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THE e-NONGQAI
Un-official Police Gazette for VETERANS of the former
South African Police Force and for those interested in the history of
our Police, Defence and South Africa’s National Security
Oktober 2012; Vol 3 no 10
DIE e-NONGQAI
Nie-amptelike Polisiekoerant vir VETERANE van die ou Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiemag
en vir diegene wat belangstel in die geskiedenis van ons polisie, verdediging en
nasionale veiligheid
Oktober 2012; Vol 3 Nr 10
Lt-genl WH ‘Colin’ Steyn an mev Adrie Steyn
Patron – Gen Johan vd Merwe – Beskermheer
Editor – Hennie Heymans – Redakteur
295
Contents / Inhoud
1. WELCOME / WELKOM .................................................................................................................. 8
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1.1 Moment of silence/ Bepeinsing: Die Man op die Wit Perd: Koot Swanepoel (Joubertina) ......... 8
1.2 Voorblad / Front Page ................................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Redaksioneel – Hennie Heymans ................................................................................................. 9
1.4 ‘n Eeu van nasionale polisie op 1 April 2013: Ons polisie-geskiedenis ....................................... 9
2. PERSONALIA VANAF 30 Augustus TOT 29 September 2012: Johan Jacobs (Benoni) ................ 9
2.1 Afsterwes .................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2 SAP 26 Siekeboek ....................................................................................................................... 10
2.3 Verjaarswense ............................................................................................................................. 11
2.4 Allegaartjie .................................................................................................................................. 13
2.5. SAP 55: Friends Missing and Found! / Vermiste persone ........................................................ 17
2.5.1 Luit PJ du Toit, Distrikspeuroffisier, Durban-Suid ............................................................. 17
2.5.2 Mev Santie du Preez en Braam du Preez ............................................................................ 17
2.5.3 No 7207(B) JJP Webb en No 7208(B) JT Webb (“Jops & Jams” ‘n Tweeling)
Pietermaritzburg: Nongqai Junie 1918 – Hennie Heymans ......................................................... 17
2.5.4 Genealogie: Luit-genl HJ van den Bergh ............................................................................ 18
2.5.5 Brig Dirk “Pollex” Lambrechts ........................................................................................... 18
2.5.6 No 57864R konst R A Perold .............................................................................................. 18
3. Honours & Awards / Eerbewyse & Toekennings ............................................................................. 19
3. 2 3.3 Roll of Honour / Ererol ........................................................................................................ 20
3.3.1 SAP Grave: AP van Heerden: Mooifontein, Birchacres - Koos Brits (Benoni) ...................... 20
3.3.2 SAP Grave Heliopolis War Cemetery: No SAP 196572 Sgt WP Kock .................................. 21
4. REUNIONS / REUNIES / EVENTS / GEBEURE .......................................................................... 22
4.1 SAP se Jaarlikse Skaapbraai – 15 September 2012 .................................................................... 22
4.2 Komitee Bond van Oud Polisiebeamptes, Wynberg Tak, Kaapstad. .......................................... 22
4.3 Facebook: Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede ................................................................ 23
5. PERSOONLIKHEID VAN DIE MAAND / PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH: Kol Eugene de
Kock ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
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Sunday 15 July 2012 – Pretoria Central Prison, 09:00; Gen Hans Dreyer visits Eugene de Kock-
Written by Anemari Jansen. (Permission granted by Eugene de Kock) ........................................... 23
Afrikaans Version: Eugene de Kock ..................................................................................................... 27
15 Junie 2012 – Pretoria-sentraalgevangenis, 09:00: Genl Hans Dreyer en Eugene de Kock -
Anemari Jansen (met toestemming deur Eugene de Kock) .............................................................. 27
Copernicus: On Favour / Barmhartigheid ......................................................................................... 33
A note by Hennie Heymans .............................................................................................................. 33
6. PERSONALITIES & BIOGRAFICAL DICTIONARY/ PERSOONLIKHEDE / BIOGRAFIESE
WOORDEBOEK .................................................................................................................................. 35
6.1 Nr 22003 kol Octavo Malherbe : Philip Malherbe..................................................................... 35
6.2 Genl MCW Geldenhuys - Paul Greyling ................................................................................... 38
6.4 Nr 62383-2 Mariet Ferreira (Junie 1973 tot Februarie 2009) ............................................... 41
6.5 Ontmoet nr 00829994: Kapt Petro Heyneke ............................................................................ 43
6.6 Sers Koos Coetzee: SAP Van Reenen – Gillis van Schalkwyk (via Bibi de Vos, Harrismith) .. 46
6.7 SAP Van Reenen-area: The Farmers of “The Lost Valley”: A Historical look at the De Heer
and Pieterse families - Researched by Leon Strachan and Gillis van Schalkwyk. Compiled by Gillis
van Schalkwyk .................................................................................................................................. 47
6.8 Nr. 21719 oud-sao Stan Hawkins ............................................................................................... 66
6.9 Brig CC “Curt” von Keiserlingk: Pottie Potgieter .................................................................. 67
- Stasiebesoeke saam met kol Curt von Keiserlingk ......................................................................... 68
- “Taxi” ry op Katima Mulilo .......................................................................................................... 69
6.10 Jacobus (Freek) Snyman – Ds Carel-Johann de Bruin .............................................................. 70
6.11 Rod Aylward – Tubby Myburg ................................................................................................. 72
6.12 Brig PA Cerff - Daniel Joubert Siebrits .................................................................................... 73
6.13: Tuiskoms na verblyf in Spanje: Lynette Spies......................................................................... 74
6.14 Stafkursus 1984: Genl Koos van Zyl ........................................................................................ 75
7. News Articles from our Readers / Nuusberigte van ons lesers ......................................................... 75
7.1. World War 2: Great Escape Tunnel revealed after 67 years – Sent in by Phil Beck and also by
Terry Schwartz .................................................................................................................................. 75
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7.3 Menere en Hulle Gewere: Johan Jacobs ..................................................................................... 83
7.4 ‘n Brief van die Nagsersant in Hermanus .................................................................................. 88
7.5 A medal of courage for bomb dog Theo: Posthumous award for heroic animal who died hours
after his master .................................................................................................................................. 89
7.6 Demise of F-18 Fighter Jet – Sent in by Len Els ...................................................................... 92
8. Over a nice cup of coffee ... or how I see things / Oor ‘n koppie lekker koffie ... of soos ek die saak
sien ........................................................................................................................................................ 96
Dissipline en die regte houding ......................................................................................................... 96
Gewere ......................................................................................................................................... 96
Vervoer ......................................................................................................................................... 96
‘n Teetafel-storie: Biltong en padveiligheid: Ingestuur deur adv Louis Visser ........................... 97
Soos ek dit sien: Ongunstige beeld............................................................................................. 100
9. WE REMEMBER / ONS ONTHOU ............................................................................................. 101
9.1 Stilte in die Hof – Lentulus ....................................................................................................... 101
9.1.1 Ontug, M'Lord? ................................................................................................................. 101
9.1.2 Die Swart Humor van Klein Apartheid ............................................................................. 101
9.2 Slaap aan diens: Pottie Potgieter ............................................................................................... 103
- ‘n Wemmerpan slapie en ontnugtering .................................................................................... 104
- Baas-slaapers............................................................................................................................ 107
- Wagters op die Mure – Guardians of the Peace - HBH ........................................................... 108
9.3 ................................................................................................................................................... 110
10. MORE SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS / MEER ERNSTIGE NUUS EN
NASIONALE VEILIGHEID .............................................................................................................. 111
10.1 Namibia Police Air Wing takes delivery of new Eurocopter EC145 ...................................... 111
10.2 Doodstraf: Besluit ‘katastrofies’ ............................................................................................. 112
10.3 Regter bepleit minder vlakke in regstelsel .............................................................................. 113
10.4 ‘Prokureur steek hond dood’ ................................................................................................... 114
10.5 Seven police helicopters grounded - Nathi Mthethwa ............................................................ 116
10.6 Few murder convictions in Cape Town's ganglands ............................................................... 117
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10.7 Onseker polisie maak jou bang ............................................................................................... 120
10.8 Helen Zille's reply to Nathi Mthethwa .................................................................................... 122
10.9 Mkhwanazi should be suspended not redeployed - DA .......................................................... 133
10.10 DCD Protected Mobility acquires Springbuck APC range from Drakensberg Truck
Manufacturers ................................................................................................................................. 135
10.11 SAS Queen Modjaji’s hull received 1.5 x 1.5 m dent in accident ........................................ 137
10.12 SANDF loses 38 assault rifles in three years - Pieter Groenewald ....................................... 139
10.13 Misdadigers geen vrees meer vir SAPD ............................................................................... 143
10.14 Paramount unveils new Marauder vehicle ............................................................................ 144
10.15 2de hofsege vir diabeet teen polisie ...................................................................................... 146
10.16 Diewe buit kerkbeeld ............................................................................................................ 147
11. NATIONAL SECURITY HISTORY / NASIONALE VEILIGHEIDSGESKIEDENIS ............. 149
11.1 Eenheid 6 - Artikel 3: Eenheid 6: Opleiding in die beginjare - Anemari Jansen en Larry
Hanton ............................................................................................................................................. 149
11.2 Tobruk: Verloor of verneder? Hans Lombaard ....................................................................... 161
12.2.1 Tobruk: die ware verhaal: Hans Lombard ......................................................................... 165
11.4 Mahatma Gandhi: Was hy ‘n rassis? - Dr. Jaycee van der Walt ............................................. 167
11.5 Militêre Voertuie – William Marshall .................................................................................... 171
11.6 Militêre Voertuie – William Marshall .................................................................................... 171
11.7 SAMHS (CT) Newsletter : Johan van den Berg ..................................................................... 172
12. HERALDRY, UNIFORMS, COLOURS, FLAGS, MEDALS, MEMORIALS & BUILDINGS/
HERALDIEK, UNIFORMS, VAANDELS, VLAE, MEDALJES, GEDENKTEKENS & GEBOUE
........................................................................................................................................................ 174
13. VESTED INTERESTS OF VETERANS /LEDEAANGELEENTHERDE ............................. 174
13.1 Polmed .................................................................................................................................... 174
13.2 Injuries on duty / Beserings aandiens ..................................................................................... 174
14. THE LIBRARY / DIE BOEKRAK ............................................................................................. 174
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14.1.1 Plakboek: Van kaalvoetseun tot kommissaris: Genl. MCW Geldenhuys - 'n Voormalige
kommissaris van polisie. ................................................................................................................. 174
14.1.2 CV Skrywer: Dr Jaycee van der Walt (77) .......................................................................... 175
14.1.3 32 Battalion: The Terrible Ones: Piet Nortje ....................................................................... 176
14.1.4 A Spook’s Progress. From Making War to Making Peace: Maritz Spaarwater - Intelligensie
se rol knap uiteengesit: Willie Esterhuyse ...................................................................................... 176
14.1.5 Did the Broederbond sell out the Afrikaner? Piet Swanepoel - 12 September 2012 ........... 179
14.2 BLAAI VIR BLAAI ... VIR DIE eNONGQAI – Johan Jacobs ................................................. 183
14.2.1 Beverly Rycroft wen die Ingrid Jonker-prys vir Engelse poësie 2012 ................................ 183
14.2.2 A Spook’s Progress. From Making War to Making Peace Maritz Spaarwater .................... 184
14.2.3 Evita Se Bossie Sikelela: Evita Bezuidenhout ..................................................................... 184
15. HUMOUR IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM .................................................................................. 185
15.1 Useful Military Warnings Barry Taylor ............................................................................ 185
16. ANECDOTES, A POINT TO PONDER, ETC ............................................................................ 186
17. OOR DIE NONGQAI SE DRUMPEL ......................................................................................... 186
17.1 Oom Kallie Reitz .................................................................................................................... 186
Kol Andy Malan (SAW) – militêre historikus ........................................................................... 186
Lt-genl Ian Gleeson (SAW) – Pringlebaai ................................................................................. 186
18. NEWS FROM ALL OVER - THE POLICE POST BAG / NUUS POS VAN HEINDE EN
VERRE - POLISIE-POSSAK ............................................................................................................. 187
18.1 Pottie Potgieter van Port Edward (Port Vet-word?) ................................................................ 187
18.2 Terry Devine ........................................................................................................................... 187
18.3 SAP Lede op brug te Vic Falls deur Zambië aangehou was: Rusty van Rooyen ................... 188
18.4 No 0420807-2 Rudolf Murray ............................................................................................... 188
18.5 Helen Lammers ....................................................................................................................... 189
18.6 Clive & Terry Mitchell: Royal Air Force ............................................................................... 189
18.7 Anemari Jansen - Alberton ................................................................................................. 190
18.8 Model of SAP Flying Squad Golf: Neil Anderson ................................................................. 190
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18.8 Kol Willie Louw (SAW) ......................................................................................................... 192
18.8 Frederick Pretorius, SAPS Gauteng ........................................................................................ 192
18.9 Re: History of the South African Police: Prof Francois du Toit ............................................. 192
18.10 Curt von Keyserlingk: Pottie Potgieter ................................................................................. 193
19. SAP-webblad / SAP Webpage ...................................................................................................... 194
20. NETWORKING & “LET’S SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER”/ NETWERK & “KOM ONS
ONDERSTEUN MEKAAR” .............................................................................................................. 195
20.1 Annemari Jansen – Koorsboom Kothuis ................................................................................ 195
20.2 Kersfees in Bethelhem, Israel: Jannie Otto ............................................................................. 195
21. STOP PRESS / LAAT BERIGTE ................................................................................................ 195
21.1 Afsterwe: Brig Pierre le Clus (SALM, SSVR en Bop SVR) ............................................. 195
21.2 Koevoet se Muur van Herinnering: V-T-Monument – A Jansen ....................................... 196
22. INDEMITY / VRYWARING ....................................................................................................... 196
23. NEXT EDITION / VOLGENDE UITGAWE .............................................................................. 196
24. CONCLUSION / SLOT ................................................................................................................ 196
Vision
To impartially publish the Police History relating to Southern Africa from 1652 to
1994
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Mission
To build an objective historical picture of the South African Police and our
antecedent police forces in Southern Africa
To build up a bibliography of police related literature
To collect and archive information, reports, photographs and recollections of police
officers - especially those who were eyewitnesses of historical events
To publish short memoirs or accounts of members
To collect personal data, photographs of members and their biographies
To, where relevant, record contemporary (post 1994) police history
1. WELCOME / WELKOM
Welkom en lekker lees! Thank you for the many contributions to make this e-magzine a
success.
Last but not the least: “To amaze, amuse & to inform – Lappe Loubsher”
1.1 Moment of silence/ Bepeinsing: Die Man op die Wit Perd: Koot
Swanepoel (Joubertina)
Openb.19:11 Toe het ek die hemel geopend gesien; en daar was ‘n wit perd, en Hy
wat daarop sit, word genoem Getrou en Waaragtig, en Hy oordeel en voer oorlog in
geregtigheid.
Ons teksvers sê: “ en daar was ‘n witperd, en HY wat daarop sit, word genoem
Getrou en Waaragtig, en HY oordeel en voer oorlog in geregtigheid.”Hy wat daarop
sit, Hy oordeel en voer oorlog uit. Hierdie MAN op die witperd is baie spesiaal. HY
is enig in SY soort. So Enig ! God sê in Matt. 3 v.17 “Dit is MY geliefde Seun in wie
EK ‘n welbehae het.” Matt. 4 v.11 sê; “dat engele HOM bedien, nie sommer enige
iemand nie ! Engele! Die duiwel is ook onderdanig aan HOM en glo in HOM.
Vir meer inligting kontak vir Koot: J.C. Swanepoel [email protected]
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1.2 Voorblad / Front Page
Almal stem saam; Colin lyk glad nie 70 nie! Hy
lyk of sommer weer grensdiens kan doen
sommer met ‘n .303 en 50 patrone!
Adrie dankie dat jy so mooi na ons ou kollega
kyk!
Generaal Steyn – baie geluk met die 70! Sterkte
met u groot taak by die Bond!
1.3 Redaksioneel – Hennie Heymans
Dit is my eer en voorreg om u weer baie hartlik in ons midde welkom te heet! Die
maand is die eNONGQAI weer propvol nuus.
1.4 ‘n Eeu van nasionale polisie op 1 April 2013: Ons polisie-geskiedenis
Een van die dae is die polisiewese in Suid-Afrika amper ‘n eeu oud! Daar is nog so
baie werk!
Die volgende publikasies is gereed:
• Die ZAP Lijst / The SA Police List: 31: 03: 1916 (Tweetalig / Bi-lingual).
• Kol Mardall se manuskrip oor die Natal Police (Engels).
Amper voltooi:
• ‘n Spesiale reeks oor ons polisiegeneraals. Ons ontvang bykans geen inligting
oor ons generaals nie!
Magnommers: Baie mense het dieselfde naam en voorletters – indien moontlik
verstrek ook die magnommer. Ek beskik oor meeste magsorders en dit skakel dan
verwarring uit indien mens presies weet van wie mens praat veral by toekenning
van dekorasies, eervolle vermeldings en medaljes. Daar is baie polisiemanne met
dieselfde van en voorletters bv DJ Malan.
Saluut!
Die SA Spoorwegpolisie is in die SA Polisie opgeneem, derhalwe stel mens ook
belang in spoorwegpolisie-generaals.
Ons moet ook kyk polisiemanne in Suid-Afrika wat in ander magte generaals
geword het.
2. PERSONALIA VANAF 30 Augustus TOT 29 September 2012:
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Johan Jacobs (Benoni)
2.1 Afsterwes
05 Sept: Tubby Myburg berig; Vriende, dit is met swaar hart dat ek julle
moet meedeel dat Ronnie Aylward vanmiddag 13:15 oorlede is. Hy het dapper
gestry maar hy was net te swak om dit te kon deurtrek. Ons het saam baie kwaad
gedoen en ook mooi tye met al ons vriende gehad. Saluut my vriend vir die 49 jaar
wat ons mekaar geken het.
15 Sept: Sarie van Niekerk berig; Genl. Jan Coetzee is vanoggend na 'n
lang siekbed oorlede. Ons harte en gebede gaan uit na sy familie, mag hulle
vertroosting vind in die lewe wat hy nou van verlos is en altyd die lekker en goeie
tye saam met hom vertroetel. Ons bid vir julle vir krag en genade
18 Sept: Hein Kilian berig: Brig Gert Nel (Tande ) is gister aand oorlede
R.I.V.
25 Sept: Annetjie Joubert berig; AFSTERWE - A/O W.A. FOURIE -
GEORGE KAAP. Oud-ao WA Fourie - Ballistiek - Pretoria is vanoggend na ‘n
siekbed oorlede. Ons mee gevoelens gaan uit na sy eggenote, familie en vriende.
R.I.V. SALUUT!
28 Sept: Daniel Joubert Siebrits berig; Brigadier PA Cerff (Pieter Andries)
is op 25 Sept op 93 jarige ouderdom oorlede. Saluut! RIV
2.2 SAP 26 Siekeboek
30 Aug: Mark Newman berig; Mense, bid asb vir A/O Morgan Heyns van
Jhb. Blitspatrollie wat vanaand 4 keer in die bors geskiet is deur gewapende rowers.
Een rower is dood geskiet en nog 8 is met wapens gearresteer. Morgan is kritiek in
die Milpark Hospitaal opgeneem.
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31 Aug: Hennie Heymans berig: BAIE GOEIE NUUS: Ek het pas met die
DK gepraat! Fanie Bouwer was tot die dood toe moeg en futloos - hy kon nie eens 'n
selfoon hanteer nie! Pas nadat Koot Swanepoel hom geskakel het en vir hom gebid
het, het dinge reggekom! Fanie klink opgewek en reg vir 'n onverwagte inspeksie
iewers of elders! Wees dus gewaarsku die DK is oppad! Beste Koot Swanepoel en
vriende - Fanie bedank almal vir die gebede, liefde en meelewing! Dankie manne en
skone dames! [Ek kan Fanie hoor sê: "Hygend Hert!"]
01 Sept: Mark Newman berig; Net vinnig 'n ‘update’: A/O Morgan Heyns
was vandag weer in teater en sterk nou aan in ICU. Dokters is sovêr tevrede met sy
toestand.
09 Sept: Loraine Terblans berig; Jan het vir Fanie Bouwer gekontak.. hy
klink baie positief en dit gaan elke dag beter.. Hy besef sy liggaam het 'n groot skok
gehad en dat dit 'n tydjie sal neem om te herstel. Die operasie wonde is nog seer en
ongemaklik, maar hy sien weer kans vir die toekoms en klink baie positief. Ek wens
hom spoedige herstel toe.
26 Sept: Hein Kilian berig; Sersant Charles Grobler, wat op Springs SAP
was lê met kanker in hospitaal (pankreas), hou hom in julle gebede asb!
2.3 Verjaarswense
30 Aug: Hennie Heymans berig; Oom Piet Swanepoel , een van ons vriende,
se seun Cor Swanepoel verjaar vandag. Baie geluk Cor!
01 Sept: Nerina van Rensburg berig; Op hierdie mooi Lentedag, wens ons
Anthony Luff geluk met sy verjaardag.... Mooi dag vir jou Anthony en geniet jou
dag! Liefde Nerina en Johan.
06 Sept: Sarie van Niekerk berig; Peet Bothma verjaar vandag. Baie geluk
Peet hoop jy gaan 'n wonderlike jaar hê en dat iemand jou vandag verskriklik gaan
bederf, dalk verras jou personeel jou as jy by die werk kom. Die Chinese se mos as
dit reën op mens se verjaardag gaan dit 'n baie voorspoedige jaar wees, wel dit reën
so voorspoed my ou maat
07 Sept: Johan Jacobs berig; Robert Brand verjaar vandag...veels geluk met
jou spesiale dag!
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09 Sept: Hennie Heymans berig; Twee van ons vriende verjaar
vandag: Marius Brand (Koevoet) en William Marshall (SA WEERMAG EN
KUNDIGE OP PANTSERVOERTUIE). Baie geluk en mag die Heer u nog baie jare
spaar!
10 Sept: Sarie van Niekerk berig; Baie geluk aan Johan Herman Maree wat
vandag verjaar. Johan hoop jy gaan 'n pragtige dag he geniet elke oomblik daarvan
12 Sept: Isabel Kruger berig; Baie geluk aan André Johann Potgieter wat
vandag verjaar..... Geniet dit André en groete van al die heksies en kabouters hier op
die blad.
14 Sept: Hennie Heymans berig; Generale Saluut! Presenteer
geweerrrrrrrrrrrrr! Baie geluk aan Adriaan de la Rosa, Leon Bezuidenhout en
Andries Meiring wat vandag verjaar! Al wat mooi is!
SKOUERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR GEWEER!!!
15 Sept: Hennie Heymans berig; Baie geluk aan Linden Coetzee! Ons ou
vriend van die SAP Afd O-Tvl! Baie geluk en mooi loop! Baie geluk ook aan Nelet
Stemmet! Mag daar nog baie wees!
18 Sept: Hennie Heymans berig; Verjaarsdagparade: Baie geluk aan Len
Els en Thys Du Plessis (daar op Senekal)! Len ken ek van sy dae as AMI-offisier.
Thys en ek was saam op skool - sy Vader was toe offisier in die SASP in Durban -
baie geluk manne!
19 Sept: Sarie van Niekerk berig; Ons ou vriend Jannie Otto verjaar vandag.
Geluk Jannie weet sommer dit gaan 'n verskriklike lekker dag wees en dat jy
vreeslik bederf gaan word. Jannie wat jy ook al doen, geniet die dag en 'n pragtige
jaar vorentoe!
19 Sept: Hennie Heymans berig; Chris Fires Van Vuuren (Jeddah in Saudie
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Arabië); en dan daar vêr in die VSA - Charl Steyn! Ou Charl was nie net Kompol se
bestuurder maar ook SB op Pafuri!
27 Sept: Hennie Heymans berig; Leon Marais - verjaar vandag! Baie geluk!
Kan ons maar hier in Pretoria begin drink en dan stuur ons die rekening!
29 Sept: Johan Jacobs berig; Tubby Myburg verjaar vandag: Veels geluk
Tubby, mag jy net liefde en voorspoed geniet en lekker bederf word!
2.4 Allegaartjie
31 Aug: Hennie Heymans berig; Kol Eugene de Kock het geskakel en hy
stuur baie groete aan u almal. Ons het 'n baie lekker en diep gesprek gehad. Die
lewe het vir Eugene getemper. Een van die dae gaan ons weer 'n aksie loods om
hom uit te kry! Sy skakel met die buitewêreld is per telefoon - hy gebruik "World
call". Ons praat oor boeke en skrywers - hy is verstom oor baie dinge wat mense oor
hom skryf. Genl Dreyer het hom ook besoek - hy sê: "Ek is so lief vir die Oubaas ek
kan hom sommer teen my bors vasdruk!" Hulle het hul verskille gehad! Maar
vandag is Eugene 'n ander man. Kom ons bid ook vir Eugene de Kock! Kom manne
en vroue: Bid vir 'n gesindheidsverandering by die Staat tov Eugene. Eendag vertel
hy my: "Alles wat ek gedoen het, was TERWYL die geveg aan die gang was! Toe die
eindfluitjie blaas - toe hou ek op met veg! Ander het na my gekom en geveg lank na
die fluitjie geblaas het!" So ou Eugene het geveg tot die bitter einde, maar toe die ref
sê: "Einde van die wedstryd, toe hou hy op!" Kom ons bid net vir genade en
barmhartigheid! AMEN
30 Aug: Koot Swanepoel berig; Nog 'n man van sy woord; Terrance Balfour,
het op 24 Augustus my gekontak en vir my gesê dat hy op 'n stadium dasse
versamel het. Hy het my belowe hy gee sy versameling vir my. Dit is die dasse wat
vandag by my arriveer het. 99 dasse. 80 met embleme op. Mensig maar is die
Swanepoel bly. My blydskap... hoe kan ek dit beskryf Nico Frylinck..?Of sal ek my
opgewondenheid so beskryf: "Ek is so opgewonde oor al die dasse, soos 'n graad
Een seuntjie wat die eerste keer in sy lewe 'n dogtertjie kaal gesien het."Ok! Ok!
kruisig my, maar dit is my beskrywing van opgewondenheid
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. Van Koot se das versameling!
31 Aug: Neelsie Borea berig; Lt Genl Magda Stander tree vandag (eervol)
af. SALUUT aan 'n formidabele vrou ... wat, ondanks baie veranderinge in die
polisie per se, vasgebyt, deurgedruk en haar merk gemaak (gelaat) het. Ek wens
haar rus en vrede, voorspoed en Gods seëninge in oorvloed toe!!
02 Sept: Lynette Spies berig dat sy teug is in die land na 5 jaar in Spanje!
Aankoms by Kaapstadse Internasionale lughawe!
03 Sept: Malinda Lensing berig; To my husband FRED. This is to thank you
for ALL the years, I've been truly blessed from above. 35 Years ago I look into your
eyes we said "I do" with hearts of love .I slipped my hand into yours that day and
you smiled and clasped it tight. We walked life’s road together rough or smooth,
day or night. We had our share of bad times and more than our share of good. We
shared everything life has given and given back what good we could. With each
year we spend together love keeps getting better and better. With LOVE today and
always.
04 Sept: Tubby Myburg berig; Middag vriende, vandag die voorreg gehad
om een van onse mooie heksies te ontmoet. Petro Heyneke was in George om daar
te gaan getuig, sy het vroeg klaar gekry en by my kom koffie drink. Magriet het vir
my vertel sy is mooi maar sy is mooier verby. Nie net in voorkoms nie maar ook as
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mens, haar man Bart kan met reg trots wees op sy vrou. Petro jy is meer as welkom
om weer te kom koffie drink en die tyd om te kry. dit was lekker om jou te ontvang.
Fb bring baie van ons vriende so in aanraking met mekaar en nuwe vriende.
15 Sept: Johan Jacobs berig; Die jaarlikse skaapbraai van die Oud-SAP-lede
se Liefdadigheidtrust het vandag plaasgevind. Dit was ‘n heerlike, gasvrye en
vriendelike byeenkoms.
Dana en Isabel Kruger met Tiny Nortje en gade.
17 Sept: Isabel Kruger berig; Ek wil net namens almal op die blad
vir Sharon Münz geluk wens met haar huwelik van Saterdag... Ek weet dat sy nie
die boodskap gaan lees die week nie....lol ....maar ons is saam met haar bly....baie
geluk !!
19 Sept: Tiny Nortje stuur die volgende per epos;
POEM BY AND UNKNOWN POLICE OFFICER . We salute them,
Massacre they scream
Murder they cry
...
They don't even look at the facts
They don't ask why
They see the men run
They see police fire!
But before this - What all did transpire?
They show only minutes of what lasted a week
They point fingers and blame
don't think before they speak
They don't know what it's like to stand in the line
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To feel tension and risk all of the time
They don't see our planning
Our attempts to bring peace
They just see dead bodies and point blame at the police
They don't stop to think to think of our lives
We're just normal people with family ties
They call them victims and visit their beds
They ignore our dead colleagues and just shake their heads.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half-mast, to his name they won't add a
gold star.
The suspect that killed him will stand up in court, with counsel demanding his
rights
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids and spend many long,
lonely nights.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today . . . maybe in your town or mine,
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors a cop put his life on the line.
So I just shrug my shoulders and keep dressing in blue.
I'm doing my job protecting people like you.
Sometimes it is hard, the decisions we make
to protect life and property and all that's at stake.
We have months' worth of training and more every day.
We learn tactics and planning forget what THEY say
We serve with pride and dignity to boot
and if they don't recognize this I don't give a hoot.
I know I serve proudly and think it all through
all for the sake of protecting people like you.
And when the dust has all settled and the blame has been laid
No flags fly half-masts for dead colleagues
I'll still be standing here that's just how I'm made
I stand tall and proud and take it each day
it's part of the job - it's the policemen's way
I'm not black or white I'm really just BLUE
And proud of my job - protecting people like you.
19 Sept: Elma de Villiers berig; More sê aan almal! Met groot vreugde in my
hart wil ek julle net inlig dat ek en Frans gisteraand oupa en ouma geword het van
ons eerste kleindogter, Mila. Sy is gesond en so ook haar mamma! Dankie Hemelse
Vader vir al die seëninge en genade gedurende die swangerskap en geboorte! Ons
loof en prys U !
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22 Sept: Nerina van Rensburg berig; Vandag is ek en Johann 43jr getroud!
Tyd het net te vinnig gevlieg, en ons kan self nie glo dis al so lank nie. Ons oudste
dogter Yolanda is oppad vanaf Hermanus vir 'n kort kuiertjie. Gaan vanaand
vuurtjie aansteek, en net as huisgesin lekker saam kuier!
GROETE TOT DIE VOLGENDE PERSONALIA! (JOHAN JACOBS)
2.5. SAP 55: Friends Missing and Found! / Vermiste persone
2.5.1 Luit PJ du Toit, Distrikspeuroffisier, Durban-Suid
Weet iemand dalk wat het van luit Pieter J du Toit geword? (As ek reg onthou was
een van die ondersoekers na die skietery op die perd “Sea Cottage” wat in die
Durban July-wedren sou hardloop. Hy moet nie verwar word met “Lang Piet” du
Toit wat ook in Durban was nie.
2.5.2 Mev Santie du Preez en Braam du Preez
Hennie Heymans is op soek na julle – 012 329 4229
2.5.3 No 7207(B) JJP Webb en No 7208(B) JT Webb (“Jops & Jams” ‘n Tweeling)
Pietermaritzburg: Nongqai Junie 1918 – Hennie Heymans
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Hierdie twee Webb-broers is my oorlede Oupa JN Malan (Cedarville) se neefs. As
jong kind het ons een maal te Pietermaritzburg by een van die Webb-broers
aangedoen. Hulle was “in die ou dae” vreeslike netjiese beredepolisiemanne
gewees. Glo legendes in Pietermaritzburg gewees. Na bewering het hulle tydens die
Oujaarsdans op hulle pragtige perde die dansbaan geopen. (Kan so iets waar wees?)
Hulle het baie pryse op die “Royal Show” in Pietermaritzburg verwerf. Ek kan
onthou dat daar ‘n pragtige gepoleerde polisiesaal voor hul kaggel in die sitkamer
was. Een aand op Jakkelsdans met Johan Ferriera se afskeid het ek langs genl
Hennie de Witt gesit. Ons het lekker by die braaivleisvuur oor Natal se dae gesels.
Ek het genl Hennie gevra of hy die Webb-broers geken het want genl Hennie was
self baie bekend in Pietermaritzburg, veral op die rugbyveld. Hy het bevestigend
geantwoord en vertel dat die een broer, wat later by die mark gewerk het, vir hom
gesê het: “Hennie jy gaan nog kommissaris word!”Ek is op soek na die nageslag van
die Webb-broers. Die broers het bekend gestaan as “Jops en Jams”.
2.5.4 Genealogie: Luit-genl HJ van den Bergh
Klein Hendrik van den Bergh en Hennie Heymans is besig met ‘n boek oor genl HJ van den
Bergh. Ons stel in sy stamboom belang. Die generaal is
op 27 November 1914 te Vredefort in die ou Oranje
Vrystaat gebore. Sy moeder was ‘n nooi Bettie Jansen.
Hy is op 16 Augustus 1997 te Delmas oorlede. Hy was
twee maal getroud, sy eerste vrou, Lilian Morris, is
oorlede. Sy is van Walliese afkoms. Is daar iemand wat
‘n Van den Bergh-stamboom het? Is daar iemand in
Vredefort wat belangstel om te help om plaaslike
inligting te bekom? (Ons soek foto’s van sekere grafte
en geboue, opstalle edm indien dit nog bestaan.)
Staaltjies, foto’s en verhale van genl Van den Bergh is
welkom. [Let op die onderskrif: Veiligheidspolisie!]
2.5.5 Brig Dirk “Pollex” Lambrechts
Hello Hennie,
Een van ons Bond lede is op soek na Dirk Lampbrechts wat die wetsartikels geskryf
het in die Servamus.Weet nie of hy dit nog doen nie. Kan jy my asb op sy spoor
plaas.
Groete Jan van Wyk.
• Kontak Servamus – Hulle sal sy kontak besonderhede hê – HBH.
