfstudie. Dit was menige instrukteur se nagmerrie om die werk in te haal, veral skietbane en skiet en PT opleiding, Op ‘n stadium het die instrukteurs moon-suits aangekoop net om die admin en skietbane van die persone wat nie siek is nie, maar in laaste drie dae van kwarantyn is, die administrasie en skietbane af te handel. Tshwane het werklik ‘n klop TOP instrukteurs wat die werk laat werk het toe die ondersteuningstelsel begin faal het. Ek is trots om een van hulle te wees.

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Die water tekort in 2019. Studente het vir 3 weke gaan water haal by ‘n waterkar. Covidinspuitings gedoen

Skoonmaaktyd.

Erewag, medic en kol Shubane by die “National Police Memorial Day”.

NONGQAI: VOL 12: NO 13: FOTO BL 95 Mnr Jan de Klerk Goeiedag Brig Na aanleiding van die bogenoemde foto, hierby aangeheg 'n paar foto's van polisiebeamptes aan diens by verskillende plekke en verskillende jare in Port Elizabeth.

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Daar is twee uit ongeveer dieselfde tyd (1901) - in Main Street en die ander in Fort Frederick. Ek vermoed hierdie twee was die produk van Baden-Powell se SA Constabulary - ek mag verkeerd wees. Die derde lyk na punt diens in Main Street 1930. Vriendelike groete Jan

Konstabel by Fort Frederick

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1901: Constable, Main Street, Port Elizabeth

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Circa 1930: Constable on Point Duty in Main Street

MY ERVARINGS AS POLISIEVROU BY KOEVOET OP OSHAKATI TYDENS DIE GRENSOORLOG Adele de Wit Ek is in 1982 as polisievrou opgestuur na Koevoet, Suidwes-Afrika toe vanaf Veiligheidstak, Intelligensie-eenheid, Johannesburg. Ek sou net vir 6 maande diens gaan doen het. Ek het geen idee gehad waarin ek myself begewe nie. Twee manne van die Veiligheidstak het my vergesel en ons het saam op die Flossie geklim. Dit op sy eie was ‘n ervaring aangesien ons op hangmatte moes sit en met landing het die vliegtuig eers in die rondte gevlieg ingeval daar ‘n aanval op die vliegtuig sou wees vanaf die vyand. Die twee manne wat saam met my gevlieg het, het my vertel hoe gevaarlik en primitief dit daar was. Ek is toe ontmoet op die lughawe te Ondangwa deur Linda Baker, ook werksaam by Koevoet. Op Oshakati het ek tuis gegaan by Linda en haar man, Dave. Sy het my touwys gemaak en die nodige aan my uitgewys. Met die uitpakslag het ek ontdek dat ek net een tas het en dat my ander tas verlore geraak het. In die tas wat wel daar was, was daar net twee aandrokke en handdoeke. Ek is aangesê om die bevelvoerder naamlik, Generaal Sterk Hans Dreyer die volgende dag te ontmoet. Ek moes toe vinnig dink hoe om ‘n aandrok te omskep in ‘n dagrok. Die volgende dag het ek die Generaal ontmoet en was die eerste woorde op sy lippe: “Nou wat het jy verkeerd gedoen?” In die vertrek het ‘n klomp mans saam met die Generaal gestaan wat wilde baarde gehad het. Dit het vir my ‘n bietjie intimiderend gevoel aangesien ek al vrou in die vertrek was. 75 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Ek het saam met Kaptein Jan Potgieter begin werk en ons is saam na Onaimwandi-basis toe. Daar het ek vir Majoor Sakkie van der Merwe en A/O Mike van Rooyen ontmoet en administratiewe dienste verrig. By die basis het die offisiere kom eet en ek het toesig gehou oor die kombuis. Daar het ek ook toelae aan die terroriste in aanhouding uitbetaal waarna hul gewoonlik beddegoed ensovoorts gekoop het. Ek het dan hul aankope by die poskantoor gaan haal. Daar was ‘n kleinerige dieretuin wat bestaan het uit ‘n paar diere onder andere ‘n luislang, krokodil, bobbejaan met die naam van Willemien wat baie stout geraak het. Dit het baie gereën daar en ons moes maar mooi rond kyk in die waterpoele of ons nie die krokodil gewaar nie aangesien hy “geawol” het. Ek het eendag in my kantoor gekom toe het Willemien die bobbejaan al my dokumentasie vernietig. Sy moes toe later in ‘n hok gesit word aangesien sy aggressief geword het. Die Generaal het eendag onverwags besoek kom aflê en gevind dat ek alleen werk. Generaal was baie ontsteld daaroor. Ek en Chris de Wit wat een van die stigterslede van Koevoet was en toe later my man geword het, het my uitgeneem vir die aand en vir my gesê hy gaan my die dorp wys. Ons stop toe by die Weermag-store. Chris wys toe met sy hand ek moet stil wees waarop Chris die store binne gegaan het en iets uit die store “gesteel” het. Chris het op ‘n ander geleentheid ‘n Buffel wat hy bestuur het gaan omruil vir ‘n nuwe voertuig by die store. Die dames wat saam met my gewerk het, het my as nuweling baie ondersteun en na my omgesien. Heidi en ‘Swapo’ Meyer was nuwelinge wat by my aan huis kom bly het. Daardie aand geniet ek en sy ‘n bottel wyn buite op die stoep. Skielik gaan die sirenes af en ons het na die bomskuiling gevlug. In die bomskuiling besef ek dat ek die kinders in die huis vergeet het. My twee kinders, Juan en Francois, verwyt my tot vandag toe nog oor die voorval. In die begin was daar geen bomskuilings gewees nie en ons moes toe in die stort skuiling soek. In die vinnigste tyd moontlik moes jy gaan skuil in die stort saam met jou kinders asook ‘n matras saamsleep aangesien dit op daardie stadium die veiligste skuiling in die huis was. Die mans het gewoonlik een week op die basis en een week uit in die veld gewerk. Dus moes ons as vroue beheer neem as die dorp met bomme aangeval word. Ek het gewoonlik my seuns belowe dat ek vir hul Milo sou maak as ons uitgekom het. Gewoonlik het daar ‘n offisier omgekom om te hoor of alles in orde was. Nadat die bomskuilings buite gebou was het die mans dit as drankstore gebruik. Ons as vroue moes maar mooi tussen die drank rond beweeg. Die vroue het gewoonlik in ‘n kortbroek en T-hemp geslaap of andersins het ons die klere op die bed uitgelê vir ingeval van ‘n bomaanval. My seun Francois was omtrent drie jaar oud toe ons na die skuiling moes vlug. In die skuiling het hy besef dat hy geen klere aan gehad het nie en my gesmeek om dit te gaan haal. Hy was baie ongelukkig met my gewees omdat ek dit tydens die aanval nie kon doen nie. Ons het as vroue besef dat die mans dit nie altyd maklik gehad het in die veld nie. Ons het moeite gedoen indien hul sou terugkeer van die veld af om vir hul lekker kos te maak , die huis mooi te maak en die tuin netjies te hou. Die mans het gewoonlik net in die huis ingekom, gestort en weer kantien toe gegaan om saam te kuier en te praat oor die week se werk in die veld. Die kos het die volgende dag nog steeds daar gestaan …. uitgedroog en smaakloos. Generaal Dreyer se vrou, Tannie Hester, soos sy bekend gestaan het, het vir my goeie raad gegee en gesê dat ek vir my ‘n warm plaat, “hot tray” in Engels, moet koop en die kos daarop los. Dit het nie altyd gewerk nie aangesien die kos nog steeds op die warm plaat gestaan en droog word het. Die polisievroue het dit ook nie altyd maklik gehad nie en was indirek ook betrokke deur na die radio’s te luister en te hoor wanneer die mans in kontakte met die terroriste betrokke was en wanneer daar iemand beseer was of gesterf het. Dit was ook nie altyd maklik vir die siviele dames nie. Hul het vir die polisievroue gehelp deur ‘n kleuterskool te open en het entrepreneurs geword deur ‘n haarkapper te open en produkte van hul huise af te verkoop. 76 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Daar was ook ‘n Polisie Damesklub gestig wat ons baie geniet het deur veral musiek te speel, deur musiek op te neem op Kassette en te speel op die kassetspelers. Jy het nuwe musiek opgeneem, oor en oor op dieselfde kasset gespeel waarop die kasset begin trek het en jy later nie meer kon hoor wat sing die kunstenaar nie. Daar is later funksies gehou en al dekor wat beskikbaar was het uit ons huise gekom of ons het by die Weermag dekor gaan bedel. Die enigste blomme beskikbaar was Bougainvilleas. Ons het ook bekende sangers vanaf die Republiek van Suid-Afrika af laat kom om by ons op te tree. Manuel Escorcio en Janita Claassen was van die kunstenaars wat kom optree het. Tee was nie altyd beskikbaar by die klub nie en ons moes ons noodgedwonge na ander verversings wend. Daar was ook die jaarlikse Bierfees waar ons dames van die damesklub ‘n trompoppie vertoning moes hou. Ons families kon vir ons kom kuier waarna ons ook baie uitgesien het. My ouers het kom kuier en het die ervaring ook baie geniet. My pa, Johan, is een aand genooi deur die manne om ‘n drankie saam te geniet. Op ‘n stadium het die mengsel wat saam met die drankie gemeng moes word opgeraak en toe moes hy maar noodgedwonge rooi koeldrank drink saam met sy drankie. My broer, Paul Pretorius wat ook ‘n lid van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie was en by die Veiligheidstak in die Republiek gewerk het, het my besoek. My suster, Maryna, het as jong meisie daar by my kom kuier. Die manne wou haar graag uitneem maar was skrikkerig vir Chris. Tony da Costa kon daarin slaag om haar uit te neem. Tony het net die heeltyd aan my vertel hoe mooi hy na my suster sou kyk. Tony en Maryna is ook ‘n tyd daarna getroud en sy het ook in een van die karavane kom intrek. Die vrouens het ook ‘n rol in die mans se lewens gespeel. Ek onthou die dag toe oorlede Betoger wat in die veld gesterf het tydens ‘n kontak, by my kantoor ingestap het en gesê het hy kom kyk net hoe lyk en ruik ‘n vrou nog. Ek is toe van daar af Onaimwandi-basis toe om administratiewe dienste te verrig by die motorhawe. Daar het ek met die Casspirs en sagtedop voertuie gewerk. Die manne het hul ongeluksverslae by my ingedien. Ek het nagmerries in die nagte gekry weens die redes vir die ongelukke wat hul aangemeld het veral met die sagtedop voertuie. Ek is ook deur die lede gevra om die verslae namens hul in te dien waarop ek gewoonlik vergoed was met ‘n bottel wyn. Ek het later nie meer vrae gevra om vas te stel waar ‘n sagte dop vandaan kom nie. Ek onthou ‘n voorval waar my privaat voertuig, ‘n geel Golfie op ‘n “fork lift” gestaan het. Die Uremas het baie keer saggies agter my Golfie gery en skielik die toeter geblaas waarop ek myself amper dood geskrik het en moes keer om nie te pad te verlaat nie. Nege uit tien keer het die voertuie wat uit die veld gekom het nie brieke gehad nie. Verder was daar ook ‘n geleentheid waar my geel Golfie gestamp was. Die Golfie is toe mooi reggemaak by die motorhawe. Ek het die voertuig gaan haal net om te hoor my kar was weer intussen gestamp. Die Generaal het blykbaar ‘n Wolf uitgetoets en my Golfie weer gestamp. Die kar was later so vol van al die “body putty” wat hul moes gebruik om dit te herstel. Ek en Inspekteur Louw het by tye vanaf Ombalantu uitgevlieg om voertuie te soek wat in kontakte met terroriste uitgeskiet was. Die Lugmag se helikopters was gewoonlik binne-in baie deurmekaar met koeël doppies wat oral rond gelê het. Nog ‘n hoogtepunt was as die Generaal vir ons vroue ‘n bussie en bestuurder gereël het om in Tsumeb inkopies te doen. Die arme bestuurder was nooit weer dieselfde nie. Ek onthou hoe ons eendag ‘n pap wiel langs die pad gekry het waarop die Generaal vir ons ‘n ander bussie moes stuur. Ons het te heerlik inkopies gedoen en middagete geniet. Ek en ‘n vriendin, Louise, het eendag by die SAWI (Weermag-winkel) ingegaan om kleursel vir ons hare te gaan koop. Ek en Louise het begin strepies in ons hare sit en sommer lekker gekuier. Toe ek die volgende oggend in die spieël kyk sien ek dat my hare groen was. My man Chris bly net sê “Hulle gaan jou “peg”. Ek hardloop na Louise se huis toe. Sy staan toe op die sypaadjie ook met groen hare. Gelukkig was daar ‘n siviele dame wat ‘n klein plekkie gehad waarheen ons kon gaan om ons hare oor te kleur. Ons het nog lank daarna geloop met ‘n groen skynsel in die hare. 77 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

As die mans in die veld was het ons naweke ons self vermaak. Meeste van die dames het opblaas swembaddens gehad waarin ons geswem het. Verder het ons ons plekkies mooi gemaak of na die tuine omgesien. Minnie Meads het gewoonlik by haar kinderpartjies gehou. Ons vroue het gewoonlik gebraai en vir die kinders het ons “Ratpacks” gegee. Ek glo as vrou wat by Koevoet gewerk het, het ek ‘n betekenisvolle bydrae gelewer met betrekking tot ondersteuning aan die eenheid, hetsy in ‘n emosionele en administratiewe hoedanigheid. Die Eenheid is in 1989 ontbind. In 1990 was ek van die laaste lede daar weg Walvisbaai toe maar voor ek kon vertrek moes ek en Koos van Zyl die Casspirs en Wolwe laai wat Windhoek en SuidAfrika toe moes gaan. Joel’s Transport het die vervoer verskaf maar Koos moes self die Casspirs tot op die “Low bed” ry waar ek moes voor staan en wys hoe hy die Casspir moes parkeer. Jy kon twee voertuie op die “Low bed” laai. Party voertuie wou nie aanskakel nie of hul brieke het nie gewerk nie. Ek was in ‘n toestand en my senuwees was op. Koos het ophou rook voor die storie maar het weer begin rook na die storie. Ek het eensaam en verlore gevoel nadat die voertuie weg was. Die bomaanvalle het afgeneem en die lewe op Oshakati het weer “normaal” geword. • Ek het haar indiens geneem en al haar dokumente met inbegrip magsnommer en Polmed in opdrag van die kommissaris in een dag afgehandel – HBH.

ELKE KIND HET ‘N DROOM… Kapt G J Steyn [Misdaad Intelligensie: Noordwes-Provinsie 1976 tot 2018]

Myne was om by die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie aan te sluit en om elke dag ‘n blou uniform te dra met blink skoene. Daar was vir my niks so mooi en professioneel. My droom word waar en op 30 Januarie 1976 word ek as die eerste Polisievrou in Delareyville aangestel waar ek met 6 maande indiensopleiding begin. Ek ontvang opleiding by lede wat reeds ‘n lang pad gestap het in die SAPS. As 17 jarige kind word ek ontnugter met realiteite, ek sien die verkeerde kant van die lewe. Die lief en leed van ‘n gemeenskap raak my hart. Ek sien die dood, ‘n ontbinde lyk, ‘n ou oom wat vergete in sy woonstel lê. ‘n Vriendin se oupa neem sy eie lewe met ‘n haelgeweer in die badkamer. Die reuk van bloed en die wond aan sy kop bly my by. 78 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

In Baberspan, word lyke gesoek, dae later word van hulle tragies tussen riete gevind en dan rol ek rond in my bed, waar is dié wat nooit gevind is? Op 3 Julie 1976 meld ek met trane in my oë by die dienskamer, Polkol aan, my hart is seer, ek is bang, ek neem afskeid van my ouers en my veilige hawe. 72 Dames word in twee pelotonne ingedeel. In Rosehof word sterk bande gesmee, ons lag, huil, sing, dans en ondersteun mekaar, ons maak selfs tyd vir kattekwaad. Vreemdelinge word vriendinne, ons is almal hier vir dieselfde rede. Jy leer vinnig wat netheid, respek, dissipline, en professionaliteit beteken. Alles vind plaas teen die spoed van wind. Hospitaalbult word deel van ons daaglikse roetine By die instituut ontvang ons opleiding in : • Wette van die Land. • Staande orders. • Skiet oefening. • Noodhulp. • Dril en liggaamsoefening. • Hantering van verskillende insidente. • Ons word gevorm en geskaaf. Op 3 Desember 1976 passeer ons uit en ek word te Lichtenburg gestasioneer. By Thusong Hospitaal, tussen Lichtenburg en Mafikeng, woon ek 3 lykskouings by. Elke dag is daar iets nuuts, ek leer baie, ek groei, ek is gelukkig! In 1977 word ek en my man Kapt. Willie Steyn na Potchefstroom verplaas. Die Misdaadskerm: 1980 [ingestel deur Brig Laas en sy bestuur] Hierdie was die begin van ‘n nuwe era en hulp middel in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie. In 1980 voltooi ek my kursus suksesvol in die hantering van die Misdaadskerm en word as eerste misdaadskerm operateur in Wes Tvl aangestel. Dit verskaf landswye kommunikasie om die volgende te vergemaklik; • • •

Opsporing van verdagte- asook vermiste persone. Sirkulasie en kansellasie van gesteelde voertuie, trapfietse en waardevolle gemerkte items. Veediefstal [beeste en skape word opgespoor d.m.v. brandmerke of plaatjies.

1985 word ek verplaas na die Veiligheidstak, Potchefstroom. 1986 voltooi ek ‘n kriptografiese kursus wat deur die SAW Pretoria aangebied word. Die opleiding behels ‘n veilige kommunikasie stelsel vir die hantering van geklasifiseerde inligting en ons bewaar die instrument. Ek word aangestel as die eerste vroue-kriptobewaarder in Wes-Transvaal en tree op volgens SAKSA [Suid Afrikaanse kommunikasie sekerheid agentskap], NI, SAP en SAW. Die instrument word deur SAKSA instruksies hanteer, herstel en bewaar. 79 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

BBP [Beveiliging van belangrike persone]. Ek het die eer gehad om betrokke te wees by die binne parameter van Me. Botha, Me. Vlok, Me. Le Grange en Me. De Klerk. 1995 word ‘n nuwe eenheid in Misdaad Intelligensiediens geopen en staan bekend as Teen-Inligting / Counter Intelligence. Ons open die eenheid met drie lede en ek word later aangestel as die lessenaar bevelvoerder Sekerheid-standaarde [Security Standards] Noord Wes. Met die verloop van tyd groei die eenheid aansienlik met offisiere en lede. 2003 is ek bevoorreg om vir ‘n jaar aangestel te word as waarnemende Provinsiale Bevelvoerder, Counter Intelligence, Noord Wes. Ek verrig hierdie pligte met trots, passie en gebruik elke geleentheid en uitdaging om te groei. 2018 tree ek, Kapt. GJ Steyn, Bevelvoerder Sekerheid-standaarde na 42 jaar uit die diens, met trots, dankbaarheid en die wete dat my droom en sirkel in die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie met sukses voltooi is. Die Steyn egpaar tree uit met 84 gesamentlik, ononderbroke jare diens. Ek dank my Hemelse Vader, eggenoot, kinders, familie, vriende en kollegas wat my bygestaan en ondersteun het.

EESTE BBP-DAMES Brig Pieter Scholtz Hallo Hennie, vertrou dit gaan goed. Hier by ons alles wel. ... 80 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Ek het verlede week van Willie Nel 'n boodskap oor jou projek gekry en jou versoek vir inligting. Nadat ek die BBP eenheid gestig het, het ek versoek aan hoofkantoor gerig vir 'n dame om met die privaat sekretarisse van Ministers te skakel oor Ministers se bewegings sodat die gepaste beskerming gegee kon word. Lt (v) Maryna Rossouw is toe vanaf die veiligheidstak, Johannesburg, na my oorgeplaas. Sy was dus die eerste dame op ons personeel en het haar goed van haar taak gekwyt. Ek het ongelukkig geen huidige besonderhede van haar nie. Nadat meneer de Klerk Staatspresident geword het, het 'n behoefte ontstaan om aan mev De Klerk veiligheid te verseker. Ek het Sers. Janet Durand aangestel wat dus ook die eerste dame was in 'n lyfwag posisie. Sy het mev De Klerk oral heen vergesel en mev de Klerk het baie goed met haar klaargekom. Janet se magsnommer was 0427171-8 en sy was deel van die tweede inname in 1988. Die dames se Kollege bevelvoerder was op daardie stadium Majoor (v) Terblanche. Ek kan, indien nodig, meer besonderhede oor haar verstrek. Skakel gerus. Baie sterkte met jou projek en weer eens baie dankie dat jy die Mag geskiedenis dokumenteer. Vriendelike groete Pieter

1986: EERSTE DAMES: SAP BBP-EENHEID Brig. P A Scholtz

Gedurende 1986 is die BBP (Baie Belangrike Persone) Eenheid waarvan ek die eerste bevelvoerder geword, gestig. Daar was van meet af by my ‘n behoefte om geskikte lede vir die taak aan te stel wat as ambassadeurs vir ons geliefde Polisiemag by BBP’s kon optree. Daar het ook onmiddellik ‘n behoefte ontstaan om ‘n dame op die personeel te kry wat die skakeling met Privaat-sekretaresse van Ministers moes behartig sodat ons die Ministers se bewegings kon bekom met die doel om hulle te beveilig. Veiligheidshoofkantoor het Lt. Maryna Rossouw van die Veiligheidstak, Johannesburg, na die Eenheid oorgeplaas. Sy was die eerste dame by die BBP Eenheid. 81 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Met die stigting van die eenheid moes die 30 lede, waarvan enkele dames was wat gewerf is, hoofsaaklik uit Veiligheidstakke, beskermingsopleiding ontvang. Dit is die eerste jaar deur Nasionale Intelligensie gedoen aangesien hulle vir beskerming van ons BBP’s in die buiteland was. Ek het een van my lede opdrag gegee om alle relevante dokumentasie wat hy kon bekom, saam te bring en sodoende het ons verder ons eie opleiding gegee. Mnr. Willem Cruywagen was op daardie stadium die Administrateur van Transvaal en ek het hom geken. Ek het hom versoek om met sy amptenare te skakel by die Transvaalse Verkeerskollege buite Pretoria waar ons hulle hoëspoed figuur 8 - sowel as glybaan wou gebruik. Al ons lede is daarna in hoëspoed-bestuurstegnieke opgelei. Die SAP se Kwartiermeester het toegestem om ter wille van veiligheid enkele voertuie wat gekeur was, binne die ruim te versterk sodat ons die tegnieke kon bemeester. Dit was sover my kennis strek die enigste en eerste maal wat dit gedoen was. Dit was ook die eerste keer in die geskiedenis van die SAP wat dames in sodanige tegnieke bemagtig was. Sers(v) Durand was een van slegs drie dames. Meneer F W de Klerk het enkele jare later die nuwe Staatspresident geword en daar het behoefte ontstaan om sy eggenote, mevrou Marike de Klerk, van ‘n lyfwag te voorsien. Omdat ek self voorheen die lyfwag van Staatspresident P W Botha was, het ek geweet wat van so ‘n lid verwag word. Ek het besluit om Nr. 0427171-8 Sers. Janet Durand in die posisie aan te stel. Haar peloton bevelvoerder was O/Sers, Geldenhuys wat vanaf die Spoorweg Polisie oorgeplaas was en bevelvoerder in die SAP Kollege was Maj(v) Terblanche. Alhoewel Janet jonk was, het sy haar goed van haar taak gekwyt en Mevrou de Klerk het met lof van haar gepraat. Janet is later van jare met my seun, Pieter, wat ‘n lid van die Pretoria Blitspatrollie was, getroud. Brig. P A Scholtz

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60-JAAR GELEDE: SAP KOLLEGE Brig Johan Giliomee

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Brig Giliomee skryf per WhatsApp: Net so ’n stukkie nostalgie. Eendag, lank, lank gelede.....vandag presies 60 jaar gelede (1962.01.22), voorste ry, 1ste van links: Awie Schreuder (No 39953), 2de: die uwe (No 39913)

MY ERVARING AS DIE EGGENOTE VAN ‘N POLISIEMAN EN AS ‘N POLISIERESERVIS Reservis- Adjudant-Offisier (v) Francis Schoeman Ek het al baie gehoor gesoute polisiemanne (en vroue) sê, “een mal ‘n polisieman (óf vrou), altyd n polisieman of ‘n polisievrou”. Dit geld veral die manne óf vroue wat feitlik hul hele lewe in die Suid–Afrikaanse Polisie deurgebring het. Ek wil hierby insluit nie net dié dames wat as volwaardige lede gedien het nie, maar ook die eggenotes van die manne wat jarelank in moeilike omstandighede op afgeleë plekke, op die platteland, in die operasionele gebied of “bos” of in die stad gedien het. Ek was een van daardie vroue. Ek was in hart en siel deel van my man en as sulks, gevoel ek is ook deel van die S.A. Polisie. Ek het feitlik elke polisie-eksamen saam met hom studeer en het later (na baie koffies en nagte van studie) die verskillende staande orders, wette, strafproseswet en strafreg net so goed as hy geken. Ons was so 5 maande in ons nuwe huis toe my man in die lente van 1978 vanaf Johannesburg as stasiebevelvoerder na Katima Mulilo in die Oos Caprivi verplaas is. Dit was operasionele gebied. Ons kon nie ons meubels of selfs ‘n motor saamneem nie. Dit was ‘n tranedal. Ons meubels is vir 3 jaar na ‘n staatspakhuis in Youngsfield in die Kaap gestuur. Ons motor moes ons maar verkoop. Ons het ‘n gemeubileerde huis op Katima Mulilo betrek en kon basies net breekgoed, linne, kombuisware en klere saam neem. Na my aankoms op Katima Mulilo het ek sommer binne ‘n paar dae agtergekom dat ek gasvrou sou moes speel vir besoekers, hetsy vanaf die Distrikskommandant se kantoor of Polisiehoofkantoor. Die stasie sou my man soms kort voor middernag bel met die boodskap dat daar besoekers was wat huisvesting benodig. Daar was geen hotel, gastehuis of blyplek vir besoekers beskikbaar nie en sou ek hul aan huis moes ontvang en bederf (wat ek met liefde vir die saak) gedoen het. Baie vinnig het ek agtergekom dat besoekers vanaf veral Polisiehoofkantoor aan dié gebied (veral na die bou van die plaaslike basis vir die opleiding van Spesiale Konstabels), ‘n maandelikse instelling sou word. So het onder andere Generaals Verster en Wandrag gereelde besoekers geword. In 1979 ontstaan daar ‘n vakature vir ‘n Administratiewe Klerk by die Polisiestasie en word ek in die pos aangestel. So word ek noodgedwonge nie net die klerk nie, maar ook die tikster, opleidster van die menasiekok en “amptelike” gasvrou wat moes bontstaan met etes vir besoekers en onthale. Ek onthou dat die kriptograaf gereeld ‘n teleks op my man se tafel neergeplaas het en dat hy my dan geroep het met die boodskap dat ‘n Parlementêre besoekersgroep van 14 persone (wat die Minister van Polisie en die Minister van Justisie ingesluit het), oor ‘n week of wat, maar gewoonlik baie kort kennisgewing, die operasionele gebied (-en stasie) sou besoek en dat die opdrag was dat hy as stasiebevelvoerder ‘n 5-gang maaltyd vir die besoekers sou moes aanbied. Noodgedwonge moes ek dan soms met ander eggenotes op die stasie konsulteer en saamspan om te kyk wat ons bymekaar kon sit. Die opdrag was gewoonlik dat die besoekgroep die polisiemanne op die stasie wou ontmoet en dat ‘n gesamentlike ete aangebied moes word. Soms moes vir tot 50 persone in totaliteit voorsiening gemaak word. Om dit te kon doen moes ek bykomende eetgerei vir my eie rekening aankoop. Desember-maande was dit die besoekgroep wat die Suiderkruisfonds se geskenkpakkies kom oorhandig het. Daar was geen groentemark, groentegees of soortgelyke winkel waar ek plaaslik groente sou kon aankoop nie. Die plaaslike supermarkie van die 84 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Ontwikkelingskorporasie was swak toegerus en het op die plaaslike inwoners gekonsentreer. Geen skaap- of lamvleis was plaaslik beskikbaar nie en die plaaslike slaghuis het net Caprivi-bees verkoop wat in totaliteit oneetbaar was. Die naaste ander dorp aan Katima Mulilo was Rundu, sowat 600 kilometer daarvandaan en was nie ‘n opsie om die nodige middele te bekom nie. Alles moes inderhaas vanaf die RSA (Pretoria) bestel word wat die lugmag vir ons moes invlieg. Dit was spanningsvolle tye want jy het nooit geweet of jy dit wat jy nodig het, betyds sou ontvang nie. My peri-peri hoender-gereg was so gewild dat Generaal Wandrag die resep vir sy vrou gevra het. Hierdie resep is later saam met 3 ander resepte van my in Knuppeldik aan Koningskos opgeneem. Die Militêre dames het darem later aan die Polisie-eggenotes die geleentheid gegee om een keer per maand kruideniersware vanaf die Weermag-instituut (SAWI) te bestel. Groente kon toe weekliks bestel word maar ‘n bestelling sou as ‘n vaste bestelling vir 3 maande geld. Om dat dit die operasionele gebied was wou die vrouens leer skiet en het ek ook deel geword van die plaaslike “vroue-kommando” en het alles geleer van luiperdkruip tot radiospraakprosedure. Weens persoonlike redes is my man (op sy versoek) einde Desember 1981 terug na die RSA en na Brits verplaas. Dit was ‘n tranedal toe ons Caprivi toe is en dit was weer ‘n tranedal toe ons uit die Caprivi verplaas is. Ek het lief geraak vir die Zambezirivier. ‘n Jaar later is my man na Misdaadintelligensie oorgeplaas en word hy na Polisiehoofkantoor, Pretoria verplaas. Ek het die Polisie gemis en sluit later by die Polisiereserviste te Brits, nadat hulle dames toegelaat het om ook Polisiereserviste te wees aan en is later oorgeplaas na Wierdabrug Polisiestasie, nadat my man na Pretoria verplaas is. Ek word later bevorder na sersant en nog later na adjudant-offisier. Ek was die eerste vrouereservis te Brits asook Wierdabrug. Saam met die manne het ek klagtes bygewoon, die aanklagtekantoor hanteer en die patrolliewa bestuur. Ek het ook alles wat n manlike kollega sou doen, gedoen. Die Polisie was in my bloed. Die 75-jarige Polisiegedenkmedalje is aan my toegeken. Weens mediese redes moes ek later uit die Polisiereserviste tree. Maar ek bly ‘n “polisievrou” in hart en siel. My verhaal is ook die verhaal van ander polisie-eggenotes wat hul manne deur dik en dun (op ander maniere) bygestaan het en deel van die groter polisieprentjie vorm. Ek salueer die polisiemanneen vroue wat lojaal aan hul roeping is en hard werk om beter diens te kan lewer.