2.5.6 No 57864R konst R A Perold Ek is op soek na die model wat die haardrag van die SAP gedurende 1972 uitbeeld, by name
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Thys van Vuuren. Ons was daardie jare vriende. Hy is later verplaas na die wageenheid en
ek het in 1977 my ontslag gekoop. Ons het kontak verloor en mekaar baie jare laas gesien !
Indien enigiemand dalk weet waar hy gekontak kan word, sou ek dit hoog op prys stel
indien u my sou inlig. By voorbaat dank, Robbie Perold
Ek het Thys geken, hy was op Veiligheidshoofkantoor en later by die plofstofseksie.
“Thys ons soek jou! Maak kontak asb” - HBH
3. Honours & Awards / Eerbewyse & Toekennings
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3. 2 3.3 Roll of Honour / Ererol
3.3.1 SAP Grave: AP van Heerden: Mooifontein, Birchacres - Koos Brits
(Benoni)
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3.3.2 SAP Grave Heliopolis War Cemetery: No SAP 196572 Sgt WP Kock
We will remember them!
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4. REUNIONS / REUNIES / EVENTS / GEBEURE
4.1 SAP se Jaarlikse Skaapbraai – 15 September 2012
Sien: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/enongqai_vol_9.3
4.2 Komitee Bond van Oud Polisiebeamptes, Wynberg Tak, Kaapstad.
Hello Hennie,
Hierdie groep lede is die Kommitee van die nuut gestigde Bond van Oud
Polisiebeamptes, Wynberg-tak, Kaapstad:
Agter v.l.n.r. (Kommitee lede) Jannie Ruppersberg, Deon Huisamen, Chris Kruger,
Jorina Zandberg, en Pieter Mostert.
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Voor:- Johan Verster (Voorsitter) Jan van Wyk (Sekretaris/Tesourie)
• Ons eerste samesyn is op die 6 Oktober 2012 by Timour Hall Villa. (Bring en
Braai).
Jan: Ons ontvang graag foto’s van die geleentheid!
4.3 Facebook: Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie – Afgetrede Lede
Skaapbraai: (DV) 17 November 2012
Plek: Breedstraat 38, Montana, Pretoria
Tyd: 10:00
Toegangsfooi: R35 per persoon
RSVP: 31 Oktober 2012
• Bespreek by Johan Jacobs sommer op die blad.
5. PERSOONLIKHEID VAN DIE MAAND / PERSONALITY OF THE
MONTH: Kol Eugene de Kock
Sunday 15 July 2012 – Pretoria Central Prison, 09:00; Gen Hans Dreyer
visits Eugene de Kock- Written by Anemari Jansen. (Permission granted by
Eugene de Kock)
“The first Angel created by God, Michael is the leader of all the Archangels and is in
charge of protection, courage, strength, truth and integrity. In 1950 he was canonized
as Saint Michael, the patron of Police Officers.”
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“Our paths separated twenty nine years ago. I want you to be there when Gen. Hans
Dreyer and I meet again,” Eugene explains on the 012 number from Pretoria Central
one morning. “Perhaps you can write something about the visit.”
Twenty nine years is a long time to bear a grudge, or shoulder feelings of guilt. From
having a close working relationship at Koevoet and Eugene regularly enjoying
Sunday lunch at Gen. Dreyer`s house, things deteriorated. In 1983 Eugene eventually
confronted Gen. Dreyer in his office, after charging into the base with his Casspir. It
was wartime, a world apart. Eugene left Koevoet soon after that incident.
I arrive at Pretoria Central at nine o`clock that Sunday morning to find Gen. Dreyer
and Daan du Toit already waiting on a wooden bench, in front of the entrance door
with the steel bolts. The general looks wary. His cap is pulled tight over his forehead
and he is not in the mood for small talk. I hand over our visiting slip to the warder
on duty. One can wait anything from ten minutes, up to half an hour, before your
name gets called.
A young man from Benoni borrows my pen and starts chatting. He visits his uncle
once a month. He tries to be positive during the visit, the uncle has to serve only two
more years.
“And who do I come to see?
“De Kock,” I say.
“De Kock? Is he now a changed man?”
“Well,” I say. “I would think so. Eighteen years is a long time. He is funny,
intelligent, warm hearted. We talk about books, about life. He is good company.”
Brown uniforms all over the steps. Everybody looks up expectantly.
“Jansen! Erasmus!”
It is our turn. To the right awaits the next body search. I hand over my ID book and
wait for the thumbs up. Again the warders are friendly and efficient, their uniforms
neatly pressed.
“Where is he?” The general looks stressed and uncomfortable. I motion to the door
and the steel structure visible behind the warders checking in the prisoners. Then he
sees Eugene approaching. His face becomes one big smile.
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Eugene signs in, sets his stopwatch and hastens forward. He only has eyes for the
general. Their eyes lock. Gen Dreyer swings out his right arm in a wide gesture, their
hands interlock. They slap each other on the arms, pull close and, after a momentary
hesitation, embrace.
“You`re going to break my hand,” laughs Eugene.
“You are looking well.” The general is suddenly wide awake.
Eugene chooses a set of benches away from the drains and the noise. They sit facing
each other, knees almost touching.
The general sits motionless. Now and then he leans forward with his left arm, the
knobbly right hand clutching his kneecap. His cap is still pulled low, his glasses with
the bifocal lenses just visible. His eyes never leave Eugene`s. For an hour and fifteen
minutes he sits like that, listening, being close.
Eugene has a lot to say in a short space of time. What prison life is like, how the
discipline he learnt in the police force and Koevoet still stands him in good stead.
How they weren`t able to break him during the long two years and ten months in
solitary confinement in C-Max. How worthwhile it is to lead a clean life inside – free
from the drugs, sodomy and other dubious practices.
Then Eugene leans forward. Their heads are almost touching. The general narrows
his eyes. It is their conversation alone.
“What you have taught me, all those years ago, has helped me to survive,” Gene
says. “Those things one can`t learn from books, only from the person that has been
there himself.” He looks down. “I am sorry.”
The general pats him on the knee. His eyes are watery. “All that lies in the past, my
son,” he says, en pats Gene on the knee again. “All water under the bridge.”
There are only two people queueing at the tuck shop. I get up, buy seven russians, a
couple of Tex chocolates, fruit juice and a few packets of chips. When I return, the
conversation is about Koevoet and Operation Vlakvark (bush pig).
“How many kills again?” the general asks.
“It was Piet Stassen,” Gene says. “He was the most successful on that day. Thirty
eight kills.”
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Die general`s body rocks back, he shakes with laughter as the memories come
crowding in.
They look like a father and son, conversing.
Gene`s words become rapid fire. He talks about the workshop, the books he is
reading, everyday life in the prison. The general listens without batting an eyelid.
I look at Gene`s neat profile. And who is Eugene de Kock today, where does he fit
in? In the hierarchy of the prison system, with paedophiles being the bottom feeders,
Eugene stands alone, classified as an assassin.
In terms of the SAP, Rhodesia and Koevoet he was a soldier, a hunter of people. And
then: Vlakplaas. This episode in his life made him the living symbol of all that was
rotten and skewed during South Africa`s apartheid years.
And for me, in 2012? Eugene is, well, Gene. Hard assed, unbearably honest, a
gentleman, funny. Intelligent. Intense. Without pretence and at ease in his own skin.
Physically strong and disciplined. He is a soldier, and will forever be one.
A warder comes along and asks Gene for his ticket.
I remember a previous visit when the ticket had landed under the bench. “Fuck off,”
he had said under his breath when a chap loitered too close to us. “Paedophile,” he
had muttered. “Got no respect for them.”
“It`s time,” says the warder. “Sorry.”
“It`s okay,” responds Gene. “We are lucky, we had fifteen minutes extra today.”
“How do I approach Eugene?” I asked Piet Croucamp, after my second visit to Gene
in July 2011.
“Just take it easy,” he said. “Eugene is a bit like an abused child – uncertain how he
should deal with compassion.”
It is a year later. A lot has changed.
The general gets hold of his wallet. He presses ten hundred rand notes in my palm.
“For Gene,” he says. “For whatever he needs. Contact me anytime, my girl. I will
always be available to help.”
They shake hands. Gen. Dreyer turns back once, to look at Gene.
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I stay behind for a few moments. It is in his eyes that Eugene will express emotion, I
realise. If he chooses that you may read it. His hair is still dark and neatly cut. Not a
hair out of place. His orange overall pressed and squeaky clean. He has the skin of a
much younger person than the sixty three year old standing in front of me. His
leather Hi Tech boots are polished to a shine.
“And?” I ask.
“It feels good. Please tell the general I`m sorry about all the things that I have done.”
He talks fast, his eyes taking in the scene around us.
“You know it`s not necessary,” I say. He puts his arm around me and gives me a
powerful hug. “It`s over and done with.”
“Tell him in any case,” he says. “And –“ His eyes fill with clouds.
And I remember the Archangel Michael. It is as if I know one, one with a wing that
got hurt, long, long before he left Koevoet.
Afrikaans Version: Eugene de Kock
15 Junie 2012 – Pretoria-sentraalgevangenis, 09:00: Genl Hans Dreyer en
Eugene de Kock - Anemari Jansen (met toestemming deur Eugene de Kock)
Foto: Michael - leier van die aartsengele en beskermheer van die polisie. Michael
verteenwoordig beskerming, dapperheid, krag, die waarheid en integriteit.
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“Ons paaie het nege en twintig jaar gelede geskei. Ek wil hê jy moet by wees,” sê
Eugene oor die betaaltelefoon, die dag voor ons besoek. “Dalk kan jy daaroor skryf.”
Ek dink aan sy woorde toe ek Pretoria Sentraal toe ry. Aan die bitter uitval, die
stormagtige verhouding met genl. Hans Dreyer, bevelvoerder van Koevoet. Dit het
uitgeloop op 'n konfrontasie in genl. Dreyer se kantoor toe Eugene met sy Casspir
die basis ingery het. Twee stérk manne wat destyds nie meer geweet het waar en hoe
om te briek nie. Die uiteinde van die konfrontasie was dat Eugene Koevoet verlaat
het.
Die verkeer vloei op die N3/N1. My gedagtes dwaal na die eed wat elke polisieman
aflê. Wat Genl Hans Dreyer en Eugene de Kock ook op `n tyd moes sweer: Ek
verbind my tot die handhawing van wet en orde, die voorkoming van misdaad en
die behoud van die interne sekuriteit van die Republiek...
So help my God.
Ek kry `n koelteparkeerplek in die parkeerarea van Pretoria Sentraal. Vul die
besoekvorm in en stap deur die eerste tralieswaaihek. Mens ruik baie hande se vat
aan die metaal. Die twee vrouebewaarders lyk netjies, hulle gesels vriendelik terwyl
hulle my deursoek. Dan staan ons `n paar tree van die ontvangsgebou op die
sypaadjie en wag vir `n bussie... Dogtertjies met vlegsels. Blink Stefaanse, bejaarde
ouerpare met Checkerssakke in die hand. Ons klim in, soek sitplek. Dit voel soos `n
skoolbus. Die oueres leun oor die banke en gesels oor die winter wat ekstra koud is
vanjaar. Ek kyk af na my nuwe leerbootse.
`n Paar honderd meter verder maak ons `n draai na regs en stop by `n groep
bewaarders. Hulle hou ons stip dop. Ek klim uit, kyk verby hulle na die sportvelde,
dan na die hoë baksteenmuur. Na die monsteragtige gebou wat geblinddoek na my
terugkyk.
Ons bondel vorentoe om ons besoekbriefies aan die bewaarder te oorhandig. Onder
die afdak sit mamas met kopdoeke, jong vroue met sakke, broers en pa`s. Eenkant in
die son hang mense rond. Ek kyk skerper en eien Genl Dreyer en Daan du Toit wat
langs mekaar sit en wag op `n houtbankie. Die generaal se gesig is stroef, sy pet laag
oor sy oë getrek. Daan se baard is spierwit. Hy dra `n sweetpak.
Mens wag enigiets van tien minute tot `n halfuur voordat jy geroep word. Ek gesels
met `n jongman van Benoni wat vir sy oom kom kuier. Hy kom een maal per maand.
Dan probeer hy positief wees, die oom het nog net twee jaar oor. Wie kom ek sien?
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De Kock, sê ek. De Kock? Is hy nou `n changed man, vra hy. Ja, ek dink so, sê ek.
Sewentien jaar is `n láng tyd. Ons lag baie, mens gesels lekker met hom.
Bruin uniforms die trappe vol. Almal kyk hoopvol op.
“Jansen! Erasmus!”
Deur die swaar houtvoordeur. Vandag deursoek die vrouebewaarders ons deeglik.
Ek toon my ID boekie en hulle loer na die deurskynende sakkie in my hand. Deur
die laaste traliedeur, uit in die vierkant. `n Paar sontrale kry dit reg om deur
openinge in die sinkdak te val. Ek kyk links na die deur wat ons van die gevangenes
skei en sien Eugene deur die staaltralies.
“Waar is hy?” Genl Dreyer lyk ongemaklik, gespanne. Ek beduie na die tralievertrek,
agter bewaarders wat by `n tafel sit en die gevangenes deurlaat. Dan sien hy vir
Eugene aankom en sy gesig word een groot glimlag.
Eugene teken in en stel die stophorlosie aan sy pols. Dan stap hy haastig met `n
uitgestrekte hand na hom. Hulle oë vind mekaar. Genl Dreyer swaai sy regterarm in
`n wye gebaar, die twee hande vat vás. Hulle klap mekaar op die bo-arm, trek nader,
omhels met die regterarms. Die generaal vat weer sy hand vas.
“Jy gaan my hand breek,” lag Eugene.
“Jy lyk goéd.” Skielik `n springerigheid in die generaal se stap.
Eugene kies `n sitplek weg van die dreine, uit die lawaai. Hulle sit oorkant mekaar,
met knieë wat byna raak. Langs hulle sit ek en Daan du Toit, en daarnaas Hennie
Castelyn en Carina Erasmus. Ons sit die bankies vol.
Die generaal sit baie stil. Met sy linkerarm leun hy vorentoe, die knopperige
regterhand hou die regterknie vas. Sy kakiepet styfgetrek oor sy oë en die bril met
bifokale lense. Sy oë verlaat Eugene se gesig nie vir `n oomblik nie. Vir `n uur en
vyftien minute sit hy naby hom, kyk na hom, luister na die vertellings.
Eugene moet baie sê in min tyd. Hoe dit gaan in die tronk, hoe die dissipline wat hy
in die polisie en Koevoet aangeleer het, hom goed te staan gekom het. Hoe hulle
hom in daardie twee jaar en tien maande in C-Max nie kon breek nie, hoe hy sterker
anderkant uitgestap het. Hoe dit help om `n skoon lewe daar binne te hê. Vry van
die dwelms, sodomie en ander praktyke.
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Dan leun Eugene vorentoe. Die generaal verwissel sy hande. Die oë agter die
brilglase vernou. Gene praat stadiger, sagter. Dit is húlle twee se gesprek. Die dankie
sê, die jammer sê, die uitsorteer.
“Wat jy my geleer het, het my help oorleef,” sê Gene. “Daardie dinge wat mens nie
in boeke leer nie, maar by die persoon wat sélf daar was.” Hy kyk `n oomblik af.
“Ek is jammer, jammer oor al die dinge wat gebeur het.”
Genl Dreyer klop hom op die been. Sy oë is klam. “Dis mos verby seun,” sê hy en
klop weer sy been. “Dit is die verlede daardie.”
Ek sit baie stil, gee dan `n honderdrandnoot vir Carina aan. Daar is enkele mense in
die snoepiery. Sy staan op om ons bestelling te neem. So sewe russians, beduie ek. `n
Tex of vier, Coke Light as daar is. En chips.
“Wie is die man?” vra die generaal vir Gene, en beduie met sy kop na Castelyn wat
aan die punt van die bankie sit. “Is hy `n poliesman?”
Eugene verduidelik. Die gesprek draai na Koevoet, en operasie Vlakvark.
“Hoeveel kills nou weer?” vra die generaal.
“Dit was Piet Stassen,” sê Gene. “Hy was die suksesvolste gewees daardie dag. Agt
en dertig kills.”
Die generaal se lyf wieg agtertoe, sy lyf skud van die lag en die onthou.
Die ys is gebreek. Hulle lyk na `n pa en seun wat gesels.
Carina kom terug met die Melvillekoppiesmoordenaar wat haar skinkbord vir haar
dra. Hy sit die skinkbord op my skoot neer en groet. Die generaal neem `n Coke
maar vergeet om te drink. Gene drink vrugtesap en Daan vat `n sluk Coke by my.
Hy is `n diabeet, mag nie `n hele blikkie drink nie. Ons breek stukke van `n russian
worsie af. Dis nog lekker warm.
Die skinkborddraer het net een oog, fluister Carina onderlangs vir my. Daar is `n
storie aan, fluister ek terug. Haar oë rek. Sy draai na Hennie, gee die blou merk aan
sy gewrig een kyk, en leun vorentoe.
“Wys my jou tattoe,” sê sy vir hom.
Hy wurm rond, kry skaam. Dan knoop hy sy oranje oorpak se boonste knope los om
vir ons sy bisep met die tattoo te wys. `n Groot bisep en `n groot tattoe.
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Sy sug. “Mooi bly darem maar mooi.”
“Wys hom joue,” por ek aan.
“Dis al wat ek kan wys,” sê Carina. Sy lig haar hemp op en `n vyeblaar met twee
rankies steek uit op haar maag.
Castelyn kan sy oë nie glo nie. Dan gooi hy sy borselkop agteroor en lag uit sy maag.
“Dís mos nou `n vróú hierdie!”
Die generaal verskuif die bruin, vereelte hand op sy knie. “Wie is hierdie man?” vra
hy vir Eugene. “Is hy `n poliesman?”
Eugene verduidelik weer. Dan word sy woorde outomatiese geweervuur. Hy vertel
van die werkswinkel, die boeke, die elkedagse lewe in `n tronk. Die generaal luister
sonder om `n spier te verroer.
Ek kyk na Gene, na sy netjiese profiel. En wie is Eugéne? In die hierargie van
Pretoria Sentraal, met pedofiele op die laagste vlak van die voedselketting,
klassifiseer hulle hom as `n “assassin”, iets wat hom apart van die ander plaas.
In terme van die SAP, Rhodesië en Koevoet was hy `n meedoënlose soldaat, `n uiters
suksesvolle jagter van mense. En toe: Vlakplaas. Dit het Eugene gevestig as die
lewende simbool van alles wat verkeerd geloop het gedurende Suid-Afrika se
apartheidsjare.
En vir my, in 2012? Vir my is Eugene – wel, Gene. Hardegat, pynlik eerlik,
fyngemanierd, gevat, vrek slim. Sonder nonsens of aansit, ná aan die aarde,
gemaklik in sy vel. `n Uitstekende gespreksgenoot. Sterk. Gedissiplineerd. Energie
wat knetter. Hy is soldáát tot in sy murg en senings.
`n Tronkbewaarder kom verby en vra Gene vir sy kaartjie. Die vuilgevatte stukkie
papier val, hy buk onder die bankie in om dit vas te vat. Nommer 50.
Ek onthou `n vorige besoek toe die papiertjie ook só onder die bank beland het.
Fokof, het hy onder sy asem deur gesê toe `n olierige kêrel te ná aan ons bankie
verbygeskuur het. Pedofiel, het hy beduie. Geen respek vir hulle nie.
“It`s time,” sê die bewaarder. “Sorry.”
“Dis oukei,” sê Gene. “Ons het vyftien minute ekstra gekry vandag.”
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Dit is in die aandag van sy oë dat Gene emosie toon, besef ek. Wanneer hy régtig na
mens kyk, en jy sy sensitiwiteit kan sien, die siel van `n getemperde man. Dáár lees
ek sy deernis, uitreik en heimwee.
“Hoe benader ek Eugene?” het ek na my tweede besoek in Julie 2011 aan Piet
Croucamp gevra.
“Net rustig,” antwoord Piet toe. “Hy is effe soos `n mishandelde kind – onseker hoe
om met deernis om te gaan.”
Dit is `n jaar later.
Ons beweeg na die uitgang. Rondom ons kom en gaan mense deur die
veiligheidshekke. Die generaal druk sy hand in sy broeksak en vis `n beursie uit. Hy
tel `n rol note af. Druk `n duisend rand in my hand.
“Vir Gene,” sê hy. “Vir wat ookal hy nodig het. Kontak my enige tyd, meisie. Ek
help graag.”
Hy skud hand en stap saam met Daan en Carina uit. Hennie draai om na die hekke
waar hulle ingekom het.
Ek bly `n oomblik agter by die man wie se oë blink. Sy hare is nog donker, netjies
gesny. Elke haartjie platgestryk. Die oranje oorpak silwerskoon en gestryk. `n Vel
soos dié van `n veel jonger mens as die drie en sestigjarige wat voor my staan. Die
vel van `n mens wat die son nie sien nie. Hi Tech bootse wat spieëlblink gepoleer is
vir die besoek.
“Hoe was dit vir jou?” vra ek.
“Goed, baie goed. Sê asseblief vir die generaal ek is jammer oor alles wat ek
aangevang het.” Hy praat vinnig, kyk agtertoe na die deur wat lei na die
tralievertrek.
“Jy weet dis nie nodig nie,” sê ek. Hy sit sy linkerarm om my, druk my stewig vas,
kyk weer agtertoe. “Die dinge is verby.”
“Sê dit in elk geval vir hom. En –“ Sy oë is blou, asof wind daardeur waai.
En ek dink aan die aartsengel Michael. Dit is asof ek een ken, een met `n vlerk wat
lelik seergekry het lank, lank voordat hy Koevoet verlaat het.
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Copernicus: On Favour / Barmhartigheid
The following words are engraved on his tombstone in the cemetery of
Frauenburg:
Die volgende woorde op sy grafsteen gegraveer word in die
begraafplaas van Frauenburg:
"Oh Lord I ask not the grace accorded to Paul; nor that given to Peter; give me only
the favour which Thou didst show to the thief on the cross."
"O Here, die geloof wat U aan Paulus gegee het, kan ek nie vra nie; die genade wat
U aan Petrus bewys het, kan ek nie vra nie; maar Here, die barmhartigheid wat U
aan die rower aan die kruis bewys het, betoon dit ook aan my."
A note by Hennie Heymans
Eugene de Kock was not my friend – BUT he was my colleague. He would have
gladly given his life for mine or any other person – and vice versa.
Few people know that Eugene de Kock is our most decorated post-WW2 policeman.
His decorations were for gallantry in the field! I have spoken to members and
former members of SWAPO, FRELIMO and to Mrs Faku whom I met at prison – all
agree that Eugene de Kock must be released.
I have spoken to my former National Party politicians whom I served with loyalty,
to my former ministers and my SAP Generals whom I served with the same loyalty,
about De Kock. We were in a war! Our peace negotiators should have looked at our
men!
I can’t escape from the fact that I am a retired Brigadier of the South African Police
and Col De Kock was one of my juniors in rank. As long as I carry a commission; I
have a moral duty towards him! On a corporative level I feel that all of us in the
SAP (or MK for that matter) are guilty! It was an “underground” war not waged by
the Queensbury Rules. And we as senior officers of the former South African Police
should do all we can to get him released. Once Col Eugene de Kock has been
released the war will be over! Nobody fought the war with “clean hands” neither
was the rules of the Geneva Convention followed.
Col Eugene de Kock was sent to foreign countries where he was engaged in covert
operations. Did he have a choice? He is – in my humble opinion – a victim of the
system. He should be viewed as a Prisoner of War. He was first trained by the SADF
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and then by the SAP. However Col de Kock told me: “I fought, but once the whistle
was blown to end the game, I stopped fighting.”
I am a product of the liberal University of Natal (Durban) where I studied with
people like Steve Biko (who did Medicine) and Griffiths Mxenge (Law).
(Incidentally I was Griffiths’ cell guard when he was detained at SAP King’s Rest.
We graduated on the same night. Ironically his son, Mbasa is head of Polmed!)
Regretfully these men like Biko and Mxenge were also victims of the War. Had they
been alive I would have approached them to help me in the release of Col E de Kock.
To detain Col De Kock any further serves no real purpose! They might have agreed?
At university in Law we were taught that justice must be tempered with mercy.
Soldiers and policemen kill, magistrates and judges sentence people to prison
however like Christ, kings and presidents can show favour to criminals and pardon
them!
At Pretoria Prison: “They have forgiven Col de Kock! Why can’t you?”
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6. PERSONALITIES & BIOGRAFICAL DICTIONARY/
PERSOONLIKHEDE / BIOGRAFIESE WOORDEBOEK
6.1 Nr 22003 kol Octavo Malherbe : Philip Malherbe
Party polisiemanne gaan deur hul hele polisieloopbane as maar net nog
‘n polisiebeampte. Doen hul werk getrou, is maar net altyd daar en tree
rustig aan die einde van ‘n lang loopbaan af,waarna hulle maar stil-stil
in die gemeenskap in verdwyn.
Dan is daar weer die polisiemanne wie se loopbane so uitstaan, dat hulle net
eenvoudig nooit vergeet word nie. So ‘n polisieman was wylekol. Octavo Philip
Malherbe, wat die eerste lewenslig in 1928 op Piketberg aanskou het, waar sy pa,
nog ‘n Octavo Philip, ‘n sendeling was.
Hy is later getroud met Cornelia Viljoen van Montagu en vier kinders, Philip, Eline,
Johan en Andre is uit die huwelik gebore. Johan is in 1973 oorlede.
Hy was die agste kind in die huis gewees en geld was maar skaars. Sendelinge het
daai jare, soos waarskynlik maar vandag nog, mos nie baie geld gekry nie. Daar
word gesê ‘n sendeling se salaris destyds was omtrent maar helfte van wat die
predikante van die kerke verdien het. Piketberg het ‘n groot kleurlinggemeenskap
gehad, wat self brandarm was, maar waar daar geen gebrek aan liefde was nie.
Liefde in die Malherbe-huis en liefde onder die gemeenskap vir mekaar. Dit was ‘n
gelukkige gemeenskap.
Van kleins af het die jong Octavo in alles belanggestel wat meganies gewerk het. Hy
het alles uitmekaar gehaal wat gewerk het en gewoonlik met ‘n klomp ekstra
onderdele gesit as hy dit weer aanmekaar moes sit.
Dit is derhalwe ook nie snaaks om te hoor dat hy bitter graag vir ingenieur wou
gaan studeer, maar daar was eenvoudig nie geld nie en in 1944, aan die einde van
die Tweede Wêreldoorlog sluit hy in Kaapstad by die Caledonpleinpolisiestasie by
die polisie aan.
As adjudant-offisier en later offisier, het hulle daai jare ‘n stokkie gedra, bamboes
wat met bruin leer oorgetrek is. Die is in die regterhand gedra en die stokkie onder
jou linker arm ingeskuif om sodoende met jou regterhand te kan salueer. Die berugte
stokkie was my pa se slaanding as ons kinders gefouteer het. As kind het ek,
wanneer my pa nie tuis was nie, dikwels met die stokkie onder my linkerarm
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rondgeloop en denkbeeldige polisiemanne gesalueer. Vandag dink ek dit is hier, die
gespeel met die polisiestokkie, waar my belangstelling begin het om ook by die
polisie aan te sluit.
Ons het ‘n wonderlike pa gehad, hy was die tipe mens wat ons vandag as “verlig”
beskou. Hy eet van kleins af met ons kinders in gesprek getree oor verskeie
onderwerpe. Hy het wyd gelees en het ‘n groot algemene kennis gehad.
Ek sal nooit vergeet hoe ek, net na ek std. 8 geslaag het, baie braaf aangekondig het
dat ek nou klaar met skool is en by die spoorweg wil gaan werk waar ek baie geld
gaan verdien. Die mond vol oor die baie geld wat ek gaan verdien, het ek van ‘n
maat gekry wat die vorige jaar std. 8 geslaag het en by die spoorweg begin het.
My ma het amper ‘n hartaanval gekry. My pa het my ma op sy gewone, rustige
manier gevra om vir ons te gaan koffie maak sodat ons twee alleen in die sitkamer
kon gesels.
My pa vra toe wat sal die werk behels, wat se betaling verwag ek, waar gaan ek bly
ensovoorts. My skietgoed was gereed en met my maat se inligting, vertel ek hul ek
as ‘n stoker gaan werk waar ek ‘n klomp geld gaan verdien. Ek staan my man en sê
ek gaan sommer op die trein agter by die “guard” slaap en dan maar net weer inval
en werk.
Kalm en rustig slaan my pa my reg tussen die oë met die volgende opmerkings:
“Wat dan nou van die rokvolk?” Ek het toe mos ‘n skoolkys gehad! Blitsig antwoord
ek: “Nee sy sal verstaan”.
My pa is nie klaar nie en slaan terug met: “As jy nou so deur die land rondreis en
kole gooi, hoe dikwels kan jy by die huis aankom?”
Ek is weergereed met ‘n blitsig geantwoord: “Hulle sê na so ‘n maand, as jy baie
oortyd gewerk het, het jy baie geld,dan kan ek vir haar mooi presente koop.”
Weer was my pa reg met sy volgende vraag: “Maar wat intussen met die
skoolkonsert, debatte, volkspele, sportbyeenkomste en sokkieaande?Moet jou kys
nou maar by die huis sit? Wat van jou maats wat maar net te gretig is om die gaping
te vul wat jy gaan laat?”
Hierdie vrae het my klaar twee keer laat besin. Ek was klaar nie meer heel te mal so
braaf nie.
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Met sy volgende vraag slaan my pa heel diplomaties die laaste spyker in die
doodskis in. Hy boul my pens en pootjies met sy volgende vraag:“Wat nou van jou
sport? Enige atleet moet darem seker so twee of drie keer per week oefen om ‘n
eerstespan te haal?” Dit was maar ‘n klein skooltjie waar ek aan rugby, krieket,
atletiek, tennis en swem deelgeneem het en boonop vir die eerstespanne gespeel
het.“As jy nou uit die skool gaan, sal jy vir die dorp moet speel, waar ‘n paar
hardebaarde vir jou wag. Is jy bereid om nou weer van onder te begin en by die
derde span in te val?”
Nodeloos om te sê, net daar, op daai oomblik, het my hele droomwêreld soos ‘n
kaartehuis in stukke gespat. Ek het my skoolopleiding voltooi, by die polisie
aangesluit en die res is, soos hulle sê, geskiedenis.
As die jongste kind, het hy van kleins af grootgeword met die ouerbroers en susters
wat die huiswerk moes doen. Wanneer die kinders onderwyser gespeel het was my
pa altyd die leerling.
Dat hy sy lesse ter harte geneem het blyk uit die feit dat hy sub A & B (vandag gr. 1
en 2) in dieselfde jaar gedoen het. Die volgende jaar het hy ook std.1 en 2 in een jaar
gedoen. Hy het matriek geslaag toe hy net sestien was.
My pa was een van min polisiebeamptes wat in al vier die ou provinsies gewerk het:
In die Kaap, wat vandag bekend is as die Wes-Kaap, het hy in Oos-Londen, Port
Nolloth (het die wielgestap) en by die Seepuntpolisiestasie in Kaapstad gewerk.
In Natal (vandag KwaZulu-Natal) het hy diep spore getrap in Dundee,
Pietermaritzburg en Durban.
In die Vrystaat was hy gestasioneer te Bothaville, Welkom en Bethulie. In die
destydse Transvaal, vandag Gauteng, was hy in Kemptonpark en Boksburg aan die
destydse Oos-Rand gestasioneer. (Vandag staan die gebied bekend as Ekurhuleni)
Ek dink ons was ook een van die min gesinne waar lede van die gesin op dieselfde
tyd in al vier die voormalige provinsies gewerk het.
My suster as onderwyser in Mosselbaai, my pa as polisiebeampte in
Pietermaritzburg, my broer as mynwerker in Welkom terwyl ek as polisieman in
Soweto gestasioneer was.
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Wat my betref was my pa se beste jare die tyd toe hy as distrikskommandant vir die
Suid-Vrystaat op Bethulie gestasioneer was. Hier is daar nog kennis gemaak met die
“sout van die aarde”. Mense wat nog omgegee het vir mekaar.
As distrikskommandant het my pa gevoel hy moes ‘n voorbeeld stel aan die
polisiemanne deur ‘n derde taal aan te leer. Hy het Suid-Sotho geleer. Hiervoor is ‘n
maandelikse toelae deur die polisie aan hom betaal.
My pa was ‘n kranige tennisspeler, wat baie jare elke jaar Pretoria toe is om sy slag te
gaan toon in die jaarlikse polisietenniskampioenskappe.
Toe hy na 40 jaar diens afgetree het, het hy en my ma in Saldanhabaai gaan woon.
Hy het ‘n klein bootjie, wat hy “Donsie” genoem het aangeskaf en as visser- en
kreefman het hy homself behoorlik geniet. Soos hulle sê, hy het hom gate uit geniet.
Hy is op 1 Julie 2010, in die ouderdom van 82 jaar, oorlede.
6.2 Genl MCW Geldenhuys - Paul Greyling
Paul moes in 1995 weens mediese redes, na 28 jaar diens, uit die polisie uitree. Hy
woon sedert 2000 op Stilfontein en is baie betrokke by welsynwerk in sy gebied. Hy
is ook lid van die MOTH Klub (Memorable Order of Tin Hats), SAAFA (South
African Airforce Association en SA Legioen. Hy dien op die bestuur van die
MOTH’s en die SA Legion. Hy het in 2002 by sy plaaslike emeenskapspolisiëringsforum
(GPF) ingeskakel en is reeds die afgelope drie jaar voorsitter van die organisasie.
Baie polisiebeamptes het baie verhaaltjies te vertelle oor genl. Mike Geldenhuys,
oudste lewende voormalige kommissaris van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiemag. Een
so polisieman is Paul Greyling. Paul skryf:
Hiermee wil ek graag ‘n staaltjie vertel van een voorval waar ek persoonlik met die
generaal te doene gehad het. Die voorval het aan my bewys dat hy eerstens ‘n mens-
mens, en nie ‘n ongenaakbare, geharde persoon is nie. Die wyse waarop hy
ondergeskiktes behandel het was ongelooflik en mens het die indruk gekry hy gee
werklik om, stel werklik in jou as persoon belang. Voor ek met die storie begin wil
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ek net sê, dit is hoekom ek hom altyd sal beskou as een van die beste offisiere wat ek
geken het. Ek sal altyd met eerbied aan hom dink.
Gedurende die laat jare sewentigs – vroeë jare tagtigs, was ek ‘n adjudant-offisier en
takbevelvoerder van die speurders, gestasioneer te Honeydew. Gedurende die
tydperk was daar maar oral ‘n tekort aan mannekrag. By Honeydew was dit so erg
dat daar net drie aflossings was met een blanke lid wat die werk van die
aanklagtekantoor- en wyksersant moes behartig. Die lid, getroud of ongetroud, het
in die middae om 13:45 vir diens aangemeld. Om 22:00 het hy in die kaserne
oornag om klagtes by te woon wat na 22:00 aangemeld word. Hy het dan weer om
05:45 aan diens rapporteer tot 14:00 wanneer hy afgelos is deur die volgende lid.
Genl. Geldenhuys het daardie tyd op ‘n kleinhoewe by Muldersdrift gewoon en, as
ek reg onthou by ‘n dame in Randburg gekuier. Verskeie kere het dit dan ook gebeur
dat hy na ‘n kuier by haar, sommer by die polisiestasie ingeloer het. Tydens die
besoeke het hy altyd inskrywings in die voorvalleboek gemaak.
Soos almal wat daai tyd daar gestasioneer was, sal onthou, was so ‘n besoek in ‘n
baie ernstige lig beskou. Die volgende dag is afskrifte van die generaal se
inskrywings gemaak en dadelik aan die distrikskommandant en die kantoor van die
afdelingskommissaris gestuur. Indien daar enige opmerkings gemaak was deur die
generaal moes daar ook ‘n verslag saamgegaan het oor die stappe wat geneem
word om aan die opmerkings aandag te gee.
Op ‘n betrokke dag het ek die aand ‘n telefoonoproep ontvang waar een van die
swart lede my meegedeel het dat die blanke lid, ene konst. Hall, homself per
ongeluk in die been geskiet het toe hy ‘n ontsnapte prisonier in hegtenis wou neem.
Ek het dadelik na die polisiestasie gegaan waar ek konst. Hall aangetref het. Hy het
net ‘n paar lappe op die wonde gesit en eenvoudig met sy werk aangegaan asof niks
gebeur het nie. Ek het dadelik die nooddienste laat kom wat hom, ten spyte van
erge teestribbeling aan sy kant, hospitaal toe geneem het. Ek het toe ook die nodige
telefoniese rapporte aan die stasiebevelvoerder, distrikspeuroffisier,
distrikskommandant en die afdeling gemaak.
Daarna het ek namens die lid ‘n inskrywing van die gebeure in die voorvalleboek
gemaak en sommer oordrag aan die swart lid ook geskryf. Na voorlopige ondersoek
op die toneel het ek aan van die swart speurders opdrag gegee om die toneel te
beveilig totdat ek terug was by die stasie. Ek het konst. Hall se ouers gebel en gereël
dat ek hulle by die hospitaal kan ontmoet. Ek het by die hospitaal seker gemaak dat
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hy behoorlike mediese behandeling kry en dat ek hom in goeie hande agterlaat en
het na die polisiestasie teruggekeer.
Daar aangekom het daar twee voertuie voor die aanklagtekantoor gestaan, waarvan
een baie beslis ‘n amptelike voertuig was. Toe ek in die aanklagtekantoor instap –
wie staan daar, niemand anders as genl. Geldenhuys nie. Hy het een van sy
onverwagse maar baie welkome, besoeke gedoen. Die eerste vraag wat hy gevra het,
het gegaan oor die welstand van konst. Hall. Nadat ek hom al die inligting gegee
het, het hy in die voorvalleboek ‘n inskrywing van sy besoek gemaak en gery. Die
swart lid het daarna aan my vertel ‘n lid van die publiek het saam met die generaal
by die aanklagtekantoor ingestap. Die wou ‘n erkenning van skuld betaal. Dit is toe
dat genl. Geldenhuis agter die toonbank gaan staan en die persoon gehelp het.
Die volgende oggend kort na ek aan diens gekom het, het al wat leef en beef by die
distriks- en afdelingskantore my gebel oor die besoek aangesien die
stasiebevelvoerder hulle almal gebel en van die voorval vertel het.. Hulle was almal
erg bekommerd oor die feit dat hulle nie die toneel besoek het nie. Ek het hulle
gerusgestel en gesê dat ek slegs aan die generaal gesê het dat almal kennis dra van
die voorval. Tydens my gesprek met die afdelingsdiensoffisier, het ek toe ook
sommer so ‘n klein “wit leuentjie” vertel deur aan hom te se die generaal het
onderneem hy sal die tekort van lede op die stasie laat ondersoek en dit regstel
(Skuus generaal)
Die “wit leuentjie” het toe sommer dieselfde dag vrugte afgewerp aangesien daar
genoeg lede sommer (nie per “nagtrein”) met patrolliewaens aangery is met hulle
toerusting en klere sodat daar dadelik oorgeskakel kon word na vier aflossings, met
genoeg lede per aflossing. Ek weet tot vandag nog nie waar al die lede uitgekrap is
nie maar hulle is gevind.
Die feit dat die generaal op daardie stadium sommer ook nog die werk van ‘n
aanklagtekantoorsersant gedoen het, bewys net – ‘n ware polisieman in murg en
been.
As ek eerlik moet wees – ons mis mense van daardie kwaliteit, integriteit en alles
wat daarmee saamgaan.
Weereens: EK SALUEER U, GENERAAL!
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6.4 Nr 62383-2 Mariet Ferreira (Junie 1973 tot Februarie 2009)
Eendag , lank, lank gelede, is daar in die hospitaal op Caledon ;n dogtertjie gebore.
Die datum was 5 Maart 1954 en die dogtertjie se name was Marieta Magdalena
(Mariet) le Roux. Haar pappa en mamma het nie ver daarvandaan op die plaas
Seargentsriver, gewoon. In die volksmond was die plaas sommer maar net
Serjaansrivier. . Die plaas is in die omgewing van die mooi Overbergse dorpie
Greyton. So, in haar hart is sy eintlik maar 'n Greytonner. Sewentien maande later is
haar boeta gebore. Die gesinnetjie was voltallig.
Toe sy omtrent twee jaar oud was, het haar pappa 'n plaas gekoop tussen Protem en
Stormsvlei. Dit is hier waar sy in1950 die eerste keer skool toe is. Dit was 'n
eenmanskooltjie en almal was plaaskinders. Die getalle het gegroei en 'n tweede
onderwyser moes aangestel word. So gebeur dit toe dat haar mamma vir een
kwartaal afgelos het totdat die juffrou begin het. Later het die getalle drasties
afgeneem en die skoolraad het besluit die skool moes sluit. Die hele boksemdais is
Bonnievale toe waar almal koshuiskinders geword het. Hulle kon slegs naweke
plaas toe gaan. In 1971 matrikuleer sy in Bonnievale.
Moeder het my in die bankwese gesien, maar dié kind se kop het eerstens weermag
toe gestaan vir 'n jaar opleiding by die vroueleërkollege op George. My tweede keuse
was polisie toe, met verpleging as my derde keuse. Ek het teenkanting teen al drie
beroepe gekry , maar het uiteindelik op verpleging besluit. In Februarie 1972 begin ek
by die Paarl-hospitaalwerk, waar ek baie goeie ondervinding opgedoen het. Iets het
egter bly jaag aan my, die verpleging was nie heeltemal ek nie.
Ek bedank die volgende jaar en op 4 Junie 1973, word ek deur maj. Louw, ook
bekend as pappa Louw, ingesweer as lid van die polisie.. Vroeg in Julie is ek na die
polisiekollege in Pretoria vir my opleiding.. Na uitpassering is ek na John
Vorsterplein verplaas,waar ek sewe maande gestasioneer was voordat ek Kaapstad
toe verplaas is.
Ek het vier jaar in Kaapstad waar ek, onder meer skofte in die aanklagtekantoor en
by navrae gewerk het. Op skofte moes ons net binnenshuis werk wat vir hierdie
energieke jong vrou baie senutergend was. Ons het hard baklei om buite te werk en
later ook ‘beat’ te stap. Dit was 'n heerlike tydperk in Kaapstad, baie geleer en ons as
dames moes onsself bewys. Dat ons dieselfde staal in ons het as ons manlike
kollegas. Die veglus het egter nog nie bedaar nie! Die mans gaan op meganiese
kursusse en hoekom nie ons dames ook nie. Gelukkig het kapt. Mans ons gehelp
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sodat die dames ook die kursus kon doen. In September 1977 was ons op pad Benoni
toe vir ons kursus. Die bevelvoerder by die meganiese skool was baie skepties oor
ons. Hy het gevoel die dames kan nie met die groot voertuie soos ‘bigdaddy’ ry nie
en besluit ons moet net met karre ry. Dit was ao. Van Rooyen wat hom oorreed het
om die dames 'n kans te gee. Twee van ons het die kans aangegryp en hom gewys
waartoe ons in staat is. Die plaaskind het nie teleurgestel nie, maar dit was ons nie
beskore nie. “Some you win, some you loose”.
Terug in die Kaap word reëlings getref vir 'n verplasing na Benoni. In April 1978
begin ek in Benoni waar ek skofte, navrae en administratiewe werk gedoen het. Ek
tree in 1979 in die huwelik maar die huwelik word in 1981 ontbind. Tussen 1984 en
1986 doen ek diens by die onluste-eenheid in Daveyton. Vanaf 1986 tot 1988 was ek
deel van die Oos-Randse moord-en-roofeenheid in Benoni. Daarna by Oos Rand
voertuigdiefstal eenheid, ook in Benoni, tot 1991, weer terug na Benonistasie tot ek
in1993 terugkeer na die mooiste Kaap. Ek was toe soos 'n swarte wat na lang
omswerwinge weer terug tuisland toe gekom het. Word gestasioneer op Bredasdorp
waar ek weer ‘n huis koop en my alie vir die gemeenskap afwerk. Moet se die laaste
jare van my loopbaan in die polisie het ook sy tol geëis. Die nare ding wat hulle
depressie noem het my ook beetgekry...dit was 'n monster...het steeds geglo dat dit
net stres is, maar toe ek my dr sê ek dink ek moet by 'n psigiater kom...was sy
bevinding ‘major’ depressie...hy het amper pak gekry by my met die eerste afspraak
toe hy vir my lag toe ek hom antwoord dat ek ‘f@ck*d up’ is, dit is toe dat die bottel
oorloop van wat al die jare in geprop was...ja ek is daar deur en is wel.
Ek het aanhou werk tot einde Februarie 2009 toe ek met vervroegde pensioen
afgetree het met die rang van adjudant-offisier. Toemaar, ek weet julle gaan my
stenig...my gesondheid en ‘mental health’ was vir my belangriker as vyf jaar se geld.
Ek sou dit nie gemaak het nie!
Op skool het ek netbal gespeel en atletiek gedoen...diskus en gewigstoot. Ek het
tennis net vir ontspanning gespeel.. In Benoni het ek ‘volley ball’ gespeel. In die laat
jare tagtigs het ek begin met veerpyltjies (darts) en provinsiale kleure daarvoor
verwerf. Na net een jaar het ek elke jaar in die Oos-Transvaal (deesdae Mpumalanga)
die eerste span gehaal.. Nou is die veerpyltjies net sosiaal.
My familie...dis ek, myself en ekke. My vader is in 1995 oorlede, boeta in 2002 en
moeder in 2006. Ek het nooit kinders gehad nie. Ek en my skoonsus is soos susters en
my boeta se twee dogters is ook maar my kinders. Dan het ek 'n swetterjoel
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aangenome kinders...my pelle se spruite.
Ek is nou selfsugtig oor wat ek doen. Het so twee tot drie bejaarde dames wat nog
jonk van gees is by wie ek kuier en saam rondry vir inkopies en sulke dinge. Om die
tyd te verwyl, kuier ek baie en doen nou die dinge waarvoor daar nie altyd tyd was
om te doen nie. ‘Bike rallys’, kamp saam met pelle...en moenie die jaarlikse KKNK
vergeet nie...gaan vir die hele week en kyk so twee tot drie vertonings per dag...moet
my Afrikaanse kultuur opknap op 'n jaarlikse basis. Het ook al die Wildsfees op
Thabazimbi bygewoon. Nelspruit se In die Bos en Potchefstroomse Aardklop,moet
nog aan die beurt kom, maar ek wag vir my skoonsus om af te tree...ons moet dit
saam doen.
Ek is nie betrokke by enige organisasies nie. Was wel op kindersorg se bestuur terwyl
ek in Benoni was.
As ek meer detail moes gee sal die Waarheids-en-Versoeningskommissie op my
‘case’wees ... kan dit nie bekostig nie.
6.5 Ontmoet nr 00829994: Kapt Petro Heyneke
Petro Wessels is as die jongste van twee kinders agter in ‘n voertuig op pad na
Dundee hospitaal gebore My pa was ‘n polisieman, en ons het in daardie tyd baie
rondgetrek. Ek was omtrent in al vier die destydse die provinsies, asook teen die
einde van die jare sestig en begin sewentigs, selfs in Katima Mulilo in die skool. Ek
het in Aliwal-Noord gematrikuleer. Aanvanklik wou ek onderwys te gaan studeer,
maar het op die laaste nippertjie besluit ek wil polisie toe. Ek het immers in ‘n
polisiehuis groot geword, baie keer met daardie offisier stokkie ‘n pak of twee gekry.
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Binne ‘n kwessie van vier dae onderhoude en keuring deurgedraf waarna ek op 13
Februarie 1978,in die polisiekollege geattesteer is.
Na my opleiding is ek uitgeplaas na Floridapolisiestasie en beland ek by die navrae
tak. Hier het Magriet Vorster Botha my onder haar vlerk geneem en die basies
beginsels van ondersoekwerk geleer. Sy was vrek kwaai en ons het ‘n heilige respek
vir haar gehad. Hierdie grondslag het gemaak dat ons later in ons lewens vir ander
dieselfde grondslag kon neerlê.
Ek is in 1980 met Bart Heyneke getroud en twee kinders is uit ons huwelik gebore.
Ons is vandag die trotse grootouers van vyf kleinkinders wat ons tonne plesier lewe
verskaf. Ek is in 1981 na Krugersdorp verplaas en was in 1987 die eerste vrou wat by
die Wes-Randse moord-en-roofeenheid aangestel is. Die eerste week het hulle my
geleer toebroodjies steel terwyl ander vir dossiere op stasies geteken het. Hulle was
berug hiervoor en selfs nie eers die landdroste by die howe is gespaar nie. Dit was
werklik een van die vervullendste tydperke in my beroep. Ek het hoofsaaklik in
verkragtingsondersoeke gespesialiseer. Hier was ek betrokke om die eerste
beradings- kliniek met behulp van die hospitale en maatskaplike dienste op die been
te bring en het die idée van berading aan slagoffers gestalte gekry.
My man het bedank en ek het vir ‘n verplasing na Midrand gevra omrede ons
verhuis het. Ek is terug na die speurtak. Ek het nie kans gesien om die verkeer na
Germiston of Brixton aan te durf nie, en beide my kinders was op skool. Ek het op
twee geleenthede Randburg-distrik verteenwoordig as hulle Polisievrou van die jaar.
Ek is in 2000 bevorder na offisier en saam met Archie Hinton na Tembisa verplaas as
‘n groepsbevelvoerder. Ek was aan die voet van die Drakensberge neergesit. Ek het
die derde oggend op parade agter gekom hulle is besig met oggend godsdiens, ek
was so hard besig om 60 speurders se sakboeke te teken en dossiere vir die hof reg te
kry dat, ek nie eers besef het hier word nie ‘n woord Engels gepraat nie. Dit het ons
twee weke geneem om die parade na Engels oor te skakel.
Dit het my drie maande gevat om ‘n deur aan ‘n badkamer binne in die polisiestasie
te laat aansit, sodat ons die geriewe in die stasie kon gebruik. Tembisa het my
maniere en ontsaglik baie van polisiewerk geleer. Daar was 5500 dossiere
uitstaande, dit het jou gemiddeld ‘n week geneem om die sowat 400 dossiere wat
elke polisiebeampte gedra het, te inspekteer.
Ek het saam met vier mense in ‘n kantoor gesit en het gesukkel om my eie stoel by
my tafel te hou. Jou koffiekoppie was soos kontant wat op jou tafel lê. Na drie
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maande het ‘n landdros en aanklaer van die hof oorgestap na die stasie om te kom
uitvind wat veroorsaak die skielike instroming van dossiere vir geregtelike
doodsondersoeke Die mense het ‘n ander tyd en manier waarop hulle werk. Helfte
van die lede se magtiging was ingeperk en slegs ‘n handvol was rekenaarvaardig en
het toegang tot die rekenaarstelsel gehad.
Daar was honderde vuurwapens in die wapenstoor. Met tyd het ek ingeskakel en
kon nie verstaan hoekom taakspanne letterlik met handskoene aan, kom
dossierinspeksie doen nie. Ek het elke dag kos by ‘n ‘Container’ oorkant die stasie
gekry en het nooit siek geword nie. Die mense het my soos goud opgepas en ek was
nooit eers in die nag bang om alleen na ‘n misdaadtoneel te ry nie.
In ‘n kwessie van ‘n week het ek seker een van die grootste besluite moes neem. Ek
het ‘n werksaanbod gekry en moes besluit of ek na 23 jaar en 10 maande ‘n kans
moes vat. Ek het my behoorlik dood gehuil toe ek die Vrydag by Tembisa bedank
het. Ek het die Maandag, in Desember 2001, by Vodacom in Midrand begin werk.
Ek was aanvanklik aangestel in ‘n spesialisposisie en het hoofsaaklik met die polisie
en ander staatdiens agentskappe gewerk. Ek was verantwoordelik om oproepdata
en ander verwante inligting uit Vodacom uit te gee deur middel van Art 205 en
tonne ander wetgewing.
Dit was ‘n ander wêreld – rekenaars, tegnologie en ‘n kwessie van swem of verdrink.
Ek het geweet ek het my beroep agtergelaat en moes hiervan ‘n sukses maak. Na
bywoning van een hofsaak is ek aangesê om sommer van nou af alles self te doen.
Ek het in die begin van 2002 vir die eerste keer met selfoondata in kriminele sake
begin getuig. Vandag weet ek dat hierdie inligting van waardevolle belang is en dat
dit die spreekwoordelike rooi ‘cherry’ op die versierde koek is. Ek kan ook met trots
sê dat daar nog ‘n paar bekwame polisielede in die mag is wat dossiere KAN
ondersoek en groot sake met sukses deur die hof sit. Daar is ook nog ‘n handvol
bekwame staatsaanklaers en advokate oor wat ‘n passie vir hul werk het, wat
werklik uit hulle pad gaan om geregtigheid te laat geskied.
In April 2006 is ek aangestel as een van die Forensiese bestuurders. Vodacom is ‘n
omgee maatskappy om voor te werk, maar ook soos met elke werk word jou pond
vleis opgeëis. Ek reis dikwels en is ten minste twee keer per week in verskillende
provinsies om te gaan getuig. Dit bring mee dat ek dikwels 02:45 moet opstaan, 04:15
lughawe toe ry om reeds 05:30 te kan vlieg. Alles is nie net maanskyn en rose nie.
My bene bewe ook maar soms, en dit is nie maklik om met 11 verdedigingsadvokate
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in die hof te staan nie. . Ek was bevoorreg om in 2009 na Singapoer te gaan om daar
getuienis te gaan lewer.
Ek het ‘n wonderlike man wat in die week kos maak, dink hy het besluit as hy dit
nie begin doen nie, gebeur daar dalk niks nie.
By die huis is ek net Petro. Ek eet my man se skaap kerrieafval en stampmielies en
murgbene op roosterbrood. Ek is mal oor reis, en wil nog sommer by baie plekke in
die wêreld uitkom. Ek is baie lief vir lees en kosmaak, hou van blommetjies plant en
ons stap graag. Tussen die bedrywige lewe deur eet ons darem tuis gemaakte
beskuit, en ons is vurige LION ondersteuners
As ek terug kyk oor my lewe weet ek dat ek nooit hierdie werk sou kon doen sonder
die kennis van polisiewerk nie. Ons as gesin is soveel geseënd in alle opsigte, ons
het nog nooit werklik ‘n steil pad gestap nie. Ek sê elke dag daarvoor dankie, ook
vir krag en gesondheid want alleen is ons niks en niemand.
As dit die Here se wil is, hoop ons om oor 10 jaar te gaan aftreë op ons lappie grond
in die Bosveld, na ons bokkies te kyk en ons eie groente te plant.
6.6 Sers Koos Coetzee: SAP Van Reenen – Gillis van Schalkwyk (via Bibi de
Vos, Harrismith)
A/o Coetzee se laaste
stasie was SAP Louis
Botha Lughawe - HBH
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Sersant Koos Coetzee – met rybroek en kamste - loer in by die voordeur van ‘n huis in die
“Verlore Vallei” in die SAP Van Reenen-wyk. Foto: Bibi de Vos en Gillis van Schalkwyk.
6.7 SAP Van Reenen-area: The Farmers of “The Lost Valley”: A Historical
look at the De Heer and Pieterse families - Researched by Leon Strachan
and Gillis van Schalkwyk. Compiled by Gillis van Schalkwyk
The ‘Lost Valley’ legend was a fantasy concocted by Sep de Beer, then Editor of the
Harrismith Chronicle.(1948) Many informed readers will know that he was not a
stranger to exaggeration and sensationalism. The origins of the Lost Valley however,
are not as sinister or as secretive as he portrayed.
The valley is situated between the Middledale Pass and Van Reenen’s Pass both of
which connect the Eastern Free State and Natal. These passes are flanked by the
towns of Geluksburg, Swinburne and Van Reenen. Although the valley was isolated
there were five inhabited farms in the vicinity, those other farmers choosing to live
on its rim as getting to the bottom was so arduous. Access to the valley farms was
possible but very difficult. The first white farmers who chose to live in the valley
were Mr and Mrs Piet Cornelius De Heer; he was a Hollander and she a South
African.
The history of the valley and its farmers is unfortunately not well documented but
anecdotally passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Not
much is known about Piet’s early life, except that he was keen on farming and an
ardent amateur photographer. His descendants say that he farmed the family farm
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in Rotterdam before graduating with a BA from Leyden University. Efforts to try
and establish the authenticity of his degree have proved unsuccessful.
They say that in 1890 he boarded a ship that was destined for South America. He
was about 20 years old at the time. His family is not sure exactly how long he stayed
or why he decided to leave South America but it is thought he had difficulty with
the language and did not get on well with the local inhabitants. Around 1896 (he
was 27) he embarked on a ship bound for South Africa working his passage as part
of the crew. As part of his training he became proficient in basic first aid as taught by
the Red Cross. When the ship docked in Durban the young Piet de Heer decided
impulsively that he would stay on in South Africa. He wandered around Durban for
a few days but was unable to secure a job. This immediately casts doubt on his claim
of being a graduate. It would be safe to assume that if he had a degree, in any
discipline, he would have had no trouble in securing employment. He was also very
young when he left Holland perhaps not allowing for enough time to enable him to
graduate. However, being a keen photographer he took his camera and tripod and
began taking photographs and portraits of the well heeled English families living in
the Durban area. A year or so later he realised that there was not enough money in
photography to make a decent living.
Being a very resourceful man he moved to the Midlands north of Pietermaritzburg
where he quickly learnt to speak the ethnic South African language of Afrikaans.
Although Afrikaans was becoming more commonly spoken, High Dutch was the
written and official language used until the late 1930’s. De Heer started teaching
Dutch at farm schools eventually ending up in Ladysmith in Northern Natal in 1899.
There he met and married his first wife who unfortunately died a few years after
their marriage. This is the story the majority of De Heer’s descendants know and
believe.
Further research and investigation however suggests a far more adventurous version
of Piet De Heer’s arrival. When he initially left Rotterdam harbour in 1890, aged
about 15, he boarded a ship headed for Argentina. However young Piet was not a
deckhand but a stowaway. After a few days he was discovered by a crew member
with whom he became friends and was not reported to the ship’s Captain. His
newfound friend saw to his well- being by giving him food and refreshments and a
blanket to guard against the cold nights at sea. Piet was very cramped in his hiding
place in the cargo hold and had to stay there for the entire journey. On arrival in
Buenos Aires he jumped ship making his way inland to avoid the port authorities
who had been tipped off about his presence. For about six years he drifted finding
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casual work as a farmhand. Life was tough with permanent work hard to come by
due to lifestyle and language difficulties. South American labourers were simple and
very hard working and wages were largely in the form of board and lodging. De
Heer was a very thrifty man, as most Hollanders typically are and he saved most of
what money he received. He decided to leave, managing to exchange his money for
American dollars. He again stowed away on a ship now destined for South Africa.
This time he was not as fortunate and had to stay hidden for most of the journey,
only coming out after dark to scrounge and steal food in order to stay alive. When
the ship arrived in South Africa it docked in Cape Town for two days however Piet
was locked in a hold and could not get out. The next port of call was Durban where
he did manage to disembark.
If one looks at these two scenarios regarding De Heer’s arrival in South Africa, his
apparent youth and his lack of resources on leaving Holland, it would appear that
the stowaway version is probably the more likely.
From his arrival in Durban the story is similar to that told by the family, that he was
a keen photographer, bought a camera and tried to make a living as a photographer.
He reached Ladysmith around 1900 (he was about 25) where he continued teaching
at farm schools. Here he met his first wife Martha, Johanna, Susanna, Maria Mc
Duling from the Weenen District. October 1899 was the start of the Anglo Boer war,
Ladysmith was under siege from the Boers and Natal was under the control of the
British. They had decreed that any citizen who joined the Boers or supported them in
any way would be charged with treason. Some Natal farmers, suspected of being
rebels, were captured after the relief of Ladysmith and sent to Pietermaritzburg to be
incarcerated. Three of De Heer’s future brothers in law, TH, JHD and John Jacobus
Mc Duling were among those detained. Not all Afrikaaners in Natal were
sympathetic to the Boers but many, due to their ethnic background, were under
suspicion and kept under careful watch by the police. Although no evidence could
be found it is suspected that the adventurous Piet De Heer also played his part in
supporting the Boers in Northern Natal during the war. The Mc Duling Brothers
were released due to a lack of evidence against them.
De Heer, aged about 28 married Martha Mc Duling on 26 January 1903. She
unfortunately died a few years later.
The Weenen Magistrate: During the Boer war Maynard Mathew was the
Magistrate in Weenen. He played an important role as a peace keeper when he
persuaded a number of Weenen Afrikaaners to remain loyal to the British Crown
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and not to join the Boer forces in their fight against the British in Natal. Twenty five
years later, after he had retired to Van Reenen, he tragically lost a son in a mining
accident at Burnside Colliery near Dundee. He built the small church in Van Reenen
known as the Llandaff Oratory in memory of his son.
The little Roman Catholic Church, Llandaff Oratory, at Van Reenen belongs to my
Aunt, Mrs Mims West Thomas. My grandfather knew the essenstric Maynard
Mathew. He once “paid” my grandfather to take him to Harrismith and then wanted
to charge him crimminally for operating a taxi! He was a colourful character! – HBH.
In 1908 De Heer met his second wife, Susanna EJ van der Merwe and married her
on 21 April 1909. His marriage certificate gives his age as 34 which means he was
born in 1875 and was about 15 when he left Holland in 1890. Susanna was from a
farming family in Ingogo near Newcastle and had inherited a small farm in the
Ladysmith district near the Windsor Dam called Kyingubu on which they farmed.
However, it was uneconomical so they decided to sell it and look for something
bigger. Despite the selling of the land they were poor and had very little in the way
of resources. They had been told about a piece of crown land near Middledale called
Jacobs Ladder which they applied for. Their offer of two shillings and sixpence
(25cents) per acre was accepted and they bought the farm in 1910.
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Jacobs Ladder was just over one thousand acres with the bulk of the land situated in
a very deep valley with a long narrow base and surrounded by very steep hills and
kloofs on all sides. As is common in the Berg areas the hillsides were scattered with
small clumps of ouhout trees.(Leucosidea Sevicea) A crystal clear stream, the
Sandspruit, cascaded over a sheer cliff face in the south eastern area of the valley
forming a beautiful waterfall. Entrance to the farm was down the very steep sides of
the valley along well worn animal tracks. The only method of transport was by horse
or donkey, no vehicle or wagon could negotiate the steep slopes that surrounded the
valley.
Looking down the valley. Note the steep sides and kloofs
After acquiring a few goats, sheep, cattle, donkeys and chickens there was very little
money left to build a house. It is said that Piet and Susana lived in a cave at the foot
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of the steep northern cliff face for the first few months of their marriage while they
built their first home from clay and stone in front of the cave. This story is supported
by Henry Portsmouth in his book “ The Story of Wyford 1874 to 1965 “ He was
talking about how crowded their house was as a result of them having to
accommodate a large number of people due to a motor car break down that
particular weekend. He goes on “And especially on the Saturday night, our padre
and Will turned up, there were 14 in the house. Then to add to the difficulties a
neighbouring farmer and his daughter turned up. I could only put them into the
mill, but it was almost a palace compared to what they were used to. They lived in
what was later called “The Lost Valley” a valley surrounded by steep mountains,
quite hidden away, only accessible to men on foot or horseback. This man divided a
cave into two rooms then built a wooden room in front of what was his home”
The house that Piet de Heer Built when they settled in the valley.
The couple had six children, four girls and two boys. The eldest, a boy was born on 2
October 1912 and the youngest a girl on the 7 April 1921. In order of birth the
children were: Pieter Cornelius (Pieter), Aletta Johanna (Lettie), Cornelia
Magelje`(Cora), Susanna Elizabeth Jacoba (Santjie), Jacob Cornelius (Jacob) and
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Magelje` Magdalena (Martie) De Heer had a shock of red hair, also a huge pair of
hands and a typical Boer-style full beard. Of the six children five had red hair.
He was extremely thrifty and was a good, conservative farmer. His enterprise
expanded. The farm Gevaar was rented from the Fouries and farmed by his son
Jacob, whilst he and his son-in-law Flip Pieterse bought the adjoining farm The
Willows as well. De Heer paid one shilling and six pence (15cents) per acre for The
Willows.
Clearly these weren’t the actions of merely simple folk. That tag was fixed on them
because they lived a healthy, humble lifestyle in the valley without the expensive
conveniences of the time.
In contrast, the neighbouring farmers chose to live on the rim of the valley with
easier access to roads, schools and shops. Amongst these were the Moller’s on Deep
Dale, Fanie Fourie on Gevaar, Koos Engelbrecht on Border Kloof, the Badenhorsts
on Keerom and the Delports and Bouchers higher up on the western side of the
valley. The Willows was uninhabited before the De Heer family bought it.
The second house that De Heer built
At one stage in about 1955 there were approximately 60 people living in and around
the valley. These were good, proud people who, like most farmers, worked hard to
make a living for their families. And the De Heers were very much part of the
community’s social network.
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Piet de Heer, always wise and humble, became a bit eccentric as he grew older
choosing not to talk much. He kept to himself especially when there were strangers
about. This was often misinterpreted by people who did not know him, leading to
him being labelled a retard and a hermit by those who were misinformed.
If the De Heers and Pieterses could be considered reclusive families, it was because
they chose to live their lives removed from society. There are many examples in
America and elsewhere of isolated farming communities secluding themselves from
civilisation as we know it.
In the early days of their life on Jacobs Ladder de Heer practised home education.
He was quite capable of this as ten years earlier he had taught at various farm
schools in the Ladysmith region. However, this seems to have encroached on his
work time on the farm and later he sent the children to school in Geluksburg.
Philippus Petrus Pieterse (Flip, who was de Heers son in law) was orphaned at a
very young age. His birth date is uncertain but thought to be around the late 1890’s.
His uncles Freek and Jan Pieterse who fostered him said his father, Philippus Petrus
Pieterse of Heilbron, was killed and buried in the mass grave at the Battle of Spioen
Kop. The mass grave tomb stone does record the death of a Pieterse from Heilbron
but the initials differ reading J L and not P P. They took care of young Flip during
those tough years when the only work available to poor unskilled people was hard
manual labour jobs, usually break sandstone in quarries to make building blocks for
houses, sheds and walls. Years later during the great depression of 1929 -1930, he
was still with them when they joined the Govt. labour scheme designed to cater for
poor and out of work citizens. Using picks and shovels they helped carve out the
Van Reenens Pass and modify the Oliviers Hoek Pass to accommodate motor
vehicles. It was during this time that Flip was introduced to Cora de Heer by his
future brother in law Eddie Homan who also worked with them on the passes. They
were married in 1930. Flip never forgot the kindness and sacrifices his uncles made
on his behalf when they fostered him and had no hesitation of taking them with
when he and Cora returned to Jacobs Ladder. He continued caring for his uncle Jan
even after he became mentally ill and had to be transferred to Fort Napier in
Pietermaritzburg where he eventually died.
Not all of the de Heer children stayed on to continue farming. The eldest son, Pieter
left and married Chrissie Jordaan. Cornelia married Philippus Petrus Pieterse (Flip)
in 1930. Aletta married Hans Pieters in 1932 and also left the farm. Maatje’ married
Daniel Christofel Jacobus Pieters a brother of Hans Pieters and remained on the
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farm. Jacobus married Betty Greef and farmed at Gevaar for a few years. Susanna
Elizabeth De Heer (Saantjie) married Jacobus Homan (Koos).
When the first grandchildren started school they were also sent to Geluksburg
School. However, as their numbers grew, accommodation became problematic as
there was no boarding facility there and the children had to stay with friends during
the week. Subsequently, the younger children were sent to Swinburne School where
there was a boarding establishment. Sarie, a grand daughter of the De Heers and
daughter of Cora and Flip Pieterse, fondly remembers going to school with her
sisters on donkeys and letting them loose to graze in the veld next to the school. On
Friday afternoons they would catch the donkeys and ride them back to the farm.
A young teacher from Swinburne, Miss Oosthuizen, was curious about these
children who told her stories about their life in the bottom of the valley. They
described how donkeys were used to cart groceries and other items purchased in the
local towns into the valley and how they were used to carry the milk cans (cream) up
to the rim for collection. They told her that the hills were so steep that there were no
roads up or down and that no vehicle or wagon could reach the bottom. She found
this difficult to accept because she could not imagine that one could farm without
transport. The children also told her that they did not get many visitors. Curiosity
got the better of her and she arranged to go home with them for a weekend to see for
herself. She was made very welcome by the families, enjoyed a very interesting
weekend and discovered that all their accounts of farm life were accurate.