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1916: BEGRAFNIS: OUD-PRES MT STEIJN: BLOEMFONTEIN

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33 JAAR GELEDE (16 JANUARIE) Johan Roelofse Vandag 33 jaar diens, 24 jaar PKRS 2de Foto Maleoskop 1989 ...

1 STE foto ingesweer deur my pa .

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A LADY CHAPLAIN’S PERSONAL STORY Charisse Le Roux – (Retired Police Chaplain - Lieutenant-Colonel) Good morning Oom Hennie, A very blessed New Year, 2022 to you and your family. May it be a very special year, of fruitful blessings and good health. At last, I have attached a few stories as a Chaplain, as I said, I'm busy with a book on my time in the Chaplaincy in the S A Police. It is not easy as I recall every pain and tear as if I was attending some of the most horrific police family scenes. The years I spent with the police family are so precious to me as this has been my life, the good the bad, and the ugly. This had all been preparation for me for the day I left on 'Retirement', rather 'Refirement.' For the full-time ministry working for the Lord as well now, with no pressure, time-lines, monthend, etc. This is what I live for, to be a change agent, Gods' mouthpiece, still in the Law Enforcement Agencies, as I receive invitations to speak, teach, bringing hope and healing. This time to the Nations and much more. Thank you for all your encouragement and inspiration and such deep research. Touching lives and making a huge difference in the lives of others. God bless you and take care. Charisse Le Roux

I am just an ordinary woman, called to do an extraordinary task, mother of three children, and married to a Police Officer from Beacon Bay. I was working full time as a Civilian officer since 1987 in the South African Police Force, in East London. Yet, deep down inside my innermost being there was a deep desire within me to work full time for the Lord. One night I had a dream. I dreamt I saw 89 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

myself in a church with my entire family seated in the back row. A lady that I knew from our church walked up to me and gave me a piece of paper with a scripture written on it, Psalm 37:4-6. I instantly woke up, reached out for my Bible, and this is what it read...Psalm 37:4-6, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” I just felt the power of the Holy Spirit come upon me. Something had been birthed deep down inside of me. I clung onto God’s Word and thanked Him for his promises. The expectancy within my spirit just grew stronger and stronger. I knew there was something far beyond my expectations and had to react in faith. I applied for various working opportunities outside of the S A Police Force, but every time the door was closed. Little did I realise that the Lord was preparing me for the very place where he had placed me, in the SA Police. I had such a passion for the broken and hurting within in the police. These men and women in blue had to work long and difficult shifts, between the barbwire fence, not able to have a normal family life and struggling to find a balance even within their own lives. I can clearly remember one afternoon, at that time I was stationed at the Radio Technical Branch in East London, and as I finished work and walked to my car, I noticed a piece of paper stuck under the windscreen wiper. I took the piece of paper and unfolded it. I read it, these were the words written on it, ...’Please help me! I’m going to commit suicide; I’ll be at the beach.... (He wrote his name) This became more and more frequent as police officers came to me for advice and counselling. While in prayer one day, I was speaking to the Lord, “Lord, you called me into full time ministry in the Police, but I do not have the qualifications to become a Police Chaplain!” Now to qualify as a Police Chaplain, one needs to be an Ordained Minister in a well-recognised congregation of at least 500 membership and to be in a good standing within the church leadership. To have at least a 3year Diploma or a Degree in Theology. I just couldn’t understand how this could be possible for me to achieve. The Lord answered, and said; “My precious daughter, I have made everything possible for you for a destined time, trust Me.” During the waiting period, I started studying a 3 Year Diploma in Ministry. I became very involved in the church. I spoke to the Reverend of local church where I served and was able to share my heart and the direction that the Lord was leading me into. He recognized my calling and I was ordained as a Pastor in 1997-02-01. It was now time for me to apply in faith for a post as a ‘Chaplain’ in the Police Force. Two months later I was appointed as a Police Chaplain. This period of waiting took exactly seven years preparation. Unfortunately, there was no post for me in East London and was transferred to Springs in the East Rand, Gauteng. Everything worked out just as the Lord had wanted it for us as a family. We were very fortunate to still be given a Chaplains house, and on that very same road my children attended Selcourt Primary School. My husbands’ and my office were in the same building, which was the Nongqai Building in the city centre only a few kilometres from the house. We stayed in Springs for 5 years. My husband worked then in the ‘Gold and Diamond Specialised Unit as a Detective. I was the first woman Chaplain to work in the Gauteng Province. I was placed in the deep end in the East Rand area with high crime rate and very high suicide rate amongst police members and their families. The experiences and work I performed, the places I had to travel, through the villages, early hours of the morning to give a death message to the family of a police officer that had been shot and murdered or even committed suicide; places where only the angels fear to tread. 90 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Psalm 144:1-2, “The Lord trained my hands for war; my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge.” Here are a few short accounts of trauma incidences that I have had to attend and deal with on my own. On 1998-09-18 I was called out to an incident in which an Officer X, a Captain had assaulted his wife with a crowbar and attempted to kill her. He left her for dead and faked the scene to look as if it was a break in. When I arrived at the Springs Medi-Clinic Hospital, I was horrified to see her head split in half with an eye hanging on each side of her face. This was a horrific and traumatic incident. What drives a person to do this? I continued counselling and supporting his wife. Her life was spared by the grace of God. On another occasion I was called out to a suicide incident where upon arrival I learnt that it was the wife of the Station Commissioner of a certain station. She had shot herself in the head with his service firearm. The body was still lying in their bedroom. I had to deal with the members on the scene, some were just weeping with unbelief and traumatized. The Station Commissioner and I walked into the room together where his wife was lying with her brains which were splattered on the wall and on the carpet. We had to try clean up the bedroom as her daughter was on her way to the house and at that stage, she did not know that her mother was dead. We managed to get someone in with a carpet cleaner as the bedroom carpet was a ‘shaggy and fluffy’. I was extremely traumatized from this and was never offered any form of debriefing or support. We had to deal with it ourselves. On another occasion I was called to a suicide at Devon Police Station. This Sergeant committed suicide sitting in the charge office with his own service pistol. I had to deal with the traumatized police members who were on duty with him. This Sergeant stayed next to the police station and I had to give the death message to his wife who was then eight months pregnant. I can still clearly remember, while supporting and comforting her, just outside of their house, she wanted to go into the Charge Office and see what happened as she did not believe it. I realised that she was still in shock. She told me that only a half an hour ago, her husband had come home to get some sandwiches to eat and returned back to his work. There was only a high fence between their house and the Police Station. All of a sudden, she grabbed hold of the fence and tried to climb up in attempt to see her husband. We managed to call the family and arranged that evening to take her to the hospital for observation and trauma support. This was one of the saddest times I can remember. I remember vividly every scene, the smells, and the peoples’ faces that I have had to deal with. I had to be strong for others and could only do this after hours when no one else would be affected. On many occasions I feared for my life while doing my duty in the townships of the East Rand. I continued doing my duty as I know that my reward will be in heaven one day. I have a calling on my life to ease the pain and bring comfort to police officers and their families as far as possible. Then I had my own personal trauma when my husband had to go off medically unfit from the South African Police Service due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I had to cope dealing with him and my family while he was in and out of hospitals and clinics. It was extremely difficult for me while he was on medication and had to cope with him at home and seeing to my children and their needs. In addition to this my own working environment, working on standby, the only support coming from my congregation. I was so grateful for that. The unit that my husband worked in gave us absolutely no support what so ever and his firearm was not even asked to be handed in even after he had given a psychiatrists’ letter stating that he was suffering from “Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”. I feared to go home as to what was going 91 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

on home behind my four walls. He was a walking time bomb, the signs were written on the wall for a long time, how long does one continue like this? No-one could believe this as they never knew this side of him, he lived two completely different lives, one at work and one at home. Only shortly before his medical board came through as many documents had to be signed “Medically boarded due to on duty” his fire-arm was handed back. It put me under severe stress at home at to what he was capable of doing to himself and his family in his condition. He was a good man, disciplined and took his job very seriously, a proud policeman, loved his children and his wife, but the stressors became too much. At the young age of 16 my husband joined the South African Police Force, at the age of 17 years old he was sent to Koevoet for two years. When I met him at the age of 21 years old, he had already been three times to the border. After that he then volunteered to do Border Duties, he had become conditioned, it become part of the “calling.” Ovamboland, Pafuri, Ramathlabama, Ladybrand, South West Africa, Soweto Riots and so forth. The only counselling or debriefing they had in those years was the ‘canteen’, but one cannot suppress the trauma that they experience forever. He never ever shared about those days. My question is whatever happened to the members of Koevoet? It was not long ago when my husband tried to commit suicide by taking a large overdose of medication and mixtures of methylated spirits. His pain was too heavy to carry, he was very depressed and tired of life. He didn’t want to live anymore. I believe that God had sent me home that morning to save his life. He did not want to live but God in His mercy and grace spared him. Debriefing Sunday afternoon Call out! At the time I was staying in Paarl, it was a late Sunday afternoon at about 16:20 when I received a call whilst on Debriefing Standby. A Brigadier from the Special Operation Neptune, Cape Town phoned to say that one of his police officers’ shot himself in the SAPS vehicle while parked outside Gansbaai Police Station. These officers were despatched on ‘special duties in the area due to the stealing of ‘Perlemoen’ which is a serious crime. While parked outside the station, one police member had to stay in the vehicle as there were firearms and the rest of the platoon went into the police station where specific work had to be done. One of the police officers walked back to the vehicle, opened the door to see that his colleague had shot himself in his head, while still holding the firearm. He turned around to call his colleagues as they too were on the way to the vehicle. They were numbed and shocked and thought at first it was a joke until they walked closer and could see for themselves. I was told that the police officer that had shot himself was taken to Hermanus MediClinic where he lay in the Intensive Care Ward. I packed my ‘work diary’ in my bag, got into my Citi-Golf and drove off towards Gansbaai Police Station. From my home in Paarl to Gansbaai takes almost three and a half hours. I arrived early that evening, as I was met by the Station Commander who led me down the narrow passage into a small room where the police members had gathered in shock and disarray. It was packed like ‘sardines’ in a tin. One could cut the atmosphere of total unbelief! In recent years, there has been much focus on the effects of traumatic events on individuals. Often, people have dramatic reactions to these extraordinary events that may leave them feeling overwhelmed and upset. When a significant crisis occurs, the individuals involved may benefit from an opportunity to talk about the experience as a group. For that reason, "trauma debriefings" have been promoted as a method to help healing and resolution. Debriefing is a meeting with one or more individuals who were exposed to trauma. The purpose is to review the impact of the trauma on these individuals and to help them to ventilate their feelings in a safe environment. 92 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

People who talk through an incident eat better, sleep better, remain healthier, and stay on the job longer. Also, they have less disruption in their home life; the main task is to get people back on the job as quickly as possible and to allow them to be healthier and more satisfied with their lives. I remember so clearly that day as I sit and recollect this story, the tenseness that I actually feel going through my body at this moment. While trying to pick up the pieces within the police officers sitting shoulder to shoulder. Unanswered questions, feelings of guilt, anger, sadness, shock and numbness, I tried to extract the feelings and emotions of what was going through their mind to get them to talk. Talking is healing and when one starts to tell their story, the pieces start to fall in place and so one picks up a golden thread. Hope arises and the healing begins. The colleagues that worked with him and sat in the vehicle next to him that day, shared that they never recognized or picked up anything they thought was strange. Although the police officer that shot himself was Xhosa speaking and had been transferred from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town, one finds it sometimes difficult to communicate when the rest of the platoon colleagues speaks their home language which in the Cape is Afrikaans. No matter what or who, the ‘thin blue line’, the calling that is drawn to them and the blue badge that bonds them together. After a gruelling and traumatic two and a half hour debriefing session with the police members, I then knew I had to travel to Hermanus Medi-Clinic Hospital to visit their colleague. Something dropped in my spirit, I told all his platoon colleagues that was on shift with him to also head for the Medi-Clinic Hospital so we could go and pray. The Lord gave me a clear instruction, to get all his shift colleagues and take them with me into the Intensive Care Unit where their colleague was lying. They were to talk to him to bring love, comfort and healing. It is not something as a Chaplain would do in these circumstances with all respect. We managed to all shuffle into the waiting room of the hospital, this time their Unit Commander of Operation Neptune, Cape Town was also present. The nursing staff treated us like royalty, with sandwiches and tea. In this time, I managed to speak with the doctor who was treating the police officer lying in Intensive Care. I was told that he was ‘brain dead’ and unfortunately there was nothing else they could do for him, for it was only a matter of days before they would have to remove the life support machines. I try to reason in my brain, I understand the clinical terms that he was on an artificial life support machine where his brain was no longer functioning, means that he will not regain consciousness or be able to breathe without support! A person who is brain dead is legally confirmed as dead. Brain death occurs when a person has an irreversible, catastrophic brain injury. I walked ahead and lead the way as all walked in single file and silence towards the Intensive Unit Ward to where their colleague was. As I got to the door I turned around and said to them, ‘Even if he has been declared brain dead, he is still with us, so do not tip toe around the bedside. Jesus has conquered death, there is nothing impossible for the Lord to do, let us talk to him and tell him how special he is, do not be afraid.’ We entered into the room and stood around his bedside as I allowed each one of his colleagues to have their turn to talk with him. It was such an ‘atmospheric moment’ as if there was a shift in the atmosphere of ‘intrinsic hope’. The peace, the comfort and joy broke forth for each one of us. We held hands, prayed in unity and declared life healing and God’s miracle over this colleague. The Holy Spirit was so tangible that no-one wanted to move, there was silence and such peace. Only God knows what took place in those moments as this was not a normal visit under these circumstances. I never doubted for one moment in the way the Lord led me to do this. I left the Medi-Clinic Hospital and headed for home which was still two and a half hours away, it was now after midnight! I knew that the Lord had such a divine appointment with each one of us around the bedside, a ‘heavenly moment.’ 93 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

We read in the book of Proverbs, chapter 18 verse 20 (NIV), ‘The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.’ There is so much power in the words we speak. When used properly the tongue can mend fences, heal broken hearts and encourage those who are in need of encouragement. God’s Word will accomplish His desires and purposes. When we speak the Word of God, we are tapping into limitless power! Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Speak His words, speak the Scriptures, because the word of God is life, Hebrew 4:12 affirms this: “The word of God is living and active.” God’s words bring hope and life, as did Jesus’ spoken words to dead Lazarus. I arrived at my home in Paarl at 03:15. At 06:00 that morning I received a message from the Unit Commander, Provincial Office, Cape Town, to thank me in the way I supported and comforted his platoon members at the hospital. More than that, the message read, ‘I spoke to the doctor this morning and he told me that there was movement in the legs of the officer that was shot and life was coming back to his body’. ‘Oh Lord, you are so faithful’, as I wept with joy and delight. I received a letter of gratitude and appreciation from the Provincial Office, Cape Town. I continued to visit him at the hospital and pray for total healing. A few days later he was transferred from Hermanus Medi-Clinic to Somerset West Medi-Clinic. I continued to support and encourage him. It was only a few days later that this officer that was declared ‘brain dead’, was discharged and walked out of the hospital. The Lord had totally healed him not just physically but I was able to lead him to Christ as he received eternal life. This story makes every second of the day all worthwhile. Is it worth fighting for? Whilst in my office in Germiston, I received a call from the Bedfordview Police Commander, explaining to me that a police officer who was dressed in civilian clothing, from his station had been shot and was taken to hospital. The police officer was in the Bedford View Shopping Mall in the bank at the teller drawing money. He then noticed that there were three men that walked into the bank with balaclavas on, who went straight to the Tellers and held them up by gunpoint. He had his firearm on him on the inside of his jacket. While the lives of the community and his own life was threatened, he started to shoot. There was a hail of bullets, backwards and forwards, with people lying flat on the floor. Some people hiding behind chairs, some people outside the bank and in the mall running in every direction possible. I was told that two of the robbers managed to escape and headed for the ceiling of the complex. The third robber was shot at and died on the scene inside the bank. Within the cross fire, unfortunately the police officer was also shot at and was taken to the nearest hospital. This is the background story of what had happened at the Bedfordview Mall thus far. I left my office in my unmarked police vehicle and headed for the mall to find out any more information before I went to the hospital. On arrival at the scene, it was already being cordoned off, and the Dog Unit had arrived to search for the robbers that were apparently hiding in the ceiling of the mall. Shops were closed and people were being evacuated as they continued their search. I was able to speak to the police officers on the scene and thanked them for putting their lives on the line, between the barbed wire-fence. I left their and headed towards the hospital which wasn’t far from the Bedford View Mall. As a Police Chaplain we need to introduce ourselves to the nursing station and as to the reason, and the name of the police officer before to get permission to enter into the Intensive Care Unit.

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In the distance of a long passage towards the ICU, I could see and hear two women, that sounded as if they were having an argument with raised voices. Walking closer the one woman held at what I could see a blood-stained shirt in her hand, while the other woman kept on trying to snatch it away. Thy were arguing as to who would and why they should get the blood-soaked shirt. This was happening right outside the ICU door. They continued arguing, in front of me. The Head Nurse met me just before going to see the police officer and was informed that these two women that had been arguing were actually in fact, the ex-wife and the other woman, his girlfriend. A few metres away lay the police officer fighting for his life! This just doesn’t make sense at all. I just didn’t have any words at that moment…., my voice was silenced. I mean the women involved in his life were fighting for his bloodied shirt in which he had worn! I entered into the ward and saw the police officer lying there with all the life support machines and ventilator trying to help him breathe and save his life. I froze, my thoughts stopped, I felt numb, a silence within and without, an indescribable moment. I had been in those shoes and moment many times in my work as a Chaplain, standing at the bedside. In a low tone prayer, I thanked the Lord for his life, for the calling he chose, ‘to protect and serve’. ‘Lord, let your will be done.’ I stepped two steps back with tears running down my cheeks. I wiped the tears from my face, turned around and walked out of the ICU Ward. I was walking…. just walking and just before I walked past the Emergency Room, I heard someone calling me, ‘Chaplain, Chaplain’. I turned around and walked towards, I then recognised that it was the doctor I had seen at the police officer’s bedside. ‘I’m sorry, we couldn’t save him.’ I knew that God was in control and explained to her then the procedure from the SAPS Chaplains office side of what they could expect as to funeral arrangements and so forth. I thanked her and made my way out to the parking area to where my vehicle was parked. I opened the door and just sat for a few minutes and what seemed like slow motion headed back to my office to start the long list of administration and calls. How does one filter all of this?... There are so many arrangements and procedures that need to be seen to and done for a semimilitary funeral and also that it had taken place in Bedford View Mall which had involved the community. I visited the police officers’ parents and ex-wife in which they had two small boys. As a Police Chaplain when it comes to a funeral such as this one, we have to also include the local Minister in the church where the family decides to have the service and conduct the semi-military part. What a mission as I think back, the ex-wife told me that she did not want the girlfriend at the funeral, which was not on my list that I had to sort out. So much tension and anger surrounded this all. I was handed a letter that was written by their two boys with the heading, ‘Dad, thank you for being our Hero!’. During the funeral I would have to read this letter, and to think that I was also married to a police officer and had children, this could so easily be me sitting in the church pew. I don’t know how I made it through the service, it was so moving and so painful. At the burial site where the coffin is lowered, just before a South African Flag is handed over to the next of kin and the Last Post is played and the coffin lowered. The wind was blowing slightly and all of a sudden it started raining softly. While the bugle was still playing, the little boys ran up to me as I stood at the one end of the graveside, pulling on my skirt, and said, ‘Is my daddy going to be warm tonight?’ I waited for the end of the Last Post playing, bent down, took the little boys’ hands and held them tightly, tears streaming down my face, and said, ‘You will be ok’, just be strong for your Mommy.’ I spent some time with the family and police colleagues and eventually made my way back home to Springs. Sometimes we need to talk situations like this through with people in the same or similar calling. Not many people understand our thoughts and emotions but it is very important that we can ventilate to help prevent traumatization or even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 95 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

What are you doing here; they will shoot you! I was in my office in Springs, when I received a call from the Unit Commander of Tsakane, East Rand who told me that one of his Detective police officers had been shot and died by a suspect in his office at the Tsakane Police Station. This Detective was apparently taking a statement from the accused suspect in a case who had come from Pretoria that morning. While the Detective was taking his statement, the ‘suspect’ took out a firearm from the inside of his jacket, held it at point blank range and shot in over the table from where he was sitting. The ‘suspect’ shot the policeman twice before turning the gun on himself. The suspect died instantly. There was no time and little chance to try and get through to a nearby police station and as for vehicle protection. I immediately responded and left for Tsakane Police Station in a white unmarked Mazda police vehicle. On arrival at the police station the scene was already cordoned off and people from the community were already starting to gather around. The Detective Offices were separate from the Police Station, built at the back of the Station. Tsakane Police Station which was built on ‘open fields’, with no fencing wall around it. It really needed upgrading. Tsakane is a township about 17kms from Springs where I was stationed in the East Rand. During my time of working in the East Rand this area of ‘Tsakane’ was called a, ‘red light area’, according the murders and shootings in the area. It was told to me that it was not safe to travel into Tsakane township without police protection. While I was on the scene of the crime, I had to speak with the relevant people to obtain all the information I needed to contact the family. On finding out, I was told that the detective who was shot dead, his wife was travelling by train from Durban back to her home in the East Rand that day. It would still take at least an hour before she arrived at Germiston Train Station. As news travels fast, unfortunately someone phoned and told her that her husband had been shot and died on duty. How untactful and cold! I wandered what went through her mind, was there someone on the train that could comfort her? All these questions running through my mind! I wondered if the police officers’ body and the suspect would be still on the scene where he they had been shot when his wife arrived, or would the mortuary vehicle be in time to remove the bodies away. Although the crime scene was closed off with police tape, the Photography Unit, the Forensic Unit, etc, the work still had to be done and completed before the body could be removed and this takes time. A person’s emotions and mind play havoc, your mind goes into shock, you try and reason. The wife would ask the question, ‘Can it be my husband, are they sure, there must be a mistake?’ The thought of that she had spoken to her husband a few hours before she was going to see him, all was fine. She would have to see for herself. Shock and denial and unbelief starts to set in. In the distance I could see that more cars were arriving at the scene, as I wandered, if one of them could be the wife. I then saw the Unit Commander of Tsakane walk towards the car helped her out the vehicle and then walked in my direction. I then started to walk towards them, I was introduced as to the wife of the deceased. I held and comforted her. At that time the TV Media, Sowetan Newspaper Journalists, and other people were streaming in from all over to get coverage for the local news. We were now surrounded by quite a large group of people. A few metres away from me came an ‘African’ woman with beads around her head, and 96 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

ankles. She had traditional clothing on and I noticed her throwing what seemed like old bones, stones and sticks on the ground. I was told that she was the mother of the suspect that turned the gun on himself. I was told that she was a ‘Sangoma’ (a witch doctor) and believed she had the powers to remove any evil from what happened and that it would not come into her house. While still with the wife, one of the Social Workers that I know from the office of the SAPS, told me that I should not be there, as I was a white woman and that they will shoot me. As I said earlier on, it was a ‘red zone area’ meaning ‘not safe to drive through the village or to drive alone.’ I mean, this is what I was called to do. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is one, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORDS’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:13) I knew that was the place I had to be and that the Lord would protect me. This was only the beginning of a long process of paper war that had to reach our Head Office the following morning by 08:00 with all the particulars of the incident. The following morning Debriefing sessions had to be arranged for the police officers that worked on the scene. There was an application for a ‘Semi-Military funeral and a Memorial Service needed to be arranged for the police officers and community combined. The following day a Memorial Service was held at the Community Hall alongside the Tsakane Police Station, there were many different speakers involved, including Union Representatives, Church Representatives, a Colleague Representative, the Unit Commander from Tsakane and also the Provincial Commissioner besides others. All dignitaries were seated on the stage, that included myself and our Youth Worker. The hall was packed to capacity. The Memorial Service started while the speakers began to talk one by one. All of a sudden, a short man ran onto the stage. The stage was quite high from where the people were seated below. He was dressed in ‘animal skin’ with a stick which also had some sort of animal’s tail hair in his hand. From my own perception looked like some of sort of ‘Sangoma’ which is the Zulu word, as he performed some sort of a ritual and dance. This wend on for a few minutes in a language I could not understand. My mouth was gaping I had never experienced or seen what happened in front of my eyes. All of a sudden, this man jumped off the stage and down onto the floor where the people were seated, ran up the isle and disappeared with a puff of smoke. I leaned over to the Youth Worker and asked her if she had seen what he had done. She was just as shocked and taken back. I will never forget what I saw for the rest of my life. To start to explain what had taken place and even in detail to anyone was not going to be easy. This type of ‘thing’ sticks in your subconscious drawer, and if there is a trigger, this specific incident flashes and comes to mind in detail. You can replay, rewind this story, the ‘unexplainable stuff that happened that day’.