Her authentic description of the lifestyle of the De Heers and Pieterses in the valley
caught the ear of Sep de Beer, editor of the Harrismith Chronicle. He paid a visit to
the valley and wrote a sensational article on the valley folk which appeared in an
article published in July 1948. He referred to the farming families as a forgotten
people naming the valley the ‘Lost Valley’ for the first time. De Beer, known for
exaggeration, embellished a version of the truth describing them as strange people
living in seclusion in a forgotten valley in the Drakensburg. He syndicated this
article to major newspapers. De Beer’s article headlined “Dwellers in the Lost
Valley....a remote Drakensberg Chasm is home and all the world to five European
Families....” appeared in the Sunday Times of 25 July 1948 and the Natal Witness of
19 July 1948. It created an impression that the place was inhabited by a degenerate
community where intermarriage and incest were rife.
Die Huisgenoot also paid a visit to the valley and their article appeared in the 26
November 1948 issue: “THE HELL of the Freestate....primitive existence in a Lost
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Valley.” However after reading the article one is left with the feeling that the
Afrikaans version duplicated much of the Harrismith Chronicle copy.
Eighteen years later a renewed interest was taken in the valley when stories
appeared in two dailies. Die Transvaler dated 3 August 1966 wrote: “Donkeys take
food to The Lost Valley”, Whilst Brenda Skipper of the Rand Daily Mail 19 AUGUST
1966 headlined her story “PEOPLE LIVED IN REMOTE REGION FOR A
HUNDRED YEARS” in the paper. If Skipper had done even minimum research she
would have seen that Piet de Heer only left Holland in 1890 and settled in the valley
in1910. It would appear that simple math was not her strong point. Both these
versions are inaccurate as the Pieterse’s had left the floor of the valley more than a
decade earlier having rebuilt their house higher up in a more accessible place. Only
the old ruins were observed by the journalists and none of the inhabitants were
interviewed.
Then it was Patricia Glyn’s turn in 2004 when her book,” Footing with Sir Richards
Ghost” about her walk across Africa was published. After her walk past Swinburne
she had some offensive and disparaging things to say about the farmers of the Lost
Valley.
It was the media that exposed the families to the outside world, the following are
extracts from above- mentioned articles and are included to give readers an insight
to the degrading and defamatory remarks made by them against the farmers of
Jacobs Ladder.
Extracts from the Harrismith Chronicle: (Sep de Beer):
1.“Hard and rough as their existence is, some of these forgotten people do not lack
money or land---but run away at the sight of people”
This statement is fervently denied by Sarie Bodenstein (granddaughter of Piet and
Susana de Heer) and she refers to a photo that the families gladly posed for.
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The family posing for the camera as described by Sarie Bodenstein. Note the great coat on
the extreme left of the photo.
2. “In that man’s house there are three bedrooms and three beds and the night before
I saw 19 people had slept there...”
At that stage Flip and Cora Pieterse had 8 children. De Beer conveniently omitted to
report that they had just finished their new house that had 5 bedrooms and two
rondavels with more than enough space for everyone. It was school holidays and the
older children had some friends down for a few days.
3. “One old man, clad only in a great coat with a huge wooden pin keeping it closed
was herding goats....When I produced a camera he loped off with the agility of a
mountain goat although he could not have been a day under 60 yrs old”.
It was winter after all, how was he supposed to dress. Herding goats over that rocky
terrain would require one to be extremely agile, even at 60.
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4. “Intermarriage was invariably taking place, for there are no new recruits from
outside to join the LOST VALLEY dwellers. In one family of five sisters four have
the same surname. They married three brothers and a cousin from another family.
Each husband is a distant relative of his wife.”
Sep de Beer got it wrong. There were only 4 sisters and not 5. Three of them married
two Pieters brothers and a cousin from the Pieterse family as confirmed by Sarie, a
daughter of Cornelia, one of those three sisters. Alta Roux has done extensive
research into the De Heer/ Pieterse families and has disproved this statement of de
Beer beyond doubt. Her De Heer family tree “Modified Register for Pieter Cornelius
De Heer” covers four generations dating back from 1912 to 2003.
5. “Some of the very young children are completely wild. I found one toddler
romping with a group of dogs. Shortly after he nipped my leg. He had entered so
much into his game of being a dog that he was prepared to bite my leg”.
De beer appears to contradict himself here. First he claims that the people flee at the
sight of strangers, now they fearlessly attack him. Who knows what goes on in the
mind of a toddler when he is playing his favourite game.
6. In a dark little hut an old man lay unconscious on a bed. He was dying but was
fully clothed, even to having his veld skoene on his feet and his hat on his head---to
keep out the cold I was told”
It is sad that he did not go to the trouble of researching these people before visiting
them. They did after all go to Harrismith and Swinburne regularly on business and
for provisions. An interview with Flip Pieterse would have made his article less
sensational and more credible. His son Fanie who was a lad of 14 at the time says the
man could have been one of his father’s uncles taking a nap. Other than Piet de Heer
who died the previous year, there were no other recorded deaths over that period.
Rand Daily Mail
Extracts from the Rand Daily Mail (Brenda Skipper and photographer Tom Killoran)
1.“For more than a hundred years, inhabitants lived quietly in their remote
mountain fastness, a steep cliff path their only gateway to the outside world.”
The first white people on the farm were the De Heers. The farm was purchased by
them in 1910. The first child, a son was born there on 2 Oct. 1912. Piet De Heer was
the midwife.
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2.“Their ancestors had squatted on the land years ago, and now it would revert to
the government.”
These farmers were never squatters on the land. The land was purchased by the De
Heers in1910. Although the elder Pieterses retired in nearby Geluksburg in 1976,
they kept on farming the land, and still do. The land now belongs to two of the late
Flip Pieterse’s sons Japie and Martinus.
Patricia Glyn’s story on the People of the lost Valley in her book “Footing with Sir
Richards Ghost” 2004 (Patricia Glyn)
Glyn’s statements:
1.“At the time when the trekkers came through this area a group of about five
families who were tired of being chased around the continent by both Brit and Black,
saw this valley and were attracted by its seclusion so they settled there.”
2.“They were completely cut off from the outside world for about 100 years until
they were discovered by a Rand daily Mail journalist in 1966.”
3.“Their wattle and daub hovels were carved out of the mountain side; they had no
running water, no education, not even candles for after dark activities. Mind you
nature would have abhorred shining a light on those activities.”
4.“the handful of families had interbred for five or six generations until they
developed the gross features of “Hill-Billies” all around the world - Flattened noses,
stunted limbs, and slack jawed mouths crowded with enormous teeth.
5.“Eventually the apartheid government decided that their hideaway must be
flushed out and the lost ones wrenched back into the literate world, so they were
settled in Geluksburg where the last of them died in 2004.
Ms Glyn is completely incorrect in all her facts and assumptions, she never ever met
any of the families.
Kees Bottersma a Lost Valley enthusiast and Leon Strachan a lifelong farmer in the
Swinburne district and acknowledged Lost Valley expert both criticized her for
circulating a false and irresponsible version of the facts.
Extracts from Kees Bottersma’s comments regarding Glyn’s statements:
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Mr. Bottersma’s letter starts thus. “Why is she so cruel” Patricia Glyn’s Book,
“Footing......”....the People of the Lost Valley........what follows is a malicious injustice
to the families who once lived in that valley. .....These stories are simply malicious
and without substance and do a gross injustice to the De Heer and Pieterse families.
Ms Glyn should really have known better.
Bottersma goes on...”what moves Ms Glyn to be so devastatingly cruel? Please don’t
tell me it’s a British superiority complex all over again, what on earth was she
thinking.
6. His letter to Ms Glyn ...........”I have taken the decision to write to you when I
found this quote on your website. “I apologised for the hurts I’d caused and
celebrated the contributions I have made.....”
Understandably the families were upset and hurt by these assumptions and
accusations. Patricia Glyn claims that when she became aware of her incorrect
interpretation of the facts she apologised publicly to the families. This is vehemently
denied by Sarie Bodenstein and Fanie Pieterse, both grandchildren of De Heer, who
say they are unaware of any apology made to the family.
Sarie Bodenstein, a granddaughter of Piet and Susana De Heer recounts her
memories of growing up on the farm. She was born and grew up on the farm and is
the daughter of Cornelia De Heer and Flip Pieterse .
Sarie’s hand written article.
During an interview with her at her home she said she would like to dedicate her
article to the memory of her late mother Cornelia de Heer the second daughter of
Piet and Susana de Heer and wife of Flip Pieterse from Heilbron.
“My Mom met my Dad when she was about 17 or 18 yrs old. My dad, his two sisters
and his mother, Ouma Anna, and his Stepfather Gert Slabbert came to Harrismith
during the depression to find work. My dad’s own father, Philippus Pieterse was
killed and buried in the mass grave at the Battle of Spioen Kop. Ouma Anna and my
dad’s two uncles and his stepdad arrived in Harrismith with all their belongings in
their ox wagons. My dad and his uncles joined the state scheme that was set up in
the depression to help poor people and jobless people. They had to work very hard
quarrying stones with picks and shovels. They worked near Memel and Verkykers
Kop and in the Harrismith areas breaking stones and packing stones, building stone
sheds and stone walls and stone houses. Next thing they were moved to the Van
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Reenen area where they helped clear the hillside to make way for the new road that
would become Van Reenens Pass. From here they moved to Bergville to start work
on the Olivier’s Hoek Pass. After this they worked on the Middledale Pass from
Tintwa to Geluksburg.
My mom and dad were married at Bergville on the 18 November 1930 and moved to
the Harrismith district to the farm Sarclet. My eldest sister Susanna was born here
0n 13-6-1932 and then my brother Fannie on the 12-5-1933.
In 1934 Oupa Slabbert became very ill and died, he was buried at Geluksburg. My
parents decided to go back to the valley, the place of my mom’s birth. On the trek
down, uncle Freek slipped and landed on a sharp object which caused him to go
blind. Dad’s other uncle, Jan, came back from the war rather badly shell shocked, he
was very confused and often swore a lot which I can remember.
This is how my mom and dad and my Ouma Anna and his two sisters and his two
uncles landed with Oupa Piet de Heer on his farm. Oupa Piet made some land
available to my dad and told him to farm it and build a house on it. This is how it all
began for us. My dad built us a house and bought some cattle, sheep, goats,
chickens, donkeys and horses and started farming.
This was when my mom’s other sister and one brother left and got married.(not to
each other) My uncle Jacob de Heer, my mom’s other brother and his wife and
children lived and farmed on the farm Gevaar which my Oupa leased from the
Fouries.
My dad now realised that all the bad things people said about Oupa Piet were not
true. He was a good man with a heart of gold. My mom had fifteen children; two
were still born and one, a little boy of three years died on the farm. My dad took him
to Doctor Hagen in Harrismith but he was too ill and lapsed into a coma and died.
My Oupa became ill so my dad also took him to see Doctor Hagen. He did recover a
little but soon became ill again. My dad took him back to the doctor and then they
went on to see Oupa’s lawyer Mr. Barney Neveling to complete his will. Oupa died
in 1947 and was buried on the farm.
After his death things just got worse. Oupa Piet had left most of his estate to my
mom who always cared for him. This is when all the gossip started in the news
papers. They invaded the farm and started calling it The Lost Valley and called us
retards and recluses and other mean things. It made us very unhappy.
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Uncle Jacob left Gevaar with his family and relocated to Glencoe.
My brothers and sisters first went to school in Geluksburg, there were no boarding
facilities at the school and they stayed with aunty Marie Ries and came home to the
farm on Fridays. They would go back on Sunday in time to attend Sunday school
and Church where all the children were baptised.
My father decided to build a bigger house nearer to Geluksburg at Jacobs Ladder in
order for the children to be closer to school. My dad and Uncle Sarel Greef built a
three bedroom house with a sit down kitchen, a pantry, two extra rooms for my
mom and two step sisters and a room for Uncle Freek and Uncle Jan. They also built
big rondawels.
The house Flip built nearer Geluksburg. Note the steep hills and kloofs
“Now that was worth the effort” my dad said when they finished the house. “It was
built with my own hands”. Dad always believed that if you started a thing you
should finish it. This is where their other two daughters and three sons were born.
We were twelve children then.
My sisters Cornelia, Getruide, Aletta and I went to school in Swinburne. On
Mondays we went to school on donkeys and horseback. During the week we stayed
with Mr. Van Tonder at the boarding school and on Fridays dad came to fetch us.
When it became too much for dad to fetch us each week and still farm, he bought a
house in Geluksburg where we lived with mom. Dad and my brother Piet carried on
with the farming.
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Ouma de Heer passed away in 1968 in Harrismith, two weeks after her one
hundredth birthday. My dad died in 1978 and was buried in Geluksburg. Exactly
twenty two years later in 2000, my mom also died and was buried in Geluksburg.
That was how it all started and ended, all the lovely memories and history about our
family and my Oupa and Ouma De Heer.
If it’s God’s will I would always love to sit back and think about it and talk about
those times.”
Signed: Sarie Bodenstein.
Note: The mass grave tombstone at Spioen Kop does record the death of a Pieterse
of Heilbron but the initials are incorrect.
Contrary to media reports Sarie says that the families were quite a social lot and
regularly arranged dance parties on a rotational basis between the valley
communities. They had an old windup gramophone and a few 78rpm shellac
records which they would take to the host farmhouse on each occasion. The ladies
would ride the donkeys to these parties up the steep hillsides and walk to those in
the valley floor.
Farming Jacobs Ladder was totally a different story to farming most other farms. All
the products brought in from outside had to be carted by donkeys and horses. One
can imagine the effort it required to bring down furniture, appliances and building
materials to the valley floor. It demanded a great deal of skill to load the pack
animals in order to maintain their balance up and down those treacherous steep
hillside pathways. Dad Flip and son Fannie Pieterse were the accepted experts when
it came to packing donkeys and horses. They are said to have loaded 2m galvanised
corrugated sheets on either side of the animal before directing the encased animals
down those very steep banks. And so it went with all furniture and appliances
required in the homes. The biggest challenge was getting the coal fired Dover stoves
down those slopes. Again Flip to the rescue, he simply stripped them, loaded the
donkeys with the parts and reassembled them when they reached the bottom.
Fannie Pieterse tells how he made special saddle harnesses for the donkeys to carry
the cream cans up the steep hills to meet the milk lorry on the side of the road at the
top of the Kloof. Once the cans were swopped (full for empty) they were strapped
back on the donkeys for the return trip. He was very proud of his donkeys and
claims that they became so accustomed to the trip up and down the mountain that
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once loaded they would go up to the road unaided, wait for the cans to be swopped
and re-strapped and then return back to the farm un-attended .
The family tells that Piet De Heer never learned to ride a horse. He simply walked to
wherever he wanted to go, be it Swinburne, Geluksburg or Van Reenen. All the
cattle, sheep and goats had to be herded to the Swinburne stock yard where they
could be sold. Piet De Heer and Flip Pieterse were very thrifty farmers. They farmed
cheaply and made reasonably good money which they saved and kept loose at
home. They saw money only as a means to an end. You could only acquire what you
needed if you had enough of it hence they did not waste it. As a result they were
fairly well off. Like most farmers of the day they used oxen to plough with and pull
their sledges which were used to move implements around the farm. Contrary to the
newspaper reports there was always a plentiful supply of fresh crops and meat.
Maize, cabbages, potatoes and pumpkins were planted for their own consumption
only. There was also an orchard where they grew various fruits such as apples,
peaches, plums, apricots, figs etc. that would be used to make jams and preserved
fruits. Ouma De Heer had an outside clay oven in her back yard that was used to
bake bread, biscuits and Sunday roasts. She took a pride in her culinary expertise
and like any good mother and granny made sure that these skills were passed on to
the women in the family. Sheep, pigs, goats and chickens ensured that there was
always a plentiful supply of fresh meat. Flip Pieters would slaughter oxen twice a
year for meat and biltong. The skins would be tanned and used to make shoes and
riempies for harnesses and plough ropes. There was no water supply to the houses.
All water requirements would be carried from the crystal clear Sandspruit stream in
buckets and milk cans to the houses. That was not as strange as the press made out.
One just has to look at some of our informal settlements of today (2012) where water
is still carried to the homes in containers. In the early days, pre 1950, there were also
no lights in the homes on the farms. Asked about this by one of the newspaper
reporters, Flip Pieterse gave a classic answer. “When it is dark we sleep and when it
is light we don’t need candles” As a result of his years of working for the Govt.
depression scheme, Flip became quite a skilled stone mason as can be seen by the
quality of the second house he built nearer to Geluksburg to make it easier for the
children to attend school.
Fannie Pieterse owned the first motor vehicle in the family. His father Flip bought
him a Vauxhall when he left home to start work in Heilbron as a young man of 22 in
1956.
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Life in the Lost Valley, though tough, certainly seems to have given longevity to the
majority of those who once lived there. Ouma Susana De Heer passed away in
Harrismith two weeks after her 100th birthday in 1965. She is buried next to her
husband, Piet on the farm near the waterfall. Her coffin was carried down those
tortuous slopes by her grandchildren. The Pieterses, Cora and Flip were in their 80’s
when they died. There were 15 children born to the Pieterses between 1931 and 1958,
apart from 2 stillborn infants and one child death, 12 are still alive and well today.
Piet De Heer died in 1947, he was 78. Even in death he managed to create a
controversy. He left most of his estate to his daughter Cornelia Pieterse. She was the
one who looked after him and cared for him when he was unwell. He initiated an
“Erfpag” and stipulated in his will that the farm could never be divided up and sold
to strangers but had to remain in the family.
The waterfall near to where Piet and Susana de Heer are buried.
References and Acknowledgments:
• Leon Strachan
• Bie Bie de Vos
• Sarie Bodenstein
• Fanie Pieterse
• Alta Roux
• Kees Bottersma
• JM Wasserman Phd Thesis:- The Natal Afrikaaner and the Boer War
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• The Harrismith Chronicle
• Die Huisgenoot
• The Sunday Times
• The Natal Witness
• Die Transvaaler
• Rand Daily Mail
6.8 Nr. 21719 oud-sao Stan Hawkins
Hennie........Ontmoet oud-sao Stan Hawkins wat ek na al
die jare weer by 'n ouetehuis in die Wes-Kaap opgespoor
het. Oom Stan Hawkins sluit by die S.A.Polisie in 1946
aan met mag Nr. 21719 troep 25 . Nadat hy sy kursus in
die Polisie Depot in 1946 voltooi het was hy na Oos
Londen verplaas en toe na Kaapstad. Ongeveer 2jaar later
is hy na Jeppe verplaas waar hy oorgeplaas was na die
speurdertak. Oom Stan was by al die stasies in Jeppe
distrik gestasioneer Denver, Julesstraat, Bez-Valley en
Denver. Tot en met sy aftrede. Ek ken Oom Stan van die
Jare 1979 tot 1984 toe ek saam met hom te Cleveland
Speurtak gewerk het. Na sy Aftrede te Cleveland het hy
weer as Tydelike Speur Adjudant Offisier diens verrig.
Ek is toe na John Vorsterplein verplaas. Ek het nog
gereeld by die Speurtak Cleveland gekom en het in 1985
verneem dat Oom Stan finaal afgetree en verhuis het na
die Kaap al ons Kollegas het maar geglo dat Oom Stan al
oorlede was aangesien niemand weer van hom gehoor
het nie. Net voordat ek ook na die Wes-Kaap verhuis het.
Het Kaptein Nico Baard my "n selfoon nommer gegee hy het vermoed dat dit Oom
Stan se nommer was. Ek woon nou in Claremont Wes-Kaap vir die afgelope 3
maande. Ek het toe die selfoon nommer probeer en dit was toe sy nommer. Ek het
Oom Stan by 'n Ouetehuis in Plumstead Wes-Kaap opgespoor. Hy is nou 88 jaar oud
en sy gesondheid is nog redelik goed. Hy was baie bly om my weer te sien...hy stuur
met trane in sy oe groete aan al die kollegas. Oom Stan was 'n baie bekwame
ondersoeker van ernstige misdaad en jy kon Oom Stan enige tyd vir advies vra en
hy het gehelp waar hy kon. Oom Stan het oor die 40 jaar saam met sy tydelike diens
voltooi. Ek sal nou gereeld vir Oom Stan in die Ouetehuis gaan Kuier waar ek hom
op hoogte van alles sal hou. Ek stuur 2 foto’s van Oom Stan hiermee saam. Ek stuur
ook een foto geneem in 1979 toe Oom Stan nog saam met ons te Cleveland speurtak
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gewerk het. Hy sit links voor. "Oom Stan ons Salueer jou en bly om jou weer te kon
opspoor". God seën jou dat jy nog vele jare se gesondheid sal geniet. Groete Koot
Van Schalkwyk.!!!
6.9 Brig CC “Curt” von Keiserlingk: Pottie Potgieter
Wanneer die naam kol. Curt von Keiserlink genoem word,
dink ek met groot heimwee terug aan die tye in 1967 toe
sy persoonlike motorbestuurder was. Daar is eindelose
verhaaltjies oor die legendariese offisier. Hier is slegs een
van hulle.
Ek het daai jare in die ou Marshallstraat-kaserne gebly en
nie in die John Voster- kaserne nie. Derhalwe het ek
magtiging gehad om die amptelike voertuig daar te
parkeer sodat ek, wanneer nodig, vinnig kon reageer as
die kolonel my benodig het. Hy het net die dienskantoor
gebel waarna hulle dan vir my laat weet dat hy my soek.
Hy het dan ook sommer laat weet en of ek sivies of
uniform moes aantrek.
So gebeur dit dan ook eenaand dat die dienssersant my kom roep het met die
boodskap die kolonel soek my dringend en ek moet sommer sivies aantrek.
So gesê so gedaan. Ek is met ‘n spoed daar weg na die Hougton Klub om hom te
gaan oplaai. Toe ek daar aankom, het hy reeds vir my gestaan en wag. Ek kon
dadelik sien hy is dik moerig. Toe ek by hom stop klim hy in en blaf ‘n enkele
woord: Hillbrow. Ek het so in my enigheid gedink “vanaad is die ouens op Hillbrow
diep in iets waarin ek nie graag sal wil wees nie”. Ek het skaars gestop, wou nog
parkeer, toe is hy klaar uit die kar en op pad aanklagtekantoor toe. Ek parkeer
inderhaas en vat self vinnig die pad aanklagtekantoor toe, net vir ingeval ek daar
benodig word.
Terwyl ek nog op pad was na die aanklagtekantoor, hoor ek net ‘n gebrul soos ‘n
leeu met tandpyn. Die volgende oomblik het ek gesien mense wat in alle rigtings
hardloop.
Hase, polisiemanne, prisoniere, “you name it” hulle spander in alle rigtings.
Ek storm die aanklagtekantoor binne, loer versigtig in om te kyk wat aangaan, daar
sit die kolonel stoksielalleen agter die toonbank. Oral kon jy mense sien wat
versigtig om hoeke en draaie uitloer, maar niemand het dit gewaag om nader te
gaan nie. Ek het toe ook maar gaan stilstaan, sonder om ‘n woord te se of om dit te
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waag om die aaklagtekantoor binne te gaan nie. Ek het so gestaan dat die kolonel
my darem kon sien as hy my sou benodig, kon hy net praat, ek was daar.
Ek sien hy skryf in ‘n vaal donkie, waarna hy ook die ander registers nadergetrek en
in elke register het hy iets geksryf. Toe hy klaar was met die geskrywery het hy agter
die toonbank uitgestap, by my verby geloop en net gebulder “huis toe.”
Van die oomblik dat hy in die motor geklim het, totdat ons by die huis aangekom
het, het hy nie ‘n enkele woord met my gepraat nie, behalwe vir ‘n klompie opdragte
wat hy op sy kenmerkende manier uitgeblaf het. Nadat ek hom tuis afgelaai het,
besluit ek toe om by Hillbrow te gaan hoor wat die probleem was.
Die verhaal ontvou toe van hoe hy, toe hy in die aanklagtekantoor ingestap het en
gesien het almal is besig, vir die aanklagtekantoorsersant gevra het vir ‘n dossier
sodat hy dit kon voltooi aangesien sy radio by die klub uit sy kamer gesteel is. Die
sersant, wat ‘n nuweling op die stasie was en nie geweet het met wie hy praat nie,
het toe klaarblyklik vir hom gesê, “Oom wat die donner weet jy van dossiere af, wag
jou beurt af, ons sal jou nou help”.
Wat daarna gebeur het, het ek rees hierbo beskryf. Eers toe die sersant die dossier en
al die registers en voorvalleboek nagaan, het hy tot die volle besef gekom met wie hy
te make gehad het. Hy het hom dood geworrie dat die kolonel hom gaan pek, maar
ek het hom verseker dat dit nie sy manier is nie.
Hy het jou klaar uitgetrap en dit is dit, kon ek verskrikte sersant troos.
Dit was toe ook so. Die volgende dag toe ek hom gaan optel, wou hy by my weet
hoe dit op Hillbrow gaan. Hy het baie goed geweet ek is terug soontoe na ek hom
afgelaai het. Hy het nooit weer na die voorval verwys nie.
- Stasiebesoeke saam met kol Curt von Keiserlingk
Gedurende my dienste as bestuurder vir die kolonel, het ek hom gereeld na
verskillende stasie in die ou WWR Afdeling geneem vir onverwagte inspeksies.
Die eerste keer wat ons so saam na ‘n stasie toe is het hy my vooraf in die voertuig
op pad na die eerste stasie gesê dat hy wil hê dat ek net in die aanklagkantoor moet
rondstaan en ‘n bietjie moet kyk hoe dit op die stasie gaan, hy sal met die
stasiebevelvoerder handel en van die registers en dossiere so ‘n bietjie bekyk.
Dan sal ons na afloop van die besoek so ‘n bietjie notas met mekaar vergelyk. Ek
moet noem dat hy baie goed daarvan bewus was dat ek op ‘n stasie gewerk het en as
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AK- en wyksersant moes optree ten spyte van die feit dat ek toe nog net konstabel
was, en baie goed geweet het wat in die AK moes aangaan.
By een stasie het hy eendag, kort nadat ek as sy bestuurder begin werk het, ten spyte
van die feit dat hy net by die SB in die kantoor was en na geen registers gekyk het
nie, toe hy in die kar terug klim en ons vertrek, gesê het: “Pottie, dis ‘n slapgat stasie
daai, nè.”
Ek beaam dit toe en vra hom hoe hy dit geweet het, toe sê hy: “Want dis ‘n slapgat
bevelvoerder.” So het ons dan ook baie stasies oor die hele afdeling besoek en het ek
besef dat jy maar altyd kan gaan kyk na die bevelvoerder en onmiddelik sal besef
hoe al die manne op die stasie is. Hieruit het ek dan ook geleer, soos die kolonel self
ook gesê het: “’n Bevelvoerder het nie nodig om sy lede se vriend te wees nie, hy
moet net konsekwent in sy optrede wees, nooit van sy manne verwag om iets te
doen wat hy nie self bereid was om te doen of nie self kon doen nie en bowenal moet
hy sy lede ook respekteer.”
Ek het dan ook dwars deur gepoog om my loopbaan in die polisie op hierdie
grondslag te skoei.
Daar was nog so ‘n paar voorvalletjies wat ek saam met die kolonel deurgemaak het,
maar die was gevalle wat, na my oordeel, sensitief was en waaroor ek nie graag sal
wil skryf nie. Die herinneringe van my tyd saam met die kolonel was vir my baie
aangenaam en was daar nooit enige wrywing tussen ons gewees nie.
Moontlik omdat ek in ‘n militêre huis grootgeword het en gewoond was aan militêre
etiket en dissipline. Ek het geweet wanneer ek kon of nie kon dinge doen of sê nie.
Een ding is verseker, hy was ‘n militaris, maar toeganklik en simpatiek as die
omstandighede dit vereis het. En bowenal was hy ‘n ware heer.
- “Taxi” ry op Katima Mulilo
Die laaste storie wat ek graag oor Oom Curt sal wil vertel. ‘n Klompie jare later was
ek kriptograaf, getroud en permanent op Katima Mulilo gestasioneer.
Op ‘n stadium kry ons toe berig dat ‘n klomp parlementariërs Katima kom besoek.
Die DK vra toe onder die permanente lede wie bereid sal wees om met hulle privaat
voertuie, verkieslik karre en nie bakkies nie, beskikbaar te stel om die besoekers
vanaf Mpacha na Katima te vervoer. Die lede sou dan ook sommer as bestuurders
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vir die BBP’s moes optree. Omdat ek op daardie stadium ‘n DS20 Citroen gehad het
ek ingestem.
Ek het geweet dat oom Curt teen daardie tyd reeds met pensioen afgetree het as
brigadier en dat hy in die parlement die opposisie party, die Verenigde Party, se
skadu minister van polisie was. Ek was egter totaal onbewus van die feit dat hy een
van die besoekers sou wees.
Op Mpacha staan ons klomp wat ingestem het om voertuie beskikbaar te stel en die
vervoer te doen, toe ewe onskuldig onder mekaar en gesels en wag vir die Flossie
waarmee die klomp gevlieg het.
Die Flossie het aangekom en die klomp parlementariërs het af geklim en so in ‘n
bondel aangeloop na waar ons by die karre vir hulle gewag het. Ek en een van die
ander manne was met mekaar in gesprek en het nou nie eindelik aandag gegee aan
die klomp politikusse nie. Die volgende toe hoor ek net ‘n bulderende stem: “My
magtag Pottie wat maak jy hier?”
Ek swaai toe om en daar, in lewende lywe, staan brig Curt von Keyserlingk, die
skadu minister van polisie. Die oubaas omhels my amper en toe hy hoor ek is daar
om te help met die vervoer na Katima toe, toe verklaar hy sommer dadelik: “Hierdie
is die enigste man met wie ek saam ry. Hy het my veilig in Johannesburg rondgery
en hy sal my veilig hier rond ry.”
Toe ek die agterdeur van die kar vir hom oopmaak toe sê hy: “Ek ry voor, by jou, dat
ons kan gesels. Van hierdie ander ouens kan maar agter inklim.”
Op pad Katima toe het ons land en sand gesels en toe hy hoor dat ek getroud is, het
hy daarop aangedring dat hy my vrou wou ontmoet. Toe hy vir Sandy ontmoet toe
vertel hy vir haar dat hy alles in sy vermoë gedoen het om my te kry om sy
skoonseun te word, maar dat hy my nie blameer nie en dat ek die regte keuse
gemaak het. ‘n Regte ou “Charmer” tussen die “girls”.
Dit was ongelukkig die laaste keer wat my paadjie met die van hierdie unieke man,
waarvoor die uiterste agting en respek gehad het, gekruis het.
6.10 Jacobus (Freek) Snyman – Ds Carel-Johann de Bruin
Hallo Rosa,
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Ek het die foto by Snyman-familie gekry. Volgens oorlewering was Frederik Jacobus
(Freek) Snyman gebore 25.04.1882 oorlede 27.06.1975 'n wag vir pres. Paul Kruger. Is
die uniform wat die jongman aanhet uit daardie era? Kan iemand help?
Ds Carel-Johann de Bruin; 0827333951; Pretoria
Rosa Swanepoel die kenner van Pretoria se vroeë geskiedenis het die epos vir ons
aangestuur. (Gedurende 1900 sou hy 18 jaar oud wees! Bietjie jonk vir so ‘n
belangrike pos.) My eerste gedagte is hy is in die uniform van die Transvaalse
gevangenisdiens afgeneem tussen 1902 - 1913 - HBH
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6.11 Rod Aylward – Tubby Myburg
Sarie ek het vir Ron Jnr reeds gevra. Hy sal vir my alles wat hy nou sy hande op kan
lê aanstuur. Ron was in 1955 in die SAP Kollege of Depot soos dit toe genoem was.
Ek kan verkeerd wees
maar as ek reg onthou
is hy as vol Kolonel af.
Ron was ‘n goeie
sportman en het onder
andere van boks,
veerpyltjies en
natuurlik visvang
gehou.
Hy het sy seuns geleer
om eerder weg te
hardloop die eerste
keer sodat hulle `n
tweede kans kan kry
om die geveg te kan
wen. Hulle moes ook
baie keer maar die
maats eenkant skuif
sodat hulle hom kon
help om `n motor reg te
maak. Alles wat die
kinders baie praktiese
mense gemaak het.
Hy was `n baie
praktiese mens en kon
met sy hande werk. Hy
het goed kitaar gespeel
en van houtwerk gehou
maar nadat hy sy vingers met houtwerkmasjiene beseer het kon hy nie meer kitaar
speel nie. Op die “Bek-en-klou-seer” kordon het hy menige keer die manne met sy
musiek getrakteer en liedjies saam geflans??? wat betrekking gehad het op die lewe
daar in die kordon gebied.
Soos ek reeds vroeër vir julle gesê het, het hy in Umtata ook sy eie orkes gehad
naamlik “ The Saints” waar ek ook saam met hom en Percy Hartzenberg gesing het.
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Ek dink hulle was maar te bly dat ek later verplaas is en hy nie nodig gehad het om
weg te jag nie, ek is vandag seker ek was lekker vals.
Terwyl ons vir `n tyd saam in Bloemfontein gestasioneer was in 1970`s het Ron
toestemming verkry om `n besigheid nauurs te bedryf. Natuurlik soos maar met
menige tegnici het daar met die koms van TV nuwe deure oop gegaan en het hy sy
besigheid “Telerama” begin. Herstel van TV`s in daardie jare was nie sommer so so
nie en hy was `n meester.
Iets wat die predikant vandag gesê het wat nogal waar is dat mens nie graag van die
dood praat nie maar dit eerder sagkens stel soos verlaat of heen gegaan. Ron kon
van die dood praat en ek is seker hy was al `n geruime tyd gereed om te gaan. Daar
was vandag 11 Sept 2012 `n Roudiens in die NG Kerk Hoekwil. Die preekstoel het `n
besonderse vorm in dat dit lyk soos die voorkant van `n boot.
Ek maak bymekaar en stuur dit vir julle.