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KOMMENTAAR ONTVANG

Glenn Elsden: Wow Brig Hennie... Jy was omtrent besig gewees Phil Beck: Dear Hennie, such a wonderful issue to start the new year! Many thanks & kind regards

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Jennifer Bosch: Thank you, Hennie Heymans, Ferdie Du Preez: Baie dankie Hennie. Laat gerus nog kom! Rudolph de Villiers: Middag Brig Hennie, Puik uitgawe met lekker lees artikels! Dankie! Dolf de Villiers. Chris Pretorius Dankie Hennie - met waardering. Sarie Van Niekerk: Dankie Hennie Grey Greyling: Genl maj Louis Snyman wat ‘n goeie voorbeeld vir enige uniformdraer ‘n ware militêre man Sarie Van Niekerk: Daar is ‘n paar van hulle wat darem net geweet het hoe daardie uniform te dra, jy is reg, genl. Snyman, genl. Johan van der Merwe en brig. Paul Bothma. Ferdie du Preez: Sarie Van Niekerk Niemand het spoggeriger in uniform vertoon as wyle Genl. During van die Wageengeid nie. Jy kon hom enige tyd van die dag deur 'n ring trek. Sy uniform was spesiaal gesny en was te alle tye kreukelvry gestryk. RIV. Ferdie du Preez: "P**lvingers Snyman. (ekskuus!) Hennie Heymans: Ferdie !!!! Rudolph de Villiers: Ferdie du Preez Vingers was 'n regte gentleman. Ek het hom as jong sersant jare terug op die trappe van die parlement ontmoet waar ek moes toesien dat die persmanne nie daar opstorm nie. Een van die Engelse persmanne was kliphardegat met my, en het ook net Brits gepraat! Daardie tyd was my kennis van daardie volksvreemde taal nog net beperk by ‘Yes’ en ‘No’! Brig Snyman het in sy seremoniële-uniform daar aangekom en die Persmannetjie sonder moeite stert tussen die bene pad laat vat! Hy het my daarna aangesê om net op sy knoppie te druk as ek weer so 'n probleem sal hê! Ek verbeel my dat hy saam met my Oorlede Vader saam in Krygsgevangenekamp in Italië was tydens die WW2. Hennie Heymans: Rudolph de Villiers korrek! Ferdie du Preez: Dankie Rudolph vir die mooi storie. Sarie Van Niekerk: Ek weet wat sy bynaam is.

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HOME INVASIONS UNISA’s School of Criminal Justice UNISA’s School of Criminal Justice conducted research into understanding and preventing house robbery in South Africa. Based on in-depth interviews with convicted robbers, this is what he found: • 8 out of 10 residential robberies are committed with the help of information from maids, gardeners and former employees. • Robbers will monitor the home for as long as two weeks. • Most attacks occur between 19:00 and midnight as people are relaxed, sleeping, cooking or watching TV and the security systems and beams are not activated. Robberies can continue until 04:00. • 97% of robbers are armed. • On average, an armed robbery gang has four members. • The average age of a house robber is 19 to 26 years of age. • An average of 30% of all house robbers have either committed murder, or won’t hesitate to commit murder. • Only 17% of house robbers are foreigners. • Of all arrested robbers, 90% had no matric qualification or were unemployed. The 10% who had been employed gave up their jobs when confirming how much they could ‘earn’ from a robbery. • Most victims or targets are affluent persons who openly display their wealth, for example wearing expensive jewellery. • The average robber commits 103 robberies over 7 years before getting caught. • Most attackers’ homes or ‘bases’ are a 10-to-30-minute drive from the target address. • The conviction rate for house robberies in South Africa is only 7.67%. In the USA it is 53%. • Robbers are not deterred by alarms and armed reaction services. These security measures are a major deterrent to crime: • Electric fences • Detection beams • Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) • Small dogs that sleep inside the house (robbers consider this to be the biggest deterrent of all.) • In the words of Dr Rudolph Zinn from his book Home Invasion - “They scout a neighbourhood to see how tight the security is. A patrol or neighbourhood watch factors in 68% on whether they go in or not, so having a good neighbourhood watch in the area can be a major deterrent.”

Before you leave your house… • Make sure all shrubs and trees are trimmed back so that they do not allow a burglar to conceal himself while attempting to open a window or door. If possible, plant bushes with prickly thorns around these locations. • Don’t stop your security awareness at the outside walls of your house. Your yard areas (if any) also deserve attention. In general, don’t leave anything around the yard that might help a burglar get into your house. Ladders, stackable boxes or any garden tools should be put away, preferably in a locked cabinet. Many burglars have used the property owner’s own tools to break into a home. • Don’t place outdoor furniture tables nearby the house, as these could become an easy stepladder to the roof. Rather move them inside in the evening. • Second-story windows are often left unsecured, making it easy for the criminal to get into the house. To discourage potential climbers, spread grease on any metal drainpipes if they are close to windows. Use Vaseline or clear automotive grease, depending on the colour of the pipe (or replace with plastic pipe). • A barking dog, changing your daily routine and the presence of CCTV cameras could make your home a less attractive target to criminals. • Make sure your post office box is always empty. A full post box makes it seem like you are never home.

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• Since robbers can watch your movements for as long as two weeks, try to deviate from your usual routine regularly. Leave and return home at different times, use different routes and visit different shops to what you typically do. • Take extreme care when hiring domestic workers and other service providers cannot be underestimated. Be careful who you let into your home. www.crimestatssa.co.za

POLITICS

SACP STATEMENT ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MK 20 December 2021 MK was a joint army of SACP and the ANC, with its formative processes occurring at party Lilleslieaf farm HQ Thursday 16 December 2021 SACP Statement on 60th anniversary of Umkhonto WeSizwe The South African Communist Party (SACP), on this historic 60th anniversary of Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK), takes this moment to pay tribute to all the MK combatants who laid down their lives for the freedom of our country from colonialism and apartheid. The SACP also honours all the surviving MK combatants within our midst who are still working so hard in uniting our movement in the national democratic revolution. The MK was a joint army of the SACP and the African National Congress, formed on 16 December 1961. Much of its formative processes, such as the writing of its constitution, took place at Liliesleaf Farm, then the headquarters of the underground SACP. Along with mass mobilisation, underground work, and international isolation of the apartheid regime, the armed struggle was one of the four key pillars of our struggle to defeat apartheid. By the time the MK was formed, the SACP had already undertaken acts of sabotage against the apartheid regime, as Nelson Mandela states in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. These were designed by the armed struggle networks that the SACP had already put in place. The experience of the SACP in the underground thus made a sterling contribution to the formation of the MK later. Among the many communist leaders who contributed to building the MK, we honour Michael Harmel, Moses Kotane, Yusuf Dadoo, Govan Mbeki, Ruth First, Raymond Mhlaba, Joe Slovo, Chris Hani, Linda Jabane, Mzala Nxumalo, Rica and Jack Hodgson, whose small flat in Hillbrow was used to produce explosives for the 1961 Sabotage Campaign, and many others – all of whom played various roles in strengthening the MK. As Nelson Mandela states in the Long Walk to Freedom, pre-existing SACP armed struggle networks and their experience were key in the foundation of the MK. Due to the experience of the SACP in the underground, communists were among the first to volunteer in the MK as soon as the decision to form it was made. The SACP is thus proud of the contribution of many communists within the ranks of the MK in our struggle against the apartheid system. 101 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

While this is an important moment for all of us to salute our cadres, women and men who served in MK, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the long struggle to end class exploitation and systematically eliminate inequality, including racial, gender and spatial development inequalities, and poverty. Putting people first must underpin these processes of struggle, democratic transformation and development. In paying tribute to the MK, the SACP expresses support, and is part of, for the process to unify MK veterans as a key component of rebuilding our movement. MK veterans must not be involved or involve themselves in dividing our movement. Instead, they should work to unite the movement, uphold the revolutionary legacy of the MK to serve all the people, and secure the future of our movement by putting people before profit in all people’s campaigns. The SACP also calls upon our movement to keep the legacy of the MK alive, not least in, and through, the arts and academic spaces. The MK’s legacy would also be best preserved by uniting our democratic and peace-loving forces to strengthen the struggle to eradicate poverty, unemployment, and inequality, the associated crisis of social reproduction, as well as fighting for the end of the exploitation of one person by another, all anchored in putting people before profit. Statement issued by the SACP, 16 December 2021 https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/sacp-statement-on-60th-anniversary-ofmk?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=e586fe19caEMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_05_08_30&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a86f25db99e586fe19ca-130042309 OPINION

TUTU’S TRC WAS FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED John Kane-Berman | 24 January 2022 John Kane-Berman says the commission served up a partial and slanted version of the "truth" Chaired by Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission was hailed both in this country and around the world. But its methodology was flawed, its concept of “truth” spurious, its omissions significant, and its conclusions one-sided. It overturned or ignored judicial decisions without explaining why, paid insufficient attention to some of the important evidence put before it, and often failed to give reasons for its findings. Established in 1995, the commission was mandated to provide a factual, comprehensive, properly contextualised, and even-handed account of killings and other gross human rights violations committed on all sides between March 1960 and May 1994. During this period, the worst political violence occurred between 1984 and 1994, when 20 500 people were killed. But the commission probed fewer than half of these. In particular, it failed properly to explore the reasons for the major upsurge in political violence in the 1990s after the bans on various organisations had been lifted. Accordingly, at least 12 000 killings were left unexplained. In its report in 1998, the commission assigned accountability for certain violations to the African National Congress (ANC), the United Democratic Front (UDF), and the Pan-Africanist Congress 102 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

(PAC). But it blamed most of the violence on the former National Party (NP) government and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). It did this while paying insufficient attention to evidence they presented. Although it paid lip service to the notion of factual and objective truth, the commission invented “narrative”, “dialogue”, “healing”, and “restorative” truth. It received 21 300 victim statements, many of them hearsay, and few of them given under oath or tested under cross-examination. Statements of this kind were nevertheless used as the basis for findings of premeditated murder against named individuals and organisations, the commission having expressed reservations about applying the principle of audi alteram partem. Several massacres were ignored by the commission, without explanation. Sometimes the fatality figures it gave contradicted those of other inquiries, also without explanation. Sometimes previous judicial decisions were simply reversed, yet again without explanation. The commission thus named a certain police sergeant as one of those accountable for the Trust Feed massacre in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands in 1988, in which 11 members of the IFP had been killed. The sergeant had earlier been acquitted in a criminal trial. But the commission gave no evidence for this new finding, nor did it provide any reason for its reversal of the court’s verdict. The commission made another strange decision over Trust Feed. A police captain, Brian Mitchell, had been given 11 death sentences (later commuted to 30 years’ imprisonment) in 1992 for his part in the massacre. In 1996 the commission granted him amnesty on the grounds that he had made the required “full disclosure” and that his offences were “part of the counter-revolutionary onslaught against ANC and UDF activists” (although IFP members had been killed by mistake). He was given amnesty despite having repeatedly told the commission’s amnesty panel that he had not been present when the massacre took place. One of the members of the panel was his trial judge, who had found that Captain Mitchell had not only been present but that he had also “given the signal for the attack to start” by firing two shots at the house. The commission did not explain why it now accepted that Captain Mitchell had not been present when the trial court found that he had. Sometimes the commission cited alternative findings which it then overturned, also without explanation. One example of this is the commission’s findings on the Boipatong massacre near Sharpeville in June 1992. Comparing it to Nazi murders of Jews, Nelson Mandela blamed it on the government and the IFP. Cyril Ramaphosa blamed it on FW de Klerk. The ANC claimed that the police had ferried the attackers into the township from the nearby KwaMadala hostel. This allegation went around the world. British police investigators brought in by the Goldstone Commission found no evidence of the police involvement that the ANC alleged. A trial judge subsequently convicted 17 IFP members from the hostel of the killings of 45 Boipatong residents. Evidence of police involvement crumbled under cross-examination, and was dismissed by the judge. The commission quoted these findings. It then proceeded to find that the police had not only been involved in the massacre, but had planned it. It cited no fresh evidence to substantiate this contrary conclusion - a contrary conclusion reached despite a far more rigorous examination of the evidence than the commission itself conducted. Some years later an amnesty committee set up by the Truth Commission itself found no evidence of police involvement.

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The commission’s pronouncements on the Shell House shootings in March 1994 are another example of how it ignored other findings. It stated that the killing of eight IFP supporters outside the ANC’s headquarters had taken place in response to an IFP assault on that building. Yet an inquest headed by Judge Nugent had earlier found that no such assault had taken place. Far from explaining why it differed from the Nugent findings, the commission ignored them. After a trial in 1996, Magnus Malan, a former defence minister, was acquitted of conspiring to murder ANC and UDF members by training IFP “hit squads” in the Caprivi strip. The Goldstone commission had earlier found no evidence that the training of IFP members had been for “hit squad” purposes rather than self-defence. The Truth Commission found the opposite, but did not disclose why it had rejected the trial court’s findings, which had themselves been explained in great detail by the judge. The commission castigated the NP government for the methods of “counter-revolution” that it employed. But despite its mandate for a comprehensive and contextualised account, it failed adequately to probe the revolutionary activities against which the NP’s security forces had waged their counter-revolution, which included the murder of political activists. Numerous submissions to the commission gave plenty of detail about the role of revolutionary violence in the “armed struggle” waged by the ANC and its allies, especially after it had evolved into the “people’s war” in the 1980s. A submission by the police claimed that the people’s war had led to 9 200 deaths over an eight-year period. The commission’s report acknowledged the people’s war, but failed to probe it in sufficient depth. One of numerous examples of differential treatment is that the role of the State Security Council was extensively investigated, but no equivalent attention was paid to the role of the ANC’s PoliticoMilitary Council. Arms illegally acquired by the IFP were given more attention than those brought into the country by the ANC, even after 1990. So also, the role of the IFP’s alleged hit squads was probed far more extensively than that of Umkhonto we Sizwe. The commission found that the NP government was running a criminal state, and found also that the IFP – acting as that government’s surrogate – was responsible for repeated attacks on the ANC. But it failed properly to investigate the IFP’s allegation and evidence that the ANC was waging war against its political rivals, notably the IFP. In normal criminal trials, evidence is subjected to cross-examination in order to ascertain all the relevant facts, while judges are obliged to give reasons for their decisions. The commission set for itself much lower standards in trying to establish the truth, which it defined in ways falling far short of what courts would regard as truth. On the basis of this fundamentally flawed procedure, it proceeded to level accusations of the utmost seriousness. Although it was an inquiry rather than a court, the commission was not entitled to do this, still less to overturn judicial decisions reached after far more rigorous procedures. The commission failed in particular fully to probe the period of the most intense political violence, let alone explore the impact of the ANC’s openly declared people’s war. By effectively ignoring the majority of deaths in political violence the commission betrayed not only those thousands of victims but also its own mandate to provide a factual, comprehensive, and even-handed account of the violence which preceded the 1994 election. As a result, we have only a partial, selective, and distorted version of the “truth”. * John Kane-Berman is a policy fellow at the IRR, a think-tank that promotes political and economic freedom. This article is based mainly on The Truth about the Truth Commission by Anthea Jeffery, 104 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

published by the IRR in 1999. Readers are invited to take a stand with the IRR by clicking here or sending an SMS with your name to 32823. Each SMS costs R1. Ts and Cs apply. https://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/tutus-trc-was-fundamentallyflawed?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=196980006aEMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_24_10_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a86f25db99196980006a-130042309 • The same article appeared in Daily Friend <sara@dailyfriend.co.za> on 24 Jan 2022. OPINION

THE AFRIKANER-BROEDERBOND DEPLOYMENT

DID

NOT

CADRE

Jan Bosman | 15 January 2022 Jan Bosman responds to Gwen Ngwenya, says this is evident from the minutes of the organisation State Capture and the Africanisation of the Broederbond – The factual perspective With reference to the article “State Capture and the Africanisation of the Broederbond” of 7 January 2022 by Gwen Ngwenya, head of policy of the Democratic Alliance. It is regrettable that Ms Ngwenya for political purposes chose to write this article on a subject which is far more complex than a simple comparison between the Afrikaner-Broederbond and the deployment of ANC cadres, as testified to at the Zondo State Capture Committee and based on the minutes of the ANC’s deployment committee. Of more concern, still, is the outdated sources Ms Ngwenya chose to base her article on. Any researcher can, with prior permission, obtain access to the documents and original minutes of the Afrikaner-Broederbond. This information is accessible in our archives, which have been open since 1995. To rely on a book written in 1979 and to refer to articles written in 1970 by two editors who appear to have had personal grievances is, to our mind, not proper research. We went to the trouble of publishing the history of the Afrikaner-Broederbond in 2018, followed in 2021 by a very comprehensive work based on meticulous research by Prof. Ernst Stals – all in an effort to open the window on our past with sincerity and honesty (see reference below). Let us also, however, refer to two eminent authors, who more recently wrote on the parallels drawn by some commentators between the Afrikaner-Broederbond and the ANC with regard to the deployment policy of the latter. On 27 September 2021, John Kane Berman from the IRR wrote an article titled "The other elephant in the room”, saying: “Some commentators compare the ANC’s cadre deployment policy with what the Broederbond did during rule by the National Party (NP). The comparison is hardly flattering, but, again, the Broederbond did not lay waste to the state. Irrespective of whether those running them were Broeders or not, state-owned enterprises, including those on which poorer people were heavily reliant, such as trains and postal services, actually worked. Whatever else they might have done, the Broeders did not loot the state. In 1994 the ANC inherited a functioning state, large parts of 105 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

which the comrade cadres then proceeded to loot or otherwise destroy. For this they show little remorse, still less any intention or ability to fix what they have broken.” A month later, as recently as 25 October 2021, RW Johnson wrote an article on Politicsweb titled Afrikaner and ANC achievement compared on the role of Afrikaners in the period between the Union and 1994, during which South Africa was led by Afrikaners. Although the AfrikanerBroederbond is not mentioned by name, the sterling indirect work by the Afrikaner-Broederbond is there for all to see: “That period saw the enormous economic growth of South Africa, the industrialisation and urbanisation of the country, and the building of a hugely impressive infrastructure without parallel in Africa – not just roads and bridges and dams, but ports, airports and a sophisticated system of water articulation and distribution. In addition, thousands of schools, hospitals and clinics were built and staffed, as were more than a dozen universities. By far the largest and best integrated railway system in Africa was built and maintained, as was Africa’s leading airline. The country’s housing stock was immensely expanded – including the building of a number of African townships with buildings to a much higher standard than occurred in the RDP period. The highest rates of economic growth ever seen in South Africa occurred in the 1950s and 1960s.” Johnson then deduced that “such developments depend on meticulous planning, vision, investment, management and a driving determination to carry them through: those, rather than the existence of a plentiful labour force, provide the decisive factors.” It is clear from our recorded history that the Afrikaner-Broederbond was in many, if not most, instances the incubator of ideas and, in some cases, the driving force behind identifying the people with the necessary skills to initiate these developments. Many of them were not even members of the Afrikaner-Broederbond. Ms Ngwenya, head of policy at the Democratic Alliance, is not the first person to make a connection and look for similarities between the Afrikaner-Broederbond and the ANC with regard to its deployment committee and policy of deployment. It is easy to hastily cobble together some thoughts on the matter and to join the string of commentators who have made allegations that the ANC's cadre deployment committee operates in similar fashion to the Afrikaner-Broederbond in the past. In the same way, the Afrikaner-Broederbond is often accused of creating jobs for pals and of reserving positions in the public service and semi-state organisations for members, friends or family. It can be unequivocally stated that the Afrikaner-Broederbond had no policy nor any mechanisms or procedures whatsoever for identifying members and recommending them for appointment in the public service. The Afrikaner-Broederbond never followed a policy of appointing members of the Afrikaner-Broederbond to senior or influential positions, nor did the Afrikaner-Broederbond's highest structures or head office decide on appointments in the public service. Never were judges or their appointment discussed or even hinted at during meetings. The government’s Public Service Commission was responsible for appointing officials in the public service. This commission would simply not have tolerated being prescribed to about whom to appoint and whom not. One only has to look at the number of directors-general who were not members of the AfrikanerBroederbond to see that the Afrikaner-Broederbond was not powerful enough to have people appointed to top positions. Not only that, but some of those in key positions were even antagonistic towards the Afrikaner-Broederbond. Similarly, several editors of Afrikaans newspapers were not members of the Afrikaner-Broederbond either. It is often they who contributed to the “exposition” of leaked documents of the Afrikaner-Broederbond. Admittedly, the Afrikaner-Broederbond's confidential modus operandi led to it being accused of manipulating all kinds of appointment, from school principals to town clerks and officials, and of creating jobs for pals in the process. It is true that a significant number of members of the AfrikanerBroederbond could be found in the top structures of the public service and as leaders elsewhere in society. However, this cannot be attributed to "cadre deployment". 106 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

In the past, the Afrikaner-Broederbond was certainly very closely involved in all spheres of Afrikaner cultural and economic life. It was active in politics, the church and the economy, and its involvement and membership therefore frequently overlapped. Its point of departure was to canvass Afrikaner leaders within these spheres of Afrikanerdom into membership of the Afrikaner-Broederbond — and not the other way round. Those who were actively involved in their community and otherwise excelled as leaders were invited to apply for membership. The Afrikaner-Broederbond's recruitment approach was to identify younger people who were willing to render selfless service to their community. Leadership potential was high on the list of sought-for qualities. It follows that member with leadership potential were bound to progress to the highest levels. “Ons maak lede van leiers en nie leiers van lede nie / We make members of leaders and not leaders of members" was very often the mantra within the organisation. The close relationship between party leaders and the Afrikaner-Broederbond was illustrated by the Chairman of the Afrikaner-Broederbond, Prof. HB Thom, during his speech at a Federal Council on 4 October 1955 while discussing the topic of the membership recruitment process: "For the first time, leading politicians of the National Party are being absorbed into the Afrikaner-Broederbond and they are also beginning to play an active role in the AB.” It goes without saying that membership could have been used to promote self-interest, sometimes at branch level, but this would have been inherently contrary to the membership declaration that each member made and that was presented as a code of honour at each meeting: “To make our God-given talents, individually and collectively, congenially subservient to the cause in which we believe. To serve - not to be served. To give - not to receive.” To use the terms ‘Afrikaner-Broederbond’, ‘deployment’ and ‘jobs for pals’ indiscriminately and even link them in defence or mitigation of the state capture by the ANC is pure deflection. Incompetent ANC cadres have been appointed on a large scale, leading to the decay of state entities and functions. It is sad and ironic that these are the very same entities that were created during the previous dispensation and set up with clever expertise and experience, hard work and determination to be used to the benefit of all. This made South Africa the industrial powerhouse of Africa, and of this fact the Afrikaner-Broederbond is not ashamed. In our publication “Bearer of an Ideal 1918-1997", which the Afrikanerbond, the successor of the Afrikaner-Broederbond, compiled in December 1997 as an informal submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the following is stated: “The disadvantage of confidentiality was that it could brand the AB as a colluding organisation - an organisation allowing dark and sinister activities that cannot be made public. This created problems for churches, ministers, political parties and politicians. Most often, the AB was accused of pushing members for public office, discrimination against non-members and the manipulation of decisions and power. Some journalists made it their hobby to "disclose" the unholy "scheming and corruption" of the organisation. In this process many sensational reports containing half-truths or distorted information were published world-wide. This helped to create a negative perception of the AB. The AB seldom attempted to set the record straight - on the one hand, because it would have been difficult for a confidential organisation; and on the other hand, because the organisation believed so strongly in its ideals and principles, as well as the integrity of its members, that it avoided any public corrective measures or reaction to these misrepresentations.” An important aspect to keep in mind is that the Afrikaner-Broederbond, as voluntary member organisation, could in no way give instructions to its members. The Executive Council of the Afrikaner-Broederbond did not have that kind of power. This is completely different from how the 107 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

ANC instructs and deploys its members. The modus operandi of the Afrikaner-Broederbond is practically demonstrated in the 1997 Bearer of an Ideal document: “The AB (Afrikaner-Broederbond) is primarily an opinion-forming, thought-provoking institution that offers its members the opportunity to voice and hear current and dynamic points of view, to gain new insights, and then to verbalise and further disseminate those insights and perspectives within their particular sphere of influence, according to their own judgement and initiatives. Members are thereby individually empowered to influence political, religious and economic areas from within the environment and culture of the Afrikaner-Broederbond. What the Afrikaner-Broederbond cannot be accused of, though, is cynicism, malice and conspiracy.” Where mistakes were made, the Afrikaner-Broederbond acknowledged it, but there were also times when the Afrikaner-Broederbond, and the Afrikanerbond too, took a fearless stand against the National Party government – just as the Afrikanerbond is currently taking a stand against the ANC government. The centralisation of political power, and control and appointments from within the chambers of political headquarters, is wrong. Cadre deployment must be condemned: it exacerbates the problem of an unequal society with unequal opportunities and affirms party loyalty above the values of merit and individual achievement. It is unconstitutional and undemocratic in its very nature. It provided individuals intent on capturing the state with an ulterior motive, obscene levels of corruption and enrichment, and no accountability. There is simply no comparison to be made, as the Afrikaner-Broederbond was born from the ideal to uplift Afrikaners from the extreme poverty that followed after the Second Anglo-Boer War. This we achieved with the hard work of a collective of individuals who worked with the meagre saving investments of the impoverished Afrikaners to create education opportunities, creating vehicles of development through which economic empowerment and, later, also political empowerment would follow. The Democratic Alliance is correct to work with the minutes of the ANC’s deployment committee and to make valuable deductions from the unholy National Democratic Revolution ideology which is ruining South Africa. Transform, deploy and destroy is the factual conclusion one must draw. When there is a need to make comparisons, Ms Ngwenya is invited to consult our archives in Pretoria and not to rely on work published decades ago by people with grievances. These archives include the minutes of the Executive Council of the Afrikaner-Broederbond. Then only can valid comparisons and similarities, if any, be voiced. If she is really interested in this course of action, we will also make available a free copy of the 720-page historical and factual book launched in May 2021 titled "Die Broederbond – Die geskiedenis van die Afrikaner-Broederbond 1918-1994" by Prof. Ernst Stals. More details can be found on our website: https://www.afrikanerbond.co.za/ab-boek-elp-stals Jan Bosman is Chief Secretary of the Afrikanerbond. https://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/the-afrikanerbroederbond-did-not-do-cadredeployme?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=d690d9c173EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_16_05_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a86f25db99d690d9c173-130042309

VF PLUS PLAAS MATJHABENG OP TERME OOR BURGEMEESTERSKETTING Mediaverklaring uitgereik deur: 108 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Armand Cloete VF Plus-LPW: Vrystaat - 20 Januarie 2022 Die VF Plus het die Matjhabeng-plaaslike munisipaliteit (Allanridge, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg, Virginia, Welkom) op terme geplaas om binne sewe werksdae terugvoer te gee rakende die vermiste burgemeestersketting. Die munisipaliteit swyg oor waar die ketting tans is. Dit is nie duidelik of die voormalige burgemeester van Matjhabeng, Nkosinjani Speelman, die ketting aan die munisipaliteit terugbesorg het nie. Alhoewel die burgemeestersketting van onmeetbare historiese waarde is, is die ketting na raming sowat R20 miljoen werd. Die ketting bevat onder meer stukke goud uit elke skag in die goudveld. Sou dit verlore wees, verloor inwoners nie slegs die geldwaarde nie, maar ook 'n item van geskiedkundige belang. Alle munisipale eiendom is die eiendom van die inwoners. Indien daar nie betyds opgetree word nie, sal die VF Plus genoodsaak wees om namens die inwoners van Matjhabeng ŉ klag by die polisie in te dien. Die VF Plus is van mening dat daar streng opgetree moet word indien die ketting nie gou opgespoor word nie.

VF PLUS BETREUR BRAND IN DIE PARLEMENT Mediaverklaring uitgereik deur:

Dr. Pieter Groenewald VF Plus-leier 2 Januarie 2022

Die VF Plus betreur die brand wat in die parlementsgeboue uitgebreek het. Die brand by die parlement moet nie net gesien word asof dit ŉ plek is waar parlementslede vergader en debatte voer nie. Die parlementêre kompleks huisves ŉ ryke geskiedenis in terme van geskrifte, skilderye, dokumente en vele meer. Die biblioteek is ŉ nasionale skatkis van Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis. Sou dit verwoes word in die brand is dit ŉ geweldige verlies. Die VF Plus sal later ŉ volledige verklaring uitreik wanneer meer duidelikheid oor die oorsaak en skade van die brand beskikbaar is.

POLICE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON CALLS FOR STRATEGIES TO FIX CHALLENGES AT SAPS 13 STORES Malatswa Molepo 17 January 2022 109 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, has called for urgent strategies to fix challenges facing the South African Police Service at its SAPS 13 stores, which have led to the alleged loss of 158 firearms from the Norwood Police Station. The Chairperson further called for immediate disciplinary measures against any SAPS member found to have been involved in the loss of the firearms. While the reports of the 158 firearms stolen from the Norwood station are a huge concern, especially as some of those firearms were used for criminal acts, the committee is concerned by the broader implication of challenges facing a number of SAPS 13 stores around the country. “The 5th Parliament Portfolio Committee on Police raised a similar concern that we are having, which require short-, medium- and long-term strategies to secure SAPS 13 stores and prevent the loss of firearms and other evidential material. It is on this basis that we are of the view that those strategies are urgent,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson emphasised. The monitoring and oversight of these stores is also a critical control measure that must be strengthened and, in cases of breach or dereliction of duty, officers must be held accountable throughout the chain of command. The committee has since inception emphasised its unhappiness with lax consequence management within the SAPS hierarchy, which leads to impunity by some members soiling the good image of the SAPS. Poor management and accountability of SAPS stores create the opportunity for corruption and sales of firearms to criminal elements. “These corrupt police officers must be removed from the service to ensure the credibility of SAPS is retained and maintained,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson emphasised. Furthermore, the committee has, following its oversight visit to the Central Firearms Registry (CFR) offices, highlighted its general concern with SAPS’ overall administration of firearms. The committee then called for the modernisation of the CFR following information of huge backlogs in processing firearm license applications and amnesties at the registry. The removal of illegal firearms from the streets is hampered by a dysfunctional CRF. “Therefore, there is a need for a broader change management strategy within the SAPS in relation to the administration of firearms. This change management is necessary if we as a country are to win the war against the proliferation of illegal firearms and their removal from streets,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson said. “The committee will ensure that the management of the station should be investigated for dereliction of duty,” added Ms Joemat-Pettersson. The matter of the SAPS 13 stores and CFR will feature prominently on the committee’s schedule in the coming term, with meetings with the SAPS management to find solutions to this worrying and longstanding concern. Issued by Malatswa Molepo, Media Officer, Parliamentary Communication Services, 17 January 2022 https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/police-committee-calls-for-strategies-to-fixchall?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=4270fc9a43EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_17_10_44&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a86f25db994270fc9a43-130042309 BRING ‘BEVEL EN BEHEER’ TERUG MET GEREELDE INSPEKSIE & AANSPREEKLIKHEID

POLICE MINISTER MUST ACCOUNT FOR 158 STOLEN FIREARMS AND CHAOS AT FIREARMS REGISTRY Okkie Terblanche MP. 17 January 2022 110 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

The DA will write to the parliamentary portfolio committee on police to request an urgent summons of the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, as well as the National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, regarding the 158 firearms that were stolen from the evidence store at the Norwood police station in Johannesburg. One of these stolen firearms was used to kill a police officer during a shootout with suspects. While the DA welcomes the identification and charging of three senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials regarding the case, the fact that these weapons were allowed to land in the hands of criminals shows the complete disarray of SAPS in general and the Central Firearm Register in particular. The committee charged the Minister and Commissioner to develop an urgent turn-around strategy which is supposed to be at the implementation phase, and we now need to know the exact details and timeframe of the implementation. We also need to know the status of the investigation into the stolen firearms and the officers responsible for the theft. The shocking state of the registry was revealed on an oversight visit last year. Stacks upon stacks of unprocessed administrative forms were piled high on every available surface and littered passageways. No wonder that only 4% (2 059 out of 50 962) of applications received during the 2019–2020 amnesty period had been finalized, or that a mere 0.92% (280 out of 30 356) of applications received during the 2020-2021 amnesty period had been processed. This is not only an administrative headache, but puts the safety of the public in terrible danger. SAPS is supposed to protect the public and keep them from harm’s way. They are supposed to instil a sense of peace and security. But in this country, more often than not, SAPS instils fear and untrustworthiness. This can only be laid at the feet of Minister Cele, General Sitole, and officers like the those responsible for the theft at Norwood. Their incompetence, greed and disregard for the law put citizens and fellow police officers at risk and muddies the good name of officials trying to protect South Africans. Issued by Okkie Terblanche, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Police, 17 January 2022 https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/police-minister-must-account-for-158-stolenfirear?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=4270fc9a43EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_17_10_44&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a86f25db994270fc9a43-130042309

SOE-VERSLAG OOR COVID-BEDROG LYK NA OORTJIES VAN DIE SEEKOEI Mediaverklaring uitgereik deur:

Dr. Pieter Groenewald VF Plus-leier 25 Januarie 2022 Die verslag van die SOE wat aantoon dat daar onreëlmatighede betrokke was by sowat twee derdes van die 4 549 afgehandelde sake wat die eenheid ondersoek het, is waarskynlik net die oortjies van die seekoei in ’n veel groter bedrogspul. Die SOE het 5 467 sake ondersoek van tenders wat aan 3 066 kontrakteurs toegeken is. Luidens die verslag moet R551,5 miljoen van die geld verhaal word. Slegs R34,2 miljoen is tot dusver teruggekry. 111 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Hierdie bedrae klink onbenullig teenoor bedrae wat voorheen genoem is in ander beramings oor die omvang van Covid-19-bedrog. Die SOE self het al in Oktober 2020 in ’n voorlegging aan die parlement gesê dat bedrog met slegs die tydelike verligtingskema Covid-19-Ters sowat R985 miljoen kan beloop. Ek het reeds in 2019 met pres. Cyril Ramaphosa se aankondiging dat R500 miljard aangewend sou word as pandemieverligting, aan die president gevra watter voorsorgmaatreëls hy sou tref om korrupsie te voorkom. Hy het onderneem om stappe te neem en het onder meer die ouditeur-generaal (OG) opdrag gegee om meganismes in plek te stel om ongerymdhede te voorkom. Hierdie verslag van die SOE maak dit duidelik dat pres. Ramaphosa òf nie sy onderneming gestand gedoen het nie, òf dat die OG nie sy opdrag behoorlik uitgevoer het nie. Die wyd algemene vermoede is dat miljarde rande se bedrog plaasgevind het met die fondse en die SOE se huidige raming klink nie oortuigend nie. Dit boesem nie vertroue in by die publiek nie en daar sal drasties opgetree moet word om die saak met veel groter deeglikheid te ondersoek. Daar moet op die strengste wyse moontlik teen oortreders opgetree word en hulle moet swaar strawwe opgelê word om as voorbeeld te dien dat korrupsie nie geduld sal word nie. Indien dit nie gebeur nie, sal dit net nog ’n voorbeeld wees waar pres. Ramaphosa bloot lippediens lewer aan die mense van Suid-Afrika en dat die ANC steeds toelaat dat kaders hulself verryk ten koste van die belastingbetalers.

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POLISIESIELKUNDE: VEERKRAGTIGHEID IN POLISIËRING Die data vervat in hierdie artikel is vryelik vertaal, saamgestel en georden deur

Coert Mommsen, D.Phil. (Psigologie) M.A. Kliniese Sielkunde, EEG Tegnikus. Woord vooraf Die inleiding van ŉ artikel getiteld Resilience Among Police Officers: a Critical Systematic Review of Used Concepts, Measures, and Predictive Values of Resilience deur Kim M. E., Janssens, P. G. van der Velden, en Ruben, T. Et al. lui as volg.: In die afgelope dekades het veerkragtigheid, gehardheid en sielkundige kapitaal toenemende aandag en gewildheid geniet (Aburn et al. 2016; Britt et al. 2016; Fletcher en Sarkar 2013; Garcia-Dia et al. 2013; Herrman et al. 2011; Windle 2011). (*Nota: Sielkundige kapitaal het vier fasette: selfdoeltreffendheid, optimisme, hoop, en veerkragtigheid (byvoorbeeld wanneer die individu oorspoel is met probleme en teenspoed en hy/sy daarin slaag om vinnig te herstel en sukses te behaal) ( Luthans et al. 2007). (Aburn et al. 2016; Britt et al. 2016; Fletcher en Sarkar 2013; Garcia-Dia et al. 2013; Herrman et al. 2011; Windle 2011). Hierdie veerkragtigheid, gehardheid, en sielkundige kapitaal word beskou as belangrike vermoëns waaroor persone in hoë risiko-beroepe (veral polisiebeamptes) moet beskik ten einde uitdagende situasies wat veroorsaak word deur operasionele of potensieel traumatiese stressors (McCanlies et al. 2014), organisatoriese stressors (van der Velden et al. 2010) en private lewenskonflikte (Paton et al. 2008) te hanteer en aan te pas. Hulle meen: “Hierdie stressore kan polisiebeamptes aan die risiko van geestes-gesondheidsprobleme soos angs en depressie, slaapprobleme, PTSV, toenemende siekteverlof, selfmoordgedagtes, selfmoord, en middelmisbruik blootstel” (Berger et al. 2012; Lindsay 2008; Stanley et al. 2016; Slaven et al. 2011; Taloyan et al. 2016). Hierdie risiko faktore kan dan hul funksionering as beamptes negatief beïnvloed, soos afnemende prestasie en produktiwiteit (Fox et al. 2012; Levy-Gigi et al. 2016). Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology volume 36, pages24–40 (2021). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11896-018-9298-5 Hoe belangrik is veerkragtigheid in Polisiëring? ŉ Artikel getiteld Tips for Officers to build Resilience word as volg ingelei: “Sommige mense is van nature meer veerkragtig as ander maar in die algemeen is dit belangrik vir polisiebeamptes baie meer veerkragtig moet wees in vergelyking met burgerlikes. In regstoepassing word beamptes blootgestel aan gevaarlike en skokkende gebeure; soms vind skokkende gebeure opeenvolgend in ŉ enkele skof. Alhoewel polisiebeamptes helde is, is hulle nie heeltemal super-helde nie. Alle mense het 'n breekpunt. Om op die toneel te wees met slagoffers van steekwonde, skietery, seksuele aanrandings, huishoudelike mishandelingsake en meer, sal sy tol van enigiemand eis. Beskikbare statistieke weerspieël die waarheid: In die Verenigde State was 2018 die derde jaar in 'n ry waarin polisie-selfmoorde diens-gekoppelde sterftes dié van ander diens-relevante sterftes oortref het.” https://intime.com/industries/police/police-officers-build-resilience/ Volgens die Amerikaanse Sielkundige Vereniging, omskryf sielkundiges veerkragtigheid as: “die proses van goeie aanpassing wat volg op die ervaring van teenspoed, trauma, tragedie, bedreigings of erge stres soos dié wat voortspruit uit gesins- en verhoudingsprobleme, ernstige gesondheidsprobleme of werkplek- en finansiële moeilikheid. Alhoewel veerkragtigheid verband hou met die herstel ná pynlike ervarings, kan dit ook verband hou met diepgaande persoonlike groei. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience In ‘n artikel getiteld “What is resilience? Your Guide to Facing Life’s Challenges, Adversities, and Crises” beskryf die outeur Katie Hurley veerkragtigheid as: “Veerkragtigheid word tipies gedefinieer 114 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

as die vermoë om te herstel van problematiese lewens gebeure”. Sy voeg hierna die definisie van veerkragtigheid van Professor Amit Sood van die Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, by: “dit is jou vermoë om teenstand te bied teen teëspoed en te herstel ten spyte van die lewe se terugslae”. https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/ Katie Hurley, LCSW 11 Desember 2020 Hurley verduidelik verder: “Veerkragtigheid is nie 'n trampolien nie, waar jy die een oomblik af en die volgende op is nie. Dit is meer soos om 'n berg sonder 'n roetekaart uit te klim. Dit neem tyd, krag en hulp van die mense rondom jou, en jy sal waarskynlik terugslae langs die pad ervaar. Uiteindelik bereik jy egter die kruin en kan dan terugkyk na hoe ver jy gekom het”. Sy gaan voort en sê: “Mense word in hul leeftyd deur allerhande struikelblokke gekonfronteer. Voorbeelde hiervan is persoonlike krisisse soos siekte, verlies van 'n geliefde, mishandeling, afknouery, werkverlies en finansiële onsekerheid. Daar is die gedeelde werklikheid van tragiese gebeure in die nuus, soos terroriste-aanvalle, massa-skietery, natuurrampe en natuurlik die COVID19-pandemie. Mense moet leer om dit te hanteer en baie uitdagende lewens-ervarings deur te werk”. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-keyelements-resilience Eienskappe van veerkragtigheid. Shahram Heshmat van die Universiteit van Illinois te Springfield, VSA, beskryf agt spesifieke kern eienskappe wat belangrik is vir veerkragtigheid: “Die eerste is die belangrikheid om te strewe na ‘n betekenisvolle lewensdoelwit. Veerkragtige individue bepaal vir hulself ‘n lewensroeping en bestee hul tyd aan ‘n lewensdoelwit wat betekenis aan hul bestaan gee. Die Individu met ‘n doelwit ervaar minder angs en stres” (Hagerty, 2016). “Hulle vind 'n lewensdoelwit en wy hulself hieraan toe. Om 'n betekenisvolle doel na te streef, mag stres en pyn op die kort termyn behels, maar in die langtermyn gee dit sin aan die mens se bestaan (bv. om kinders groot te maak, persoonlike groei te soek, voorbereiding vir 'n maraton). Mense met 'n gevoel van doelgerigtheid ervaar minder angs en stres”. Soos Nietzsche opgemerk het, "Hy wat 'n rede het hoekom hy wil lewe, kan feitlik enige hoe hanteer. Heshmat in https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-key-elementsresilience Die tweede is die belangrikheid daarvan om gebruiklike aannames te bevraagteken. Veerkragtigheid vereis kreatiwiteit en buigsaamheid. Tradisionele beginsels moet ondersoek word en beoordeel word in die lig van nuwe ervarings en idees. Kreatiwiteit vereis dat ' n mens verskillende perspektiewe moet oorweeg sodat jy nie deur ou gedagtes ingeperk word nie. ('n Mens moenie toelaat dat jy deur verouderd gedagtes ingeperk word nie). Aan die einde van ernstige lewens krisisse word fundamentele aannames gewoonlik ernstig bevraagteken. Dit kan lei tot positiewe sielkundige ommekeer (Terdeschi en Calhoun, 2004). In ‘n sekere sin verteenwoordig ‘n ommekeer die einde van wat ons eens op ‘n tyd was. Byvoorbeeld, wys die sielkundige Lyubomirsky (2013) daarop dat 'n toereikende lewe ná egskeiding vereis dat jy nie net jou gade verlaat nie, maar dat jy ook jou ou self agterlaat. Die derde is die belangrikheid van buigsaamheid van denke. Veerkragtige mense is buigsaam ten opsigte van hul manier van dink en hul reaksie op stres. ’n Belangrike komponent van kognitiewe buigsaamheid is om die realiteit van die situasie te aanvaar, selfs al is dit skrikwekkend of pynlik. Aanvaarding is 'n belangrike element van die vermoë om hoogs stresvolle situasies te hanteer. Vermyding en ontkenning is die mees algemene teen-produktiewe hantering-strategieë wat mense gebruik, maar dis egter tydelik en staan uiteindelik in die pad van persoonlike groei. Die vierde is die belangrikheid van groei deur lyding. Veerkragtige mense loop mislukking trompop en gebruik dit as 'n geleentheid om te leer en te groei. Nietzsche het gesê: "Wat jou nie doodmaak nie, maak jou sterker". In sy boek, Antifragile, skryf Nassim Taleb (2012) : "Ons opponent is ons helper (p39)." Ons kan dus enige ervaring van emosionele pyn beskou as ' n geleentheid om ons vermoë te versterk wat sal help om enige toekomstige pyn beter te hanteer. Wanneer ons egter ons van lyding af wegbeweeg, mis ons die geleentheid om te groei. (Die outeur van hierdie artikel het ‘n 115 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

gesegde hiervoor geskep nl.: ‘n vrugteboom of wingerd wat op sy tyd gesnoei word, lewer in die langtermyn beter vrugte ten spyte van die spruite wat dit verloor (*CM). Die vyfde is die belangrikheid van handeling ten spyte van vrees. Waagmoed is 'n belangrike aspek van positiewe sielkunde wat 'n mens in staat stel om persoonlike tekortkominge te oorbrug en 'n volkome lewe na te streef (Seligman, 2011). Waagmoed hou nie verband met die ervaring van vrees nie. Waagmoed is gelyk aan optrede ten spyte van vrees. Dit is die krag wat jou toelaat om jou vernietigende gewoontes in die gesig te staar. Byvoorbeeld, die waagmoed van 'n verslaafde om sy of haar verslawing te oorkom of die persoon wat as kind mishandel was wat diep sielkundige traumas oorkom en uiteindelik 'n liefdevolle en produktiewe volwassene word. Diegene wat vooruit beweeg te midde van teëspoed, verhoog hulle innerlike krag. Die sesde is emosionele regulering. “Emosionele selfregulering of die regulering (hantering) van emosies is die vermoë om op 'n sosiaal aanvaarbare en voldoende buigsame manier te reageer op ‘n verskeidenheid emosies, asook die vermoë om spontane reaksies uit te stel soos nodig.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_self-regulation Dr. S. Heshmat meen: "Baie, indien nie alles van ons denke, hang van onsself af. Ons kan onsself bevry van vernietigende emosies soos woede en haat deur die ontwikkeling van vermoëns om te kies hoe om ‘n situasie te interpreteer. Ons vermoë om die vloei van ons gedagtegang te beheer en die vermoë om die toekoms te visualiseer, dra by tot toereikende aanpassing.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-key-elements-resilience Met ander woorde die beampte wat ‘n konfliksituasie versigtig opsom en woede en haat uitskakel, voorkom dat sy emosies die oorhand kry en hy slaag daarin om emosionele regulering suksesvol toe te pas. Die belangrikheid van die begrip van beheer. Beheer (die krag binne myself) is ‘n interne bron wat dikwels veerkragtigheid kan teweegbring. Die sin vir beheer verwys na die vermoë van die individu om onafhanklik op te tree en om self die uitkomste van hul lewensomstandighede te vorm. Deur vrye keuses uit te oefen verbreed die individu sy/haar alternatiewes en vryheid. Wanneer mens gevoelens van vryheid en beheer ervaar kan dit verwag word dat hy/sy sal gedy. Die gedagte dat dinge buite ons beheer is, is ‘n resep vir hopeloosheid. Die belangrikheid van gemeenskaplike ondersteuning. Veerkragtige individue put krag uit hul sosiale netwerke. Hulle bied ook sosiale ondersteuning aan ander. Die beskikbaarheid van sosiale ondersteuning verminder angs en stres. Dit voel immers makliker om teëspoed die hoof te bied wanneer jy ' n goeie vriend het waarop jy kan staatmaak. As jy goeie sosiale ondersteuning het, hoef jy nie soveel van jou eie persoonlike hulpbronne te gebruik om teenspoed te hanteer nie. Onderlinge verhoudings gee jou 'n diepliggende gevoel van emosionele sekuriteit en die gevoel dat iemand jou steun bied ongeag van wat ookal gebeur.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-key-elementsresilience Die belangrikheid van veerkragtigheid in polisiëring kan moeilik oorbeklemtoon word vanweë die beskutting wat dit vir die wetstoepasser self, sy gesinsharmonie en werks-funksionering sowel as die publiek in die algemeen bied. Woensdag 12 Januarie 2022, 14:08

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NONGQAI TRUST | IT 002701/2018(T)

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THANK YOU! | DANKIE!

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GESKIEDENIS SA SPOORWEGPOLISIE

Brig Ronnie Beyl • Twee offisiere – vier kartonne Maniolas Ek het die lede op Oshivelo dikwels gaan besoek om na hulle welstand te verneem en om op hoogte van die nuutste terroriste taktiek en aktiwiteite te bly. By een van die geleenthede het die kapelaan van Slagboom, kaptein (ds.) Nico Du Toit, my na Oshivelo-grensbasis vergesel. Om vir die lede op Oshivelo iets saam te neem, het ek by die Sondagsrivier Sitrus Koöperasie gereël vir vier groot kartonne maniolas. My buurman, wie se plaas aan die van Slagboom gegrens het, se seun was op Grootfontein in die weermag. Ek en Nico het toe besluit dat ons Grootfontein sou om ry om vir die seun van die maniolas te neem. Ons bagasie en die vier kartonne was op die vliegtuig en ons het vertrek vanaf Port Elizabeth-lughawe na Windhoek. Ons het in Windhoek oornag die betrokke aand by Nico se skoonfamilie en die gasvryheid van die Suidwester het ons voorwaar oorweldig; veral toe ons die aand met ŉ verskeidenheid van wildsbiltong en ŉ bottel of twee KWV Roodeberg wyn by die kaggelvuur onthaal was. Vroeg die volgende oggend het ons by die Bevelvoerende Offisier in Windhoek aangemeld, en hy het aan ons ŉ motor vir die rit na Oshivelo voorsien. Aangesien ons nie die betrokke oggend ontbyt geniet het nie, het die gasvrou vir ons ŉ bondel koedoe biltong vir die pad saamgegee en daar het die twee van ons afgesit oppad na Grootfontein en Oshivelo. Ons het skaars die buitewyke van Windhoek bereik voordat Nico een van die vele stukke rugstring biltong nadergetrek het. So vinnig soos wat hy kon kerf, so vinnig het ons geëet. Nico het weldra begin kla dat sy regter wysvinger ŉ blaas ontwikkel het as gevolg van al die gekerwery. Ek het min simpatie betuig met hom rakende sy seer handjies: “Dit is omdat julle predikante se handjies so sag is dat jy waterblase van die gekerwery kry.” Ek het hom aanbeveel om die biltong met sy linkerhand te kerf – net om te bewys dat ek baie prakties aangelê was. Intussen het die twee van ons uit die aard van die saak baie dors geword en die dorpe het ver uitmekaar gelê. Al uitweg was dat die maniolas die dors moes les. Die groot dors wat deur die souterige biltong veroorsaak was, vra baie meer as net een maniola se sap. Nico het die maniolas verwoed en met groot doelgerigtheid begin skil. Sy regterhand kon nou van die kerwery rus en die groot dors kon geles word. Nou ja, dit is nie nodig vir my om te verduidelik dat, teen die tyd dat ons in Grootfontein aangekom het, was daar net vier maniolas van die vier kartonne oor. Baie skuldig en verleë het ons die laaste vier maniolas aan die buurman se seun oorhandig. Gelukkig het hy nie geweet hoeveel maniolas in ons besit was toe ons Addo verlaat het nie. Nodeloos om te sê dat die 120 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

manne vir wie die maniolas eintlik bedoel was, het nie eens ŉ skilletjie daarvan gesien nie. Wat ŉ skande! Ter verdediging; dit was nie ons bedoeling om die manne se maniolas op te eet nie, maar was dit nie vir die groot dors nie, sou al vier kartonne hulle bestemming veilig bereik het. Die uitwerking wat die biltong en maniolas op die sensitiewe maag van die kapelaan gehad het, het hom daardie aand op sy knieë gedwing. (RB)

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Die kapelaan en Boffin se bed.