6.12 Brig PA Cerff - Daniel Joubert Siebrits
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6.13: Tuiskoms na verblyf in Spanje: Lynette Spies
Goeie more my liewe vriende. Voel soos 'n ewigheid dat ons laas gesels het. Nog nie
op internet (ja ons is terug in SA) en probeer maar geduldig wees, maar hopelik
gesels ons binnekort dik stukke. Ek mis julle geweldig met al die kwinkslae en
lekker kuier. At (manlief) het gister gearriveer en sal vir drie weke in SA wees. Mooi
bly intussen en liefde vir julle. x
Lynettee se verwelkoming deur vriende in die RSA
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6.14 Stafkursus 1984: Genl Koos van Zyl
Talle van diegene op die foto is ou bekendes of ou kollegas: brig Bill Sass, brig Deon Fourie,
Pierre Beyeleveld, brig Nieuwoudt en genl Koos van Zyl.
7. News Articles from our Readers / Nuusberigte van ons
lesers
7.1. World War 2: Great Escape Tunnel revealed after 67 years – Sent in by Phil
Beck and also by Terry Schwartz
Untouched for almost seven decades, the tunnel used in the Great Escape has finally
been unearthed.
The 111-yard passage nicknamed ‘Harry’ by Allied prisoners was sealed by the
Germans after the audacious break-out from the PoW camp Stalag Luft III in western
Poland.
Despite huge interest in the subject, encouraged by the film starring Steve McQueen,
the tunnel remained undisturbed over the decades because it was behind the Iron
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Curtain and the Soviet authorities had no interest in its significance.
Unearthed: The entrance to the tunnel, which lay untouched for almost seven
decades
But at last British archaeologists have excavated it, and discovered its remarkable
secrets.
Many of the bed boards which had been joined together to stop it collapsing were
still in position. And the ventilation shaft, ingeniously crafted from used powdered
milk containers known as Klim Tins, remained in working order. Scattered
throughout the tunnel, which is 30ft below ground, were bits of old metal buckets,
hammers and crowbars which were used to hollow out the route.
A total of 600 prisoners worked on three tunnels at the same time. They were
nicknamed Tom, Dick and Harry and were just 2ft square for most of their length.
It was on the night of March 24 and 25, 1944, that 76 Allied airmen escaped through
Harry. Barely a third of the 200 prisoners – many in fake German uniforms and
civilian outfits and carrying false identity papers – who were meant to slip away
managed to leave before the alarm was raised when escapee number 77 was spotted.
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Tunnel vision: A tunnel reconstruction showing the trolley system, tried out, below,
by Frank, 89
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Bitter-sweet memories: Gordie King, 91, made an emotional return to Stalag Luft III
Only three made it back to Britain . Another 50 were executed by firing squad on the
orders of Adolf Hitler, who was furious after learning of the breach of security.
In all, 90 boards from bunk beds, 62 tables, 34 chairs and 76 benches, as well as
thousands of items including knives, spoons, forks, towels and blankets, were
squirrelled away by the Allied prisoners to aid the escape plan under the noses of
their captors.
Although the movie might suggest otherwise, no Americans were involved in the
actual operation. Most were British and the others were from countries including
Canada , Poland and Australia ..
The latest dig, over three weeks in August, located the entrance to Harry, which was
originally concealed under a stove in Hut 104. The team also found another tunnel,
called George, whose exact position had not been charted. It was never used as the
2,000 prisoners were forced to march to other camps as the Red Army approached in
January 1945. Watching the excavation was Gordie King, 91, an RAF radio operator,
who was 140th in line to use Harry and therefore missed out. ‘This brings back such
bitter-sweet memories,’ he said as he wiped away tears. ‘I’m amazed by what
they’ve found.’
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Discoveries: The site of the tunnel, recently excavated by British archaeologists
7.2 Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag: brig Petrus Paulus Potgieter, SM
Petrus Paulus Potgieter gebore 19 April 1920 te Waterval, Transvaal.
Sy ouers Petrus Paulus Potgieter en Maria Glaudina Potgieter (geb. Kotze). Na sy vader se
dood het dit op hom, as oudste seur, geval om sy moeder en familie te versorg en het hy
skool verlaat en by die Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë as ‘n spoorlêer, gaan werk.
Net voor die uitbreek van die 2de Wêreldoorlog sluit hy egter by die destydse SSB1 (Special
Services Bataljon) aan. Hier word hy identifiseer as ‘n moontlike kandidaat vir vlieg
opleiding en word oorgeplaas na die “Central Flying School, Roberts Heights”, deesdae
Voortrekkerhoogte.
Op 1 November 1941 trou hy te Pretoria met Catherina (Kitty) Elizabeth de Wit.
Hy verwerf op 28 Februarie 1942 saam met 32 ander kandidate sy vlerke tydens ‘n parade
wat op Waterkloof lugmagbasis gehou was. Kursus nommer 10. (Van hierdie groep het net
‘n paar die Tweede Wêreldoorlog, oorleef.)
1 Spesiale Diensbataljon
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Sy eerste oorsese plasing was te Gibraltar saam met 22 Eskader, waar hulle taak was om
geallieerde skeepsvaart in en deur die Straat van Gibraltar te beveilig.
In September 1943 tree hy op as die kaptein van 22 Eskader se atletiekspan in Gibraltar, en
wen hulle die beker. Hulle het teen die Royal Australian Air Force en elemente van die RAF
se grondbemanning deelgeneem.
Op 11 Mei 1945 word die Duitse duikboot U.541 deur hom en sy bemanning, met ‘n
Ventura vliegtuig met nommer H6443 ongeveer 400 seemyle Suid Wes van Cape Ministere
in die Atlantiese Oseaan gevang en oorhandig aan die Britse vloot se Sloep Lowstaff. Sover
bekend is dit die eerste, indien nie die enigste, gedokumenteerde geval waar ‘n vliegtuig ‘n
duikboot gevang het.
Die bemanning was hy self, lt. Potgieter – bevelvoerder, medevlieënier / navigator - lt.
Harrington, Radio Operateur - lt Hamer, sersante Hunter en Poorter kanonniers.
Op 8 Mei 1945 tydens die ‘Victory Parade’ in Gibraltar word 22 Eskader, die Suid-
Afrikaanse Eskader, weereens vereer dat hulle in die twee jaar wat hulle skeepsvaart deur
die Straat van Gibraltar teen Duitse duikboot aanvalle moes verdedig, nie een van die
duisende skepe wat hulle verdedig het aan duikboot aanvalle afgestaan het nie.
Tydens die parade sê lt-genl Sir Ralph Eastwood die goewerneur en opperbevelvoerder van
die ‘Rots van Gibraltar:
“I salute your bravery and dedication to duty. In the annals of history it will be recorded
that we never lost a single ship under the escort of 22 Squadron of the S.A. Air Force
throughout their tour of duty at Gibraltar.”
Na afloop van die oorlog word hy by die lugmagbasis op Port Elizabeth gestasioneer met
opdrag om die basis te “decommission”.
Op 1 Desember 1950 word hy tot kaptein Bevorder en Vertrek op 16 Maart 1951 op die Cape
Town Castle (Union Castle skip) na Engeland via Madeira om daar lid te word van 24
Eskader - die sogenaamde “Commonwealth Squadron” wat verantwoordelik was vir die
vervoer van BBP’s.
Vertrek op 6 Augustus 1953 terug na Suid-Afrika vanaf Southampton op die RMMV Stirling
Castle en word geplaas by 44 Eskader Swartkops.
Hy was gesant (lugmag) vir die SA Regering by die Verdedigingskonferensie te Dakar,
Senegal in 1954.
En hy was die persoonlike adviseur van genl Wilmot oor die stigting van ‘n lugroete Suid
van Sahara in geval van ‘n koue oorlog met Rusland.
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Op 1 Desember word hy tot majoor bevorder.
In die middel sestigs het die fisika departement van die Potchefstroomse Universiteit onder
leiding van prof. Piet Stokes geofisiese navorsing in die Suid-Atlantiese streek van
Magnetiese anomalie. Vlugte vanaf Waterkloof na Duala (Frans Kameroen) Asunción
Eiland, Gogh, Tristan da Cunha ens. Die vlugte was gedoen om die ‘slapte’ in die
magnetiese veld te meet op ‘n hoogte van 30,000 vt. Die trajek lengte was so vêr as wat die
vliegtuig kon gaan en veilig kon terugkom. Akkuraatheid binne een seemyl moes
gehandhaaf word. Die temperature op hierdie hoë hoogte was so lag as – 56C.
Die Bemanning :
Bevelvoerder: Majoor PP Potgieter
Kapt Gilliland
Navigators Tom Stegmann
Graham Stegman
Jimmy Kotze
Dr. Piet van Sittert
Vir hierdie vlugte het die Lugmag die hoogste lof ontvang van die Internasionale geofisiese
gemeenskap.
Op 1 April 1965 word hy tot kommandant bevorder
Op 23 Augustus 1968 word die Suiderkruismedalje aan hom toegeken vir buitengewone
pligsgetrouheid. Die Suiderkruismedalje word toegeken aan ‘n offisier wat hom in tyd van
vrede en oorlog deur buitengewone pligsgetrouheid, hetsy in ‘n besondere geval of oor ‘n
tydperk onderskei het. Die toekenning van hierdie medalje verleen die ontvanger die reg om
die letters “SM” agter sy naam te skryf.
Gedurende 1969 gaan na die Lockheed Corporation in Marietta, Georgia, om die kursus by
te woon om die C-130 wat die Lugmag gekoop het terug te bring na Suid-Afrika.
Op 10 Augustus 1969 ontvang hy ‘n sertifikaat van die Amerikaners omdat hy tydens sy
kursus in die VSA 2,000 vliegure in die Prop-0-Jec C-130 Hercules voltooi het.
Sy mede Kursusgangers is:
Kapt’s Koekemoer en Patrick Clulow, majoor John Bolitho, Jimmy Groenewald, Piet Letley,
LG Jones, JZ Eloff, PP Potgieter; Carl Muton en kmdt George Freeman.
Op 1 November 1969 word hy tot kolonel bevorder.
Op 18 November 1971 was hy bevelvoerder van ‘n reddingsvlug na Gough Eiland. Die
bemanning het 36 ure aanmekaar gewerk en was baie moeg maar nogtans bly oor die
besondere sukses.
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Die Pers sê: “Indien ‘n Hercules C130 van die SA Lugmag nie gister 17 November 1971 ’n
nood vlug na Gough Eiland onderneem het nie, sou 23 mense op die eiland moontlik met
lewensgevaar, sonder die hulp van ‘n hyskraan, teen ’n 75 voet hoë krans op vlotte laat sak
moes word.
Die Hercules met bevelvoerder PP Potgieter en 8 bemanningslede aan boord het
gisteroggend omstreeks twee-uur van die Ysterplaat lugmagbasis in Kaapstad vertrek.
(Nadat hulle vroeër van Waterkloof vertrek het.)
Daar is besluit op ‘n nood vlug nadat die enigste hyskraan op Gougheiland onklaar geraak
het terwyl die jaarlikse brandstof en voedsel voorraad van die eiland, teen die 75 voet hoe
krans opgehys word.
Die brandstof en voorraad is deur die voorraadskip die RSA na die eiland geneem maar
aangesien daar geen hawe of kaai by Gough is nie moes die personeel en al die voorraad op
vlotte tot teenaan die eiland gesleep word en daarna teen die krans opgehys word.
Om te verseker dat die RSA betyds in Kaapstad terug is vir die jaarlikse bevoorrading
sending na Antarktika was dit dringend noodsaaklik dat die betrokke onderdele vir die
stukkende hyskraan onverwyld op die eiland kom.
Die Hercules het die heen-en-weer vlug van 3,260 myl sonder enige voorval afgelê en
gisteroggend omstreeks agtuur die onderdeel per valskerm op die eiland neergelaat. Dit
was verpak in twee lug bevoorradingshouers wat spesiaal by die lugmagbasis in Waterkloof
vervaardig is.
Die houers is per valskerm neergelaat.
Bemanning: Kol PP Potgieter , bevelvoerder van die Hercules C-130; kapt JJ le Roux, luit TI
Saayman, 2de luit BJ Norden; 2de luit OC Steenkamp ao WPB Botha, sers DAM Wessels,
kapt JD Labuschagne en kapt M Dreyer.”
Gedurende 1973 word hy Bevelvoerder 28 Eskader en kort daarna word hy waarnemende
bevelvoerder Waterkloof Lugmagbasis.
1974 Word hy permanent aangestel as bevelvoerder Waterkloof Lugmagbasis.
Gedurende 1975 word hy aangestel as Direkteur: Vlieg Effektiwiteit en op 1 Oktober 1975
word hy bevorder tot brigadier, ‘n rang wat hy beklee tot sy aftrede op pensioen na 38 jaar
diens aan die Suid Afrikaanse Lugmag.
Ten spyte van sy militêre vermoëns en welslae, was hy ook ‘n digter van formaat en het hy
die aangehegte gedigte, wat nog nooit gepubliseer is nie, nagelaat.
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7.3 Menere en Hulle Gewere: Johan Jacobs
Wapens het nog altyd mans en in sekere mate ook vir vrouens bekoor en in menigte
huise sal jy wapens kry waarmee daar altyd oor gespog word. Ons huis was nie ’n
uitsondering nie en daar was altyd wapens in ons huis omrede my Pa in die Suid
Afrikaanse Polisie, ek in die Suid Afrikaanse Weermag en my broer in die Spoorwegpolisie was. My
Mammie is ontsettend bang vir wapens en ons het baie kere haar woorde gehoor “wees versigtig met
die wapen want die duiwel laai hom.” Ek het met hierdie woorde groot geword en hoor dit nog
telkemale as sy kom kuier en ek my handwapen met my saam dra. Sy het egter groot geword met
wapens aangesien my Oupa jaggewere besit het en die familie ook gereeld gaan jag het in die
bosveld en Botswana. Hy het ook aan die plaaslike kommando behoort en het twee Lee-Medford
.303 gewere besit. My Pa en ons twee seuns het verstaan hoekom Mammie dié woorde geuiter het
aangesien sy ’n slegte stelletjie afgetrap het met ’n Lee-Medford .303 geweer van die Polisie toe my Pa
op Rustenburg gestasioneer was.
.303 geweer.
Pa het die .303 geweer in ons huis gebêre en op ’n dag het ’n speurkonstabel die geweer kom af haal.
My Mammie was in die kombuis besig met die kos en my broer van ses maande oud het in sy baba
stoeltjie gesit. Sy het die konstabel gestuur om die geweer in die sitkamer te gaan haal terwyl sy die
wapen se magasyn van die kombuiskas afgehaal het. Met sy terugkeer het hy die geweer horisontaal
gehou en voor my Mammie die magasyn vir hom kon gee het ’n skoot skielik afgegaan en die stilte
verbreek, die rondte het my broer rakelings gemis en in die muur vasgeslaan net agter die stoof.
Mammie het ’n vreeslike gil gegee en my broer gegryp en na buite gehardloop, hy het gehuil van die
skok en harde slag van die afgevuurde wapen. Die speurder het nét só groot geskrik en bewend om
verskoning gevra. My Pa het my baie jare later vertel hoe nalatig hy self was toe hy die magasyn uit
die geweer verwyder het en nie seker gemaak dat die wapen veilig was nie, want sien, Pa het ’n
rondte in die loop gelos. Ek dink my Mammie het van skok en dat my broer amper raak geskiet was,
van daardie dag haar gesogte woorde gespreek oor die duiwel wat wapens laai.
.38 Webley
Later toe ek ouer was het ek al hoe meer my Pa se diens rewolwer bewonder wat aan sy netjiese blink
Sambrown gehang het. Dit was ’n Webley Merk IV .38 rewolwer en dit het so groot gelyk en was vir
my ’n simbool van mag waar dit aan sy netjiese polisie uniform gehang het. Ek was in graad een en
baie nuuskierig oor alles van my Pa se Polisie dinge en het graag by my Pa gesit as hy die wapen
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skoon gemaak het. Ek het die wapen graag in my hande vas gehou en het ek die gevoel gekry dat die
wapen in my hande pas en sowaar as para manel, ek het ook die mag van die wapen gevoel.
Ons het in Rosettenville in Johannesburg gebly en agter ons huis was daar ’n groot veld met baie
rotse. Pa was in die Blitspatrollie en het een oggend geslaap na sy nagskof, my Mammie en broer was
dorp toe en ek was alleen in die huis...en my oë op die Webley waar dit agter hulle slaapkamer deur
gehang het. Ek wou graag voel hoe skiet dié ‘mag’ en het twee .38 rondtes in my besit gehad wat ek
vroeër vasgelê het en gelukkig het Pa dit nie agtergekom nie anders sou my agterstewe lekker verjaar
het en sou ek nie met die wapen en rondtes die koppies in kon vaar nie.
Daar tussen die koppies het ek die wapen oop geknak en die rondtes verwyder en net twee in die
kamers gelos. Met bewende adrenalien hande en lyf het ek die eerste skoot afgetrek...my hand
waarin ek die wapen vasgehou het, het bokant my skouers opgeruk en die rondte het in die lug in
getrek...ek het agtertoe gestruikel en op my agterstewe beland met piering oë so groot soos ’n
volmaan. Ek was glad nie bewus dat die rewolwer so kon skop nie en met bewende hande en
kloppende hart het ek die wapen langs my neer gesit totdat ek weer na my normale sinne terugkeer
het. Ek het seker so tien minute op ’n rots gesit en was te bang om die tweede skoot af te vuur en is
huis toe sonder dat ek die tweede rondte gevuur het. Ek moes nou alle bewyse dat die wapen gevuur
was verwyder en het geweet waar Pa die skoonmaak goed gebêre het.
Die afgevuurde ronde is uitgehaal en myne is ingesit, ek het die wapen met bewende hande skoon
gemaak en weer in sy holster gebêre. My Pa het nooit agtergekom ek het die wapen gegaps en
afgevuur nie, ek het hom eers jare later daarvan vertel toe ek in die Weermag was. Hy was nie baie
gelukkig nie maar het darem so ’n skelm half ingenome glimlag op sy gesig gekry.
Soos enige jong seun van die sestigs jare het ek en my broer ook windbukse gehad, myne was ’n groot
meneer, van daardie wat jy die koeëltjie bo-in gelaai het en van onder af die veer gespan het, ek dink
dit was ’n nommer een windbuks. Ek was baie trots op my windbuks en haar goed opgepas, ek het
gereeld die plaaslike wapensmid op Germiston se winkel skoon gemaak in ruil vir ’n diens op my
windbuks. My windbuks se veer, loop en velletjies was in ’n puik toestand en ek het selde mis
geskiet. Eendag het ons duiwe in ’n ander oom se perseel gaan skiet en het hy ons daaruit gejaag en
terwyl ons aan die anderkant van die treinspoor tot stilstand gekom het, het ons hom uit gekoggel.
Ek het die loop op my skoen gedruk terwyl ek vir die oom gelag het en trek toe ’n skoot af van
opgewondenheid en skiet deur my skoen tussen my groottoon en toontjie in, dit was net bloed en
velle. Ek het lank daarna nog my wonde verpleeg en moes boonop die wond vir my Pa en Mammie
wegsteek want hoe sou ek dit kon verduidelik sonder om ons stoute avontuur bekend te maak.
Windbuks no3
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Op Hoërskool was ek lid van ons kadette se skietspan en het ek met ’n .22 enkel skoot geweer geskiet
wat jy van bo-af moes laai deur ’n gleuf, ek was ook die top skut. Terwyl ek met die .22 geskiet het,
het ek gedink ek was in die Boere oorlog want die .22 het soos die ou Martini-Henry’s van daardie
tyd gelyk. Ek en my Pa het ook gereeld by kerk kermisse koeke en vleis pryse los geskiet met die
windbukse want Pa kon ook goed skiet.
Soos ek reeds vermeld het, het my Oupa jaggewere besit en was ek as ’n jong seun altyd by hom as hy
die wapens skoon gemaak het, my oë was altyd op sy .303 Lee-Enfield karabyn gerig en het ek
dieselfde gevoel gekry as daardie tyd met my Pa se diens rewolwer. Dit was ’n pragtige wapen met ’n
ligte houtkolf en korter en ligter as die normale .303 Lee-Medford geweer. Sy ander gewere was ’n
.222 met ’n teleskoop en ’n .22 slot geweer albei gemaak deur Remington en het ek baie slange, hase
en bosduiwe met die .22 geweer geskiet. As ons gaan jag het, het ek altyd die .303 karabyn geneem en
my Oupa sy .222 geweer, ek het ook nie sommer mis geskiet nie, want die karabyn was lig en het
lekker teen my skouer gerus. Oupa het my ook geleer dat ek die sneller moet druk (neem kennis, nie
trek nie anders beweeg die wapen na die kant toe wat jy trek en sodoende verloor jy jou korrel) en die
skoot binne drie sekondes moet vuur.
Ek het ook die .303 se lope gereeld met kookwater skoon gemaak na ons die wapens gevuur het want
die ladings in die doppies het ’n mengsels van sout ingehad wat die loop sou laat roes. Daarna is die
lope met die gewone skoonmaak middels skoon gemaak.
Met my Weermag opleiding het ek met ‘regte’ oorlog wapens te doen gekry! Nou was dit nie meer
windbukse of jaggewere nie maar ’n ‘human killing machine.’ My eerste militêre wapen was ’n FN
7.62mm aanvalsgeweer van Belgiese afkoms. Ons is ook geleer dat die geweer vroulik was en ons het
gedril met haar, geslaap met haar, inspeksie gestaan met haar en haar elke aand skoon gemaak om
die Bedford’s uit te kry.
Ons het ook gereeld met haar aan ons regter skouer gesing “ this is my rifle” en met ons regterhand
tussen ons bene geslaan “this is my gun” en dan weer met die klap van ons hande op die wapen teen
ons skouer “ this is made for killing” en hande weer terug tussen die bene “and this is made for fun”.
So het ons op- en af gemarsjeer en geleer dat die wapen nie ’n ‘gun’ is nie maar ’n ‘rifle.’
Ek het gedurende my diensplig ’n geskut kursus gevolg en het te doen gekry met groot wapens en
kanonne. Die grootste wapens was die 4-duim en 4.5-duim ‘multi-purpose guns’ skeepskanonne en
kon hulle vir sowel as lug-en grond teikens gebruik word aldus die woord ‘multi-purpose guns.’
Ek was verbaas om te sien hoe hierdie wapens deur middel van die rekenaar afgevuur kon word. Die
Bofors 40mm en Oerlikon 20mm ligte-kanonne was die lug-afweer wapens gevolg deur swaar- en
ligte masjiengewere.
4.5dm kanon 40mm Bofor
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Ek het baie gehou van die .50 BMG (12,5mm) Browning swaar-masjiengeweer. Ek het na my
diensplig by die Staande Mag aangesluit en is die FN-geweer later vervang deur ’n Suid-Afrikaanse
vervaardigde R1 aanvalsgeweer gebaseer op die FN-geweer, ook met ’n 7,62mm ‘full metal jacket’
kaliber rondte. Hierdie wapen het ’n kragtige slaankrag van 2.700 voet per sekonde gehad wat ’n
persoon agter ’n jong boom met gemak sou uithaal as jy hom laat ‘Afrikaans’ praat het (dit is as die
wapen op ‘A’ geselekteer was vir ‘Automatic’ vuur aksie vandaar die uitdrukking ‘Afrikaans laat
praat’). Die wapen kon ook 650 rondtes per minuut afvuur. As onderoffisier is ek ook met ’n 9mm
Star pistool uitgereik en was ek baie in my noppies met die handwapen. As instrukteur het ek baie
ondervinding opgedoen op die skietbaan en is my kop amper deur ’n dienspligtige weg geskiet as
gevolg van sy nalatigheid. Ek het altyd die senuweeagtige troepe naby my laat lê op die skietpunt
sodat ek ’n ogie oor hulle kon hou!
R1-aanvalsgeweer
Ek het aan die Weermag se Diensskiet sport deelgeneem en het ek my R1 se sneller breër laat maak en
visier dunner laat sny deur my geweersmid vriend. Ek het aan verskeie kompetisies deelgeneem en
het provinsiale kleure verower vir Diens Skiet en op daardie stadium my geliefkoosde stokperdjie.
Gedurende een van hierdie kompetisies het ek ’n flater gemaak wat my tot vandag nog pla...ek was
vir die eerste keer in my lewe en in my Weermag loopbaan nalatig met ’n wapen. Ons moes vanaf
100 meter ’n kompetisie skiet met vyf rondtes in die magasyn. Ek het ’n steurnis gekry en was baie
omgekrap daaroor en in my moerigheid omdat die tyd verstreke was, die skiet punt ontruim met ’n
rondte nog in die loop (Pa, hier doen ek dit ook...en Mammie dit is nie die duiwel wat gelaai het nie,
dit is ek!). Ek het seker vir twintig minute met die rondte in die wapen geloop en nou en dan die loop
teen my maag gedruk as ek gestaan het, onbewus van die rondte in die loop. Met die volgende
kompetisie terwyl ek die magasyn in die geweer in druk en die wapen span, kom die lewendige
rondte uit die loop uit en val langs my neer. Nodeloos om te sê het ek my tot in die suidpool geskrik
nadat ek agtergekom het waar die rondte vandaan gekom het en was ek so ontsteld ek het my onttrek
van die kompetisie. Iemand met my ondervinding doen nie so iets nie...verstaan julle!...jy doen net
nie sulke goed nie!
Tydens my diens tydperk in die destydse SWA grensoorlog het ek verskeie wapens besit. Die
Mariniers is met G3 wapens van Duitse vervaardiging uitgereik wat in ’n Angolese hawe deur die
Vloot gekonfiskeer is, dit was ook 7.62mm aanvals gewere gebou met ’n baie sagte materiaal wat
soos blik geklink het. Met dekking slaan kon jy sommer gou die wapen gebuig het, hulle was groen
van kleur hoewel ek die enigste swart kleur G3 gehad het. Dit was ’n mooi wapen maar al wat ek van
hierdie wapen gehou het was sy breë sneller wat gemaklik in jou wys vinger gelê het en die druk van
die sneller vergemaklik. Benewens die G3 het ek ook my 9mm Star pistool, ’n haelgeweer en Uzzi-
ligte-masjienpistool gehad, laasgemelde was vir my vrou se gebruik in ’n moontlike huis aanval as sy
alleen was. My vrou is goed ‘gedril’ in die hantering van hierdie wapen!
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G3-aanvalsgeweer
Uzzi-masjien geweer
Die Uzzi was ’n gevaarlike wapen en moes met versigtigheid hanteer word aangesien die wapen met
enige stamp afgevuur het. So is ek een middag laat amper dood geskiet in my kantoor deur ’n troep
toe hy die magasyn in my teenwoordigheid hard in die wapen in gestamp het (soos wat altyd in die
flieks vertoon word) en vyf rondtes langs my verby gevuur is wat in die staalkas agter my vas geslaan
het. Ek sal nie hier sê wat ek met die troep gedoen het nie en die veiligheidsmanne sal seker kan raai!
R5-aanvalsgeweer
Die G3 is later met ’n SA vervaardigde R4 vervang van Israeliese Galil patent wat ’n 5,56mm kaliber
rondte gevuur het en was ’n maklike wapen om rond te dra en ligter as enige ander vorige wapen
van die Weermag. Die wapen was bruin van kleur en is ook later deur ’n nuwer en korter R5 vervang
wat swart gekleur is en nog in gebruik is in SA se veiligheidsmagte-en sekuriteit maatskappye.
12,5mm SMG
Die Mariniers se Namacurra hawe-patrollie bote was toegerus met dié 12,5mm BMG swaar-
masjiengeweer en ‘n 7.62mm ligte masjiengeweer, baie haaie wat ’n gevaar vir die vlootduikers was,
is met dié wapens flenters geskiet. My Land Rover reaksie-voertuig was ook met ’n 12.5mm
masjiengeweer toegerus en as daar vanaf die ‘Landie᾿ geskiet is, het die voertuig lekker rond gedans
van die krag van die wapen en was dit nogal ’n kuns om dit te vuur en te bestuur.
Vandag besit ek nie meer ´baie᾿ wapens nie...het nie eers een nie!
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Hou julle wapens ge-olie!
26/09/12 © Johan Jacobs
7.4 ‘n Brief van die Nagsersant in Hermanus
Hallo julle,
Hier in ons omgewing is doodsberigte in Die Burger nogal iets om te waardeer, want van
die vreemdste en kosbaarstes het ek al vroegoggende raakgelees.... soms is dit iemand wat jy
ken of soms maar net wonder wie was die of die.
Ek heg aan voorbeelde van twee berigte wat gister en vanoggend verskyn het. Die een van
Uys is 'n bekende, ja oom Theunis soos ons hom geken het. Sy suster is mev. Engels,
eggenote van wyle genl Engels. Oom Theunis het etlike boeke oor Namakwaland geskryf,
vandaar die aanhaling in die berig.
Die ander berig van Pieterse, nou ja onbekend aan my maar die berig so aards en eg as wat
jy kan kry.
Julle moet 'n lekker dag hê, jammer dat julle nou wakker gemaak moet word met
doodsberigte.
O ja voor ek afsluit, ek het gisteraand met genl Koos Calitz gepraat. Sy vrou gaan einde
volgende maand Somerset-Wes toe vir 'n koglia inplanting. Dink aan die gesin in jul gebede.
Hennie Westraat
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7.5 A medal of courage for bomb dog Theo: Posthumous award for heroic
animal who died hours after his master
Source: Mail On Line 7 September 2012.
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Honoured: Army sniffer dog Theo, pictured with his
master Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, has been
posthumously awarded the animal equivalent of the
Victoria Cross
An Army sniffer dog has been posthumously
awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria
Cross. Theo, a 22-month-old springer spaniel
cross, will receive the PDSA Dickin Medal for life-
saving bravery in conflict. He suffered a fatal
seizure just hours after his handler, Lance
Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, was shot dead by the
Taliban in March 2011.
The pair uncovered 14 bombs and hoards of
weapons in five months on the front line - more
than any other dog and handler in the conflict.
Military chiefs hailed them for saving the lives of
countless British soldiers in Afghanistan.
L/Cpl Tasker’s family were last night ‘delighted’ to hear that Theo has received the
posthumous gallantry award, which are handed out sparingly by the People’s
Dispensary for Sick Animals.
His mother Jane Duffy, 53, said her family were ‘ecstatic.’
‘We are so, so happy and really, really excited,’ she said. ‘Absolutely delighted.’
‘It means so much because Liam put Theo forward for the medal when he was in
Afghanistan, before he was killed, because he was so good.
‘He said that Theo used to get excited when they got out the Vallon [bomb-detecting
equipment] and switched it on because it meant he was going out.
‘Liam used to say Theo was full of character and sometimes hard to handle, and his
commander said, “Just like Liam”.’
Mrs Duffy, of Tayport, Fife, said L/Cpl Tasker had received a posthumous
mentioned in despatches, which is praise for bravery.
‘It’s wonderful that now Theo has been recognised,’ she said.
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Inseparable:
Theo suffered a
fatal seizure only
hours after
L/Cpl Tasker
was shot dead
by the Taliban in
March 2011
She hopes to
travel to London
to receive the
Dickin Medal
with husband
Jimmy, 48, son
Ian, 30, and daughters Laura, 21, and Nicola, 15.
The leading veterinary charity said ‘dozens’ of people had put Theo’s name forward
for a PDSA Dickin Medal.
PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: ‘We are very proud to posthumously
award Theo the medal. ‘Theo’s exceptional devotion to duty in Afghanistan saved
countless human lives. ‘The award of this medal honours his service in life and his
sacrifice in death. ‘It serves as a very poignant reminder of the loyal companionship
and dedication of man’s best friend.’ L/Cpl Tasker, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, served with
Royal Army Veterinary Corps’s 104 Military Working Dog Squadron. He was killed
taking part in a mission in the Nahr-e-
Saraj district in Helmand.
Theo was said to have died of a broken
heart after the Arms and Explosives
Search soldier lost his life. Their role had
been to help search and clear roads and
compounds, uncover hidden weapons,
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and
bomb-making equipment.
Not only did Theo sniff out homemade
bombs intended to murder and maim, on
one occasion he identified two hidden
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bags of fertiliser and a large quantity of parts for making IEDs.
And another time he found an underground tunnel leading to a room in which
insurgents were making bombs and hiding from coalition forces.
Team: L/Cpl Tasker was killed taking part in a mission in the Nahr-e-Saraj district in
Helmand. Theo was said to have died of a broken heart after the Arms and Explosives Search
soldier lost his life
Colonel Neil Smith, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, said: ‘We are honoured
that the PDSA has announced the award of the Dickin Medal to Theo. ‘Sadly Theo
died just a few hours after his handler, LCpl Liam Tasker, was killed in Afghanistan.
‘This impressive team undoubtedly prevented many soldiers and civilians being
killed or injured. ‘This award recognises not only this very special dog, but also the
contributions that all our dog teams make in detecting IEDs and weapons caches.’
L/Cpl Tasker’s loved ones will be presented with the award in London next month.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by the UK’s leading veterinary charity in
1943. Theo’s is the first PDSA Dickin Medal to be presented since 2010. His
posthumous presentation will bring the total number of medals awarded to animals
in war to 64. Since its inception it has been awarded to 28 dogs, 32 World War II
messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat. A Mention In Despatches is the oldest
recognition of gallantry in the Armed Forces.
7.6 Demise of F-18 Fighter Jet – Sent in by Len Els
Incredible photos from last Friday's accident in Canada ( Lethbridge). Check out the
sequence of the canopy leaving the scene, the pilot in his rocket-powered seat
coming out, the parachute opening sequence, and the separated seat falling away.
Modern technology at its best. All of this happened in about two seconds from
canopy off to the fireball. Check out all the smoke from the canopy rocket motors.
There he goes! So that's what the striped handle does!The left engine has the nozzle
fully open, showing that #1 engine was developing no power.
The white thing is the seat-stabilazing drogue chute. Notice the pilot’s head pinned
to his chest from the severe “g” forces produced by the solid rocket motors in the
ACES II seat. They burn for about 2/10ths of a second . . enough time to propel him
at least 60 feet clear of the aircraft. Hellova ride.
One millesecond from eternity for a beautiful FA-18. Check out the now-unoccupied
ejection seat following the aircraft to glory.The moment-of-impact photo shows
flame shooting out of the left engine . . its “last gasp”. There goes the seat above the
fireball. The pilot will be downing his first of several shots within the hour, soon as
his hands stop shaking.
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8. Over a nice cup of coffee ... or how I see things / Oor ‘n
koppie lekker koffie ... of soos ek die saak sien
To have a nice cup of coffee and a chat with other Veterans ... or you are invited to submit
your views on a matter ...
Om lekker oor ‘n koppie lekker koffie met ander Veterane te klets ... of u word
uitgenooi om u siening oor ‘n saak te stel...
Dissipline en die regte houding
Ek sal wat wil gee om te hoor wat die “ou manne” alles “daar bo” in die hiernamaals
gesels. Ek kan my goed indink dat hulle saam met die engeleskare die Allerhoogste
sal lof en prys maar; daar sal ook tyd wees vir gesels. Na mate die mens ouer word
dink mens meer aan die lewe na die dood en aan die paradys.
(Ek lees noudie dag die boek Die Eindstryd en kom met ‘n skok agter dat ek tans net
so oud is soos oudpres Mandela is, toe hy vrygelaat is! Tyd staan nie stil nie. Tyd
wag ook vir niemand nie!)
Omdat ons mense is, sal ons sekerlik ook oor menslike of aardse dinge gesels. Dis
nou die punt: Ek sal graag wil hoor wat sê oom Paul Kruger, genl De Wet, genl
Smuts, genl Hennie de Witt en brig CC von Keyserlingk vir mekaar oor die toestand
wat ons tans ervaar.
Gewere
Dit pla my dat duisende gewere van die staat dood eenvoudig net “weg” is! Kan u
glo dat ‘n polisieman of ‘n soldaat sy geweer kan verloor? Die statistiek is
gepubliseer!
Vervoer
Dit lyk my dat die polisie geen duidelike doktrine het oor die bestuur van
staatsvoertuie nie. Volgens die London Metropolitan Police se doktrine moet ‘n
polisieman voor hy ‘n gemerkte polisievoertuig bestuur, volledig in
bestuursvaardighede opgelei wees! Nou die dag ry ‘n polisievoertuig voor my met
‘n groot rooi “L” agter op die voertuig.
Kyk, ek was ‘n bosluis. Die polisie het mense soos maj Louis Snyman, serse Otto,
Tulleken en Coetzee gehad wat ons geleer het hoe om perd te ry! Jy moet mos in die
kollege leer perd ry! Jy kan mos nie ‘n polisieman sommer op ‘n perd sit en sê:
“Gaan op patrollie en ry in wyk sewe nie!”
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Eweneens moet ‘n polisieman opgelei word om ‘n voertuig te bestuur. Om ‘n
voertuig in ‘n stad te bestuur in spitsverkeer, die radio te antwoord en dan nog te
jaag verg vernuf en ervaring.
Wat my verder pla is die loslit-drag wat mense aanhet terwyl hulle polisievoertuie
bestuur! Sommige mense wat bestuur lyk soos die skoonmaker of die tuinwerker.
Hy het ‘n balaklawa op en vir my as ‘n ou polisieman lyk dit glad nie goed nie! Dit
kan selfs die tikster wees was gaan inkopies doen. Moet ek nou so ou se bevele
gehoorsaam?
‘n Teetafel-storie: Biltong en padveiligheid: Ingestuur deur adv Louis Visser
Met die slaggaaie in die paaie en slapgaaie in die politiek is nie alles altyd meer
lekker in ons land nie. Gelukkig is daar één ding wat die moedeloses bemoedig, die
troosteloses troos, die reddeloses red. Hierdie gawe van die gode, hierdie weg tot
wêreldvrede... biltong. 'n Koutjie keurige biltong in die kies is salf vir 'n rou gemoed.
Dit verruim jou medemenslikheid en verbreed jou verdraagsaamheid. Solank 'n
mens biltong het om te kou is dit lekker om te reis. Daarom, in die belang van
padveiligheid, toerismebevordering, goeie smaak, nasiebou en wêreldvrede, koop
vir jou 'n stukkie biltong. Maar om hemelsnaam, koop net reg. Só maak jy...
'n Mens vra nie prys nie
Dis beslis ongemanierd om te vra wat biltong kos. As jy dit wil hê, koop dit, en as jy
dit nie wil hê nie, los dit. 'n Mens mag nie iets soos biltong met die wêreldse
banaliteit van geldwaarde besoedel nie.
Kies jou streek mooi
Kies die plek waar jy jou biltong koop, baie versigtig. Die eerste aanduiding van
opregte, rasegte biltong is die landstreek. Die Hoëveld en Vrystaat is veilig, die
Kalahari en Bosveld is pure biltongwêreld, maar in die Kolonie moet jy ligloop. Die
mense hier het nie die biltongmaakervaring van die Groot Trek nie. Hulle spesialiteit
is bokkoms. En nee, dit het niks met provinsialisme te doen nie. Net so min as wat ek
die Kolonie se biltong aanbeveel, net so min sou ek mense aanraai om bokkoms te
koop wat in die Bosveld gedroog is. Die Kolonie is nie biltongwêreld nie en die
Bosveld is nie bokkomwêreld nie. Dis hoe die aarde gemaak is - elke ding het sy
plek. Maar hier en daar in die Kolonie is wel 'n blokman wat soms 'n reep droë vleis
aanbied wat baie, baie na aan die ware Jakob kom.
Kies jou winkel nóg mooier
Koop biltong by 'n slaghuis of biltongwinkel - al is jy hóé desperaat, jy koop nooit
ooit 'n pakkie versmoorde biltong by 'n deurpadwinkel of kafee nie. Daai goed is nie
biltong nie. Dis flenters sening en afvalvleis wat sonder liefde of aanvoeling in 'n
fabriek deur 'n droogoond gedryf word. 'n Spantou kou makliker én smaak
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lekkerder. As iemand jou só 'n sakkie senings present gee, begrawe dit iewers waar
jou hond dit nie in die hande kan kry nie. En beskou dit as 'n onsubtiele
kennisgewing dat die vriendskap verby is. Hoe groter die grootpad en hoe nader
aan hom die biltongwinkel, hoe beter is die kans dat die biltongtransaksie jou met 'n
bitter smaak in die mond kan laat. Van hierdie handelaars reken daarop dat jy
haastig is en ver weg sal wees teen die tyd dat jy agterkom hulle het jou verneuk.
Daar is uitsonderings, maar hulle is skaars. Veiligheidshalwe soek ek eerder 'n
slaghuis wat elke dag aan dieselfde plaaslike mense verkoop - hulle kan nie bekostig
om hulle klandisie kwaad te maak nie.
Kyk na die naam
As die slaghuis of biltongwinkel se naam nie Afrikaans is nie, hou maar verby. Die
Engelse weet niks van biltongmaak af nie. Hulle taal het nie eens 'n woord vir
biltong nie. Ek is nie Anglofobies nie - vir "cucumber sandwiches" of "marmelade
and toast" sal ek soek totdat ek 'n plek met 'n Engelse naam kry.
Hoe's die mense?
Bepaal die aard van die mense wat die biltong aan jou wil verkoop.Dekades se
noukeurige navorsing het bewys dat goeie biltong nie gemaak kan word deur mense
wat onvriendelik, bot, ongemanierd, humorloos of dooierig is nie. Biltong wat nie
lekker is om te koop nie, smaak ook nie lekker nie.
Kyk na die omgewing
Ek sal byvoorbeeld nie met 'n geruste hart tjilliebyte koop by 'n slaghuis waar daar 'n
hoop jakkalsvelle in die agterplaas lê nie. Kyk en ruik hoe dit binne lyk. As daar
vlieë in die slaghuis toegelaat word, dan is daardie effens souterige, bros-op-die-
tong korreltjies op die biltong waarskynlik nie fyngestampte koljander nie... En
onthou, 'n slagter wat jou toelaat om met jou kale hande aan die biltong te voel, laat
ook hoeveel ander smerige lunsrieme met hulle kloue op die weerlose biltong los.
Ken die slagter sy storie?
Die beste beesbiltong word gemaak van C-graadvleis. As jy "C-graad" sê en die
slagter reageer asof iemand hom met 'n skokstok op 'n teer plek gaffel, soek maar 'n
ander slaghuis (C-graad is spesiaal geskape om daardie lekker, smaakryke
beesbiltonge met die dik, geel vet te maak). En as die slagter jou biltong vir jou in 'n
plastieksak wil sit, kanselleer die transaksie net daar, vat jou geld en loop. G'n mens
wat iets van biltong weet, versmoor die goed in plastiek nie - dit bederf binne 'n uur
of twee. Biltong hoort in 'n bruin papiersak - dis nou as jy nie 'n slopie het soos die
oumense gebruik het nie.
Kyk na die biltong self
'n Bedagsame, bedrewe biltongmaker sny elke boud of blad of wat ook al netjies in
sy nate uitmekaar. Daarna sny hy al die slierte en senings en rieme en goeters af en
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kook dit eenkant vir sy boerboele. Van die skoon vleis sny hy gawe, gladde, egalige
en elegante biltonge.Bekyk die biltong mooi: As hy 'n sening of 'n vlies in die middel
af het, sal die biltongmaker jou waarskynlik met jou kleingeld ook probeer verneuk.
Kies 'n biltong wat reg gesny is of gaan koop vir jou 'n pakkie skyfies by die kafee
langsaan.Die heel lekkerste wildsbiltong is die blinkste, swartste, gladste een wat nie
te dik is nie, tensy dit 'n oumabiltong is ('n oumabiltong is die sagte
binnerugstringvleis wat mense beeshaas noem).Wildsbiltong moet droog wees - hoe
droër, hoe beter. Hy moet só droog wees dat hy breek as jy hom buig. Morsaf.
Beesbiltong kan maar dik en natterig wees en rooi deurskyn as jy 'n skyfie teen die
lig hou.
As jy nie 'n beesbiltong met dik geel vet kan kry nie, soek dan die swartste biltong
met die egaligste tekstuur, maar moet jou nooit in 'n pienk biltong of 'n biltong met
wit vet in laat verneuk nie. Wit vet is voerkraalvet. Dit is verbouereerde beeste wat
in kampies saamgehok word en allerhande goeters ingestop word om hulle so gou
as moontlik vet te martel. Die storie dat wit vet beter is, is twak waarmee die
voerkraalbase die dommer deel van die publiek mislei sodat hulle dit koop. Daar
steek geen waarheid in nie. Dit smaak nie lekker nie en dis nie goed vir jou nie. En
die storie dat geel vet ongesond is, is nóg groter twak. My oupagrootjie sê al hierdie
praatjies dat mense kwansuis sou siek word en doodgaan van cholesterol, pyprook,
mampoer en geel vet, is twak. Siekte word veroorsaak deur spanning en spanning
word veroorsaak deur onsekerheid en onsekerheid word veroorsaak deur 'n vrot
regering, sê hy. Moenie die skuld op biltong pak nie.
Kerf hom reg
Die beste, voorbeeldigste manier om beesbiltong aan te durf is met 'n skerp knipmes,
maar dit kan soms lastig wees as jy nog 'n hand van iewers af moet optower om 'n
stuurwiel vas te hou. Dan vra jy die slagter om die biltong wat jy gekies het, vir jou
te kerf. Die meeste van die tyd word die stomme biltong in 'n rasende masjien
gedruk. As dié masjien oud word en sy lem stomp, dan kerf hy nie die biltong
ordentlik nie - hy vermink dit. Hy skeur die vet met die riem af en smyt dit, as jy
gelukkig is, in een lang, papgekapte sliert eenkant en befomfaai die res tot 'n hopie
flenters. Soms is dit so erg dat die hele ding, biltong, vet en riem, oral aanmekaar vas
is wanneer hy kastig klaar gekerf is. As jy ewe stylvol en deftig 'n kerfie biltong met
twee vingers raakvat en uit die sakkie wil lig, kom die hele spul saam, nes 'n
slaghoender se gedermtes.
Hier is my raad: Keer wanneer hulle jou biltongsakkie wil toeplak. Steek jou hand
in, vat 'n stukkie biltong en tel dit op. As die stukkies een-een uitkom, vrolik die
mense se dag op met 'n spitsvondigheid, sê dankie en betaal. Maar as daar 'n sliert
biltongderms saamkom, eis dan dat jou biltong ordentlik gekerf moet word of vat
jou geld, ruk jou op en loop. As die plek 'n sifdeur het - soos dit elke sindelike
slaghuis betaam - klap hom dat hy tot in sy skarniere sidder. Dis jou reg en jou plig
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teenoor ander biltongeters.
Die smaak
'n Mens proe nie regtig hoe 'n biltong smaak as jy daar voor die toonbank drie koue
aan 'n toetsmootjie gee nie - biltong het 'n langdurige tongtroeteling nodig om sy
ware boeket te bepaal. Dis die deel waar jy moet vertrou. Maar as jy vir al hierdie
voorsorge gesorg het, en al hierdie slaggate gesystap het - en jy het nog genoeg
tande vir die taak - wag daar op jou 'n wonderlike belewenis: Die heilsame
geelvetkroon, die smaaklike swartvleisrand en die dieprooi lekkerte in die middel.
Ruik hom: Die ene soet rooigrasweiding, ware Bosveld; goed en gesond. Proe hom:
Net genoeg geurgoeters sodat die vleissmaak ongeskonde behoue bly (een ding
waaroor daar nie 'n verskil mag wees nie, is dat 'n fatsoenlike biltong sout moet
wees. Nie brak nie, net lekker sout, soos 'n biltong behoort te wees).
Kou hom: 'n Kernontploffing van smaak en voedingskrag; ook voeding vir die
geteisterde gees. Ewe skielik word die ou vaal wêreld rondom jou volkleur. Die
onregte wat die mensdom jou so knaend aandoen, word nietighede. Die slaggatpad
word 'n hemelse hoofweg.
Jou medepadgebruikers word jou innigste vrinne - almal broers teenoor wie jy niks
anders koester nie as die grootste begrip en deernis. Die lewe is lekker. Alles is mooi.
Alles is goed.
Soos ek dit sien: Ongunstige beeld
Die arme polisie word deesdae byna op elke blad of forum in ‘n baie slegte lig gestel.
Generaals en offisiere wat oopmond in voertuie snork! Ja ons het almal vaak geword tydens
nagdiens! Ons het bv twee weke nagdiens gewerk met een nag af per week. Sondag 0600, na
twee weke nagdiens, kom jy van nagdiens. Dieselfde Sondagdag om 14:00 werk jy weer tot
22:00 Sondagaand. (Dis die “quick-change over” genoem!) Maandag werk jy weer van 06:00
tot 14:00 en dan slaap man! Maar so was dit: Slaap is ‘n wondersoete ding!
Om wakker te bly, wanneer dit stil was, het ek dikwels na die hawe gegaan en talle dames
van die nag aangekeer. Dit was groot sports want hulle het ons gevloek en geskel. Ons het
die RAA’s en die spesiale matrone se toelaag opgestoot en die nag het verby geskiet.
Maar daardie eerste Maandagoggend op dagdiens, na die nagskof, was die 05:00 opstaan vir
my ‘n riller. Ek het gewoonlik kaal en sonder komberse geslaap net om die wekker te hoor!
Soms op die vloer geslaap! Tyd vir lekker slaap was daar nie! Die SB was kwaai!
Maar ek kom terug na die “ou” dae. Dissipline het ek in die kollege geleer en ek kan dit in
een sin opsom: Goeie maniere met ‘n opregte houding! Kyk om polisieman te wees moet jou
gesindheid en houding reg wees!
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Ou brig CC von Keyserlingk het altyd gesê: “If you don’t want to work as a policeman, go
and chop sugar cane!” Daarom het die Zulus hom u-Moba (suikerriet) genoem!
9. WE REMEMBER / ONS ONTHOU
9.1 Stilte in die Hof – Lentulus
9.1.1 Ontug, M'Lord?
'n Landdros kollega sit in 1989 te Boksburg voor in 'n ontug saak: seks oor die
kleurlyn. Tot die laat sewentigs het 'n skuldigbevinding gewoonlik direkte
gevangenisstraf tot gevolg gehad. Sedert die tagtigs het die wiel stadig begin draai
en was opgeskorte gevangenisstraf meestal opgelê.
Beskuldige nommer een is 'n 72 jarige blanke wewenaar en beskuldigde nommer
twee sy 55 jarige swart huishulp. Die polisie het ondersoek ingestel, nadat klagtes
van gegriefde bure ontvang is. Hul vind die wewenaar broekloos in die kombuis en
(na 'n kort soektog) die huishulp in die hoofslaapkamer se hangkas.
Beide pleit onskuldig en openbaar hul werweer as volg: “Ons was verveeld en het
besluit om wegkruipertjie te speel. Beskuldige twee het gaan wegkruip wyl onse
wewenaar in die kombuis tot 100 moes tel. Met die oge toe, het hy per ongeluk sy
koffie op sy broek gemors. Die broek toe maar gou in die tuimeldroer gesit alvorens
hy die huishulp sou gaan soek...”
Kollega was 'n man gemaklik in sy eie vel en bewus van die winde van verandering
wat toe al oor Suid Afrika begin spoel het. Met sy bekende (berugte?) Februarie 1990
toespraak het president De Klerk dan ook ontug van die wetsboek gevee: jy mag
slaap wie jy wil.
Kollega vind hulle gevolglik onskuldig op die basis dat hul verweer redelik
moontlik waar kan wees...
Oor 'n dop merk hy later droog op dat daar geen manier was wat hy die twee 'op hul
oudag' met 'n kriminele rekord sou belas nie.
9.1.2 Die Swart Humor van Klein Apartheid
Vroeg in die 1980's was ek addisionele-landdros te Mabopane in die destydse
Republiek van Bophuthatswana. My kollega was 'n wyse Tswana, heelwat ouer dan
ek. Ek het hom Oom Joe genoem en hy vir my Ou Seun.
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Vrydae oggende was huweliksbevestiging tyd. Heelwat gemengde paartjies het in
Bop kom trou daar dit nog in die RSA onwettig was. Goed 80% blanke bruide-
gomme en 20% blanke bruide. Oom Joe het bod geweier om diesulkes in die eg te
verbind daar 'dit teen die natuur is, Ou Seun'. Ek moes maar instaan.
Artikel 16 van die Ontugwet het seks tussen blank en nie-blank tot misdaad verhef.
Die Minister van Justisie, J P Pelser verduidelik as volg in die Parlement: “Let us be
honest with one another.There is a very simple solution. Stay away from Bantu
woman. It will lead to the deterioration of the White Race.”
Minister Chris Heunis vat Pelser se hand en voeg by: “Sexual relations over the
colour line will lead to destruction of human relations between white and brown.”
Dr Radford van die Verenigde Party het egter wal gegooi vir blanke mans met 'n
voorliefde vir bruinbrood: “This is a sociological problem and should rather be dealt
with by psychiatrists as these men are usually over-sexed dullards.”
Pelser stel darem blanke mans gerus dat die vervoer van Nie-Blanke vroue in sy kar,
geen oortreding is nie want werkgewers vervoer gereeld hul werknemers so. Hy
waarsku egter vrouens, veral van Joodse en Engelse oorsprong, om weg te doen met
hul Nie-Blanke manlike drywers (chauffeurs) daar dit 'n swak voorbeeld stel en die
suspisie van ontug skep. “Do NOT drive Miss Daisy...”
Die aanvanklike rasseklassifikasie was Wit, Swart en Gekleurd. Chinese en Japanese
het (onder andere; sluit ook in Malay, Indier, Cape Coloured ens) in die grysgebied
van Gekleurd geval. Japanese mans was egter erg verward. In 1960 is hul
hergeklassifiseer as Blank, waarskynlik weens groei in ekonomiese bande tussen die
twee lande. So: voor 1960 kon 'n Japanees 'n Swart of Kleurling vrou bykom maar
pleeg hy ontug met 'n blanke vrou. Na 1960 is 'n blanke vrou egter geoorloofd maar
pleeg hy ontug met Swart of Bruin!
Japanese sielsiekes is voor 1960 in die Nie-Blanke saal van 'n gestig aangehou.Na
1960 moes hul oorskuif na die Blanke saal. Die Hoof van Sterkfontein-gestig het hul
gesigte en arms egter eers met velroom behandel ten einde dit te verlig en 'n
'orientasie' kurses aangebied. Hy wou nie die Blanke pasiente nog verder verwar
nie..(hulle is immers reeds sielsiek).
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En van hospitale gepraat: 'n Swart of Bruin dokter mag nie instruksies aan Blanke
verpleegsters gee nie, of Blanke pasiente behandel nie. Selfs bloedskenkers is in
aparte lokale 'ontbloed' en die bloed, duidelik na ras gemerk, in aparte stoorkamers
gestoor.
Onse 'Groot Bevryder', F W de Klerk motiveer as volg in 1989: “The Nationalist
Goverment's policy is seperate development. Now if a white man marries a black
Transkeian woman, the man would be voting for the white parliament, the woman
for the Transkei parliament and the children for the Coloured Representative
Council. I do not think this makes for a happy family life.”
En die cherry-oppi-koek komtaar kom van onse dominie, NF Treurnicht in 1967:
“We in South Africa are not obsessed with race”.
En Jesus het geween.
9.2 Slaap aan diens: Pottie Potgieter
Hoe ons in die ou dae met hierdie aspek gehandel het: Terwyl ek op Blitspatrollie
Johannesburg gewerk het was daar nie altyd voldoende blanke personeel om as
bemannings saam op die karre te ry nie. Daar was heelwat anderskleurige lede wat
wel gebruik kon word. Van hierdie lede was puik en het die ouens bykans vuis
geslaan om hulle as bemannings te kry, maar daar was ongelukkig ook ‘n paar wat
uiters treurig was. Die goeie lede was gewoonlik deur die manne wat al langer by
Blitspatrollie gestasioneer was, permanent as crew bespreek en het die blougatte nie
‘n kans gehad om hulle as crew te kry nie.
Ek was skaars van Ferndale af na Brixton verplaas en het dus nie die senioriteit
gehad om ‘n vaste crew te kry nie en moes maar met die opdrifsels tevrede gewees
het.
Op daardie stadium was daar ook dan twee skofte die een was “Beheer Een”,
waarop die ou manne met die vinnige karre, die Lark’s en die Commander’s, gery
het en dan “Beheer Twee” waar die blougatte wat net van die stasies af ingekom het,
met die Dodge “van’s” gery het.
Die Dodge se binne deur handvatsel moes jy optrek om die deur oop te maak, ons
ouens het egter uitgevind dat jy die handvatsel kon losmaak en draai sodat jy dit
kon afdruk om ook oop te maak. Op die manier kon jy baie vinniger uit die van
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uitkom, jy moes egter versigtig wees waar jy gevat en gedruk het, veral as jy in ‘n
bietjie van ‘n jaagtog betrokke geraak het. Die bestuurder kon nog aan die stuurwiel
vas hou, maar die crew het nie vas hou plek gehad nie.
Die betrokke aand kry ek toe een van hierdie useless wetters wat saam met my moet
werk en ons is skaars by Brixton se hek uit, toe slaap die donner. Ek het hom met die
knuppel in die lies gedruk en gesê hy moet nie slaap nie, maar hy het voorgegee dat
hy nie geslaap het nie.
Nie lank nie of ek sien sy kop is weer aan die knik en kort daarna is die ken op die
bors en die kwyl loop uit sy mond uit. Ek het bietjie spoed opgebou en skierlik ‘n
pletterstop gemaak, die crew is teen die windskerm vas dat ek eindelik sy kop hoor
klap. Ek sê toe dadelik: “So ‘n donnerse hond” en maak of ek vinnig moes stop om
nie ‘n hond raak te ry nie.
Toe bly hy darem so ‘n rukkie wakker, maar so halfpad deur die skof, wat in die
middel van die week en maar ‘n bietjie stil was, sien ek die donner slaap weer en ek
sien sy arm rus so op die deur, seker om te verhoed dat hy nie weer in die
windskerm vas neuk nie.
Toe maak ek maar ander plan, ek begin stadig vinniger ry sodat ek hom nie uit sy
sluimeringe wakker maak nie en toe ek by die volgende kruising kom, lê ek oor, klap
die handvatsel van die deur na onder en draai skierlik na regs. En daar vlieg ta by
die deur uit, slaan gat oor kop op die teer neer en sy Pith-helmet trek so al rollende
in die straat af.
Ek gooi ankers uit, spring uit die van uit en hardloop om te hoor wat hy dan nou
gemaak het.
“Nee,” sê hy vir my, “toe die konstabel draai toe dog ek, ek sien die ander man agter
die boom wegkruip. Ek wou hom vang”
Nodeloos om te sê die bliksem het die res van daai skof nie weer geslaap nie en alles
in sy vermoë gedoen om nooit weer saam met my te crew nie.
Ek het eers baie later besef dat ek die bliksem baie ernstig kon beseer het, of as hy
verkeerd geval het moontlik nog met die van oor hom kon gery het. Dit het egter die
gewenste uitwerking gehad en die storie het versprei dat ouens wat saam met my
crew wakker moet wees.
- ‘n Wemmerpan slapie en ontnugtering
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Ek het net van “beheer twee” na “beheer een” oorgegaan toe die lid-in-bevel van die
aflossing, adjudant-offisier Jan Horn my eenkant toe roep en vra of ek die ou is wat
mense leer om nie op diens te slaap nie. Toe ek bevestig dat die klomp “beheer
twee” manne nou nie eindelik gediend is om saam met my te ry nie, sê hy vir my
dat daar ook die een en ander is wat maar ‘n bietjie problematies was en dat ek hulle
ook maar kan wakker maak.
Die aand toe pos hy ‘n ou saam met my en word ek toe nog boonop, seker die slegste
patrollie wyk van die lot toegeken. Dit was “Een Algemeen”. Dit was die middestad
van Johannesburg en in die nag in die week het daar bykans niks in die wyk
plaasgevind nie. Die enigste voordeel daarvan om in die wyk geplaas te word, was
dat indien dit stil was kon “Beheer” jou na enige ander wyk gestuur het om klagtes
by te woon of te help. Dit was dan ook waarvoor die “Algemeen” gestaan het.
Dit was wintertyd en besonder stil, ek was ‘n ou Studebaker Lark toegeken wat oor
geen verhittingsmeganismes beskik het nie. Die crew was in sy Great Coat toe
gewikkel en ek kon sommer vroeg al sien dat slaap sy voorland was en het besluit
om hom ‘n les te leer wat hy nooit sou vergeet nie.
Ek het stadig in die rigting van Wemmerpan, wat net buite die grens van die
middestad patrollie gebied gelê het, beweeg en stadig gery om nie vir die crew
voortydig wakker te maak nie.
Die ouens wat die gebied ken sal weet dat die pan se wal net breed genoeg was vir
een kar om op ‘n slag daaroor te ry en daar eindelik gefrons is op ouens wat oor die
wal gery het omdat daar net onder die wal ‘n paadjie was wat gebruik kon word.
Om op die alternatiewe pad te ry sou egter die doel van my missie teen gewerk het.
Die ouer manne wat ook met die ou .38 Smith & Wesson toegerus was sal ook weet
dat enige polisieman wat sy sout werk was ook altyd ‘n paar ekstra .38 patrone
gehad het.
Dit is ook belangrik om te beklemtoon dat ek dwars deur die winter nooit my
voertuig se vensters toegemaak het nie omdat dit is les was wat ek vroeg geteer het
om na die klanke buite die voertuig te luister. Jy hoor in die nag as dit stil is baie vêr
as glas breek, as honde blaf of as voëls skierlik opvlieg. Ek het die triek baie vroeg by
konst Smith geleer en hy het een van die beste rekords gehad vir die vang van
inbrekers. So wat ek wil sê, dit was nie koud in die kar nie, dit was vrek koud.
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So het ek toe stadig aan gekuier tot ek op die middel van die paadjie oor die
damwal. Sommer so in die ry haal ek toe my ou .38 uit en skiet twee skote in die
naby geleë mynhoop in en skreeu so hard ek kan: “Vang hom, daar gaan hy.” Deur
die k@k wakker geskrik spring die crew by die deur uit en binne in Wemmerpan in.
Ek hoor net bloep-bloep toe hy onder die water verdwyn en sien sy Pith-helmet so
stadig wegdryf. Die crew spartel en spoeg en swaai sy arms maar hy is meer onder
water as bo. Toe tref dit my skierlik. Die pan is donners diep hier teen die wal, die
lid se Great coat suig water soos ‘n dors kameel en boonop lyk dit of die lid nie kan
swem nie.
Ek raak toe vinnig van my eie warmjas ontslae en duik in die water in om die donner
van verdrinking te red.
Toe ek hom uiteindelik uit die water en in die kar het, toe besef ek ook dat ek nou
maar moet ry dat ek vrek om beide van ons by Brixton te kry sodat ons van die nat
klere ontslae kon raak en voor ‘n verwarmer kon kom om warm te word.
Ek het seker gemaak dat ek net vir die wis en die onwis my wapen weer laai.
By Brixton aangekom toe staan meneer Jan Horn vir ons en wag. Dadelik wil hy toe
weet wat gebeur het en wat ons by Wemmerpan gesoek het. Ek vertel hom toe dat
dit maar stil in die middestad was en ek besluit het om by die pan ‘n draai te gaan
maak aangesien daar die vorige week ‘n paar gevalle was waar vryers aldaar lastig
geval was. Ek noem toe ook dat ons halfpad oor die wal was toe my crew skierlik uit
die kar gespring het en in die pan beland het waar uit ek hom toe moes red. Die crew
maak heftig beswaar en sê dit is nie so nie. Dat ek twee skote geskiet het en gesê het:
“Vang hom!” Dat hy toe uitgespring het om die opdrag na te kom en in die pan
beland het. A/o Horn beveel my toe om my wapen aan hom te oorhandig, hy
inspekteer die wapen voor die man en wys hom daarop dat daar geen afgevuurde
doppies in die wapen is nie. Hy ruik toe ook aan die loop van die wapen en sê dat
hy ook geen afgevuurde kruit ruik nie. Hy maak toe die bevinding dat die lid seker
gedroom het dat hy die skote en die bevel gehoor het en plaas ons beide van diens
om te gaan droog rak..
Toe die lid met ‘n kar weggeneem word roep ao Horn my toe nader en sê vir my hy
dink beide van ons het seker ‘n les hieruit geleer. Hy glo nie man sal ooit weer op
diens slaap nie en hy glo dat ek my trieks in die toekoms beter sal beplan.
Nodeloos om te sê “Beheer Een” se lede, veral die wat geneig was om ‘n uiltjie te
knip, wou na die voorval ook nie saam met my werk nie. Daar was net een lid ‘n
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Zulu, Konstabel Chesi, wat ge-volenteer het om saam met my te werk en wat op diens
onafskeidbaar van my was.
Toe ek later na Pretoria verplaas is, het hy krokodil trane gehuil en wou hy met alle
geweld saam met my Pretoria toe. Dit kos my toe ‘n helse vertooning om hom aan ‘n
ander vriend van my toe te ken en hom opdrag te gee dat hy die man moes
grootmaak en beskerm want hy is my bloed broer. Eers toe was Chesi eers tevrede!
- Baas-slaapers
Ek moet erken dat dit nie net ons donker kleurige kollegas was wat ‘n slapie
uitgepak het nie, daar was ‘n paar van die wittetjies wat, hoe sal ek nou sê, SLAAP
KAMPIOENE was!
Die een wat vir my onmiddellik uitstaan as die “Kampioen van Kampioene” moet
seer seker ‘n man by name van “Karakoel” Steyn wees.
Kortliks twee stories om my punt te bewys.
1. Karakoel Steyn en sy wit crew word in die Yeoville-omgewing geplaas. Van net na
middernag sukkel beheer onverpoos om hulle op die lug te kry. Soekgeselskappe
word naderhand getuur om die gereelde slaapplekke te besoek om te sien of hulle
nie die twee kan opspoor nie.
Daar is egter geen teken van hulle te bespeur nie. Die oggend toe ons van diens moet
gaan is daar steeds geen teken van die twee nie.
Die bekommernis vlak styg en nou begin ons wonder of hulle nie miskien deur die
een of ander misdaad sindikaat gevange geneem is of vakant gemaak is nie.
Hier kort voor 8 die oggend toe daag die twee uiteindelik by Brixton op, so rooi: jy
kan die son met hulle brand maak.
Toe kom die storie uit. Hulle het by die Joodse skool in Yeoville ingetrek en daar aan
die slaap geraak. Geen wonder ons kon hulle nie kry nie, want die skool was in so ‘n
oop vierkant vormige gebou met die speelgrond in die middel van die geboue. En
dit was hier, op die speelgrond waar hulle te ruste gekom het. Eers wakker geskrik
toe die klein Joodjies “Ringa-Ringa-Rosies” om die squad-kar begin speel.
2. In hierdie geval was Karakoel en sy wit “crew” weer in die suide van
Johannesburg gepos en het hulle ook soek geraak.
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Almal het oral gesoek, toe kom die diensoffisier, ek kan nie sy naam onthou nie, op
die bright idee om by die “Top Star Drive In” te gaan kyk. Daar kry hy toe die twee
waar hulle agter die winkeltjie ingetrek het, vas aan die slaap.
Die diensoffisier roep toe vier ander karre om hom te kom help. Die kar se vier wiele
word losgemaak en die vier karre se domkragte word gelyktydig ingespan om die
kar totaal van die grond af te lig en die wiele te verwyder.
Toe word die kar stadig tot op die grond laat sal en ons vertrek van die toneel af met
die vier wiele in die diensoffisier se kar. Sowat drie uur na die wiele so verwyder
was kom Karakoel skierlik weer op die lug, hy klink uit asem. Hy vra dat hulp
dadelik na hom gestuur moet word by die Top Star Drive In want hulle het op
huisbrekers afgekom wat besig was om by die winkel in te breek, dat die toe weg
gehardloop het, af in Ophirton se rigting. Hulle het die brekers te voet agtervolg
maar kon hulle nie vang nie.
Toe hulle egter by hulle kar terug kom was al vier die kar se wiele gesteel. Ek wens
ek kon daar gewees het toe die diensoffisier vir hom sy vier wiele terug besorg het.
Kort hierna was besluit dat ou Karakoel nou genoeg kaskenades met slaap aan diens
en ongelukke gehad het dat hy nou maar tot die beheerkamer verban moes word.