Met die verloop van jare, en soos tevore reeds genoem, was Boffin later die senior SASP-lid op die grens. Hy was in militêre terme ŉ “ouman” op die grens. Soos wat enige ander senior lid op voorkeur behandeling kon aanspraak maak, het een van die Bevelvoerders op Oshivelo dit besef en gelas dat ŉ enkelbed vir Boffin in sy kantoor, waar hy geslaap het, ingebring moes word. Etlike honderde SASP lede het vanaf 1982 tot en met 1986 deur sy “pote” gegaan en hy verdien, op grond daarvan, om gerespekteer te word. Boffin was baie in sy skik met die verhoogde status en was opreg dankbaar vir die byna koninklike behandeling. Ek en die Nico het die spesifieke middag baie laat op Oshivelo aangekom nadat ons eers ŉ draai op Grootfontein gemaak het om die vier maniolas by die buurman se seun af te gee. Daar was twee beddens in die bevelvoerder se kantoor: sy bed en Boffin se bed. ŉ Derde bed was in die kantoor ingedra waarop ek sou slaap. Aangesien daar nie ander slaapplek vir Nico beskikbaar was nie, moes hy toe maar op Boffin se bed slaap. Dit het tyd geword om in te kruip en ons het na die kamer beweeg om te gaan slaap. Nadat die nodige roetine afgehandel was, gaan sit Nico op “sy” bed. Intussen oorval die moegheid vir Boffin en hy stap na “sy” bed, net om ŉ vreemdeling op “sy” bed aan te tref. Boffin het voor die bed gaan sit en hy en Nico het mekaar diep in die oë gekyk. Ewe ongemaklik het Nico uiteindelik gevra: “Ronnie, wat wil die hond hê?” Ek het vir Nico, met groot moeite om nie uit te bars van die lag nie, meegedeel dat ek nie honde-taal verstaan het nie en dat hy self vir Boffin moes vra wat hy nou eintlik wou hê. Nico het op sy rug gaan lê en Boffin het voor die bed stelling ingeneem. Hy het eerstens sy linker voorpoot op die bed gesit terwyl hy en Nico mekaar nog steeds in die oë gekyk. Ek en die Bevelvoerder wou ons op hierdie punt omtrent breek oor die petalje wat besig was om hom voor ons af te speel. Ons durf nie gelag het nie want dan sou Nico agtergekom dat daar ŉ storie rondom “sy” bed was – die hond sou as’t ware uit die sak gelaat gewees het. Nico wou weer, net so benoud soos tevore, weet wat dit was wat die hond wou hê. Ek het hom weer, gemaak-onbelangstellend, gesê dat hy die vraag aan Boffin moes stel. Boffin het sy kans waargeneem toe hy tevrede was dat Nico nie negatief sou reageer nie en het pens-en-pootjies saam met hom op die enkelbed gaan lê. Dit was nou net mooi op hierdie stadium dat ek en die Bevelvoerder onder die komberse ingeglip het en begin ruk het soos wat ons gelag het. Die volgende oggend het Nico kompleet soos ŉ uit gewaste waslap gelyk. Hy was bleek, moeg en kragteloos. Toe ek na sy welstand verneem het, het hy geantwoord dat hy die nag nie ŉ oog toegemaak het nie. Hy het honde verpes en hy moes die hele nag deur met Boffin stoei om ŉ plekkie op die enkelbed te kon kry. Tweedens het die maniolas en die biltong van die vorige dag sy maag so omgekrap dat dit hom die hele nag lank op sy knieë gehou het. Ek het ewe sarkasties laat val dat ek geweet het predikante bid baie, maar was dit dan rêrig vir hom nodig om die hele nag op sy knieë deur te bring? “Nee” het Nico vererg geantwoord, “afgesien van die feit dat ek en die verdomde hond die hele nag deur geworstel het, het ek het ook die nag voor die toiletbak op my knieë 121 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

deurgebring. Eers was ek bang ek gaan dood, maar later het ek gebid dat ek maar liewer moet doodgaan. Die krampe en maagpyne was net een te veel”. Asof dit nie erg genoeg was nie, het Nico my daarvan beskuldig dat ek die nag so gesnork het dat geen normale mens onder die gesnorkery kon slaap nie. Miskien het die buurman se seun en die manne op Oshivelo tog wel van die maniolas geweet en ons verwens net omdat hulle nie hul regmatig deel ontvang het nie. (RB)

‘N LEWENSREIS Brig Hannes Slabbert •

Hoofstuk 14 Ek meld aan in my nuwe pos. Kolonel Cruywagen is nou die Bevelvoerende Offisier. Ek neem in ‘n pos waar ek 10-jaar gelede nog onder kaptein Roelofse gewerk het. Die verskil is dat ek nou die speuroffisier is en verantwoordelikheid moet neem. Al die lede wat daar was, toe ek in 1970 daar weg is, is nog daar maar ‘n paar nuwe gesigte het bygekom. Ek sit in die kantoor waar Roelofse vir jare gesit het en geniet dit om in beheer te wees.

Speurders op die volgende stasies is onder my beheer en moet aan my rapporteer – Port Elizabeth waar daar sommer baie speurders is, New Brighton waar adjudantoffisier Mey die leiding neem, Uitenhage waar sersant Durr is, Oudtshoorn met sersant Schoombee, Noupoort met sersant du Preez, Cradock met sersant Attie Coetzee en Grahamstad waar sersant Markram en ‘n paar lede werk. Ek roep al die speurders in en verduidelik aan hulle wat ek verwag. Absolute lojaliteit, eerlikheid en gehoorsaamheid is ononderhandelbaar. Die seuns is nou in Daniel Pienaar Tegniese skool in Uitenhage en Marina by Kleuterland.Daar is n klomp kinders in die straat waar ons bly en gedurig n gespelery. Ons is gelukkig in Despatch maar my ouers het ou mense geword en hulle gesondheid nie altyd na wense nie. Hulle geniet egter die klein kinders wat omtrent elke dag kuier en ma help vir ouma met die huiswerk. By die werk kan dit nie eintlik beter gaan nie. Ons behaal groot sukses in die bekamping van misdaad en my hoofde is tevrede met my werk. Ek besoek speurders op buitestasies, bou goeie verhoudinge op met spoorwegpersoneel want dit is per slot van sake van hulle wat inligting oor misdaad verskaf. Majoor de Swardt, ek en konstabel Hofne Barnard ry eendag Oudsthoorn toe. Barnard is ‘n bekwame bestuurder en ken die pad. De Swardt hou inspeksie by die uniformpersoneel waar sersant van der Walt die septer swaai en ek inspekteer die speurders se sake. Voor ons ry bied van der Walt eers koffie aan. Ons val in die pad en kort voor lank kla die majoor van ‘n omgekrapte maag. Barnard moet hoeveel kere stilhou sodat die man homself kan verlig. Toe ons by ons kantoor aankom is hy so swak hy kan skaars loop. Volgende more bel van der Walt om te verneem hoe ons reis afgeloop het. Ek vertel hom van die majoor se dilemma en toe bieg hy. Hy het een of ander pitjie in ‘n koppie koffie wat eintlik vir my bedoel was gegooi. Hy was n stoute man wat darem dadelik die majoor gebel en verskoning aangebied het. Ek gaan net van ‘n paar ander voorvalle vertel wat in my tyd as speuroffisier plaasgevind het. As ek alles moet vertel gaan die boek hopeloos te dik word. 122 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Een dag bel die bedryfskantoor en meld dat die spoorweë se telefoonlyn tussen Baroe en Wolwefontein onklaar is en misdaad vermoed word. Sersant Durr en ek ry dadelik na Baroe en vind dat die draad byna teen ‘n paal af is. Ons doen navrae by die personeel sonder enige sukses. Later gesels ons met die winkeleienaar, meneer Steynberg. Ons praat met hom oor die voorval en hy vertel toe dat hy die vorige middag laat na ‘n swartkraai wat op die draad naby die paal gesit het geskiet het. Hy het die kraai gemis en was onbewus daarvan dat hy die draad raakgeskiet het. Die draad is net daarna herstel en ek glo hy het nie eens ‘n rekening van die spoorweë gekry nie. Dis by die einste Baroe waar eendag ‘n tekort ontdek is toe die klerk die aand ‘n balansstaat moes voltooi. Enige tekorte van geld is as baie ernstig beskou en die polisie moes dadelik verwittig word. Sersant Durr en ek het dadelik soontoe vertrek. Die betrokke klerk, meneer Christo van Zyl het intussen vasgestel dat ‘n tjek gelykstaande aan die vermiste bedrag vermis word. Hy en sy vrou, Bettie was erg bekommerd oor die saak want Christo sou die geld moes terugbetaal. Durr het in die kantoor begin soek. In lessenaar laaie en toe hy ‘n groot kas wegstoot lê die tjek agter die kas. Ek weet nie wie die blyste was nie, maar nog ‘n saak is suksesvol opgelos. ‘n Vrouespeurder is intussen na die speurders oorgeplaas. Sy kon vroue deursoek en met hulle kommunikeer op ‘n wyse wat n man nie kan doen nie. Eendag kom sy by my en vertel dat sy inligting ontvang het dat ‘n laaimeester by Deal Party op groot skaal steel. Ek het die man persoonlik geken en hy het ‘n dag of wat gelede nog my hare netjies gesny. Dieselfde middag het ‘n paar van ons na Deal Party gegaan. Die laaimeesters was reeds van diens af en ons het ‘n kassie vol dokumente by die uitgangshek nagesien. Ons vind toe ‘n kaart waarop aangedui word dat die betrokke laaimeester ses houtdeure by die hek uitgeneem het. Daar was egter ‘n ooglopende fout op die dokument wat my dadelik laat besef het iets is nie pluis nie. Ek het vasgestel waar die man woon en speurders na sy huis gestuur en opdrag gegee dat hulle hom na die kantoor moet bring. Laat die aand is hy ingebring en nadat hy gewaarsku is dat ons ‘n saak van diefstal ondersoek het hy dadelik gebieg en begin vertel van wat hy alles al gesteel het. Daaronder was motorenjins en ‘n klomp ander items. Van die motorenjins was ingebou in voertuie wat by ‘n handelaar gestaan het en een in Aberdeen. Ons het al die enjins herwin. Die laaimeester het later in die hof verskyn waar hy skuldig bevind en vir ‘n lang termyn tronk toe gestuur is. Die vrouespeurder het geweier om haar informant se identiteit te openbaar maar ek glo vas dit was van die man se familie. Daar het ‘n paar briljante speurders saam met my gewerk. Onder hulle was adjudant-offisier Hardy Mey en konstabel – later kolonel - Corrie Meyer. Hulle het ‘n magdom beriggewers gehad – iets waarsonder geen speurder suksesvol kan wees nie. Die jare het stadig maar seker aangestap. Louwtjie het in 1977 matriek geslaag. Ek het gehoop dat hy in my voetspore sou volg maar hy het verkies om ‘n soldaat te word. Vroeg in 1978 het hy met opleiding in Oudtshoorn begin en dit was in die begin maar vir ons moeilik met een kind uit die huis. Charles was in graad 11 en Marina was in die Hoër Handelskool in Uitenhage. In 1977 word n span van 4 skuts gekies om in Bloemfontein aan die S.A. Diensgeweerskietkampioenskap deel te neem. Alhoewel ek lief is vir skiet het ek nog nie met diè tipe geweer geskiet nie en my maar by my .303 gehou. ‘n Paar dae voor die span moet vertrek, onttrek een van die skuts weens persoonlike probleme. Ek word gevra om sy plek in te neem. Ons oefen ‘n paar keer en ek besluit om die uitdaging te aanvaar. Ek weet nie eens wattter toerusting ek moet saam neem nie maar vat tog ‘n verkyker saam.

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In Bloemfontein aangekom sien ek die skuts het almal skietbaadjies en teleskope. Majoor Majuba Oosthuizen is in beheer van die spoorwepolisieskuts wat van oor die land bymekaar gekom het. Daardie jaar neem meer as 600 skuts deel. Baie is van oorsee. Ons woon in tente wat nie te gerieflik is nie. Ek vaar hopeloos maar die skyfskietgogga het my behoorlik gebyt. Terug by die huis skaf en aan wat nodig is en die volgende jaar is ek weer in die span en word ook ingesluit in die OostelikeProvinsiespan. In 1979 is ek weer daar en kry weer Oostelike-Provinsie kleure. Toe 1979 aanbreek was ek al amper 5 jaar lank ‘n kaptein en het uitgesien na bevordering wat in daardie jaar sou kom. Ons het ook besef dat dit nog n verplasing en trekkery sou beteken maar kon nie geleenthede laat verbygaan nie. Een van die min sake wat my personeel nie kon oplos nie was waar die ligaam van ‘n witman langs die see naby Port Elizabethstasie gekry was. Volgens die geneesheer wat die lykskouing gedoen het was hy erg aangerand en aangesien hy nakend was toe hy gevind is het ons vermoed dat hy ook beroof is voor hy vermoor was. Hy was slegs uitgeken as Johnny Johburg en ons het vasgestel dat hy homoseksueel en met ander mans deurmekaar was. Ons het inligting gekry dat hy en ‘n swartman die aand voor sy lyk gekry is op die hawemuur was. Na ‘n lang soektog het ons die man opgespoor maar hy het alle kennis van die voorval ontken. Later is ‘n nadoodse doodondersoek deur ‘n landdros gehou wat bevind het dat die oorledene gesterf het as gevolg van beserings wat hy tydens aanranding deur ‘n onbekende persoon of persone opgedoen het. Ek kan in alle eerlkheid sê dat ek my termyn as speuroffisier in Port Elizabeth terdeë geniet het en ‘n groot suksessyfer behaal het. Later in die jaar het ‘n paar vakatures vir majoor ontstaan en ek het speuroffisier in Oos-London as my eerste keuse gekies. Ek was toe darem al vir baie jare ‘n speurder en het geweet dat ek die werk van n majoor kan doen. Charles was in matriek en ma en ek het besluit dat wat ookal gebeur sy in ons huis sou aanbly tot na die kinders hulle eksamen voltooi het. Ons wag vir die soveelste keer om te hoor waarheen ons hierdie slag sal gaan maar heimlik hoop ek dat die Oos-London sal wees want dan kan ons gereeld vir my ouers kom kuier. Teen die einde September is ek besig met ondersoek in Uitenhage toe ek ‘n boodskap kry dat ek die kommissaris, generaal J.J.J.van Vuuren, moet bel. Dadelik weet ek dat dit in verband met my bevordering is. Ek bel hom net om te hoor dat ek op 1 Oktober ‘n majoor in Oos-London word en in beheer van die speurders sal wees. Die man wat in daardie pos was, Frans Baird, is bevorder en is nou die bevelvoerende offisier met die rang van luitenant-kolonel. Nou is dit weer inventaris indien en bekommernis oor waar ons in Oos-London gaan woon. Gelukkig woon ons niggie, Hannie van der Merwe, en haar man Baas, daar en sal ons darem kuierplek hê. My ouers is ooglopend teleurgestel dat ons moet weggaan en ek weet dit gaan oor die kleinkinders oor wie hulle baie erg is. Maar hulle besef ook dat ek hard gewerk het en bevordering verdien. Ek ry nog n keer na al die kantore en groet die mense met wie ek nou vyf jaar lank saamgewerk het. Ek en sersant Markram het besonder goed oor die weg gekom en hy is sigbaar aangedaan toe ons mekaar groet. Ek kon darem terugkyk na vyf goeie jare in my loopbaan en was dankbaar dat ek die sesde trappie van die bevorderingsleer kon klim. Ons trek vir die 10de keer.

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Op 1 Oktober is ek ‘n majoor. Ek kan vir een maand in Port Elizabeth aanbly om al my sake in orde te kry. Daardie tyd gebruik ons om goed wat nie elke dag gebruik word nie in te pak, te reël vir ‘n moontlike huurder vir ons huis en vriende en familie te gaan groet. Ons dink daaraan om in Oos-London weer ‘n huis te koop maar omdat ons die plek nie ken nie kan ons nie eintlik beplan nie. Hannie en Baas is in hulle noppies dat ons daarheen kom en beloof om uit te kyk vir n geskikte huis. Einde Oktober neem ek afskeid van die personeel in Port Elizabeth en ek vertrek na Oos-London. REMINISCES OF A RAILWAY POLICEMAN Keith Alfred Adolf Blake •

Body Builders We received complaints from ship agents, Railway quay-foreman and ship captains that on the quaysides while ships were offloading, boxes of calamari that thieves were stealing during the offload process. I and my colleagues were given the task of catching these thieves.

I first arranged for Railway overalls and my colleagues were sent in undercover on the quayside at J berth, Table Bay Harbour, while I went out of the harbour to the Customs House and there on the vehicle parking balcony, I watched J berth with a pair of binoculars. There were lots of stevedores, Railway workers and foreign seamen and they were loading the 10kg boxes from the ship onto the quayside. I could also see my colleagues standing at different places and remember those days we all carried radios not like today cell phones. While watching through my binoculars I saw three suspects walking away from the quayside and they were wearing overalls. What caught my eye was that these three gents were very broad chested and their backs were also unusually broad but the legs were thin and I still thought that hard work must have developed those broad very broad chest and back muscles. They walked towards the undercover colleagues but then to my amazement the one suspect moved his chest to the left and right and then I REALISED what was happening. I GRABBED my radio and told my colleagues to stop the three suspects which they did and they said: 'Hulle het niks by hulle nie sersant hoor". I responded that that must see on their chests and backs which they did and lo and behold the suspects had on their backs and chest tied by two thin ropes not home-grown muscles but 2 boxes one in front the other on their backs weighing 10 kg each of pure frozen calamari. The "body builders" were arrested for theft.

•

"Kat” in my Lunchblik

One morning I heard on my handradio in my office that Willemse needed the patrol van to pick him up at KL berth. A short while later Willempie walked into my office and in his hands, he had a fat huge tunny fish. He told me he was given this fish by a fisherman. Willempie who is a very big person, was sweating and his cheeks was blood red and he sat down on a chair and uttered the following words: "Sersant hierdie tunny was swaar om te dra maar ek gaan lekker van hom eet maar my vrou kan nie pickle-vis maak en die tunny is net reg vir pickle-vis". As we were talking one of the female constables came in that worked at the admin. Willempie asked her if she could make pickle-fish and she responded that she cannot but her mother was an expert. The two came to a deal that he would give her the tuna but he wanted a large bowl of the end product, pickle-fish. 125 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

A few days later the female constable came with a big size Tupperware container and handed it to Willempie. His eyes lighted up like two headlamps as he opened up the container and smelt the pickle-fish. Where I was sitting as a spectator could also smell the goodness and the smell alone told me a true master in the kitchen had prepared this magnificent dish. Being well mannered I said nothing but I was hoping that I was to be a participant of the meal and my lips watered at the idea. All my hopes were dashed in a second when Willempie made the following crude statement: "Sersant ek gaan gou uit op patrollie en ek los die bak pickle-vis op die tafel agter jou en wanneer EK terug kom gaan EK lekker eet aan die bak pickle-vis". With that statement he left my office but I was sad as he had used the word "EK" and not "ONS". About ten minutes later my colleague Sgt. Engels walked in with a book in his hand and he said he was hungry and at the same time he saw the Tupperware container and asked me to whom does it belong. I replied that I did not know. He opened the lid and saw the pickle-fish. Again, he asked me who does it belong to and I again because of that word "EK" that I did not know. Engels then proceeded to eat the pickle-fish and I could see he was really enjoying it. Onions, gravy, fish and sous was consumed and the bones placed back unceremoniously back into the Tupperware dish. There was about just more than three quarters left and after his hunger was satisfied the lid was neatly placed back in its original place. Sgt. Engels contented, took up his book and departed back to the Charge Office. Well, an hour later Willempie made his appearance and once again sweating and cheeks as red as two very large cherries fell down on the chair and grabbed the container with the pickle-fish. He uttered the following words which made me feel less guilty: "Sersant Blake nou moet jy my verskoon maar EK gaan nou lekker eet." What made me feel now even more less guilty was that no prayers of thanks giving were uttered upward. Willempie took off the lid and all his movements froze like a large ice-block. His words I will never forget: "Nee o donner, watse kat was in my blik en kyk hier is kaal vis-bene nog binne in die blik ek kan mos nie die vis nou eet nie". He in anger jumped up and threw the container with the pickle-fish into a bin. I shouted, 'Willempie daai is mos nie jou blik nie". He retrieved the container and asked me again who had eaten his pickle-fish. I responded,"Willempie dit was nie ‘n kat maar ‘n leeu en hy sit daar in die Aanklagkantoor met ‘n storieboek."

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Kroonstad Railway Training College, September 1953. Presentation of medals to railway police by Mr McDonald.

c1950’s SAR Police Medal Parade: Hoy Park: Durban.

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C1970’s: SAR POLICE: LOUIS BOTHA AIRPORT

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1985: KOLLEGE-KATTEKWAAD Markus de Beer Soos ons almal weet was Esselenpark nie die average vakansieplaas nie maar die goeie tye was altyd meer as die minder goeie.

Peloton 199 was op ‘n stadium baie ontevrede omdat sers (Groot) Mostert se ouens beter as ons kon dril. Ons ritueel op die paradegrond was om die plofstofwa te besoek danksy Sers. Kallie van Eck. Om te mor en murmureer het nie gehelp nie en as ‘n laaste uitweg het ons hom gedreig om hom in die swembad te gooi. Steeds het ons om die plofstofwa moes hardloop , FN bo die kop. Op ‘n dag het ons besluit die tyd het aangebreek en Kallie gegryp en swembad toe gedra ten spyte van sy teenkanting. Sy eerste alibi was sy vuurwapen maar hy moes beveilig en oor handig want ons was immers almal opgelei in hantering van wapens. Tweedens het hy gekerm oor sy uniform en die logiese oplossing was: "Trek dit uit, Sersant". Derdens het hy gemik om self in te klim maar dit sou glad nie dieselfde satisfaksie gegee het nie. So los ons hom toe om te ontklee tot in sy sky-blue-onderbroek, tel hom op en gooi hom in die water. Ek weet nie waar Kallie hom bevind nie, ek wil net dankie sê vir die sportmangees wat jy openbaar het. Jy kon seker geweier het as jy regtig wou maar dit was ‘n warm dag en dalk was die afkoel heerlik gewees. Ons dril het veel te wense oorgelaat maar ons het die atletiek, die rugby en die landloop gewen (en die skild) want...... Ons was fiks! Danksy Kallie en die plofstofwa.

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RAILWAY POLICE: THE LATEST ON THE RAILWAYS IN THE FREE STATE Jacque Wepener Hi Hennie. Correct, no electrics on the Free State main line, south of Sasolburg, nothing from Kroonstad, either to Bloemfontein or Bethlehem. I have also heard that the 25 000 V AC at Springfontein has been stolen... Very few trains run nowadays and sometimes weeks pass without any movement. Attached photos from Karee and Welgelee. My pleasure. 130 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Jacque

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KRYGSGESKIEDENIS | SA MILITARY HISTORY

UNIE VERDEDIGINGSMAG: GENIE: NO 131819 JCF CLOETE

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Waterbottel 134 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

SAW: WYLE SKUTTER 76464025 JCF CLOETE

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Skutter JCF Cloete en sy ouers, mnr en mev JCF Cloete

Regs: JCF Cloete (jnr) Grootfontein SWA 1979, Saluut! Ons eer sy nagedagtenis!

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Begrafnis van Skutter JCF Cloete: Daspoort, Pretoria

SKUTTER BEN EN DIE TREINRIT Lem Joubert Pas na ek ’n rower 2de luitenant geword het by die Infanterieskool beland ek by 907 SDK in Messina. Ek word ‘n Spoorsnyspan Bevelvoerder en ek is die enigste dienspligtige in my span bestaande uit 8 spoorsnyers en ‘n drywer. Ek is ook die enigste blanke, en my hele span is ou staandemag lede waarvan 7 van hulle ou Rhodesiese soldate is vanaf die Rhodesian African Rifles, met Kpl. Levy Kona as my span korporaal wat van die Selous Scouts afkomstig is, en ook al ‘n draai by 5 Verkennings Regiment en by 32 Bataljon gemaak het. En dan het ek ook natuurlik vir Skutter Ben Malungana in my span. Sktr. Ben is ‘n Shangaan van Hazyview en het sy militêre loopbaan in 113 Bataljon begin, en hy is die enigste oorspronklik suid Afrikaans geborene in my span. Hoe hy by 907 SDK beland het, kon ek net nooit uitvind nie. Smaak 137 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

my hy het net 1 dag in sy uniform en met sy kit daar opgedaag en besluit hy hou van die plek, en toe maar net daar gebly. As Spoorsny Spanne by 907 SDK ontplooi ons op 6 week siklusse by al die basisse langs die Limpopo Rivier, beginnende by Vhembe (die ou Greefswald), by Weipe, dan ook langs die KaftanE Elektriese Heining, by Pinksterhoek, by Madimbo en ook by Mabalingwe. Na elke 6 weke ontplooiing keer ons terug na ons basis by Spence Skag buite Messina, en op die 1 ste Vrydag terug vanaf die ontplooiing kry al die staandemag lede in my span hulle “bushpay” in kontant by die betaalmeester by die Soutpansberg Militêre Gebied Hoofkwartier. As dienspligte kry ek “zilts” want die staat betaal mos alreeds vir my as ‘n 2de luitenant ‘n enorme salaris van R 364.20 per maand. Dan kry ons ‘n langnaweek verlof met die Maandag en Dinsdag as “laaiverlof” dae, en moet ons weer die Woensdag by die basis rapporteer vir ‘n 2 weke heropleiding siklus, voor ons weer vir 6 weke ontplooi. Ek en my span gaan dus die een langnaweek op verlof, en toe ons die Woensdag oggend vir “rollcall” rapporteer, is almal daar, behalwe Skutter Ben. Ek is al gewoond daaraan dat van my spoorsny span lede soms ‘n dag of wat laat kom oor ‘n verskeidenheid van aspekte en probleme, soos bv transport probleme, of ‘n familielid wat die dag voor hulle moes rapporteer skielik afgesterf het, ens, en dus verwag ek dat Skutter Ben so teen die Donderdag sal rapporteer. Die Donderdag is daar egter nog geen teken van Skutter Ben nie, en die Vrydag ontvang ons Kompanie Bevelvoerder, Majoor Thinus, ‘n oproep vanaf die Militêre Polisie in Wynberg in die Kaap om te verneem of ons dalk ‘n verlore Skutter Ben Malungana het, want die Skutter sit daar by hulle in hulle kantore en tee drink en koekies eet, en dat hy beweer dat hy ‘n spoorsnyer by ons eenheid is. Ja, se Majoor Thinus, die lid is een van ons verlore seuns en dat hy nou al ‘n paar dae AWOL is. Die MP’s se toe dat hulle dus vir Skutter Ben gaan arresteer en by hulle in die selle sal aanhou, en so word hy toe Prisonier Ben. So kom daar toe ‘n versoek vanaf die MP’s in Wynberg deur die amptelike kanale dat ons vir Prisonier Ben moet kom afhaal by hulle, en die prisonier dan moet eskort na Messina vir die dissiplinêre proses wat moet volg. Die opdrag om vir Prisonier Ben te gaan kollekteer en na Messina te begelei word toe aan die Berede Kompanie by 907 SDK se KSM gegee, en hy kies toe ons Kantien-Tiffie as sy “skiwwie-eskort”. So bestudeer onse KSM die pligte en verantwoordelikhede van eskorte tydens die begeleiding van prisoniers vanaf ‘n plek van gevangenisneming na die plek van verhoor, en nadat onse KSM tevrede is dat hy en ons Kantien Tiffie vertroud is met die moets en moenies van prisonier eskorte, word daar treinkaartjies vir hulle bespreek, en gaan trek hulle die vereiste Star 9mm “ketties’ by die wapen stoor om hulle pligte as prisonier eskorte op te kan neem. En daar bestyg onse KSM en Kantien Tiffie toe op een warme dag die melktrein in Messina, en is hulle vort Kaap toe. So ‘n week later gaan haal ek hulle toe met ons Kompanie Bevelvoerder se “garry” by die stasie in Messina toe die melktrein weer daar ‘n draai maak. Saam met hulle klim Prisonier Ben toe ook van die melktrein af, en ek brand om sy storie te hoor. Terug by ons basis verskyn Prisonier Ben dadelik op kantoorhouding voor Majoor Thinus en word hy amptelik meegedeel dat ‘n klagte van AWOL teen hom ondersoek word, en dat die senior regsoffisier by Kommandement Verre-noord in beheer sal wees van die proses.

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Na die kantoorhouding word Prisonier Ben toe weer Skutter Ben, en val hy weer in by my spoorsny span. Ek en die ander luitenante by 907 SDK gaan sit toe buite ons tent onder so ‘n groot kremetart boom met baie skaduwee, en beveel vir Skutter Ben om vir ons te vertel wat gebeur het. Skutter Ben vertel toe vir ons dat die Vrydag nadat hy sy “bushpay” gekry het en hy lekker vrot was vannie geld, hy by ‘n winkel verby geloop het waar daar in die winkelvensters van hierdie winkelpoppe was wat met sulke helderkleurige swembroeke onder ‘n sambreel staan met so ‘n seeagtergrond. Dit lyk toe vir hom alte lekker, en omdat hy nog nooit by die see was nie, besluit hy toe daar en dan om vir sy langnaweek bietjie see toe te gaan. Hy sit toe af na die stasie in Messina, en die enigste see wat hy al van gehoor het, is die see in die Kaap, en by die stasie koop hy toe vir hom nikswetend van waar die Kaap nou eintlik is nie, ‘n derdeklas trein kaartjie na Kaapstad, die verste see moontlik vanaf Messina. So klim hy toe die Vrydag middag op ‘n dieseltrein in Messina, en laat die aand klim hy toe oor in Johannesburg op die Trans-Karoo, maar wel in die derdeklas gedeelte waar jy heeltyd op sulke bankies soos in die busse van ouds sit. Die trein vanaf Johannesburg na Kimberley is ‘n elektriese trein. In Kimberley klim hy toe weer oor op ‘n dieseltrein na De Aar, en op De Aar klim hy toe oor op ‘n stoomtrein na Beaufort Wes. By Beaufort-Wes klim hy toe weer oor op ‘n elektriese trein tot in die Kaap, wat hy toe eers die Maandag middag bereik. In die Kaap aangekom is hy toe eers so ‘n bietjie verdwaald, en hy verstaan ook nie mooi die manier hoe die mense daar praat nie, en daardie aand slaap hy toe sommer daar op die stasie. Die volgende dag vind hy toe uit waar die taxi’s stop, en vang hy toe ‘n taxi na die see, en omdat daar so ‘n bietjie van ‘n kommunikasie gaping tussen hom en die taxidrywer is, beland hy toe laat die nag op die strand in Muizenberg waar hy so bietjie ronddwaal en toe sommer daar tussen die duine vir hom ‘n slaapplekkie inrig. Die Woensdag-oggend durf hy toe vir so ‘n rukkie die golfies aan, maar toe hy die werklike temperatuur van die see se water ervaar, besluit hy daar en dan dat hierdie seevakansie eintlik nie vir hom bedoel is nie. Hy gaan koop toe vir hom ‘n bietjie “take-aways” by so Indiese plek daar naby die strand, en omdat hy nie eintlik Indiese kos ken nie, koop hy toe vir hom iets wat hy nie ken nie, en wat toe die rook uit hom uit brand toe hy dit eet, en toe weer die rook uit hom uit brand nadat sy spysverterings stelsel dit klaar verteer het! Skutter Ben se dat hy toe ook besef dat hy erg lelik stink vir homself omdat hy die Donderdag aand laas in Messina gestort het, en dat hy toe afsit na ‘n winkel daar naby om vir hom so bietjie spuit goed te gaan koop, en nadat hy dit aangespuit het, toe stink hy sommer weer mooi vir homself! Skutter Ben se dat hy laat die Woensdag-middag ook begin besef het dat hy nie eintlik meer baie geld oor het vir sy seevakansie nie, en hy begin toe om ‘n toon-te-klap terug met die pad waarmee die taxi hom na die see gebring het, met die hoop dat hy dalk weer die stasie gaan vind. Hy slaap toe daardie aand weer sommer daar langs die pad, en die volgende dag, die Donderdag, stap hy toe die hele dag ‘n stofstreep langs die teerpaaie in die Kaap, met geen idee van waar hy is nie, en daardie aand toe slaap hy sommer weer net daar langs die pad. Die Vrydag oggend, nadat hy weer so ‘n entjie te voet gevorder het na nêrens, merk hy toe ‘n Militêre Polisie bakkie op wat daar langs die pad staan. Hy gaan rapporteer toe daar by die 2 MP’s dat hy ‘n Spoorsnyer is by 907 SDK, en dat hy bitter graag weer wil terug gaan soontoe, want hy verlang al toe sommer ‘n groot klomp na ons. Hulle vra toe vir hom waar hierdie 907 SDK is, maar hy het self nie eintlik ‘n idee waar dit is vanaf die Kaap nie, behalwe dat dit 3 dae se rit per trein weg is. 139 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Die MP’s laat hom toe daar voor in die bakkie tussen hulle kom sit, en so ry die 3 van hulle toe heel gemoedelik na die MP’s se basis in Wynberg. In Wynberg maak die sjefs toe vir hom ‘n teetjie en gee vir hom ‘n paar lekker koekies omdat hy baie honger was. Skutter Ben se dat hy toe nogal baie van hierdie “army” in die Kaap begin hou het, want hierdie ding van die sjefs wat spesiaal vir jou alleen tee maak en koekies gee, nie daar by sy “army” in 907 SDK gebeur nie. Maar die volgende oomblik storm die MP’s toe weer daar by hom in waar hy lekker aan sy koekies en tee sit en smul, en slaat hom in boeie en gaan sluit hom in ‘n sel toe. Hy kan toe nie onthou vir hoeveel dae hy daar in die sel was nie, want die lig in die sel wat hy met so ‘n ander wit outjie met sulke wit verbleikte hare deel wat die hele tyd net “dude” kon sê, het die hele tyd gebrand. Verder sê Skutter Ben toe dat dit vir hom gevoel het of die tyd daar in die “army” in die Kaap baie stadiger was as die tyd by 907 SDK, want hy en die ander soldate wat daar in die selle was, het soos dit vir hom gevoel het, die hele tyd net so ‘n stuk geteelde vloer daar in die selblok met ou tandeborsels wat die MP’s vir hulle gegee het, geskrop. Skutter Ben vertel toe dat eendag terwyl hy toe nog so besig was om die vloer te skrop, ons Berede KSM en die Kantien-Tiffie daar opdaag het en hy aan hulle oorhandig word. Die MP’s laai hom toe weer in hulle bakkie, maar die keer agterin en nie voor soos die laaste keer toe hy saam met hulle in die bakkie gery het nie, en so is hulle toe terug stasie toe. By die stasie aangekom klim hulle toe weer op die trein, maar die keer klim hulle toe in ‘n 1ste klas treinwa met kamers wat 2 sulke lang sagte banke het met sagte rugleunings wat vir mekaar kyk, met vensters wat kan oop en toe maak, en ‘n klein wasbakkie tussen die vensters. Dit was vir hom baie lekkerder as die 3de klas treinwaens waarin hy afgery het Kaap toe, want in daardie treinwaens was daar net sulke rye banke wat almal vorentoe gekyk het, en nie klein kamertjies het nie. Die vensters in daardie waens het ook nie gewerk nie en dit was dus vreeslik warm, wat glo ook bygedra het daartoe dat hy selfs vir homself lelik gestink het, en die bankies was ook baie hard. Skutter Ben sê hy sit toe maar by die venster en uitkyk, en na ‘n rukkie klop daar toe iemand aan die deur en die KSM maak toe oop, en toe is dit so ‘n wit outjie met ‘n swart langbroek, wit jassie en ‘n strikdas wat iets vir die KSM vertel. Die KSM sê toe dat dit nou hulle beurt is om te gaan eet. Hulle loop toe uit die kamer uit en in sulke lang smal gangetjies in die treinwaens af met die Katien-Tiffie voor hom, en die KSM agter hom, tot in ‘n treinwa waar daar toe sulke tafeltjies is waar 4 mense kon sit en eet. Skutter Ben moet toe teen die venster sit met die Kantien-Tiffie langs hom en die KSM oorkant hom. Skutter Ben se alles op daardie tafel het vir hom gelyk of dit van regte silwer gemaak is, met sulke spierwit borde, pierings en koppies met sulke groen kentekens op, anders as by 907 SDK waar hy uit ‘n varkpan en met ‘n stainless steel pikstel moes eet, en uit sy fire-bucket moes drink. Daar kom toe nog ‘n outjie met ‘n swart langbroek, wit jassie en strikdas wat met so ‘n fyn stemmetjie praat met klomp kosbakke op sy arms geplaas wat vol is van kos, en die outjie vra toe vir hom watter kos hy wil hê. Natuurlik vra hy toe vir iets van alles, en die wit outjie skep dit toe vir hom, Skutter Ben Malungana, ‘n swart Shangaan vanaf 907 SDK, op in sy wit bord, en sommer baie ook, anders as by 907 SDK waar hy altyd in ‘n ry moes staan en by die “hotboxes” moes verby loop terwyl sy “brothers” wat voor in die ry gestaan het en dus moes opskep, gepoog het om so min as moontlik vir hom op te skep, sodat hulle aan die einde vir hulself so baie as moontlik kon opskep. Skutter Ben sê hy eet toe lekker mooi, en na hulle klaar was, het die outjie vir hulle koffie in sulke vreeslike klein wit koppies gebring, met sout koekies en kaas, waarvan hy toe vir hom ‘n klompie in sy sak gepak het, en saam geneem het na hulle kompartement. By die kompartement gekom trek die KSM toe die banke se rugleunings op, en net-so het hulle toe 4 beddens in die kompartement waar hy toe ook so ‘n beddegoed rol gekry het wat hy moes afrol met 2 wit lakens, 2 wit komberse en ‘n kussing met ‘n wit kussingsloop, en alles was spierwit en 140 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

skoon sonder enige vlekke, anders as by 907 SDK waar hy in sy slaapsak op ‘n matras met net ‘n “cover” oor die matras moes slaap, met ‘n kussing waarvan hy die sloop eenkeer ‘n week kon gaan omruil. In die trein sê hy het hy elke aand vir die 2 aande ‘n nuwe beddegoed rol met nuwe spierwit en skoon beddegoed gekry. ‘n Ander ding wat vir hom baie lekker was sê Skutter Ben toe, was dat daar elke nou-en dan ‘n ander outjie met ‘n swart langbroek, wit jassie en strikdas verbygekom het met ‘n klein trolletjie en aan hulle deur geklop het, en dan kon hulle by hom ‘n biertjie of ‘n brannewyntjie of ‘n koeldrankie koop, en ook sommer ‘n ander klompie “sweets”, wat baie anders was as by 907 SDK waar hy altyd in die ry moes staan en stoei met al die ander spoorsnyers om ook ‘n kans te kry om ietsie deur die klein venstertjie by die troepe kantien te kan koop. En so het Skutter Ben toe weer by ons in Messina ingeval en aangegaan, en is sy aanklag dokumentasie en verklaring opgestuur na die senior regsoffisier by Kommandement Verre-noord. Die senior regsoffisier het toe die saak met die Bevelvoerende Generaal, op daardie stadium Generaal Meiring, gaan bespreek, en die Generaal het die storie so geniet, dat daar toe besluit is om nie vir Skutter Ben te vervolg nie. En Skutter Ben was natuurlik vanaf die dag van sy terugkeer na 907 SDK, ons eie “Toe-stink-ek– mooi“ “celebrity” Hieronder ‘n foto van Skutter Ben Malungana en sy patrollie-hond “Moemfie” voor ‘n ontplooiing na ‘n buite-basis!

Groetenis

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APHORISMS & OBSERVARIONS FOR THE FIGHTING SOLDIER Maj W Steenkamp MMM JCD: The Cape Town Highlanders Introduction: The nature of wars * The object of any just war is to achieve an honourable purpose. This being the case, any other proclaimed casus belli should be viewed with extreme suspicion. * Winston Churchill asked the right question in 1940, when the Nazis were poised to spring at the free world's throat: “Is nothing worse than war?" He had the right answer, too: “Slavery is worse than war. Dishonour is worse than war." As the USA’s President Theodore Roosevelt – himself a riproaring citizen-soldier of the Spanish-American War – once correctly remarked: “Wars are, of course, as a rule to be avoided; but they are far better than certain kinds of peace.” * Unjust wars, once they have been stripped of their principals' layers of propaganda and selfjustification, usually result from megalomania, some sort of crazy ideology, economic considerations of one kind or another, the need to distract a fractious populace, racial or religious hatred, a desire to hang on to something the perpetrators are not entitled to, or sheer larceny which differs from, say, bank robbery only in the size of the loot. One classic example of an unjust war (one of many) can be found in the opening years of World War II. In the 1920s and early 1930s the Soviet Union and Germany had a close relationship that both would now like to forget. The Russians allowed the Germans to evade the arms restrictions imposed by the 1919 Versailles Treaty and allowed the Germans to develop new weapons such as improved aircraft. This led eventually to a non-aggression pact, the basis of which was that the one would not take up arms against the other. In itself this was not a bad idea, except for the motivation behind it: an agreement that the ultimate aim was to conquer Poland and divide it into two territories, one controlled by Berlin and the other by the Kremlin. This meant that for the first 18 months or so of the war, South Africans were in the field, fighting the Italian Fascists and later the Nazis, while the South African Communist Party was doing its best to disrupt the war on the home front. This vile plot only fell apart when Hitler bit off more than he could chew by invading the USSR, after which the SACP followed its paymasters in Moscow and the conflict became the “Great Patriotic War” rather than a money-making clash between the nefarious capitalist nations. * A war fought for base motives - such as a political leader's decision to indulge in a self-seeking foreign adventure - is an offence to mankind, for its victims are innocent civilians who do not deserve to suffer, and soldiers whose legitimate assigned task is actually the defence of their homeland. 142 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

* If ever there was an exercise in wishful thinking, it is to be found in the airy remark that “wars never settle anything". One way or another, wars tend to settle quite a few things; for example, just ask the Nazis, who wanted to rule the world, or Mussolini, who tried to found a new Roman Empire in Africa, or China, which tried to overrun South Korea. Or the Soviet Union, which tried to dominate the Indian Ocean by turning South Africa into an obedient “People’s Republic”. Or tiny Finland, which gave the enormous Soviet Army a humiliating bloody nose during the “Winter War” of 1939 and retained its freedom, although it had to give up a slice of border territory. Just ask any of dozens of aggressors in the past few centuries who were stopped dead in their tracks because peace-loving citizens cared enough about their liberty to damn the odds and fight for it - even when the very notion of war was abhorrent to them. Alternatively, ask any nation which was defeated by an aggressor because none of the “just nations” was willing to lift a finger in its defence. * People who are fond of exhuming that old chestnut about the “futility of war" as an all-purpose observation for all occasions are nothing but intellectual masturbators. A war is a means to an end; if that end is attained, and it is a worthy end, then logically the war by which it was attained cannot be described as futile. * Another famous old cliché (usually expressed with a sigh) that is long past its shelf life - if it ever had any - is the one about "the waste of war". Well, a war certainly tends to use up lives, money, equipment and infrastructure on a large scale. But one should exercise a little terminological exactitude here. The blood and treasure expended in fighting and winning a just war is not a "waste" but a necessary investment in the future. Or, as the economist Milton Friedman once put it in another context: There's no such thing as a free lunch. * Wars tend to surprise the people waging them because there is always the tendency to think that they are going to be pretty much like their immediate predecessors. But every war is a product of its time, its political context, its aims, its extent, its technology and, above all, the will of the combatants. The Cold War, for example, was anything but cold; it just never reached the nuclear boiling-point. The theory that it was actually World War III cannot be spurned simply because the main players only clashed directly on one occasion and otherwise fought mainly through or against surrogates. The fact is that the availability of nuclear devices drastically changed the way in which world conflicts were conducted (see also the Postscript to these aphorisms), nothing more. * Politicians are often correctly blamed for causing and/or losing wars, but usually this is the result of short-sightedness, incompetence or unwillingness to grasp the nettle; this proviso falls away, however, when – like Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Napoleon – they are also rulers.

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DINUZULU kaCETSHWAYO Wikipedia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo

Photo of Dinuzulu, c. 1883 Reign

20 May 1884 – 18 October 1913

Born

c. 1868

Died

18 October 1913 Transvaal, South Africa

Burial

KwaNobamba, South Africa

Spouse

None

Issue

Solomon kaDinuzulu

Occupation Monarch of the Zulu Kingdom Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo (1868 – 18 October 1913,[1] commonly misspelled Dinizulu) was the king of the Zulu nation from 20 May 1884 until his death in 1913. He succeeded his father Cetshwayo, who was the last king of the Zulus to be officially recognized as such by the British. Zululand had been broken up into thirteen smaller territories by the British government after the Anglo-Zulu War, and Cetshwayo, and subsequently Dinuzulu, administered one of them. The British later realized the futility of breaking up Zululand into the territories and restored Cetshwayo as paramount leader of the territories. However, they left one of Cetshwayo's relatives, Usibepu (Zibhebhu), alone with his lands intact. On 22 July 1883, Usibepu attacked Cetshwayo's new kraal in Ulundi, wounding the king and causing him to flee. Dinuzulu's volunteers 144 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

To contest the succession, Dinuzulu first appealed to the British, but received no response. He then offered rewards of land to Boer farmers of the Vryheid and Utrecht districts, to come and fight on his side and restore the Zulu Kingdom. In 1884 a group of Boer farmers from the districts of Utrecht and Vryheid undertook to help restore order, in return for land for the formation of an independent republic with access to the sea. Led by General Louis Botha, they formed Dinuzulu's Volunteers and after several clashes with Zibhebhu, defeated him at the Battle of Ghost Mountain (also known as the Battle of Tshaneni) on 5 June 1884. The Nieuwe Republiek, established in northern Natal on land awarded to Boers by Dinuzulu, was recognized by Germany and Portugal. It was later incorporated on its request by the ZAR because of financial problems, after the British annexed the coastal plains from the Thuhela river (Tugela) northwards in order to prevent the Boers from building a harbor. After considerable dispute in a Natal arbitration court, Britain eventually recognized the New Republic, but reduced it in size after annexing the coastal plains to the Cape Colony, along with the republic's claims to St Lucia for a harbor. The Nieuwe Republiek was incorporated on its own request with the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek in 1888. No major conflict would occur in the region until the outbreak of the Second Boer War in 1899. Exile In 1890 Dinuzulu was captured by the British and exiled to the island of Saint Helena for seven years, for leading a Zulu army against the British due to annexation of the coastal plains of Zululand. When Zululand was formally incorporated into Natal in 1897, Dinuzulu was released. The following year he was installed as the British government's InDuna. Bambatha rebellion In 1906 the so-called Bambatha rebellion broke out. After the rebellion had been put down, Dinuzulu was accused of giving orders to Bambatha to start the rebellion and was put on trial for treason. Although he steadfastly protested his innocence, he was found guilty and sentenced to four years imprisonment in March, 1908. Two years later an old friend of his, General Louis Botha, became Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. Botha ordered that Dinuzulu be released and transported to the farm Uitkyk in the Transvaal, where he died on 18 October 1913 at the age of 44 or 45. After a state funeral, he was buried at Nobamba in the Khosini Valley (31°16'E; 28°26'S),[2] which lies in the upper White Umfolozi drainage system. He was succeeded by his son Solomon kaDinuzulu. Statue A statue of Dinuzulu has been erected next to the statue of General Louis Botha, the first prime minister of the Transvaal colony, at the corner of Berea Road and Warwick Avenue in Durban. Wood Badge beads Beads from Dinuzulu's necklace—claimed to have been found by Robert Baden-Powell—were later presented to Scout leaders following Wood Badge leadership training. Today the Wood Badge beads are replicas of the original beads.[3] To date, there is conflicting evidence as to how BadenPowell came upon the beads as well as the specific purpose and owner of the beads. Alternative stories include that Baden-Powell took the beads improperly, and that the beads were not war beads but actually belonged to a woman, such as a wife of Dinuzulu. References ^ "The Roots of Inkatha". Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2009. ^ Laband, John (2018). The Eight Zulu Kings: From Shaka to Goodwill Zwelithini. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 344. ISBN 978-1-86842-838-0. 145 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

^ Buthelezi, Mangosuthu (5 October 2002). "Address at the Mack Omega Shange Scout Competition Rally" (PDF). Scouts South Africa. Retrieved 7 March 2016.

DIE RATEL EN PROTOTIPES Artikel deur Koos de Wet Dit is vanjaar 50 jaar gelede dat die prototipe van wat agterna die Ratel geword het die lig gesien het en vandag met meer as ‘n duisend vervaardig is die Ratel steeds in diens met die nuwe SANW en verdien die Ratel Legende status in my boek. Eerste van sy soort destyds en na 50 jaar van ononderbroke diens, vandag nog ‘n meneer onder IGVs alhoewel modern IGVs heelwat meer gevorderd is – dit wil gedoen wees. Maar het ons werklik die maksimum waarde uit die basiese ontwerp gekry? Ek glo nie so nie. Laat my toe om te verduidelik. Ja, daar is 90mm, 20mm, mortier, swaarmasjiengeweer, bevels-, en selfs missiel anti-tenk en ander variante ook ontwikkel, maar dit is alles gedoen op en om die basiese rompontwerp, dryflyn en kragbron. Wat vir my destyds ‘n raaisel was (en vandag nog is) is hoekom daar nie byvoorbeeld ‘n variant ontwerp en ontwikkel is om die getroue ou Eland (“Noddy”) te vervang nie want laat ons maar eerlik wees, die “Noddy” was eintlik ‘n seuntjie wat ‘n grootman se plek moes volstaan en die “Noddys” en hul bemannings het wonderlike werk gedoen onder uiters moeilike en gevaarlike omstandighede. Dink maar bietjie – die 90mm Eland byvoorbeeld was ‘n voertuig van net onder 7000kg, met baie beperkte binneruimte, ‘n 90mm laedrukkanon (met 29 rondtes aanboord as ek reg onthou), geen landmynbeskerming nie, beperkte grondvryhoogte, ballistiese beskerming teen nie veel meer as kleingeweervuur nie en ‘n asmatiese 2.5 liter 4 silinder petrolenjintjie wat op ‘n goeie dag min of meer ‘n 100pk kon uitsit – beslis nie die ideale platform om T34s , T54/5 s of PT76s aan te vat nie, maar soos Ronald Rumsfeld, voormalige Amerikaanse Seketretaris van Verdediging tydens die oorlog in Irak gesê het, “You must do the best with what you have” of iets dergeliks en so het die Eland-manne die beste gedoen wat hulle kon met wat hulle tot hul beskikking gehad het en saluut daarvoor! Maar ek dink tog ons kon beter gedoen het as die mense met roereiers en tamatiesous op hul pette in Pretoria net bereid was om af en toe te luister na idees en voorstelle van mense buite hul onmiddellike dampkring. So wat sou ek aanbeveel het? ‘n Heel paar opsies eintlik. Om iewers te begin. Vir my sou die volgende nie-onderhandelbare beginsels vir enige “mini-Ratel”/Eland ontwikkeling gewees het om die Eland te vervang: • behou die rompprofiel van die Ratel vir gemak van vervaardiging en herstel • behou die drywerkompartementuitleg so standaard moontlik • behou die vooras geometrie, aandrywing, suspensie en stuurstelsel • behou die toringring in die dak 146 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

• behou die ratkas en oordrakas • behou die basiese elektriese stelsels en ligte • behou die asophangstelsel en suspensie Met bogenoemde as vertrekpunt stel ek die volgende voor: OPSIE 1. 1. Sny ‘n stuk van die romp uit min of meer waar die middelste as opgehang is en behou dan die agterste gedeelte van die romp met die Bussing-enjin en die laaste as – sien konseptekening. 2. Kort spesifikasie opsomming: a. 275pk b. Lengte – 6.25m c. Geraamde massa leeg - ~12900kg OPSIE 2. 1. Verkort die agterste gedeelte van die romp 2. Pas n M-B OM 352A (later die ADE 352T soos in die Casspirs gepas) wat 168pk ontwikkel of n ander kompakte kragbron soos die M-B V-6 OM 401 wat 192 pk ontwikkel en met turbo 256pk lewer 3. Kort spesifikasie opsomming: a. 168pk of 192pk of selfs 256pk b. Lengte – 5.6m c. Geraamde massa leeg - ~11500kg OPSIE 3 1. Verkort die agterste gedeelte van die romp en pas n kompakte kragbron soos die 256pk V-8 MB OM 402 of die turboweergawe wat 320pk ontwikkel. 2. Kort spesifikasie opsomming: a. 256pk of 320pk (turbo) b. Lengte – 5.8m c. Geraamde massa leeg - ~12200kg Al die kragbronne was destyds in Suid Afrika kommersieel beskikbaar tesame met n goeie voorraad onderdele en n handelaarnetwerk in Suid Afrika en Namibië wat hulle kon onderhou en diens. Enige van bogenoemde opsies sou binne ‘n kort tyd (ek praat maande!) ontwikkel kon geword het want baie van die ontwikkelingswerk was reeds op die Ratel gedoen en die ontwikkelingsrisiko’s was bekend en ek verstout my om te sê dat enige van die drie opsies in minder as ‘n jaar ontwikkel en in bedryf kon geplaas geword het. Daar sou dan ook minimale impak op logistieke steun gewees het. Om saam te vat: 1. Al die opsies sou ballistiese beskerming bied gelykstaande aan die Ratel wat ordes beter was as in die Eland 2. Al drie opsies sou ten minste 40 90mm rondtes elk kon dra (en waarskynlik meer!) 3. Almal sou meer landmynbestand gewees het as die Eland 4. Omdat almal diesel-aangedrewe is sou petrol nie afsonderlik voorsien moes word soos vir die Eland nie 5. Al die opsies sou operasioneel in Ratelspore kon volg met die voordele wat dit inhou 6. Bandgrootte sou standaard wees oor die vloot pantservoertuie 7. Logistieke steun sou noemenswaardig vereenvoudig word 8. Die reikafstand van die Eland sou verhoog kon word want meer diesel sou gedra kon word 9. Daar was ook die moontlikheid om lugreëling te pas 147 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

10. Ek hoor graag van die Eland en 61 Meg manne wat julle van my voorstelle dink en wat julle sou verander of verbeter en as julle dink dis nie ‘n goeie idee nie laat hoor van julle en gee jul redes daarvoor. Lekker gesels Koos

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1943: ITALIAN SUBMARINE IN DURBAN

Italian Submarine Ammiraglio Cagni reportedly arriving in Durban in 1943 after the Italian Armistice – Facebook. 151 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

CAGNI-CLASS SUBMARINE Wikipedia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Italian Cagni-class submarine (Ammiraglio Cagni) Class overview Name

Cagni class

Builders

CRDA

Operators

Regia Marina

Preceded by

Marconi class

Completed

Lost

Retired

General characteristics Type

Submarine

Displacement 1,653 tons (surfaced) 2,136 (submerged) Length

87.95 m (288.5 ft)

Beam

7.76 m (25.5 ft)

Draught

5.72 m (18.8 ft)

Propulsion

2 shafts diesel / electric 4,370 hp (3,260 kW) surfaced / 1,800 hp (1,300 kW) submerged

Speed

17 knots (31 km/h) surfaced 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h) submerged

Range

13,500 nmi (25,000 km; 15,500 mi) at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)

Complement 85 Armament

2 × 100 mm (4 in) / 47 calibre guns 4 × 13.2 mm (1 in) anti-aircraft 14 × 450 mm (18 in) torpedo tubes (8 bow, 6 stern) 36 torpedoes

The Cagni or Ammiraglio Cagni class was Marina during World War II.

a class of submarines built

for

Italy's Regia

Design These submarines were designed as commerce raiders for oceanic operations. They had high endurance and a large torpedo load for extended patrols. A smaller 450 mm (18 in) torpedo was 152 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

chosen, rather than the standard 533 mm (21 in), as the Italians believed this was adequate to deal with merchant ships. The boats were designed to have the range to sail non-stop from Italy to Kismayu, Italian Somaliland where a new submarine base was to be built. In order to operate in the Indian Ocean Monsoon the submarines were fitted with large conning towers and armed with two 100 mm (4 in) / 47 caliber guns. The large conning towers were rebuilt to a smaller German style as a result of war experience. Ammiraglio Cagni carried out a 4+1⁄2-month patrol in the South Atlantic during 1942– 43. The other three boats were used as transport submarines to supply Italian forces in North Africa. Ships All four boats were built by CRDA Monfalcone, laid down in 1939 and completed in 1941. Namesak Laid Launched[ Commissioned[ Ship Service / Fate 1] 1] e down[1] 20 1940

1 April 1941

Surrendered to the Allies in Durban, South Africa September 1943,[2] Broken up 1948