- Wagters op die Mure – Guardians of the Peace - HBH
As a former professional police officer this is hurtful to publish the following
pictures. With technology and communication so readily available the police should
be on their toes as the public take pictures of them in any possible situation. Still they
e.g. do shopping with police vehicles. However there is no excuse when you have
committed the 11th sin – “You shall not be caught out!”
We must remember the police are human after all – but there are ways and means of
combatting Wee Willy Winky. All excutive policemen the world over has come
accross this terrible man!
During WW1 if you slept on duty you were excecuted by firing squad! This was
particularly the situation in France and the danger of Musterd Gas.
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A whole charge office, captains and a
general fast asleep in uniform! A
spokesman for the taxpayers says: “We
have the best police service in the
world! These guys are on duty 24 hrs a
day, 7 days a week and 365 1/ 4 days a
year. They must take time to rest after
their arduous duties – after all what do
we pay the private security companies
for! (Who are guarding the police
stations?)
Rumours have it that Police HQ is
looking for Wee Willy Winky alias
Klaas Vakie – the cause of all the
troubles.
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Rank inflation is also a terrible thing! In days of old: Sergeants and Constables
worked shifts. Warrant Officers were station commanders and supervisors while
commissioned officers were in command of districts, branches, units and large
stations. Now you find commissioned officers on duty behind charge office counters.
The Commissioner should start running a tight ship!
9.3
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10. MORE SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS / MEER
ERNSTIGE NUUS EN NASIONALE VEILIGHEID
10.1 Namibia Police Air Wing takes delivery of new Eurocopter EC145
Written by Eurocopter/defenceWeb Thursday, 20 September 2012 17:01
Namibia’s Police Force (NAMPOL) today took delivery of a new Eurocopter EC145
helicopter at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition currently being
held at Air Force Base Waterkloof outside Pretoria.
Namibia’s Ministry of Safety & Security ordered the twin-engined multi-mission
helicopter in 2011 to complement NAMPOL’s existing fleet of Eurocopter AS350B3
aircraft. The new helicopter was manufactured at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth facility
in Germany, and has been equipped with various airborne law enforcement and
rescue equipment.
Other EC145 operators include the London Metropolitan Police Authority, the
French Gendarmerie, several German and US State police forces. In addition, the US
Army has ordered 322 military variant EC145s (known as the UH-345 Lakota) as its
new-generation Light Utility Helicopter requirement.
“NAMPOL's EC145 acquisition is part of an evolving modernisation programme,
which enables NAMPOL to fulfill its duty in providing civil protection and law
enforcement to all Namibians,” said Lt-Gen Sebastian Ndeitunga, Inspector-General
of NAMPOL.
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Namibia’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Safety & Security, Ndeutala
Angolo said: “The deployment of the newly acquired EC145 will also grow
NAMPOL’s capability and capacity to provide emergency search & rescue, life-
saving and vital humanitarian relief support ”.
The multi-mission EC145 can be flown by one or two pilots and carries up to nine
passengers. It is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines, giving a cruise
speed of 135 kts (approx. 250km/h) and an endurance of up to 3.5 flight hours. It also
features a night vision goggle-compatible glass cockpit enabling operations in poor
visibility conditions. Its digital autopilot allows for either single or dual pilot
missions.
“These features, together with its simplified maintenance, made the EC145 the
natural choice to augment NAMPOL’s pair of single-engined AS350B3 helicopters,
the first of which has been in service since 2009. Together, the EC145 and AS350B3
will provide NAMPOL with unparalleled performance in Namibia, a country
typified by extreme conditions, including the very hot, dry and dusty conditions in
the central plateau and desert regions,” said Fabrice Cagnat, CEO of Eurocopter
Southern Africa Ltd (ESAL).
NAMPOL has also contracted ESAL to provide type conversion training for pilots
and engineers. This will take place at Eurocopter in Germany and also at ESAL’s
base at Grand Central Airport near Johannesburg, South Africa. The helicopter will
be stationed at the NAMPOL Air Wing base at Eros Airport, Windhoek, where it
will also be maintained.
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277
67:namibia-police-air-wing-takes-delivery-of-new-eurocopter-
ec145&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107
10.2 Doodstraf: Besluit ‘katastrofies’
2012-09-13 00:03 - Philip de Bruin
Die uitspraak waarin die konstitusionele hof die doodstraf in 1995 afgeskaf het, het die mees
katastrofiese gevolge van enige uitspraak op die samelewing gehad, meen ’n strafregkenner.
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Prof. Carel Snyman, afgetrede dosent in strafreg aan Unisa, sê die uitspraak het geblyk ’n
stuk mislukte sosiale ingenieurswese te wees.
Snyman maak dié stellings in die sesde herdruk van sy boek Strafreg wat pas verskyn het.
Regters, advokate en prokureurs landwyd gebruik die boek in die howe as verwysing.
Hy sê dit is ’n “koue statistiese feit” dat die waarde van die menslike lewe nog nooit in die
vredestydse geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika laer was as sedert die invoering van die “reg op
lewe”, die begrip “heiligheid van lewe” en daarmee saam die afskaffing van die doodstraf
nie.
“Dit maak nie saak watter intellektuele gimnastiek die voorstanders van die afskaffing van
die doodstraf uitvoer nie, uiteindelik is dit die koue werklikheid soos weerspieël deur
misdaadsyfers in die algemeen en moordsyfers in die besonder wat vir ’n mens sê of die
uitspraak reg of verkeerd was.”
Hy verwys na die jongste amptelike syfers wat toon in die dekade ná die afskaffing van die
doodstraf is 250 000 mense in Suid-Afrika vermoor.
’n Verslag van 2009 toon die gemiddelde moordsyfer in Suid-Afrika was 36,5 per 100 000
mense, in Brittanje was dit 1,2, in Duitsland 0,8 en in die VSA 5,2.
“ ’n Strafregsisteem wat voorgee dat die reg op lewe die hoogste reg is, maar wat in die
praktyk eindig met een van die hoogste pro rata-moordsyfers ter wêreld, is ’n siek sisteem
wat met verwronge beginsels werk.
“Suid-Afrika kan trots wees op sy nuwe Grondwet met sy Handves van Regte en dat hy sy
rug gekeer het op apartheid met sy euwels. Maar die sogenaamde ‘heiligheid van lewe’
waarop voorstanders swaar leun, is ’n begrip wat geensins vry te spreek is van
skynheiligheid en onegtheid nie.”
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Besluit-katastrofies-20120912
Kommentaar HBH – Mens wonder of die “moord-en-roof-eenhede” dienooreenkomstig
vergroot is?
10.3 Regter bepleit minder vlakke in regstelsel
2012-09-13 00:04 - Alicestine October
Kaapstad. – Die Suid-Afrikaanse regstelsel het te veel vlakke waar mense sake op appèl kan
neem, is gister in die parlement gehoor.
Regter Denis Davis, president van die mededingingsappèlhof, het ’n saak uitgemaak vir
minder vlakke voor die portefeuljekomitee vir justisie en grondwetlike ontwikkeling.
Dit was terwyl hy die komitee oor die Wetsontwerp op Hoër Howe en die gepaardgaande
Wetsontwerp op die Sewentiende Wysiging aan die Grondwet toegespreek het. Dié stukke
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wetgewing sal die konstitusionele hof die hoogste hof vir álle sake in die land maak.
Davis het gesê daar is gevalle, soos mededingingsake, waar die Mededingingstribunaal sake
aanhoor, dan is daar ’n opsie om na die mededingingsappèlhof te appelleer, dan ook die
appèlhof en uiteindelik ook die konstitusionele hof. Hy het gesê dié situasie kan katastrofale
gevolge vir belegging in die land inhou.
Volgens hom moet minstens een vlak – dié van die appèlhof – in mededingingsake weggelaat
word.
“Daar is te veel vlakke van appèl. ’n Oorlog woed tans tussen die beginsels van toegang tot
geregtigheid en die breër strukture van ons regstelsel.
“Ons kan nie van mense verwag om oor drie of vier hekkies te spring om toegang tot
geregtigheid te kry nie. Ons sal deeglik hieroor moet besin.”
Hy het gesê sake kan vir ewig aanhou, en dit is net vir die regsberoep ekonomies voordelig.
“Niemand sal wil belê in ’n land met soveel vlakke vir litigasie wat so lank kan duur nie – dit
is malligheid.”
Armes word veral geraak, want selfs al wen hulle hul saak voor die tribunaal, kan dit op drie
verdere vlakke van appèl betwis word.
“Dit is ’n onhoudbare situasie vir gewone mense, problematies vir die soort
beleggingsklimaat wat ons in Suid-Afrika wil skep, en kan vernietigende gevolge vir die
samehorigheid van regspleging hê.”
Dene Smuts, DA-LP, het gesê sy staan simpatiek teenoor Davis se saak.
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Regter-bepleit-minder-vlakke-in-regstelsel-
20120912
10.4 ‘Prokureur steek hond dood’
2012-09-14 00:34 - Gerhard Pretorius
’n Prokureur het glo op straat verby ’n 12-jarige seun geleun om die kind se hond
met ’n mes dood te steek. Die mes het die longe van Simson, Aiden Viljoen se rifrug,
deurboor. Hy is skaars ’n uur later in ’n veearts se spreekkamer dood weens die
bloed in sy longe.
Aiden en ’n maat het eergister omstreeks 16:00 met sy twee honde, Simson en Kiara,
in ’n veiligheidskompleks in Moreletapark, Pretoria, gestap. Die prokureur, Francois
Greeff, het ook met sy twee honde in die kompleks gestap.
“Ek het albei honde se leibande in my hand gehad en toe het ’n man van voor af
gekom met sy twee honde,” het Aiden vertel. “My honde is sterk en het my getrek,
want hulle wou na die ander honde toe gaan. “Die honde het ’n bietjie vir mekaar
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gegrom en die leibande het deurmekaar geraak, maar hulle het mekaar nie eens een
keer gebyt nie.”
Volgens Aiden het Greeff ’n tree of wat teruggestaan en toe oor hom gebuk en ’n
mes “roekeloos” rondgeswaai.
“Hy het Simson gesny en Kiara ook op die oor gesny.
“Hy het toe teruggestaan en ek het hom gevra: ‘Het jy nou net my hond gesny?’ en
hy het ‘ja’ gesê. “Toe ek hom vra: ‘Gaan jy nie verskoning vra nie?’ het hy ‘nee’ gesê
en net weggeloop.
“Simson het teen my kom lê en toe ek afkyk, het sy bloed teen sy been afgeloop.
“My hond het dit nie verdien nie.
“Toe ons by die huis kom, het my tannie Simson na ’n veearts toe gevat,” het Aiden
gesê.
Daar was ’n steekwond aan die hond se sy wat glo sy dood veroorsaak het.
Aiden het vertel sy oupa Willie, wat verlede jaar dood is, het rifrughonde geteel en
Simson vir hom gegee.Aiden het sy pa mooi gevra of hulle Simson kan veras en sy
as by dié van sy oupa in die gedenkmuur by die Voortrekkermonument kan gaan
plaas. Sy pa, Walter, het Greeff gaan konfronteer.
Greeff het glo aan Walter Viljoen gesê hy het ’n mes by hom om hom te verdedig en
in dié geval moes hy hom en sy honde verdedig.
Greeff het gister aan Beeld gesê die polisie het hom gister om 15:00 op aanklag van
opsetlike saakbeskadiging gearresteer, maar op waarskuwing vrygelaat. Hy het gesê
hy wil nie sy saak in die media bespreek nie, maar ontken dat hy iets verkeerds
gedoen het.
Greeff sal in Oktober in die hof verskyn.
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Aiden Viljoen (12)
10.5 Seven police helicopters grounded - Nathi Mthethwa
5 September 2012
Minister says Armscor establishing term contract on behalf of SAPS with manufacturers to
perform maintenance
36/1/4/1/201200171
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2091
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 AUGUST 2012
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 23-2012)
Date reply submitted: 4 September 2012
2091. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether any of the helicopters of the SA Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing have been
grounded for maintenance since 1 January 2012; if not, why not; if so, (a)(i) how many have
been grounded in each province and (ii) for how long in each case and (b) how often does
each SAPS helicopter undergo maintenance;
(2) whether there were any delays in the maintenance of these helicopters; if not, what is the
position in this regard; if so, what caused the delays;
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(3) who has been contracted to provide (a) product support and (b) maintenance to the SAPS
Air Wing helicopters?
NW2571E
REPLY:
(1) Yes
(a)
5 helicopters from Gauteng
• 2 were grounded in April 2011. One of these had to have the Engine was removed
and sent to the USA after being under power the other's gear box was sent to the
USA for repair
• Two were was grounded in October 2011and the delays have been caused by
needing to get spare parts from Germany
• One was grounded in November 2011 and as with the two above delays have been
cause by parts needing to be sourced from Germany.
1 helicopter from Western Cape (Grounded in December 2011 and special part is still
awaited from Germany)
1 helicopter from Free State (grounded in February 2011 and was sent for upgrade The
upgrade requires special spares as the helicopter has been operating more than 25 years)
(b) After every 100 flying hours.
(2) There are no delays in the appointment of service providers to perform maintenance on
the helicopters. The original equipment manufacturers (service providers for the specific
brand and model of helicopters) are appointed immediately after a requirement for
maintenance is received.
(3)(a)(b) Armscor is in an advanced stage of establishing a term contract on behalf of the
SAPS with the original equipment manufacturers for the various models of helicopters in
the SAPS fleet. The original equipment manufacturers for the different models of
helicopters are being utilized and contracted to perform maintenance and product support
on the helicopters as and when a requirement arises.
Reply to question 2091 approved by the Minister
Issued by Parliament, September 5 2012
10.6 Few murder convictions in Cape Town's ganglands
Politicsweb.co.za - 04 September 2012
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Less than a quarter of finalised prosecutions for murder, in some of Cape Town's most gang
blighted areas, resulted in successful convictions last year. This emerges from information
provided in reply to a parliamentary question by Minister of Justice and Constitutional
Development Jeff Radebe.
Minister Radebe was asked by the Democratic Alliance's Debbie Schafer MP what number of
cases of murder in Hanover Park, Lavender Hill, Elsies River, Manenberg and Bishop Lavis
had been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the South African Police Service
- for the years 2007/2008 to 2011/2012 - and how many of these cases had resulted in
convictions.
Recently Western Cape Premier Helen Zille requested unsuccessfully that President Jacob
Zuma deploy the SANDF to two of these areas - Hanover Park and Lavender Hill - due to
the high level of gang violence.
According to the information provided by Radebe a total of 276 murder cases from these
areas were referred to the NPA by the SAPS in 2011/2012 (down from 364 the previous year.)
140 prosecutions were finalised, resulting in 108 acquittals and 32 convictions. In total, over
the past five years, 1 469 murder cases in these areas have been referred to the NPA by the
SAPS, 921 prosecutions have been finalised, and 174 convictions secured.
In answer to the question of whether any of the cases were gang related Radebe stated that
the data collection system used by his department does not make provision for the collection
of this information.
A detailed breakdown is provided in the tables below:
1. Hanover Park (cases registered at Philippi police station)
Murder cases
referred to
NPA by SAPS
Prosecutions
finalised Convictions Acquittals
Conviction
rate (C/PF)
2007/08 37 33 5 28 15.2%
2008/09 42 43 14 29 32.6%
2009/10 20 29 8 21 27.6%
2010/11 57 10 3 7 30.0%
2011/12 41 23 5 18 21.7%
Cases pending 30
***
2. Lavender Hill (cases registered at Steenberg police station)
Murder cases
referred to
NPA by SAPS
Prosecutions
finalised Convictions Acquittals
Conviction
rate (C/PF)
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2007/08 19 14 6 8 42.9%
2008/09 20 25 4 21 16.0%
2009/10 16 21 2 19 9.5%
2010/11 51 13 4 9 30.8%
2011/12 42 17 5 12 29.4%
Cases pending 19
***
3. Elsies River
Murder cases
referred to
NPA by SAPS
Prosecutions
finalised ConvictionsAcquittals
Conviction
rate (C/PF)
2007/08 34 33 1 32 3.0%
2008/09 46 37 6 31 16.2%
2009/10 54 36 14 22 38.9%
2010/11 54 19 4 15 21.1%
2011/12 49 22 1 21 4.5%
Cases pending 10
***
4. Manenberg
Murder cases
referred to
NPA by SAPS
Prosecutions
finalised Convictions Acquittals
Conviction
rate (C/PF)
2007/08 64 46 3 43 6.5%
2008/09 75 73 12 61 16.4%
2009/10 47 21 6 15 28.6%
2010/11 114 20 5 15 25.0%
2011/12 57 34 15 19 44.1%
Cases pending 29
***
5. Bishop Lavis
Murder cases
referred to
NPA by SAPS
Prosecutions
finalised Convictions Acquittals
Conviction
rate (C/CF)
2007/08 83 56 0 56 0.0%
2008/09 165 109 15 94 13.8%
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2009/10 107 88 20 68 22.7%
2010/11 88 55 10 45 18.2%
2011/12 87 44 6 38 13.6%
Cases pending 21
***
Total of all five areas combined
Murder cases
referred to
NPA by SAPS
Prosecutions
finalised Convictions Acquittals
Conviction
rate (C/PF)
2007/08 237 182 15 137 8.2%
2008/09 348 287 51 236 17.8%
2009/10 244 195 50 145 25.6%
2010/11 364 117 26 91 22.2%
2011/12 276 140 32 108 22.9%
Cases
pending 109
10.7 Onseker polisie maak jou bang
2012-09-08 07:00
Vir ons hier in die suide is die Lonmin-slagting en sy nasleep waarskynlik effens verder
verwyder as vir mense in die noorde.
Ons kon dinge van ’n veilige(r) afstand volg. Vir ons was dit merendeels ’n TV-tragedie.
Maar vir enigiemand wat die TV-beelde die afgelope twee weke dopgehou het, was een
ding opvallend: Hoe onseker die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens lyk in sy optrede by
onrussituasies soos dié – nie net ten tyde van die skietery nie, maar in elke situasie daarna.
Kyk maar, jy kon die polisielede se onsekerheid sien by vandeesweek se stakings en optogte.
Hulle lyk huiwerig, selfs bang. Hulle maal rond. Jy sien nie linies of kordonne nie. Te veel
van hulle praat met mekaar, en heeltemal te veel praat oor en weer met tweerigtingradio’s
(’n stukkie toerusting wat dikwels meer verwarring saai as wat dit opklaar).
Jy kon met die blote oog sien daar is nie ’n doeltreffende bevelsketting nie, en jy kry ’n hol
kol op jou maag, want jy wéét daardie so belangrike “bevel-en-sein”-funksie wat die situasie
in toom moet hou, is nie daar nie.
Op elke TV-toneel lyk dit of die polisie onkant betrap word. Nou beduie en wuif almal. En jy
weet in ’n klomp van hulle se kop eggo ’n vorige polisiekommissaris se instruksie steeds:
“Shoot to kill.”
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Jy kry die gevoel – en Dawie sê dit nie ligsinnig nie – dat as iemand nou skielik ’n
tjipspakkie sou pop... Marikana II, of nog ’n Ficksburg met nog ’n paar Andries Tatanes.
Jy sien hierdie onsekerheid ook op die polisie se perskonferensies.
Ná Marikana sit die nuwe polisiehoof, Riah Phiyega, en die generaals vier of vyf breed langs
mekaar, dalk ’n soort safety in numbers-benadering deur mense wat bang is hulle word
vasgevra.
Phiyega praat nie – sy lees van ’n papier af, woorde wat sy beslis nie self geskryf het nie. Sy
is voorgesê wat om te sê. Sy is ’n bekwame, energieke amptenaar, maar vir Dawie lyk dit of
die generaals haar reeds gekoöpteer het. ’n Gulde geleentheid vir haar om haar stempel af te
druk, gaan verby.
Ná die tyd dink jy oor wat jy op die TV gesien het.
Phiyega se uniform lyk te nuut. Dit pas haar nie lekker nie. Jy wonder of sy die polisie se
range uit haar kop ken. Het sy al menasiekos geëet? Deurnagdiens gedoen in ’n
polisiekantoor?
En kan iemand wat hierdie dinge nie deurgemaak het nie, die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens
aan die arm vat en in die regte rigting stuur? Gaan iemand na haar luister, veral ná twee
vorige polisiekommissarisse wat so baie gepraat en so min vermag het?
Vroeër vandeesweek hoor ons dat die opruiming van die toneel van die Lonmin-skietery
onprofessioneel gehanteer is – dit is “besmet”, as ’n mens die polisiewoord daarvoor vertaal.
Ook hier lyk die polisie onseker van homself. Hoe anders dan, as ’n mens op dieselfde dag
hoor dat ’n kwart van die land se speurders nie behoorlik opgelei is nie?
Hiervandaan kring die onsekerheid oor die polisie uit: die gebrek aan bevel en beheer op
misdaadtonele, die gesukkel met forensiese elemente, die onvermoë om ’n behoorlike
dossier aan te lê...
Hierdie onsekerheid – onkunde in party gevalle – van die polisie lê ten grondslag aan die
land se strafregstelsel wat te stadig knars en te maklik vasval. Sake word uitgestel en weer
uitgestel. Dinge sloer so lank dat mense se geheue hulle in die steek begin laat, en te dikwels
kry die lang arm van die gereg dit nie reg om die skuldiges agter tralies te kry nie.
Dawie voer hierdie redenasie straks ’n bietjie te ver. Maar kyk wanneer polisielede weer op
die televisie is. Hulle lyk onbeholpe en onseker.
En dit maak Dawie ook onseker oor ’n hele klomp dinge.
- Die Burger
http://www.dieburger.com/Rubrieke/Dawie/Onseker-polisie-maak-jou-bang-20120908
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10.8 Helen Zille's reply to Nathi Mthethwa
Helen Zille - 28 August 2012
Yesterday afternoon, 27 August, I received a letter from the national Minister of
Police, Nathi Mthethwa, requesting that I postpone the Commission of Inquiry I
announced last Wednesday 22 August, on the grounds that I had allegedly
appointed the Commission "without discussing the matter with [him] or notifying
[him] of [my] intended actions".
His comments are perplexing given that all the written complaints upon which the
decision to appoint a commission was founded was sent to his office, along with my
request for comment on them, and indeed his office confirmed receipt of these
documents in writing.
I remain of the opinion that the complaints in question merit investigation, especially
given that at least 13 people have lost their lives as a result of mob justice, actions
alleged to be a result of the inefficiencies in SAPS in Khayelitsha and the breakdown
of relations between the police and the residents in that area. Despite repeated
requests since December 2011, I have received no comment on the facts or merits of
the complaints from the Minister or National and Provincial Police Commissioners
at all to date.
It is my honest opinion that the report which will be produced by the Commission in
due course can but only assist the SAPS in meeting any challenges that they face in
that area and, as such, any impact it will have will be positive.
Text of the letter from Western Cape Premier Helen Zille to National Minister of
Police Nathi Mthethwa, August 28 2012:
Dear Minister Mthethwa
COMPLAINTS REGARDING ALLEGED POLICE INEFFICIENCY AND A
BREAKDOWN IN POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN KHAYELITSHA,
CAPE TOWN: COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
1. I refer to the above matter and your correspondence dated 27 August 2012.
2. Whilst I am happy to meet you in person to discuss the issues listed in your
telefax, I cannot agree to accede to your request to postpone the Commission from
commencing its work.
3. I say this because, for reasons set out below, I am of the opinion that our
obligations to the SAPS and your office, with regard to coo perative governance have
been fully complied with and the decision to proceed with the establishment of a
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commission of inquiry in this matter was only taken after a long and exhaustive
process of intergovernmental correspondence from my office with inter alia
your office, as detailed below.
4. Your office was included in each step of that process, in terms of which I
repeatedly asked the SAPS (at every level) to communicate with me on this matter.
In addition, I have agreed to each request for a postponement of the decision in
question, so as to allow the SAPS to engage with us on this matter prior to a decision
being taken in this regard, despite increasing calls by the initial complainants and
other members of the public for me to take action in this matter. The process I have
followed over eight months, including repeated requests to the SAPS to provide me
with comment, has been accompanied by an increase in the tragic phenomenon of
vigilante murders in the area in question, allegedly as a result of the affected
residents' lack of trust in inter alia the ability of the SAPS to do their jobs effectively.
5. In these circumstances, whilst I am indeed willing to consider any suitable
alternative you may want to suggest as a means whereby the complaints in question
can be investigated and, if true, addressed, I am of the opinion that the establishment
of this Commission is now necessary and the Commission's work will assist both the
SAPS and us in establishing whether there is merit in the allegations, and
recommending potential solutions.
6. Given that you indicate in your fax that that you have now "briefed lawyers "to
advise you on this matter, I believe it is important that your lawyers are made aware
of the full facts pertaining to our communications both with the SAPS and your
office in the time leading up to the establishment of this Commission and I
accordingly set these out below.
7. During December 2011, I advised both Provincial Commissioner Lamoer and your
office that I was in receipt of a series of complaints (hereinafter referred to as the
initial complaint) delivered to my office by the Woman's Legal Centre (WLC) on
behalf of a group of non - governmental organisations operating in inter alia, the
Khayelitsha area of Cape Town, these being:
a. The Social Justice Coalition;
b. The Treatment Action Campaign;
c. Equal Education;
d. Free Gender (On 6 December this organisation withdrew itself as a party to the
complaint);
e. Triangle Project; and
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f. Ndifuna Ukwazi
8. The initial complaint consists of 4 parts, setting out a description of the
complainants, the legal framework they allege applies, a summary of the evidence
they rely upon as the basis of the complaint and various proposals regarding action
that should be taken. A full copy of the initial complaint was attached to my
correspondence in this regard, and which is accordingly already in your possession.
9. In that correspondence I advised that the nub of the initial complaint could be
summarised as follows (quoted from the WIG complaint:
Section 48 & 49):
"Members of the Khayelitsha community routinely experience violations of the rights set out
above in their dealings with the police. What is stated below will demonstrate that
constitutional rights to:
equality, human dignity, life, freedom and security of person, privacy, movement, property,
housing, access to courts as well as the rights given to arrested, detained and accused
persons, are violated by the police, including the CTMPD and other actors in the criminal
justice system, on a daily basis. ... The systematic failure of the Khayelitsha police, including
the CTMPD, to prevent, combat, and investigate crime, take statements, open cases, and
apprehend criminals also violates the provisions of section 195 of the Constitution which
requires all public administration to be conducted professionally, ethically, impartially, and
with the effective, economic and efficient use of human, material and financial resources".
10. Eight case studies are then presented in writing as the factual basis for the above
assertions.
11. In this initial correspondence you and Commissioner Lamoer were accordingly
also notified that:
i. whilst the ambit of the complaint stretches beyond the SAPS (the conduct of the
CTMPD, DoJCD, DCS and the NPA is also called into question with reference to the
overall functioning of these organs of state in Khayelitsha), the powers of this
Provincial Government to address and deal with complaints regarding other organs
of state is prescribed by the Constitution.
ii. With specific reference to the conduct and functioning of the SAPS, Section 206 (3)
of our Constitution mandates each of the nine Provinces to monitor police conduct
and also, inter alia, to oversee the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service, as
well as to promote good relations between the police and the community.
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iii. Provincial governments have also been provided with various means by which to
perform this oversight and monitoring function vis-a-vis the police service, ranging
from the laying of a complaint to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate
(IPID), to the establishment of a commission of enquiry.
12. In this letter I also stated that the initial complaint regarding alleged police
inefficiency and the breakdown in relations between the SAPS and the community of
Khayelitsha is extremely worrying and that I intended to deal with it seriously and
expeditiously. I accordingly advised that in my opinion both the SAPS and the
Western Cape Government have obligations to apply the principles of good public
administration set out in section 195 (1) of the Constitution, which include
embodying a high standard of professional ethics and providing services that are
impartial, fair, equitable and without bias. It was with these values in mind that I
intended to deal with this complaint.
13. My correspondence informed Commissioner Lamoer and your office that the first
step in dealing with the complaint was to call for the comment of the SAPS
regarding the complaint so as to ensure that these responses could be taken into
account in deciding on what action, if any, would be appropriate to take in dealing
with the complaint.
14. Accordingly and given that the substance of this complaint is directed at the
conduct of the SAPS in Khayelitsha, I requested SAPS to provide me with comment
as to
a. The substance of the complaint; and
b. The method you propose to be the most appropriate to deal it. A similar request
was forwarded to the City of Cape Town given that the initial complaint also made
an allegation regarding the conduct of the City of Cape Town's Metro Police Service.
15. Given that the end of year holiday season was by then almost upon us, I
requested the SAPS to provide me with comments by no later than 30 January 2012
so as to enable you to consider and br investigate the allegations, while giving the
initial complainants the urgent attention the complaint warranted.
16. On the 12th of December 2011 your office (Mr Simon Chabangu) acknowledged
receipt of my letter and informed me that The matter is receiving our utmost
attention and further correspondence will be directed to you in due course". See
annexure A hereto.
17. Nothing further was received from your office in this regard or the office of
Commissioner Lamoer prior to 30 January 2012.
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18. On the 14th of February I accordingly again wrote both to Commissioner Lamoer
and yourself, advising you that notwithstanding your silence on the matter, I
believed it was still prudent for me to urge you to respond to my initial request for
comment on the complaint before I took any final decision on the matter. I
accordingly asked for your comments again with the request that these be sent to me
before 28 February 2012.
19. On the 27th February 2012 General Lamoer wrote to me and informed me that he
had referred this mater to: "South Africa Police Service (SAPS) Head Office for
instructions." No response to this fax was received from your office.
20. In my consideration of the complaints, I thereafter arranged to meet personally
with the various complainants represented by the WLC on 8 March 2012, along with
representatives of the City's Metro Police who had advised me that they wished to
co-operate fully in this matter and would like to meet the complainants personally in
order to deal with the alleged complaint against the Metro police.
21. Subsequent to this meeting the complainants submitted a second set of
supplementary complaints to me and, in the process of considering these
complaints. I again wrote to your office and that of Commissioner Lamoer (and
copied to the then acting National Commissioner of Police, Lt General Nhlanhla
Mkhwanazi) on 22 May 2012 in which I pointed out that:
a. I had heard nothing further on this matter from any office of SAPS to date, and in
the circumstances was forced to conclude that the SAPS, both provincially and
locally, refused to engage with us on the initial complaint that I have received with
respect to the SAPS in Khayelitsha.
b. Given the on-going acts of vigilantism in that area, which appeared to give
credence to the alleged breakdown of trust as contained in the initial complaint, I
was compelled to consider the establishment of a commission of enquiry in this
matter, without the benefit of the SAPS's prior input in relation to the allegations
complaint or the process to be followed with respect to investigating them.
c. I found the attitude which had been displayed by SAPS to be most disappointing
as it lent credence to the perception that the residents of Khayelitsha are not getting
the attention that they deserve from the SAPS, both locally and at head office.
22. In my letter I expressly advised both you and Commissioner Lamoer that in
those circumstances I intended to proceed to make a decision on the complaints and
the request to establish a commission, within 10 days of that letter.
23. However I did extend this deadline for the following reasons. I had received the
second set of additional complaints from the WLC (referred to above), as well as
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other requests, including an email from a resident of Khayelitsha asserting inter
alia that an atmosphere of helplessness existed in the area because of the on-going
acts of vigilantism that had, by then, become a frequent occurrence. Despite the
manifest urgency, and notwithstanding the non-response to my three previous
submissions to the SAPS, I decided to try once more to elicit a response from the
SAPS in accordance with our obligations of co-operative governance. I therefore
submitted the additional complaints to the SAPS as well, and ask for a response
before making any final decision.
24. I accordingly forwarded these additional complaints to both your office and that
of Commissioner Lamoer on 13 June 2012, in which correspondence I confirmed to
you:
a. In the face of these complaints and given that yet another person was killed by an
act of vigilantism the previous weekend in the Makhaza area of Khayelifsha, in
order to exercise the monitoring and oversight role provided for in the Constitution
responsibly and with reference to the SAPS, I felt compelled to consider the
establishment of a commission of enquiry to investigate the veracity of these
complaints.
b. In light of the total lack of response that I had received from either the office of the
Provincial Commissioner or that of the National Minister to date with respect
thereto, I was being forced to consider this without the benefit of a prior input by
SAPS in relation thereto.
c. Given that I had been provided with no explanation as to why neither the
Provincial Commissioner's office nor your office had responded to my
correspondence during the six months since the initial complaint was submitted
requesting comment, it was my opinion that any further delays by me in taking
appropriate action with respect to dealing with these complaints effectively would
only reinforce the perception that the residents of Khayelitsha are indeed not getting
the attention they deserve from Government as a whole.
25. The above notwithstanding, in the spirit of co-operative governance by which we
are all bound, and mindful of our respective roles in the oversight and functioning of
the SAPS, 1 accordingly once again asked that SAPS let me have comments by no
later than close of business on Wednesday 20 June 2012 on the written complaints
that I had received, both with respect to the factual content thereof as well as the
merit of the request for a commission of enquiry, failing which I confirmed that we
would proceed accordingly.
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26. The complaints that I had received regarding the Metro police were similarly sent
to the City of Cape Town for comment and I received a detailed response with
respect thereto from the City on 6 June 2012.
27. On 14 June 2012 I received a further fax from the Social Justice Coalition, urging
me to proceed with the establishment of a commission of inquiry as per the original
complaint laid by them on behalf of their clients in November 2011 and motivated
the request by stating inter alia:
"Since we lodged our complaint, crime has continued to plague our communities. Each day
our friends and neighbors (sic) are robbed, beaten, roped and murdered. We cannot walk to
communal toilets or public transport to get to and from work without fear of falling victim to
crime. When we try to report crimes to seek justice we are turned away from police stations
or treated very poorly by officers. When crimes occur and we report them, police often don't
arrive at the scene at all. If a case makes it into the courtroom, it can drag on for years or be
thrown out due to bungled investigation or corruption..."
28. On the 21 June 2012 your office acknowledged receipt of my letter and the
additional complaints and again advised me:
"This matter is receiving our utmost attention and further correspondence will be directed to
you in due course."
A copy of this fetter is attached hereto for your convenience marked Annexure "B".