Ammiragli o Cagni

Umberto Cagni

16 Septemb er 1939

Ammiragli o Caracciol o

Francesc o Caracciol o

16 October 1939

16 October 1 June 1941 1940

Scuttled after damage by HMS Farndale, near Bardia, 11 December 1941

Ammiragli o Millo

Enrico Millo

16 October 1939

31 August 1 May 1941 1940

Sunk by British submarine HMS Ultimatum on 14 March 1942

July

Ammiragli Simone 16 Sunk by British 6 June o Saint- Antonio Septemb 12 June 1941 submarine HMS Upholder o 1940 Bon Saint-Bon er 1939 n 5 January 1942 12 more boats were planned for the 1940 and 1941 ship building programmes but were cancelled as a result of the outbreak of World War II. Operational history • Ammiraglio Cagni Main article: Italian submarine Ammiraglio Cagni Her first operational patrols were in the Mediterranean, doing five transport missions and 16 patrols. Her first mission in the Atlantic was of 136 days, sinking the British tanker Dagomba and the Greek sloop Argo on 29 November 1942. Ammiraglio Cagni was used in two theatres, the Mediterranean and South-Atlantic/Indian Ocean. She made 21 sorties in the Mediterranean, and 2 sorties in the South Atlantic/Indian Ocean in 1942– 43. On 9 September 1943, while on her second Atlantic sortie, she received news of the armistice. She surrendered to the UK at Durban on 20 September 1943. HMS Jasmine took part in the formal surrender. Mediterranean missions: While under the command of Lieutenant Commander Charles Liannazza, on 15 October 1941, she sailed from Taranto to Bardia, with a cargo of 140 tonnes of fuel cans and ammunition. She returned to Taranto on 22 October, while en route was attacked by guns and depth charges but suffered no damage. She carried out a similar mission on 18 November. She completed further 5 offensive and 16 transport missions. Atlantic 1st mission: 153 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

On 5 or 6 October 1942, she sailed from La Maddalena to the South-Atlantic for her 1st Atlantic mission, against the convoy "TS 23". She crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on 12 October without any contact. But on 3 November, while submerged at daytime, she attacked and sank a 3,845 GRT Elder Dempster Lines motor ship Dagomba. On 29 November, while patrolling off Cape of Good Hope, Africa (in the immediate vicinity of Cape Town) she sank the 1,995 GRT Greek ship Argo. On 3 January 1943, she attempted to re-arm by torpedo transfer on Tazzoli, but failed due to adverse weather conditions. But she was successfully fuelled on 13 January, with 45 tonnes of fuel by a German submarine. On 15 February, in the Bay of Biscay, she was attacked from the air, by bombs and machine-gun fire, that led to the death of Sergeant Gunner Michelangelo Cannistraro. This single mission (began on 6 October 1942 in Magdalene, and ended on 20 February 1943 in Bordeaux) lasted for 136 days. Atlantic 2nd mission (Indian Ocean 1st mission): The second and last mission of Cagni began on 29 June 1943 and ended in Durban on 20 September 1943, lasted for over 84 days. She was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Joseph Roselli Lorenzini on this mission. She had received orders to proceed to Singapore, to attack merchant shipping in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and returned with a load of rubber and tin. On 17 July 1943, off the Canary Islands, she encountered a steamer of 5,500 GRT of unknown nationality. On 25 July, she torpedoed the 22,071 GRT UK armed merchant cruiser HMS Asturias (in position 06°52'N; 20°45'W). Asturias' boiler room and machinery spaces were flooded and she lost all power, but the badly damaged AMC managed to escape to Freetown under tow. On 30 July Ammiraglio Cagni crossed the equator, and on 28 August, she entered into Indian Ocean. On 8 or 9 September, while just 1,800 miles from Singapore, she received the news of the armistice and was ordered to make the port of Durban. On 20 September, she arrived, was intercepted by HMS Jasmine and escorted into Durban, where she formally surrendered to the UK. On 8 November, she left for Taranto, where she arrived on 2 January 1944. Based in Palermo, she was used for anti-submarine training activities for Allied planes. On 10 February 1948, she was decommissioned and later broken up. Ammiraglio Caracciolo Main article: Italian submarine Ammiraglio Caracciolo On 11 December 1941, she unsuccessfully attacked a British convoy and suffered damage by depth charges and gunfire from the destroyer HMS Farndale. She was scuttled to avoid capture. 53 men were rescued – and taken prisoner – by the British destroyer. Ammiraglio Millo Main article: Italian submarine Ammiraglio Millo Only carried out eight missions and all were transport operations. On 14 March 1942, returning from patrol in the waters of Malta, she was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine HMS Ultimatum, with the loss of 57 members of her crew. Ammiraglio Saint-Bon Main article: Italian submarine Ammiraglio Saint-Bon Only carried out ten missions, all transport operations. She was sunk by the submarine HMS Upholder on 5 January 1942; only three crewmen survived. 154 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

See also Italian submarines of World War II Notes ^ Jump up to:a b c Turrini 2014, p. 158. ^ Brice pp. 131–133 References • Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. • Brice, Martin Axis Blockade Runners of World War II (1981) Naval Institute Press ISBN 087021-908-1 • Enrico Cernuschi & Vincent P O'Hara, The Breakout Fleet, Oceanic Programmes of the Regia Marina, in Warship 2006, Conway's Maritime Press. • Turrini, Alessandro (June 2014). "The Ammiragli class Submarines". Warship International. 51 (2): 155–161. External links • Betasom • Uboat.net • The Flower-class corvettes • Ammiraglio Cagni Marina Militare website https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagni-class_submarine HBH - 17 Jan 2022

BOERE: BLOEMFONTEIN | BLOEMFONTEIN’S BOERS Nico Moolman

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BOER POW’S IN CEYLON (SRI LANKA): FKW BREEDT & CMDT ISAK POTGIETER Nico Moolman

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ABW: INDIAN HOSPITAL CART

MINISTER MOET WATERKLOOF

OOP

KAARTE

SPEEL

OOR

BRAND

Mediaverklaring uitgereik deur:

Dr. Pieter Groenewald VF Plus-leier 24 Januarie 2022 Die minister van verdediging, Thandi Modise, moet oop kaarte speel met die publiek wat betref die oorsaak van die brand gister by die brandstof-depot by die Waterkloof-lugmagbasis. Sou die brand spontaan ontstaan het, beteken dit dat sekere veiligheidsmaatreëls nie nagekom is nie. Hierdie maatreëls is daar om te voorkom dat ’n brand spontaan kan ontstaan, veral by ’n depot met hoogs vlambare vliegtuigbrandstof. Indien dit nie spontaan ontstaan het nie, dui dit, nieteenstaande ontkennings in dié verband, op sabotasie en dan kan gevra word wat aangaan in Suid-Afrika nadat ’n brand ook die parlement in puin gelê het. In hierdie geval was die veiligheidsmaatreëls duidelik ook nie in plek nie.

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In beide gevalle is die vraag oor die sekuriteit ten opsigte van toegangsbeheer en instandhouding. Die nalating hiervan is aanduidend van sabotasie. ’n Spontane brand by Waterkloof sou daarom net so indringend soos sabotasie ondersoek moet word aangesien daar nie ’n brand kan ontstaan indien die nodige veiligheidsmaatreëls in plek is nie. Die VF Plus sal in die parlement vrae oor die aangeleentheid vra om duidelikheid te kry oor die ontstaan van die brand.

THE LORD WROTE ME A LETTER Lt-Col MJJ van Rensburg (SAAF) My hearts post box for a special letter. It was stamped secret, for truth only. Although I was a little baby, the letter was a holy and patient letter. This was a letter, precious of age. Times came and passed, but never a page Winds and seasons played on creations stage. On my life’s calendar travelled the years of my age. Many were the joys and laughs of my life, very seldom were the times of strife. I slept under the stary nights after climbing the mountain heights. There was a heavenly shadow over me. It was the chosen letter for me. My spirit danced in my youth. Innocence, purified mist, drifted over me.

Many Patriots and prophets wrote it for me. The tired Apostle feet, was for me,

letter carriers of God, I hope to see when all pain in my body ceases to be. The letter seemed vintage, covered in fine gold as if from a museum of ages old. Maybe, it was posted at the Sanctuary. How my life is cleansed in its glory? Could I open this letter with a sword? oh yes! The righteous sword. Holy art thou o! Lord. This letter You alone could afford. Woo me! Tiny human mankind. The eyes of my soul saw the Author of the letter. He unsealed the precious letter and royal, fragile Hands touched my mind. I gracious awe, my humanity bowed to the Author’s sovereignty. He was the letter of heavenly royalty. This letter was written for eternity, 158

Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

but addressed to me. Then the Author opened my eyes, my mind understood the when’s and whys. With burning guilt, I gazed at the red ink flowing from His side horrifically. I realised my letter was Godliness from calvary. The post stamp on the letter was forgiveness, the post was Bethlehem. The recipient was me. It all started there for me. The Postman pointed to my gold edged letter, it had my name inscribed in blood. Pages woven by many Angels, countless secrets written in blood

to reveal and to forgive in its mercy flood. A letter of many chapters and Godly wisdom. A finger of fire wrote the ten Commandments. They blaze throughout the letter. The Father promised to all, this letter Behold, I held the letter to my heart. The letter was the Blood-man. The letter was the sacrificial Lam. The letter became the Word and Christ became the Word. I read the letter, but it read me. Bethlehem’s letter returned to Heaven, via the victory at Calvary. A precious copy was left for me in the beauty of its holiness seven times seven,

MJJ van Rensburg 2021

27 December

1899: ABW: ARMOURED TRAIN: CHIEVELY

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Thanks to Bruno Martin (Tasmania), Iain Hayter & MC Heunis 161 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

WW2: SWAN: DORIS POUGNET David Kettle Hi Hennie, Thank you for your interest. Attached is a photo of my Mother-in-Law when she was a SWAN. Mrs Edwards (nee Pougnet) completed a secretarial course. One part of the course which held her in good stead for the future was the ability to write shorthand. This is something quite forgotten today with computers and Dictaphones. When the Second World War broke out, she joined the South African Woman's Auxiliary Naval Service (SWANS), where she worked as a stenographer and typist. Her mother, Sylvia was a French translator we think for the South African Navy but it could have been military. Regards David

THE EXPENDABLES

Tony Fernandes PROLOGUE This book and special reports are based, on: •

first-hand, genuine, front-line, true experiences of an ex-Portuguese war veteran, who served in Northern Angola, as well as other ex-veterans, who served, and were involved in Guinea -Bissau, Mozambique, as well as, true, first-hand experiences from ex-refugees, from Mozambique, and Angola;

•

various true special reports; (with kind reference, from other excellent, accurate books, newspaper articles, magazines, etc.,) - starting with a concise history of the Portuguese Air Force, Portuguese Navy, including Portuguese Army Special Forces, and principal events which took place, offers a better understanding and is written to ascertain what really hap162 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

pened during the Portuguese Colonial Three Theatres of War, 1961 to 1975, which remains an essential, important, significant, central part of the history of Colonial Africa. It contains the history of catastrophic events and the true tragic, dramatic, human occurrences of fleeing Portuguese residents, who became refugees, in fundamental reports, to understand the recent history of Africa and the corridors of power. The Portuguese were the first Colonial Power to arrive and settle in Africa in 1498. They were also the last Colonial Power to leave Africa in 1975. Historically, The Portuguese Empire and Portuguese Economy, depended on it’s African Colonies During Portuguese Colonial Rule, the industrious Portuguese Settlers who arrived from Portugal and its islands, (many Settlers sold their properties in Portugal, and invested everything in the colonies), settled either in Guinea-Bissau, Angola or Mozambique. They contributed a wealth of culture, infrastructure, etc., to their economies, particularly in the industrial, mining and agricultural sectors. The Colonial Governments also provided housing, education, medical facilities, roads, etc., in all villages, towns and cities throughout their colonies. The narrator: Sargento (Sergeant) ‘Tony Boné’ (Nom de Guerre) My sincere thanks to Sargento (Sergeant) ‘Tony Boné’, (nom de guerre), 72 years old, (in 2017), for his remarkable efforts, incredible memoirs, recounted in great detail, first-hand, his military experiences in the Portuguese Armed Forces, from 1966 to 1969, with the R22 Infantry Company from Sá De Bandeira, as a Platoon Sergeant, in the dense Dembos Forests of Northern Angola. Apart from his doing regular patrols twice a month in the dense Dembos Forests, he also became a second-in-command maintenance officer at this unit, carrying out all types of maintenance – from attending to Company premises building repairs, to G3 rifle and other weaponry repairs and adjustments. In 1969, Sargento (Sergeant) ‘Tony Boné’, (Nom de Guerre) after his three (3) years military service, returned home to Moçamedes, Angola, and worked with his father as a carpenter, until P.I.D.E., (Security Police), released his Portuguese Passport in late 1970. Tony had an uncle who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, who advised him, to first apply for a Residence Permit in Rhodesia, (as it was quite difficult from South Africa at the time), and Tony then applied, with references sent to him by his parents from Angola, which were later handed-in to an elderly Irish lady, called Susan Madeira, or more affectionately known as, ‘Granny Susan’. She was married to a Portuguese musician and spoke Portuguese fluently. She was also the secretary to the Catholic Bishop of Salisbury. ‘Granny Susan’, for a small fee, helped many Portuguese immigrants and later Portuguese refugees, to apply for Residence Permits and Work Permits. The Portuguese community in Salisbury, all knew her well, and she also became known as ‘the Portuguese Mother Teresa!’ ‘Granny Susan’, helped Tony to get all his documents and permits in order and later they became the best of friends. Tony found a job in 1971 in the building industry in Salisbury, specialising in Aluminium Doors and Windows. While living and working in Salisbury, from 1974, Tony became very popular with all his colleagues and friends, as he always helped Portuguese ex-refugees from Angola and Mozambique to firstly, acquire jobs and also helped them with daily translations from Portuguese to English, (Tony had studied English at High School in Angola), including simple chores, such as, shopping, driving 163 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

vehicles to obtain their licenses, accommodation requests, reading documents for them and showing them various places of interest. Tony worked at a government building site in downtown, Salisbury (now Harare), and was foreman, in charge of about twenty (20) Portuguese employees (ex-refugees), who were also trained by Tony, on aluminium-door installations and office partitions, for approximately sixteen (16) months. Tony lived and worked in Salisbury until 1976. In late 1976, Tony was offered a job in Johannesburg, South Africa, after applying for a Residence Permit. He lived and worked in Johannesburg, until retiring at the age of 63 (in 2008), due to Parkinson’s disease. His Company placed him on a disability pension for two years and later at 65, he went on full pension. The Author: Tony Fernandes. This book is dedicated to all Portuguese Armed Forces ex-combatants and to all ex-refugees in general. The aim of this book is to pay homage to the thousands of Portuguese soldiers and refugees, who lost their lives, suffered physically, psychologically and materially. I hope this factual book is readable, interesting and understandable, consisting of special reports, in chronological sequence, in my quest to inform the reader about the resilient courage of the Portuguese Armed Forces, who diligently defended their colonies, (Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique) for thirteen (13) years (1961-1974). During the period (1961-1974), more than one million four hundred thousand (1,400,000) members of the Portuguese Armed Forces (White, Black and Coloured) consisting of some of the finest guerrilla-fighting troops in the world, served in these silent theatres of unconventional warfare. They gave incredible service and fought, ‘tooth and nail’, for their colonies, at all times proudly serving their country with, dedication, and enormous personal extra-ordinary sacrifices of their lives, fighting against Communism in their Colonies, before the revolutionary coup d’état on the 25th April 1974, overthrowing Portugal’s dictatorship and establishing democracy in Portugal. I have also included special reports / chapters on the aftermath of war; the very sad, national tragedy of the mass exodus of Portuguese Nationals (approximately 1 million in total), as well as the humanitarian crisis of refugees in refugee camps from firstly, Mozambique in September 1974, and Angola, in the latter part of 1975, through 1976. My research during the past sixteen (16) years, has taken me on visits to Namibia on eight occasions, Angola twice, Mozambique twice and also to Portugal five times. Everyone I met and interviewed on their past, personal military involvement, as well as their memories of Mozambique – Angola – Guinea-Bissau, have been very fondly remembered, not only for the old colonial days, but also experienced mixed emotions, of pain, regret, sadness, hurt and sorrow, for the many innocent lives lost during the Liberation Wars. It was everyone’s final dream, (In the year 2017, I have also made comparisons), and they all agreed; what wonderful peace, tranquillity, respect, understanding, integration, and progression there exists now, in those once war-torn countries, after forty (40) years - particularly in Angola! My Background I am an amateur historian and have always been fascinated by the Portuguese Colonial Wars. I was born in 1956 in Johannesburg and also educated in Johannesburg. It was while I attended Primary School, that I was first exposed (in the late 1960’s), to the Mozambique Colonial War, 164 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

through Radio Clube De Moçambique’s (Programa A), the Portuguese Service, with their Saturday afternoon special programmes for the troops, whereupon my mother, Maria Das Neves, was a Madrinha de Guerra, (Godmother of War) and corresponded regularly with two members of the Portuguese Armed Forces stationed in Northern Mozambique. Sadly, one of the Armed Forces members was killed in the war, and she lost all contact with the other serviceman, after he returned to Portugal on completion of his term of duty. I later attended a Catholic High-School in Pietersburg, (now Polokwane), (now an S.A.N.D.F. Headquarters called, the Joint Tactical Headquarters, Limpopo, since 1977) as a boarder, called, Brothers of Charity College, (or formerly known as College of the Little Flower). After matriculating in 1975, I was conscripted into the South African Defence Force in July 1976 as an Infantryman, in the 5th South African Infantry Battalion, in Ladysmith, Natal I served on the Border for a very short period as a Signalman; (some South African Portuguese-speaking or Spanish-speaking servicemen became signalmen and others, interpreters). I suffered from acute asthma (G3, K1 - Military Medical Classification) during my National Service and was transferred to 72 Motorised Brigade Headquarters (in 1977), in Kensington, Johannesburg. I then carried out administration duties, attaining the rank of Lance Corporal and one of my duties was calling-up Citizen Force Members, for their annual camp, with the 2nd Transvaal Scottish Regiment, the Johannesburg Regiment and in the Transvaal Horse Artillery, for advanced courses, training camps, border duty, etc., until the end of my second year of National Service in July 1978. My attention to this whole, serious, credible, remarkable, story, about the Colonial Wars and later about the Refugees, was first drawn to my attention in September 2008, when I watched an awardwinning, Portuguese television documentary series titled - A Guerra/The War/Colonial/Overseas of Liberation –Volumes 1 and 2, broadcast on Radio Televisaõ Português (R.T.P.) in Portugal, which later became available, both on video and D.V.D. This television footage, and series brought it all home to the Portuguese public, that their sons and husbands, had been fighting a real war in Portugal’s three African Colonies, i.e. Angola, GuineaBissau and Mozambique. There are scenes and footage in this Documentary, never before shown on television, never before made public, (due to strict media censorship and restrictions at the time), courtesy of the good teamwork between the author, an ex-Angolan Radio Commercial Presenter, Joaquim Furtado and the excellent R.T.P. Film Archives. Joaquim Furtado, also expertly interviews some living ex-commanders and veterans, (including interviews taken in the former colonies), for commentaries of all sides of the wars, including footage, historical facts and figures. This fascinating series, (unfortunately narrated only in Portuguese), is a must look and learn, for all military veterans. It also offers a better understanding to the viewer of what really happened in those difficult, sad, anxious, soul-searching periods, (1961-1975), when suddenly, the history of liberation in Colonial Africa, (starting from the Belgian Congo in 1961) abruptly repeated itself and later affected all Portuguese Colonies Citizens’ lives. Grateful Acknowledgments

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During the 16 (sixteen) years that it has taken me to research and write this book, the list of generous people, institutions, books, magazines and newspapers has grown substantially. One book in particular, highly accurate, as taken from the Military-Archives in Lisbon, (which I’ve found inspirational and graciously referred to in depth), called ‘Os Anos Da Guerra Colonial- 1961 Até 1975’, (The Colonial War Years – 1961 until 1975), by Aniceto Afonso and Carlos De Matos Gomes, (published in 2010 by Quidnovi), is certainly, one of the finest, most thorough – with regards to important dates, facts and figures, reports and commentaries, including superb maps and photographs – Portuguese Military History book, ever written. Undoubtedly, this list only captures the tip of the iceberg of the innumerable people who have helped me along the way. Any omissions are, therefore, deeply regretted. I am grateful to each and every one of them for their insights, criticisms and outstanding support. I am especially indebted to Sergeant ‘Tony Boné’ (nom de guerre) - my greatest inspiration, intellectual, colleague, best friend, for his continuous assistance and unfailing enthusiasm. Statement The Portuguese Colonial Wars, in Africa, were insidious wars; wars of nerves; anxiety, cruelty and mercilessness! The enemy was aggressive, ruthless and unforgiving, and Portuguese Armed Forces’ Servicemen, involved in countless operations, throughout the Three Simultaneous Colonial Theatres of War, from 1961 to 1975, always revealed exceptional qualities of bravery, courage, dedication, composure, efficiency, fortitude, in a spirit of extra-ordinary sacrifices and reckless disregard for their own welfare. They all served with valour and distinction in defence of their colonies, and for Portugal. May the Portuguese Armed Forces’ endurance and courage, never be forgotten and always be remembered, respected and honoured. The Final Departure… It Was More Than Forty Years Ago… Soon after the Portuguese Colonial Wars ended in 1974 – 1975, and the 24th April 1974, coup d’état in Lisbon, Portugal, took place right up until 1976, due to Civil War, many Portuguese citizens, who lived in the Colonies of Mozambique and Angola, abandoned everything. Equally tragic and regrettable, however, one has to deliberate over the poor lack of preparations for the Colonies’ Independence; firstly, of Mozambique and particularly that of Angola, as well as, the reasons for the poor lack of (Military) security leading to the largest mass exodus in the history of Africa, by land, sea and air of Portuguese Nationals. The Final Departure was indeed, a national tragedy …! These citizens lost and left behind their homes, farms, possessions, jobs, their animals, their dreams, friends and even some beloved family members. They were not only threatened with their lives, but in most cases, had no choice and were forced by circumstances, beyond their control, to abandon their homes and country, many risking their lives, towards the safety of their nearest airports, sea-ports or border posts. There Was Just No Time… Indeed, some Citizens were still eating their meals at their tables, when they hurriedly fled in their vehicles, with only the shirt on their backs, or managed to collect, a few meagre belongings…. when they were alerted to gunfire in close vicinity. 166 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

These unfortunate Citizens, White, Black and Coloured - whether fleeing by air, sea or road, were then classified as ‘Retornados’ or ‘Refugees’. They struggled immeasurably for their survival, integration and the reconstruction of their new lives in Portugal, South Africa and other countries that later, considerately accepted them. (Many South Africans certainly, played a major role in assisting these unfortunate people.) Here are just some of their true, heart-rendering experiences of that period, leading up to and prior to their living normal lives again…

UDF: IDENTIFICATION CARD: DD 438(A) Carl Vieira

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SOUTH AFRICANS’ COMMONWEALTH WAR CASUALTIES BURIED ACROSS THE WORLD: PART FOURTY EIGHT Captain (SAN) Charles Ross (SA Navy Retired) South Africans took part in almost every theatre of war during both the First and Second World Wars. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty Data Base 7 290 (includes 607 unknown) First World War casualties and 9 986 (includes 84 unknown) Second World War casualties are buried in 1 207 cemeteries while 2 959 First World War and 2 005 Second World War casualties are commemorated on 48 memorials. This does not include the 1 750 members of the South African Native Labour Corps and the 306 from the South African Book of Remembrance, whose names are in the process of being added to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Casualty Data Base. With South Africans having served far and wide, it is not surprising that you would find single or small group graves in cemeteries across the world. Here are some of those cemeteries where one or a tiny group of South Africans are buried. •

La Kreule Military Cemetery: Hazebrouck: France La Kreule Military Cemetery was opened in April 1918 by the 1st and 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations, which came back from Outtersteene ahead of the German advance, and the 17th, which arrived from Lijssenthoek. These three stations, known collectively as "Ana Jana Siding", were posted to the north of La Kreule, but in the middle of April they withdrew to Blendecques, near St. Omer, and the cemetery was then used by heavy artillery and fighting units. In October 1918, the 17th Casualty Clearing Station returned with the 8th and the 64th and the cemetery was closed at the end of the month. The cemetery contains 576 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 11 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. There are 41 South African casualties from World War One buried in the cemetery.

• Fins New British Cemetery: Sorel-Le-

Grand: France Fins and Sorel were occupied at the beginning of April 1917, in the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They were lost on the 23 March 1918, after a stubborn defence of Sorel by the 6th K.O.S.B. and the staff of the South African Brigade; and they were regained in the following September. The first British 169 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

burials at Fins were carried out in the Churchyard and the Churchyard Extension, and the New British Cemetery was not begun until July 1917. It was used by fighting units (especially the 40th, 61st (South Midland) and 9th (Scottish) Divisions) and Field Ambulances until March, 1918, when it comprised about 590 graves in Plots I to IV. It was then used by the Germans, who added 255 burials, including 26 British, in Plots IV, V, and VI. In September and October 1918, about 73 British soldiers were buried by the 33rd and other Divisions, partly in Plots I and II, but mainly in Plots V and VI. Lastly, Plots VII and VIII were made, and other Plots completed, by the concentration of 591 graves after Armistice from the surrounding battlefields and from other smaller cemeteries. There are also 276 German burials here, 89 being unidentified. This cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. There are 87 South African casualties from World War One buried in the cemetery. •

Fampoux British Cemetery: France

Fampoux was taken over by the 4th Division (passing through the 9th (Scottish) Division) on 9 April 1917. It remained close behind the Allied front line but part of it was lost on 25 March 1918 during the German advance. The town was finally cleared by the 51st (Highland) Division on 26 August 1918. Fampoux British Cemetery (called at one time Helena Trench Cemetery) was made by units of the 4th and 34th Divisions in April-June 1917 and used again by the Guards Division in 1918. After the Armistice it was found necessary to regroup ten graves (now forming Row E) which projected into the road, and the numbering of Rows A to D is therefore irregular. The extension the Germans added to the churchyard was destroyed in the fighting of 1917 and 1918. Fampoux British Cemetery contains 118 burials of the First World War, 8 of them unidentified. The cemetery was designed by N A Rew. There is 19 (18 known and one unknown) South African casualties from World War One buried in the cemetery. •

St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen: France

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920. During the Second World War, Rouen was again a hospital centre and the extension was used once more for the burial of Commonwealth servicemen, many of whom died as prisoners of war during the German occupation. The cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here. The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. 170 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

There are 84 South African casualties from World War One buried in the cemetery. • Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies, France Athies was captured by the 9th (Scottish) Division, which included the South African Brigade, on 9 April 1917. It remained in Allied hands until the end of the war. Point-Du-Jour was a house on the road from St. LaurentBlangy to Gavrelle and by 1917 it had become a German redoubt, captured by the 34th Division on 9 April. Two cemeteries were made on the right of the road from St. LaurentBlangy to Point-du-Jour, No.1 Cemetery becoming the present Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery. It was used from April to November 1917, and again in May 1918, and contained at the Armistice 82 graves (now part of Plot I). It was then enlarged when over 650 graves were brought in from the battlefields and small cemeteries north, east and south of Arras There are now 794 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 401 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate 22 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of six casualties buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. There are also three Second World War burials and three French war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. There are two memorials in the vicinity, one of which commemorates the 9th Division, whilst the other commemorates the service of seven Battalions of the Seaforth Highlanders in the neighbourhood. There are 74 (66 known and 8 unknown) South African casualties from World War One buried in the cemetery.

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INTELLIGENCE | INTELLIGENSIE

NOOR INAYAT KHAN, GC (SOE) International Spy Museum

Today in #SpyHistory: Noor Inayat Khan, Special Operations Executive (SOE) heroine and the first female radio operator in occupied France, was born in 1914. Noor was an improbable candidate to become a wartime operative. Khan trained as a radio operator with Britain’s Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. In 1943, recruited by the SOE, she became the first female wireless operator sent to occupied France. For three months, Khan carried a suitcase radio (over 30 pounds) and single-handedly maintained communications between London and occupied Paris, helping 30 Allied airmen escape while she evaded capture. She was arrested by the Gestapo and eventually executed. In 1949, Noor became the first woman of south Asian descent to be awarded the George Cross for her service in the SOE, the highest civilian decoration in the United Kingdom.

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WOMEN IN SAP INTELLIGENCE. By RS167 The role of women internationally in espionage and intelligence work is legion and cannot be overestimated. The women who operated with the SAP Security Branch in intelligence continued the ancient legacy of successful women spies and agents. During WW1 the exploits of Dutch born socialite Margareta Zelle - better known as Mata Hari - ended with her execution in France as German agent H21. During WW2, women such as Vera Atkins, Nancy Wake and Virginia Hall ran thousands of Maquis resistance fighters for the SOE against German forces in France. In more modern times South African women have also featured in espionage. Kimberly born Jennifer Miles was recruited by Cuban intelligence while she was visiting Havana as a tourist. She subsequently got a job at the SA Embassy in Washington and spent much time in the company of senators, diplomats and officials to whom she was introduced by a close friend she developed in the US State Department. The FBI and SA security caught up with her however. Graaff-Reinet born Sylvia Raphael emigrated to Israel and taught at a kibbutz school where she was recruited by Mossad. She was part of the Israeli "Wrath of God" operation to kill the Black September terrorists responsible for the 1972 Olympics massacre of Israeli team members. She was arrested and convicted of murder and espionage in Norway but was deported. She died in Pretoria in 1972. Our Security Branch Intelligence section had several women members who played key roles in counter-revolutionary operations. RS183 codename 'Jane' after attending Rhodes University ran the foreign funded Prisoner's Support Trust and kept close contact with and contributed money to the families of persons convicted of 'political' offenses. She worked with the internal support mechanisms of the 'liberation movements' and was especially active in Lesotho where she was trained in 'Military Combat Work'. She also spent time in SWA/Namibia when delivering money to SWAPO officials, on occasion in Ovambo where SWAPO concealed her presence from SA security forces. She even manned the SWAPO internal office in Windhoek when the personnel were detained. RS407 was Lt. Olivia Forsythe, codename 'Lara' who rose to be the local Rhodes University NUSAS committee Chairperson, the Chairperson of the End Conscription Campaign, the Treasurer of the Women's Movement and editor of the student paper as well as of a local community newspaper. RS407 was later deployed as a journalist to Zimbabwe where she worked with the SA exile community. She was subsequently detained by the ANC in the infamous Quatro prison camp in Angola. After her release into house arrest in Luanda she managed to escape to the British Embassy. RS454 was Lt. Vanessa Breton who qualified as an attorney at UPE. She subsequently worked as a human rights lawyer in the Eastern Cape. After the unbanning of the liberation movements, she was appointed the Treasurer of the PE branch of the ANC.

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Lt. Joy Harnden was a journalism graduate who was deeply involved with the End Conscription Campaign, the Black Sash and the Johannesburg Democratic Action Campaign. She was also subsequently exposed as a Security Branch officer and detained by the ANC outside SA. Lt. Patricia Adam nee' Marrable was based in Europe where she and her husband handled the Intelligence section European network. There were several other women operatives who did similar work for our intelligence section, whose names must still be kept confidential as they have never been exposed. One of these women played a crucial role in our secret communications between our agents in Europe and Head Office. This agent qualified as an air hostess and couriered messages and reports to and from Europe. The Intelligence section also had several other women who were responsible for the administration of the undercover officers, agents and sources. This work demanded great secrecy and dedication and without that the section could not have functioned. Some of the women who played this role were Charmaine Gale, Audrey de Kock and Paula de Beer. The contribution made by our women operatives and personnel to combat terrorism and violent revolution cannot be overstated. Operating under cover always comes with stress, anxiety, fear and risk. Exposure can and did expose some operatives to horrific mistreatment. Furthermore, normal lives and family relationships were routinely sacrificed for the sake of the mission. We salute them.

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HUMOR IN COURT … ALSO AND LIKEWISE Brig Theo Kleynhans Two of the leading Senior Counsellors in England and long-time friends were both on the short list to be appointed as Judge by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. As fate would have it, only one got appointed to the Bench. Naturally, it was quite normal for the one not appointed to feel aggrieved, as he of course felt that the wrong man was appointed. Be it as it may. Not long after the newly appointed Judge took to the Bench, he was to preside in a civil matter where millions of Pounds were at stake and appearing for the applicant was the mighty aggrieved Senior Counsellor and former friend of his. As it turned out, the outcome of the whole case, hinged on the fact of whether there was in fact a difference between the meanings of also and likewise. The aggrieved Senior Counsellor tried his utmost and after allowing him ample time to prove his point, the newly appointed Judge stepped in and said: “Excuse me Mister XXXXXXXXX this Court has given you ample opportunity to prove that there is in fact a difference between the meanings of also and likewise and thus far you have not been successful. I must warn you that I am not going to tolerate it much longer. If you can’t prove that there is in fact a difference between the meanings of also and likewise, this Court will have to decide against your client.” “My Lord, bear with me just another minute as I am sure I will be able to prove to your Lordship that there is I fact a difference between the meanings of also and likewise.” said the Senior Counsellor. He then proceeded as follows: “My Lord as you well know the Honourable Mr. Justice Ramsbottom sat on this Bench for many years with great distinction. You are also sitting on this Bench, but not likewise.”

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BOOKS | BOEKE

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LETTERS | BRIEWE NICO MOOLMAN VIR SY MUSEUM Middag Brigadier Heymans, Graag rig ek die volgende versoek vir moontlike oud-Polisie items vir my museum. a) ‘kamou’-stewels (kakie), b) ‘kamou’-sonpet, c) polisie-jas en enige polisie-memorabilia wat ek kan uitstal, en d) asseblief vir eie gebruik nommer 10 blou seil-stewels. Baie dankie, Met respek, Nico Moolman

Kol Dieks Dietrichsen Ek wil jou egter bedank vir die GROOT VOORREG my aangedoen om ‘n eerste te wees wat kon kennis neem van die lewensverhale van soveel heldinne in die polisie wat betrokke was met die samestelling van die inhoud van die boek. Ek het kennis geneem van soveel fasette van hul werksaamhede, ervarings, lief en leed waarvan ek self nooit eers bewus was nie, selfs ten opsigte van die lede wat saam met my gewerk het. Ek het baie gelag vir die humor, komiese insidente en sêgoed maar kon dikwels nie trane keer as ek gelees het van baie se hartseer, wroegings en ontberings nie. Ek het ‘n reis meegemaak wat ontsettend baie vir my beteken. Ek sien uit om die eienaar te word van die finale produk. Baie geluk aan jou en Sarie wat die groot taak op julle skouers geneem het om die boek saam te stel. Sterkte met die werk wat nog voorlê. Dankie weereens dat en ‘n klein aandeel daarin kon hê. •

Brigadier Duveen Botha.

Ek het haar in 1986 leer ken toe sy as taalkundige by Veiligheidstak, Hoofkantoor, gewerk het. Ek moes ‘n verslag oor terrorisme vir Genl. Johan van der Merwe skryf wat na hoër gesag via die Kommissaris gestuur moes word. Ek het die verslag met pen geskryf en vir hom gevat om te lees. Toe hy klaar gelees het, het hy gesê ek moet dit na die tikpoel toe vat sodat dit op die woordverwerker getik kon word. Ek het net ‘n Olivetti-tikmasjien geken. Wat is ‘n woordverwerker? So gesê, so gedaan. In die groot kantoor, die tikpoel se tuiste, was ‘n paar dames druk besig met tikwerk – nie op tikmasjiene nie maar rekenaars. Ek het darem een vrou geken: Brigadier Piet Viljoen se vrou, Joan, wat ek van Oshakati se dae af geken het. “Sit maar daar in die in-vakkie”, is vir my gesê, “ons sal jou bel as ons amper klaar is.” Toe ek die oproep kry om my tikwerk te gaan haal is ek met spoed van die sewende vloer af na die tikpoel op die tweede vloer toe. Daar gekom was my verslag besig om gedruk te word – nie by die tikster wat die verslag getik het nie maar op ‘n masjien wat daar eenkant in die groot kantoor 178 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

gestaan het. My verbasing oor hierdie tegnologie het ‘n glimlag op die klomp tiksters se gesigte gebring – ek wat van Casspirs, gewere, kanonne en ander groot goed geweet het maar nie hierdie tipe tegnologie nie. Toe die tikwerk klaar is, is ek aangesê om dit na Brigadier Botha toe te neem en as sy daarmee klaar is moet ek dit weer in die in-vakkie plaas. Dis hoe dit hierso werk! Brigadier Duveen Botha se kantoor was langs die groot kantoor van die tikpoel. Ek het aan haar kantoordeur geklop. Sy was besig om iets te lees. Sy het opgekyk en my ingenooi. “Ek is Brigadier Botha en wie is jy jongman?”, het sy my met hartlikheid gegroet. “Ek hoor ek moet hierdie verslag vir u bring,” het ek gesê en die verslag na haar toe aangegee. “Sit maar hier neer, ek sal netnou daarna kyk. Trek daardie stoel nader. Ek wil eers weet wie is jy.” Ek het die stoel nader getrek en gaan sit. Sy het met intense belangstelling my uitgevra oor my agtergrond: waar ek skool gegaan het; hoe lank ek in die polisie is en waar ek oral al gewerk het; van my ervarings op die Grens moes ek uitbrei; waar ek woon; of ek getroud is en kinders het. Hierdie vrou het my op my gemak laat voel. Dit was nie soos wanneer ek in geselskap van ander senior offisiere was met soortgelyke range nie – waar jy voel die besemstok moet parallel met jou ruggraat wees nie. Na ons geselsie het sy gesê sy sal my bel as sy klaar nagesien het en dit is wel nodig. ‘n Ruk later het ek ‘n oproep van haar ontvang – iets wat blykbaar nie die algemene gebruik was nie. By haar kantoor aangekom het sy my weer genooi om langs haar te gaan sit met my verslag voor haar. Daar het ek my eerste les in verslagskrywing van haar af gekry. ‘n Paar belangrike punte is beklemtoon: Ø Wie gaan die lesers wees van die verslag. As dit nie die polisie is nie word polisietaal nie gebruik nie veral wat afkortings betref. Woorde waarvoor afkortings bestaan word voluit geskryf. “Onthou,” het sy gesê, “afkortings kan verskillende betekenisse hê vir verskillende beroepsgroepe of mense in die privaat sektor.” Afkortings kan heeltemal anders geïnterpreteer word as die boodskap wat jy wil oordra. Dus, afkortings is uit! Ø Datums word voluit geskryf en nie agterstevoor soos die nuwe manier wat van die Amerikaners af oorgewaai het nie. Maande van die jaar word ook voluit geskryf. Ø Jou lesers moet reg verstaan wat is die boodskap wat jy aan hul wil oordra. Volledigheid is belangrik. Moet nie ruimte laat vir verskillende vertolkings van inligting wat jy wil oordra nie. Ø Onderskei tussen feite, kommentaar of verdere toeligting wat jy kan gee sodat ‘n situasie deur die leser beter verstaan kan word. Sy het my verslag nader getrek en spesifieke foute wat oortredings was van dit wat sy toe aan my voorgehou het, op die verslag uitgewys. Terselfdertyd ook beklemtoon en gewys hoe proeflees mens ‘n verslag. Toe my taalles klaar was het sy gesê ek kan die verslag weer na die tiksters toe vat om te finaliseer. Ek het haar kantoor verlaat, verryk met kennis wat op ‘n manier aan my oorgedra is wat ek daarna na die beste van my vermoë probeer toepas het. Tog sluip nog so baie foute by my verby en merk ek so dikwels op dat ek foute nie raakgesien het nie wanneer ‘n dokument waarvan ek die outeur was, op ‘n later stadium gelees word. Ek het baie keer as ek ‘n verslag by die tiksters gaan afhaal het, vinnig by haar ingeloer en net gegroet. As sy nie onder druk besig was met proeflees nie, het sy my binne genooi vir ‘n vinnige geselsie. Sy het my vriendin geword eerder as die senior offisier wat moes toesien dat my werk op aanvaarbare standaard is vir lesers binne en buite die polisie. Haar lesse het vir my baie beteken wanneer verslae oor terrorisme aan ander staatsdepartemente, howe, die privaat sektor, ambassades en konsulate gelewer moes word. Ek salueer ‘n vrou wat ‘n baie diep indruk op my gemaak het. Ek het groot agting vir haar gehad. 179 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Nou met die lees van die verhale van die skrywers wat insette vir die Gedenkalbum vir die eerste 50 jaar van die Vrouepolisie gegee het, is dit duidelik dat Brigadier Duveen Botha ontsaglike mensekennis gehad het. Sy het werklik die room van die vrouens wat aansoek gedoen het om polisie toe te kom, uitgekies. Die inhoud van hul verhale spreek van mense wat uitgestyg het ver bo die gemiddelde. Ek wens ek kon elkeen van die skrywers ‘n stewige handdruk gee en sê: “Ek salueer jou. Jy het ‘n fondasie gelê waarop monumente gebou kan word.” Groete. Dicks.

DIE BRONBERGER

Hallo Hennie Ek het gedink jy is dalk die regte mens om te vra oor ’n lesersbrief wat ons op bl 6 in die Januarieuitgawe het. Laat weet gerus as jy dalk enige verdere inligting het. Ek plak die brief hier onder en heg die foto hierby aan – dis darem groter as die klein foto’tjie wat op bl 6 verskyn☺ Groete Angie NS: hier volg die brief

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Vrae oor verlate leeu-beeld

’n Foto van die verlate leeu-standbeeld Susan Larney skryf: Goeie dag, ek sou meer inligting wou hê oor die verlate leeu-standbeeld in die veld langs Monumentpark Uitbreiding Twee. Die beeld van ’n leeu, wat lyk of dit uit sandsteen gekap is, is op ’n verlate stuk grond as ’n mens ingedraai het by die verkeerslig by Waterkloof Lugmagbasis in Veldpoustraat. Ons hoor dat die beeld in die Tweede Wêreldoorlog deur Italiaanse Krygsgevangenes gemaak is. Die gebied is glo verlate omdat daar sinkgate ingeval het. Dit lyk of daar springbokkoppe weerskante van die afkorting, CMB, is. Die SA Infanterie se kenteken was ’n springbokkop. Lesers wat meer hieroor weet kan vir ons ’n e-pos te stuur na info@bronberger.co.za of ons bel by 012-734-0522. – Red

PAUL ELS: BRONBERG NAVRAAG Hy skryf soos volg oor die beeld: Goeie dag, Die leeu het ek seker so 12 jaar gelede daar afgeneem. Met navrae orals kon niemand my ‘n antwoord gee nie Die vermoede is dat dit deur die Italiaanse krygsgevangenes gedoen is in die WO2. Dink toe ek dit afgeneem het was die letters nie daar nie, maar sal soek na my foto’s wat ek seker nie sal kry nie Hoop dit help Beste Paul

TRAIN ROBBERY PIETERSBURG 1985/86 INFORMATION Mandy Cowley Good Day Hennie I hope my email finds you well. I found your email address on Google related to a train robbery in Pietersburg in the 80s. My name is Mandy. My father Joseph van Dyk Janse van Vuuren and mother Yvette Ellis, she re-married, no longer has my father's surname. The reason for my email is I am trying to find any information on the train robbery my father committed with Basie Bezuidenhout and another individual (my mother cannot recall his name). To my knowledge my father Joseph and his friends committed the robbery and a conductor jumped off the train, he unfortunately passed away. My father was caught sometime later in Durban. 181 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

It is something my family just refuses to talk about and I cannot seem to find any info on Google. I was born July 1984 and my sister November 1985. As far as I know she was still a "new baby", so I am playing my time line in 1986 when this occurred. Do you perhaps have any information or somebody I could contact for any for information please? Thank you so much for your time and assistance, I look forward to hearing from you. Best Regards Mandy Cowley

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PERMISSION TO QUOTE LETTER

Hi Hennie Thank you so much for getting back to me. Thank you for your help! Yes, please anything you could do to assist me. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Regards, Mandy

NAWOORD | AFTERWORD SAP KOLLEGE: 58-JAAR GELEDE Hennie Heymans 13 Januarie 1964 Vanoggend 58-jaar gelede arriveer ek met die 'Trans-Natal' in Pretoria. [Die Trans-Natal en ander SAS-treine is nou in die geskiedenisboeke opgeteken.] Ek is geklee in my katkisasie-pak en rooi das. So ‘n groot sersant – seker sesvoet-ses – vra my “beleefd” op die perron of ek op pad is na die polisiekollege. Ek antwoord hom en hy nooi my om saam met hom te stap na ‘n opruktrok wat buite die stasie geparkeer was. Hy vra om agter in die trok te wag want hy gaan net om die Bloemfonteintrein te ontmoet. Na ‘n rukkie kom die ander applikante en ons vertrek na die polisiekollege. Ek onthou ons het by die Slagpale en die Western Hotel verby gery. Pretoria was ‘n vreemde plek!

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Met ons aankoms in die polisiekollege is ons sagkens behandel en ons het toe in rye begin staan ... “WAG” was van toe af in groot rooi letters oor my lewe geskryf. Ons moes insweer en ons moes allerhande aftrekorders teken! Na ons die eed van getrouheid afgelê het, het die ‘sports’ begin: Ons is letterlik goed rondgejaag en gou geleer: die paradegrond is ‘heilige grond’ - geen geslenter daar nie – net hardloop! Groot geeste het ons opgelei en hulle was waardige rolmodelle my lewe lank. Ek het gehou van die polisie-humor! As die perd jou afgegooi het wou die sersant weet wie het jou orders gegee om af te klim? Baie sersante was spitsvondig en ek het onderlangs lekker in my binneste gelag. Daar was manne met stemme. Hulle kom 1000-man dril sonder mikrofoon. Ja, vandag kan ek ruiterlik erken: GOD HET MY BESKERM. God was altyd daar vir my; maar ek was nie altyd daar vir hom nie! Na lang skofte het mens net na slaap gehunker en soms weens moegheid myself uitgevang dat ek net my kinder-gebedjie geprewel en uitgepaas en geslaap het. Ons het begin op “beats” en wagdienste en ‘n ongereelde lewe met een rusdag per week! Geen vyfdag-werkweek! Ek dink terug aan my avonture – ek het feitlik die hele wêreld gesien en baie toonaangewende mense gesien (en met sommige gepraat): Robert Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, prinse en staatspresidente, ministers, berugte misdadigers, joernaliste en mense in nood. Die Verre-Ooste was ‘n kultuur-skok! So anders as die weste. Ek was vier maande in die Ooste. Selfs lande soos Egipte, Israel en Ethiopië is baie anders as Suid-Afrika! Die polisie het my baie goeie hoedanighede geleer, bv: • Geloof (Dankie vir ons kapelane wat ons gedurig in die Geloof versterk het,) • Getrouheid • Om ‘n leier te wees • Dissipline • Eerlikheid (veral onder eed) • Spaarsamigheid • Tydbestuur • Nederigheid • Lojaliteit • Om te luister en waar te neem • Erkentlikheid • Spanwerk • Stiptelikheid (Met ons uitpasering het die kolonel gesê: “‘n 'Pliesieman' is nooit laat nie – vyf minute voor die tyd, is die regte tyd!” Ek het briljante polisiemanne bewonder! Sjoe, ons het skerp ouens gehad!!! Deurwinterde speurders – baie misdade was vir hulle maar die herhaling van ‘ou sake’ en hulle het geweet wie en waar om te gaan soek! Ja, daar was baie legendes! Legendariese persoonlikhede! Sal ek weer ‘n polisieman word? Ja – Servamus et Servimus! Glenn Elsden, Dana Kruger en 96 ander 41 opmerkings Kobus Van Der Merwe Brigadier...ek voel geëerd dat ek saam met u kon werk...het baie van u geleer. Saluut 183 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

PW Van Zyl Dun gesaai! Respek Zelda Bothma So ‘n goeie getuienis. Bazil Norman Young Daniel Putter Pragtig geskryf en beskryf. Saluut. Tiny Nortje Saluut Hennie Heymans ek is trots om u n vriend te kan noem John Manuel Hennie HeymaNStudent -Sersante -spitsvondigheid… -Stemme --Skokke -Spanwerk -Stiptelikheid -Skerpheid -Spaarsaamheid. -Self-dissipline -Sjoe! SeerkrySake -Samewerking -Slaaploosheid MAAR. -SERVAMUS et SERVIMUS. SALUUT

Aurry Pillay Was Western hotel....Victoria now ...opp the station Hennie Heymans Aurry Pillay No the Western Hotel was in Mitchell Street opp the Abattoir. 184 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

David Blyth Hennie Heymans ja, die rowwe weste Ramona Joubert du Toit Mooi herinneringe Hennie. Saluut! en baie respek! Robert van Onselen Brig Hennie - Puik trotse Polisieman u passie om die geskiedenis van n eens trotse Mag vas te le getuig dat Polisieman n roeping was en nie net n werk nie. Saluut. Gawie Botha Van een "Bosluis" na ‘n ander ... groetnis! Leonie Loock Grobler Jou lewe is ‘n baie spesiale een Hennie Heymans - dit verryk my ook as ek terugdink aan die goeie lewenswaardes en spesiale geeste op mens se eie pad vorentoe- vorentoe, altyd vorentoe en leer uit die lesse. Nico Visser Saluut Ferdie du Preez Pragtig beskryf Hennie! Stephan Joubert Kosbare lewe wat jy geleef het en steeds doen Johan Pienaar Stephan Joubert ek stem saam. So is Hennie en sy vrou Petro nog al die jare. Dink nie daars nog n huisbesoek waar ek so lekker milkshake gedrink het nie! Piet Van Zyl Skitterend Brig Hennie. Dawn Kellerman Brigadier jy was altyd 'n waardige persoon wat 'n voorbeeld gestel het deur jou handel en wandel. Tero Nepgen Saluut en respek vir jou Brigadier Hennie. Robert Brand Baie dankie vir die stuk skryfsel oom Hennie Heymans....dit het my selwers terug gevat Pretoria stasie toe..... Koot Swanepoel Amen Marius Morland Baie dankie vir die mooi vertelling, ek voel eintlik weer die pyn met my eie opleiding. Petrus Mongie Mooi artikel Brig. Hennie. Lekker gelees 185 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Willie du Plessis Goed gesê, die Mag het ‘n mens baie geleer Fanie en Rita Etsebeth Brigadier Hennie, ek herleef alles weer net soos u daar sê. Ons ewige dank egter aan ons Hemelse Vader dat ons dit kon "maak" tot nou. Seën. Nico Moolman Saluut Brigadier. Willem D. du Plooij Saluut! Brigadier Oom Hennie Heymans... Oom hulle was in n "ander klas" gewees as enige Polisie Beamptes in enige lande vandag. Ek verwonder my aan Oom se geslag van Manne in Blou, veral SAP en BSAP natuurlik (Amper soos een familie, op ‘n slag, met die KT Kriminele wat almal aangeval het). Die week het ek van Oom Tiny Nortje ook gelees hoe hy aangetree het, net die jaar na my Pappie (My Pappie was in 1960 aangesluit). Ek kan maar net wens ek kon die voorreg geniet het om in "Die Front Linies" van Misdaad en Terrorisme Bekamping te kon gedien het... Maar al die SAP en BSAP manne en vroue wie met eer en integriteit gedien het dra my eer en respek tot ek voor Die Koning gaan staan - en daar hoop ek sal ek vele van die manskappe sien wie Hom hier ook gedien het (Al hoe klein hulle geloof met tye ook mag gewees het - Immers sal hulle in die apostels en profete goeie "klein gelowiges" se geselskap vind ) Weereens Saluut!

Andre van Ellinckhuyzen Brigadier Heymans, U het lank reeds my respek. Dankie vir die tyd wat u spandeer, veral met die Nongqayi, om ons herinneringe ook "vyf minute voor die tyd" te behou Johan Vorster Fantasties Brigadier !!!! Nou lekker gelees!!U is n groot "Legend" na wie ek my hele loopbaan opgekyk het en dit steeds doen!! U vermag steeds baie vir ons afgetredenes en is steeds passievol oor SAP!! Ek salueer u Brig!! Voorspoed vir u: Christo Retief Dit was die dae toe daar nog respek en eer was vir die manne en vroue in die Blou Uniform en vir die uniform self ook! My oorlede Pa was ook in sy jongdae ‘n berede polisieman en ek wou ook vreeslik graag ‘n “Polisie” word, maar oo wee, toe ek klaar is met skool en sien daardie karige salaris, het ek maar die private sektor betree. Ek bewonder julle almal nog steeds vir die ywer en die manmoedigheid om ondanks al die omstandighede en druk nog steeds ‘n Diens te lewer. Saluut! 186 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

Ida Steyn Baie dankie ..lekker gelag en my SAP dae speel ook voor my af ..alles maak so sin .. Dirk Schoeman Dankie Hennie dat jy die passie met ons gedeel het, Groete Rudolph de Villiers Brig Hennie, dit is presies soos ek die polisie onthou en koester. Die kollege-dae se lekker en swaarkry dae, die mense en plekke wat ek ontmoet en beleef het, ervarings en lesse wat ons geleer het om ons vir die lewe sterk te maak! Die tyd in die SAP was my leertyd en tot vandag toe was ek nog nooit spyt dat ek polisieman geword het nie! My vrou sê gereeld vir my sy wil nie saam met my rondry nie, want ek ken omtrent oral iemand en dan raak ons aan die gesels en kry nie klaar nie! Wonderlike skrywe wat u polisie ervaring so mooi beskryf, maar ook sommer meeste van ons ander ou manne s'n ook! Groetnis! Dolf de Villiers. Roelf du Plooy Vanaf 64 tot 79 in die Mag gedien. Mensekennis sonder weerga opgedoen. Brig Hennie u hou die kole om die kampvuur steeds lewendig. Hennie Heymans Roelf du Plooy So lekker en geëerd om van u te hoor! Anthony Turton Respect for those who served with integrity Eugene Smit Pragtig neef Hennie, trots op jou! Netti Botha Bravo Brigadier! BRAVO

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Selfs ‘n gereelde elektroniese donasie van R50-00 per maand sal baie help om ander mense in nood te help. Dankie vir u oorweging!

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BR REKENMEESTERS

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SLOT | END

190 Nongqai Vol 13 No 2

NONGQAI VOL 13 NO 2

Articles inside

DIE BRONBERGER

Point-Du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies, France

1899: ABW: ARMOURED TRAIN: CHIEVELY

Marcia du Pont

1957: KALKBANK-POLISIESTASIE

"Kat” in my Lunchblik

Lieutenant-Colonel Yusuf (Pipes) Haffajee

1956: BRIG JJ DIEDERICKS EN MEV CHRISTINE DIEDERICKS

VF PLUS PLAAS MATJHABENG OP TERME OOR BURGEMEESTERSKETTING

SACP STATEMENT ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MK

Die kapelaan en Boffin se bed