Commissioner Lamoer's office responded to me on 18 June by advising me once
again that this matter had been referred to SAPS's head office "for handling."
29. On 21 June 2012 (the same day) Lieutenant General Molefe. the Executive Legal
Officer in the office of the recently appointed new National Commissioner of Police,
wrote to me and asked for an extension to 29 June 2012 in order to provide the
comments in question. This extension was granted.
30. On 29 June 2012 the National Police Commissioner requested a further extension
to 20 July 2012 on the basis that she required time to consult with the Provincial
management and other role players so as to conduct an investigation which she
described as:
"...a qualitative exercise the outcome of which need be resolution of the issues without
necessarily resorting to the process of a commission of enquiry."
31. This extension too was granted.
32. On 13 July 2012 the Women's Legal Centre wrote to General Phiyega and copied
the letter to my office and advised that they had met an "investigative team " set up
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by the General, presumably so as to conduct the investigation referred to above, and
advised that this team had undertaken: "... not simply to intervene in individual cases,
but to view the emerging problems in the proper systemic light, and to keep an open mind to
the establishment of a commission of enquiry, where all role-players can be brought together
under one objective, as solution to the systemic problems."
33. The WLC accordingly requested that I postpone a decision until the 31 of July
2012. In light of the content of this fax and notwithstanding that no formal request
for such an extension was received by me from the SAPS, I agreed to postpone a
decision in this regard until after 31 July 2012.
34. On 6 August 2012, I met representatives of the WLC and the various
orgonisations which they represent in this matter. At that meeting the aforesaid
organisations personally confirmed to me their request for the establishment of a
commission of inquiry into alleged police inefficiencies and a breakdown in trust
between the residents of Khayelitsha and the SAPS. In so doing the representatives
confirmed that they had heard nothing further from SAPS on this matter subsequent
to the correspondence they had addressed to SAPS and advised that they believe it is
imperative that a commission be established so that the root causes of the ongoing
acts of vigilantism in the area can be addressed.
35. On 7 August 2012 the National Commissioner addressed my office in writing in
which correspondence she informed me inter alia that her office was, through the
nationwide "Dumelang Sessions" "....gathering keen understanding of the wide scope of
challenges as well as noting the pockets of excellence in SAPS". Unfortunately General
Phiyega's letter to me provided no comment at all regarding the content of the
complaints in question, nor indeed did she refer at all to the merits of the request for
a commission to be instituted, and I accordingly was forced to regard her letter as a
courtesy update on her general actions in the country as a whole, and which took the
complaints and calls for a commission of enquiry no further. In this regard whilst I
noted that the fax indicated that her office was "arranging to meet with the
complainants so as to discuss the "issues they raise", this appeared to me to be
incorrect as my office had enquired of the complainants as to whether such meeting
had been arranged, to which we had been advised that nothing further had been
heard by these complainants from SAPS in this regard, subsequent to their meeting
in early July 2012.
36. I did however welcome the fact that in her fax General Phiyega committed SAPS
to its "continued support and compliance" with regard to, inter alia partnering and
collaborating with other stakeholders.
37. For the sake of completeness I confirm that the complaints regarding alleged
actions of the City of Cape Town's Metro Police service in Khayelitsha were also sent
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to the leadership of the City of Cape Town's Metro Police Service, calling for its
comment pertaining thereto and which comment was forthcoming and detailed in
response. The City of Cape Town's full co-operation in this regard to date, as well as
the actual content of the City's responses on the merits of the complaints which were
forwarded to it, led to a decision being made that these complaints will be best dealt
with by way of a referral to Provincial Minister Plato to deal with further as he
deems fit. In accordance with his powers under the South African Police Services
Act. Given the extensive investigative powers which vest in Provincial Minister
Plato vis-a-vis the Metro Police in terms of this section of the Act, and the willingness
to co-operate and deal with any complaints that has been displayed by the
leadership of the City's Metro Police to date, this referral to MEC Plato was deemed
to be a prudent, cost-effective, and rational method by which these complaints can
be dealt with at this stage.
38. In contrast to this, no response has been received to date (either on the substance
of any of the complaints or the merits of a request for a Commission) from any SAPS
office at provincial or national level, despite two assurances from your office that the
matter was receiving your utmost attention.
39. We know that at least 13 people have died in Khayelitsha over the period we
have been seeking to address this matter, allegedly as a result of acts of vigilantism
meted out by mobs to persons perceived as having engaged in criminal activity in
the area. In each case we know that no charge was laid with SAPS with respect to the
alleged criminal activity, prior to the mob action in question.
40. Used in the anti-apartheid struggle as a method to kill suspected police
informers, what became known colloquially as "necklacing" has now re-emerged as
one method of implementing this mob justice and photographs of three men with
tyres around their necks facing imminent execution by necklacing, taken at
Khayelitsha Enkanini informal settlement on 19 March 2012, have been published
around the world.
41. At the same time, pressure continued to grow and I received a further complaints
about the alleged inefficiency and breakdown in relations between the community
and the SAPS as being one of the main reasons for the vigilante action that is taking
place in Khayelitsha. (See, for example, the fax sent to my office from persons
allegedly representing the Community of Makhaza in this regard, which is attached
hereto as Annexure C).
42. Section 206 of the Constitution read with section 127 of the Constitution,
empowers the Premier of a Province to appoint a commission of inquiry into
complaints of police inefficiency or a breakdown in relations between the police and
any community.
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43. I am of the opinion that the complaints in question merit investigation especially
given that we know of at least 13 people who have lost their lives as a result of mob
justice, actions alleged to be a result of the inefficiencies and loss of trust referred to
above.
44. Despite repeated requests, the SAPS has failed to respond to me on this matter at
all to date, not only refusing to provide comment on the facts or merits of the
complaints, but also in respect of the process that has been followed to date.
45. As a result, the powers bestowed on the Province and the Premier in terms of the
aforesaid legislation were exercised on Wednesday 22 August 2012 without the
benefit of any insight the SAPS may have had to offer in this regard. On 15 August
2012 I, together with my cabinet, resolved to institute a Commission of inquiry into
alleged police inefficiency and a breakdown in police-community relations in
accordance with the draft proclamation submitted to cabinet in this regard, a copy of
which is annexed hereto for your convenience and which I am informed will be
promulgated in the Provincial gazette tomorrow.
46. Given all of the above you will appreciate that I am somewhat perplexed at your
comments that I did not notify you of my "intended actions" in the establishment of
this commission. Not only have all the written complaints upon which the decision
was founded been sent your offices, along with my request for comment thereon,
but indeed your office has confirmed receipt of these documents in writing.
47. As regards the specific allegations made in your fax I point out that given that we
have received no communication from the SAPS regarding any initiatives of any sort
which will address these complaints, I am unable to comment on your assertions
that this Commission's work may impact on such initiatives. However in so far as
you assert that the establishment of this Commission is premature, I respectfully
disagree, for reasons set out above.
48. it is my honest opinion that the report which is due to be tabled by the
Chairperson in this regard in due course can but only assist SAPS in meeting any
challenges that they face in that area, and as such any impact it will have will be
positive.
49. In light of the aforesaid facts, and the limited purpose of this commission as set
out above, I trust that you are convinced that not only has this Commission of
Enquiry been lawfully established, but that its work should be encouraged and
supported by all organs of state, including the SAPS.
Yours sincerely
PREMIER
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(HELEN ZILLE)
The National Police Commissioner Phlyega
ANNEXURE A
ANNEXURE B
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Issued by the Office of the Western Cape Premier, August 28 2012
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=322522&sn=
Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
10.9 Mkhwanazi should be suspended not redeployed - DA
Dianne Kohler Barnard - 30 August 2012
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The DA finds it unbelievable that National Police Commissioner Phiyega has moved
former acting National Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to a top position
despite his being under investigation for covering up a murder. Phiyega should
suspend him, not give him a top job.
It has been reported that Phiyega has moved Mkhwanazi to the position of
Provincial Police Commissioner in the Northern Cape.
Earlier this year, the DA asked the Public Protector to investigate Mkhwanazi for
being an accomplice to murder, obstruction of justice for failing to co-operate in the
murder investigation as well as failing to investigate the misappropriation of
millions of rands of the Crime Intelligence Secret Fund
The Inspector General of Intelligence is looking into potential abuses of the Crime
Intelligence Fund. The Public Protector indicated that "after a careful assessment of
the complaint [against Mkhwanazi], I have determined that there is a prima facie case
of improper conduct and abuse of power, which warrants an investigation". The
investigation is currently underway.
It is therefore unfathomable that Commissioner Phiyega has decided to shuffle him
to a new position instead of suspending him.
It has also been reported that he - at just 38 years of age - is being considered for
‘early retirement' in terms of the notorious Section 35 of the SAPS Act. This will
entitle him to a full pension plus a huge cash pay-out. So first Commissioner Phiyega
will move him from head office to a provincial top position - instead of suspending
him - then she will allow him to retire early and get a nice sum of money and
benefits. This not only rewards his questionable conduct, but will result in yet
another vacancy left in the top brass of the SAPS.
The new National Police Commissioner should have done everything in her power
to avoid emulating the bizarre example of her predecessor, yet here she is offering
Section 35 to Mkhwanazi, and allegedly many others appointed by former National
Police Commissioner Cele. Cele, too, had granted Section 35 to a number of SAPS
members, some of whom were still under criminal investigation.
Is there no end to this Commissioner's inability to make the right decisions?
I will be writing to Commissioner Phiyega today to ask that she suspend
Mkhwanazi pending the result of the Public Protector's investigation.
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, August 30
2012
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http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=323073&sn=
Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
10.10 DCD Protected Mobility acquires Springbuck APC range from
Drakensberg Truck Manufacturers
Written by defenceWeb Wednesday, 12
September 2012 13:33
DCD Protected Mobility has acquired
the Springbuck armoured personnel
carrier (APC) range from Drakensberg
Truck Manufacturers and has begun
marketing the series of vehicles.
“We’re very excited to have expanded
our existing product range to include a
vehicle that has such potential on the African continent, particularly in terms of
emerging markets,” said DCD Protected Mobility general manager, Andrew Mears.
“The Springbuck APC has been designed for ease of operation, maintenance and
repair, harnessing internationally available drive-line components for assured
performance and availability of parts.
“The acquisition of this range is part of a corporate strategy to expand our product
and customer base by establishing a footprint in Africa and emerging markets,”
Mears said. “The Springbuck APCs are lighter than our existing Mountain Lion
range and we are confident that DCD Protected Mobility’s international standing
and backing will allow its true potential to be realised. Right now we are looking at
taking the Springbuck Mk VI APC back to the drawing board and fully
industrialising it, to affect even greater savings for our customers and further
improve its capabilities.”
The Springbuck vehicles is roughly based on the dimensions of the original South
African Mamba vehicle. It is 5.8 metres long and 2.3 metres wide. Carrying capacity
is ten troops, plus a driver. Ballistic protection is able to stop bullets up to 7.62 mm
calibre while a V-shaped hull provides protection against a single TM57 mine under
the vehicle while the Springbuck has sufficient armour to defeat a double TM57
mine under any wheel. The vehicle has a top speed of 115 km/h and is powered by a
MWM 6 litre engine. Range is approximately 600 km.
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Weighing in at 6 800 kg with a ground clearance of 357 mm (under axle), the six-
cylinder three-door Springbuck Mk VI has a top speed of 115 km/hour and a turning
circle of 14.7 metres. With the same dimensions and turning circle as the Mk VI, but
weighing 7 400 kg, the Springbuck Mk IV is a one-door four-cylinder APC with a
ground clearance of 343 mm and top speed of 110 km/hour.
DCD said the vehicle had been designed around the ergonomics of the driver and
crew, specifically for the African market. Mears described it as “affordable, but not
inferior”, making it ideal for a broad spectrum of security applications.
Nigerian defence and security firm Mekahog is in the process of setting up a factory
to manufacture Springbuck and other armoured vehicles in Nigeria. In June
Franklyn Ohakim, Group Executive Director of Mekahog, told defenceWeb that his
company would be the first in West Africa to have the ability to fabricate and
maintain armoured vehicles.
DCD Protected Mobility, a division of the DCD industrial group, will showcase the
new acquisition alongside its other products at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2012
from September 19 to 21.
One of its exhibits is expected to be the Mountain Lion armoured utility vehicle. This
12 800 kg vehicle features a four-wheel steering system, giving a 12 metre turning
circle (versus 14.7 metres for the Springbuck, for example). Payload is just over two
tons, or eight troops; maximum speed is 105 km/h and range is 800 km. The 6.15
metre long vehicle can be fitted with gun turrets weighing up to 700 kg.
DCD is optimistic about the prospects of the Mountain Lion, with opportunities in
South Africa (Project Sapula, to replace Mamba and Casspir vehicles), Canada and
emerging markets in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. However,
Mears noted that the vehicle would be competing in a very tough and competitive
market. An increasing number of mine-resistance ambush protected (MRAP)
vehicles are entering the market while the United States sells surplus vehicles as it
winds down the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
DCD said it is exploring the possibility of producing a new-generation MRAP
vehicle and will take a decision on whether or not to proceed early in 2013. Mears
told Engineering News that it would probably take six years to reach the prototype
stage. The vehicle would come in 4x4 and possibly 6x6 format.
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Other vehicles developed by DCD include the Husky and Meerkat. The Husky
VMMD (Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector), previously known as the Chubby system,
was developed in the 1970s for the South African Defence Force to clear roads of
mines in Namibia and Angola. The system comprises of two Husky vehicles: the first
acts as a Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV) (previously a Meerkat). The second vehicle
(a Husky) tows a mine-detonating trailer.
The South African Army uses the Meerkat. However, some have been sold to France,
Australia and the United States. More than 400 Huskies have been sold and as of
January this year, the Husky system had taken 7 000 hits in combat in Iraq and
Afghanistan, with no mine or improvised explosive device fatalities.
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=276
61:dcd-protected-mobility-acquires-springbuck-apc-range-from-drakensberg-truck-
manufacturers&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105
10.11 SAS Queen Modjaji’s hull received 1.5 x 1.5 m dent in accident
Written by defenceWeb Wednesday, 12
September 2012 12:49
The minister of defence has revealed that
the hull of the South African Navy’s
submarine SAS Queen Modjaji received
a 1.5 by 1.5 metre dent when it hit the
seabed during a training accident on July
17. However, the submarine is back in
the water after repairs and is preparing
to participate in exercise Atlasur IX later
this month.
In response to a parliamentary question posed by Pieter Groenewald, the opposition
party Freedom Front Plus chief spokesperson for defence, the Minister of Defence
and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula stated that a board of inquiry has
been convened by the South African navy to determine the cause of the incident.
“The outcome of the report of [the Board of Inquiry] BOI will provide the
recommendation about the responsibility and accountability of the members of the
crew involved,” the minister stated.
The reply to Groenewald’s question stated that SAS Queen Modjadji 1 made
unplanned contact with the sea-bottom (mud and sand) on July 17 during routine
“diving safety drill” and “hydraulic oil pressure failure” exercises.
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A technical investigation has shown that SAS Queen Modjadji 1 suffered an
indentation approximately 1.5 m by 1.5 m to the outer protective plating (7.8 mm) of
the bow, protecting the main ballast tank no: 5.
Groenewald said he wanted to see disciplinary action over the incident. “The reply
of the Minister confirms my allegations that there had been negligence and poor
training,” Groenewald said. “The exercise was carried out precisely to imitate such a
situation where the hydraulic pressure in the submarine should be stopped. Such
exercises have strict security measures that have to be followed and it is clear that
these measures were not implemented. The outcome of the Board of Inquiry is being
awaited and disciplinary steps should be taken.”
The South African Navy said the diesel-electric attack submarine did not suffer any
damage to its pressure hull in the incident. A hull survey was conducted by a team
of navy divers once the submarine had returned to Durban, which determined that
no mechanical failure lead to the collision.
The navy said the incident can be compared to a “fender bender” with damage to
the exterior hull only. “The boat is technically sound and is able to continue with
operational obligations,” the navy said. After sailing to Simon’s Town under her
own power, the boat was taken out of the water for inspection and repair, which
involved the replacement of a small section of the submarine’s outer shield.
Queen Modjadji 1 is now back in the water and is preparing to participate in the
international naval exercises Atlasur IX and Ibsamar (India-Brazil-South Africa
Maritime exercise). The boat is fully operational, The New Age newspaper has
reported.
Ibsamar is a biennial exercise involving IBSA partners South Afrcia, India and Brazil.
Atlasur is also is a two-yearly, joint and combined maritime exercise between the
navies of South Africa, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The first such exercise was
held in Argentinean waters in 1993 and laid the foundation for a combined maritime
doctrine between the nations. Atlasur will be conducted in False Bay, Hermanus,
Simon’s Town and Hout Bay over the period September 24 to October 10, 2012.
Naval sources and South African defence analyst Helmoed-Römer Heitman have
observed that accidents and incidents involving submarines are not uncommon. The
Canadian submarine HMCS Corner Brook was extensively damaged last year June
off Vancouver in a similar grounding. Other recent accidents involving submarines
include a fire aboard a Russian nuclear submarine in port at Murmansk in December
and the HMS Astute, lead-ship of a new class of British nuclear attack submarines
running aground off the Isle of Skye in October. She was undergoing sea trials at the
time.
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http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=276
59:sas-queen-modjajis-hull-received-15-x-15-m-dent-in-
accident&catid=111:SA%20Defence&Itemid=242
10.12 SANDF loses 38 assault rifles in three years - Pieter Groenewald
Pieter Groenewald - 04 September 2012
SUBJECT : 38 ASSAULT RIFLES STOLEN OR LOST IN THE PAST THREE YEARS
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-
Nqakula, has confirmed in writing that 50 firearms, which includes a
machine gun, and one grenade launcher have been stolen from or have
been lost by the Defence Force in the past three years (since 2009). This
follows in response to a question posed by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP)
of the Freedom Front Plus in Parliament.
"What is the most worrying is that 38 of the 50 firearms are automatic
assault rifles such as R5, R4 and R1 firearms and one RPK 7,62 mm
machine gun. In only two months (Apr -May) of this year 9 automatic
assault rifles were stolen or lost (3xR4 and 6xR5). Six R5 assault rifles
have disappeared from the Air Force. It is precisely this type of weapon
which is used in transit heists but is now also being used in robberies at
shopping malls and even in farm attacks," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP),
chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus said.
"What is further worrying is that the precautionary measures in place,
are the same measures the minister stated to be in place in her reply in
2010 to a similar question I posed. That means that there is poor
management and poor discipline in the control of firearms in the
SANDF. The only thing that is new is that the weapons have been bar-
coded with Dot-Peen machines to show that the firearms belong to the
Defence Force. The Minister has to state whether disciplinary steps will
be instituted against the members who were in charge of the firearms.
The current system promotes crime because this type of weapon cannot
be owned by members of the public and can only be obtained from the
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Defence Force or the Police. I will definitely be asking follow-up
questions in Parliament of the Minister about disciplinary steps,"
Groenewald said.
According to the reply of the Minister, seven pistols, 11 x R5 (5,56mm),
21 x R4 (5,56mm), 2 x R1 (7,62mm) and 1 x RPK 7,62mm machine gun, 1
x 40mm grenade launcher and various other firearms have been stolen
or lost, since 2009.
Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and
Military Veterans:
(1) How many weapons of every (a) kind and (b) calibre of the SA
National Defence Force (SANDF) have (i) been stolen or (ii) gone
missing (aa) in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011 and (bb) since 1 January
2012;
(2) what steps have been taken to combat these thefts and losses;
(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
REPLY
(1) Refer to the attached Appendix A
(2) Steps taken to combat these thefts and losses are as follows:
(a) All possible physical measures have been taken to secure weapons in
storage.
(b) All weapons are handed back after use, counted and stores in
safekeeping to ensure effective control.
(c) Weapon permits are issued for all weapons on personal issue (ie.
Military Police and VIP protection) on condition that the individual
complies with the laid down criteria as stipulated in policy.
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(d) Regular inspections are done as part of unit standing orders to
effectively verify and control weapons.
(e) Stock verification is done on a regular basis to ensure compliance
with requirements of policy.
(f) A central firearms control register is kept and verified with the South
African Police Service's firearms control register as a measure to control
losses.
(g) The DOD is currently in the process to bar-code all firearms with Dot
Peen machines in order to identify firearms as DOD property and to
ensure compliance in accordance to the Firearms Control Act. The bar-
coding will enhance verification of all firearms belonging to the DOD. A
total of 40 000 firearms have already been Dot Peen (bar-coded). The
bar-coding project will be completed by the end of August 2012; where
after the bar-coding of the rest of the firearms in the DOD will be rolled
out.
(3) Not at this stage
APPENDIX A
TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 1499 [NW1779E]
DATED JUNE 2012
FIREARMS LOSSES OF THE DOD
QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY:
QUESTION 1499
LOSSES FROM FIN YEAR 2009/10 TILL
MAY 2012
Ser no Type and Caliber Fin year
2009/10
Fin year
2010/11
Fin year
2011/12
April and May
2012
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a b c d e
SA ARMY
01 Rifle 5,56mm, R4 3 7 7 3
02 Rifle 5,56mm, R5 1
03 Pistol 9mm 2 1
04 Pistol Z88 1
05 Rifle 7,62mm, R1 1
06 Rifle 7,70mm .303 1 1
07 Rifle .22 1
08 Rifle 7,62mm, R2 1
09 Sub Machine gun
9mm
1
10 Rifle 7,62mm siminov 1
11 Machine gun RPK
7,62mm
1
12 Laucher grenade
40mm
1
TOTAL SA ARMY 4 17 10 3
SAAF
13 Pistols 9mm 2
14 Rifle 5,56mm, R5 1 6
Rifle 5,56mm, R4 2
TOTAL SAAF 2 3 6
SA NAVY
15 Pistol 9mm Beretta 1
TOTAL SA NAVY 1
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SAMHS
16 Rifle 5,56mm, R5 2
TOTAL SAMHS 2
J OPS
17 Pistols 9mm 1
18 Pistol Sauer 9mm 1
19 Rifle 5,56mm, R5 1
TOTAL J OPS 1 1 1
TOTAL PER FIN
YEAR
7 20 15 9
Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), FF Plus Chief
Spokesperson: Defence, September 4 2012
10.13 Misdadigers geen vrees meer vir SAPD
UITGEREIK DEUR : Amanda de Lange
HOEDANIGHEID : VF Plus Streekleier, Wesrand
DATUM : 14 September 2012
Na nóg ‘n skietvoorval in Muldersdrift is dit voor die handliggend dat die Suid-
Afrikaanse Polisie geen vrees meer vir misdadigers inhou nie aangesien die
misdadigers heel moontlik betrokke kan wees by ander misdade in die omgewing,
sê me Amanda de Lange, VF Plus streekleier, Wesrand.
“Wanneer gaan die regering tot die besef kom dat daar ‘n vrypas aan voornemende
misdadigers gegee word deur die onbeheersde toestroming oor die grense van Suid-
Afrika? Die staat is, volgens die grondwet, veronderstel om die veiligheid van sy
burgers te waarborg maar faal duidelik daarin. Misdadigers beskik oor fyn
uitgewerkte intelligensie en inligting oor die wandel en weë van geïdentifiseerde
slagoffers en die SAPD en buurtbeveiliginginisiatiewe skiet ver tekort op dié
terrein.”
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Die VF Plus spreek ook hul kommer uit oor die vrylating van die vyf verdagtes wat
vroeër aangekeer is vir die moord en aanvalle op die Botha gesin in dieselfde
omgewing en doen ‘n beroep op die SAPD om hul ondersoekwerk in dié verband op
te skerp.
Amanda de Lange: VF Plus Streekleier, Wesrand: 071 6049 498
10.14 Paramount unveils new Marauder vehicle
Written by Chris Szabo/defenceWeb
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 16:17
The Paramount Group has unveiled its
latest offering for the land security
market, the Marauder Patrol, a
lightweight armoured vehicle aimed at
protecting the military or police from
light and medium-calibre weapons.
The vehicles, shown in a military open-
back and a closed police version during the launch at Air Force Base Waterkloof
today, are aimed are replacing vehicles used by military organisations, police and
security companies worldwide which have until now jury-rigged solutions like
adding armour plate to Land Rovers or similar vehicles. Such modifications strain
the engine and drive train and reduce speed.
“Increasingly in the markets that we’re engaged with, we’ve seen a demand for a
lighter, protected mobility. There’s an increasing demand for a lighter patrol
vehicle,” Paramount Group Director for Global Business Development, Miles
Chambers, told defenceWeb.
Chambers said that such vehicles are needed in various situations, including rapid
response peacekeeping operations, border patrol and for special forces requiring
light, small and fast vehicles.
The Marauder Patrol vehicle is based on COTS (commercial off the shelf) driveline
components. Maintenance and support are available through commercial dealer
networks. Paramount said the vehicle has a deliberately non-aggressive appearance
– making it perfect for police, peacekeepers or special forces operating in sensitive
environments.
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The Marauder Patrol is protected to STANAG Level 1 ballistic protection, meaning it
can stop shell fragments as well as 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm bullets. For those
customers wanting extra protection, there is the choice to increase ballistic to
STANAG Level 2, without impacting the performance of the vehicle.
The vehicle comes in either a five-door ‘SUV’ version which can carry nine people or
a four-door ‘double cab pick-up’ model which can carry a maximum of five people.
In both cases, the vehicle is available with optional extras of run-flat tyre inserts,
communications systems, add-on armour, various weapons stations and automatic
transmission. Paramount said that crew comfort and ergonomics were key design
elements and the vehicle is fully air-conditioned with plenty of space for tools,
medical supplies and communications equipment.
Chambers told defenceWeb that Paramount Group had found that police were using
up-armoured Land Cruisers or up-armoured SUVs from the commercial market,
which was usually less than ideal, because this adds additional weight to the vehicle.
“(The new Patrol model) provides the ability for police forces and military to have a
lighter vehicle, all-round ballistic protection, including protection against M-26 hand
grenades underneath and provides greater survivability than traditional (vehicles),”
he said.
Paramount’s Chief Technology Officer, Len Mellet, pointed out that the Marauder
Patrol was ideal for moving between a main base to a forward base in a
peacekeeping scenario, which would be a waste of resources to use a heavy six-
wheeled mine-protected vehicle. He stressed the fact that the Marauder Patrol was
designed to take the heavier armour and armoured glass and this would not put
pressure on the drive train, like it would on a converted SUV or other 4 x 4 vehicle.
He said the vehicle could withstand fire from handguns or rifles, as well as weapons
with a larger calibre, up to 7.62mm, such as many versions of the AK-47. “If you find
you looking for something more, there’s an add-on kit, for (STANAG) Level 2.”
The new Paramount Marauder Patrol is aimed at filling the gap between un-
armoured 4 X 4 vehicles which would not be able to handle being under fire and the
heavier six-or-eight-wheeled vehicles that are designed to withstand landmines,
rocket fire and other battlefield hazards.
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“Marauder Patrol breaks new ground in the utility vehicle market because it offers
high levels of protection combined with unprecedented mobility and supportability.
This makes it ideal for police and special operations forces conducting patrol-type
operations, on or off-road,” Chambers said.
“As governments seek to cope with a range of new security challenges, it is vehicles
such as this that give them the flexibility to respond to a variety of threats without
having to rely on more expensive or aggressive looking large scale armoured
vehicles. This vehicle proves that when it comes to armoured vehicles South Africa
has the heritage and experience to make some of the most innovative solutions in the
world.”
The Marauder Patrol has a kerb weight of 2 950 kg (for the four-door) and 3 450kg
(for the five-door). It is powered by a 128 kW turbo diesel, giving a top speed of 120
km/h and a range of 800 km.
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277
28:paramount-unveils-new-marauder-vehicle&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105
10.15 2de hofsege vir diabeet teen polisie
2012-09-23 21:42 - Jeanne-Marié Versluis
’n Diabeet wat ’n been kwyt is nadat die polisie geweier het dat hy in ’n polisiesel
medisyne vir sy diabetes kry, het ’n tweede slag in die hooggeregshof in Pretoria
teen die minister van polisie geslaan.
Danie Venter van Louis Trichardt is in ’n rolstoel omdat hy nie ’n kunsbeen kan dra
nie. Robert van Wyk, Venter se prokureur van Pretoria, het gesê die deel van die
been wat nie geamputeer is nie pyn. Daarom kan Venter nie ’n prostese dra nie.
Venter, wat in die 50 is, het reeds ’n jaar gelede ’n verstekvonnis teen die minister
(die verweerder) in dié hof bekom nadat die verweerder nie teen die spertyd van 3
Junie 2011 kennis gegee het dat Venter se eis teengestaan gaan word nie.
Die meriete van Venter se saak is toe in sy guns beslis.
Venter het skadevergoeding van R380 000 geëis, onder meer omdat die polisie hom
op 30 Desember 2009 onregmatig by sy huis gearresteer het.
Nadat die verstekvonnis teen die minister bekom is, wou die verweerder dit tersyde
laat stel.
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Die aansoek om tersydestelling sou verlede week, ’n jaar later, in die hof aangehoor
word.
Die polisie kon egter nie sekere hofstukke vir die aansoek verskaf nie en het van die
tersydestellingsaansoek afgesien.
Van Wyk het gesê die polisie se aansoek was “gebrekkig”.
Hy het gesê die polisie het ook aangebied om Venter se regskoste te betaal. Dit sluit
die koste van twee advokate (van wie een ’n senior advokaat is) in. Dit sluit ook al
die verkwiste regskoste in.
Van Wyk het gesê minstens R2 miljoen-skadevergoeding gaan geëis word in die
hofgeding om die omvang van Venter se skade te bepaal.
Daar gaan om ’n voorkeurdatum vir die aanhoor van dié geding aansoek gedoen
word, het Van Wyk gesê.
Venter is destyds ’n nag lank by die polisiekantoor aangehou en toe op borgtog
vrygelaat.
Volgens hom het hy in ’n diabetiese koma verval. Weens die koma was daar ’n
suurstoftekort na sy spiere en ’n deel van sy been is later geamputeer.
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/2de-hofsege-vir-diabeet-teen-polisie-
20120923
10.16 Diewe buit kerkbeeld
2012-09-24 21:02
Susan Cilliers
Potchefstroom. – ’n Geskiedkundige koperborsbeeld deur Coert Steynberg is voor
die oudste kerkgebou van die destydse Transvaal gesteel.
“Die historiese en sentimentele verlies is erger as die geldverlies,” het ds. Willem
Kok, predikant van die Nederduitsch Hervormde kerk in die Potchefstroomse
middestad, gister gesê.
Die gesteelde borsbeeld van ds. Dirk van der Hoff is in 1942 met die gemeente se
eeufees opgerig. “Dis onvervangbaar omdat Steynberg al oorlede is,” het Kok gesê.
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Van der Hoff was die eerste predikant van dié kerk, ’n nasionale
gedenkwaardigheid. Die kerk se hoeksteen is al in Desember 1859 deur Van der Hoff
en oudpres. M.W. Pretorius gelê en die kerkgebou in 1966 ingewy.
Volgens Kok het hy verlede Sondag (16 September) self niks vreemds opgemerk
voordat sy dogter ná die erediens vir hom kom sê het die beeld is weg nie. Dis
vermoedelik die vorige aand gesteel.
Die beeld wat gesteel is.
“Die diewe is agter die koper aan.”
Kok het gesê die geldelike waarde van die beeld moet nog bepaal word en dat dit
met die kerk se versekeringsmaatskappy bespreek sal word.
“Ons het al kontak met ’n Roodepoortse beeldhouer vir die bou van ’n moontlike
replika gemaak.”
Volgens Kok is daar genoeg voorbeelde om ’n replika te maak, onder meer ’n
identiese Van der Hoff-beeld wat tans in die kerk se sinodale kantoor in Pretoria is.
As ’n nuwe koperbeeld gemaak word, sal dit voortaan in die kerkgebou se
voorportaal gehou word.
’n Sement-replika sal moontlik dan geplaas word waar die koperbeeld eers gestaan
het.
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Ds. Willem Kok voor die Hervormde Kerk in Potchefstroom waar die
koperborsbeeld van ds. Dirk van der Hoff, dié historiese kerk in Potchefstroom se
eerste leraar, onlangs gesteel is. Foto: Susan Cilliers
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Diewe-buit-kerkbeeld-20120924
11. NATIONAL SECURITY HISTORY / NASIONALE
VEILIGHEIDSGESKIEDENIS
11.1 Eenheid 6 - Artikel 3: Eenheid 6: Opleiding in die beginjare - Anemari
Jansen en Larry Hanton
Hierdie is die derde artikel in ons reeks oor Eenheid 6.
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Foto 1: Hein, Louis en Larry by Louis se kantoor
Job stress, burnout and coping strategies of South African Police officers
According to Jones and Kagee (2005), police personnel in general and South Africa in
particular are exposed to various duty-related stressors that are significantly different, in
terms of quality and quantity to those experienced by the general population.
Knowing that high levels of stress exist may bring us to the question of how individuals cope
and whether the coping strategies they employ are helpful. The job profile of a police officer
includes witnessing a fellow officer killed in the line of duty, killing someone in the line of
duty, recovering bodies from motor vehicle accidents, witnessing domestic or community
violence, and responding to cases involving child battery (Gulle, Tredoux & Foster, 1998).
Stress and burnout are usually considered to be by products of police work.
In and of itself, the nature of police work is regarded to be highly stressful and can even be
described as hazardous (Storm & Rothman, 2003). According to Gulle et al. (1998), Marks
(1995) and Nel and Burgers (1996), the statistics of crime and violence in South Africa are at
high levels.
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Foto 2: Die oorspronklike groep: Baksteen Marais, Bert (Landmyn) Steyn, Willie
Odendaal, Piet Landman, Larry Hanton, Bez Bezuidenhout, Johnny Johnson,
Stidworthy.
Reaksie-eenheid 6 kantore: Agtuur die aand op `n twaalf-uur bystandskof. Aande
was maar stil. Party lê rond, ander beman die telefone. `n Groepie sit iewers en
gesels. Een van die ouens het `n videokasset saamgebring. Heel onskuldige movie
die eerste vyf minute, toe is dit skielik ‘Debbie does Dallas’. Daai een waar die
cheerleaders die hele dorp xxxxxxx gee om geld in te samel.
“So partymaal was daar blou movies om die ouens aan die gang te hou.” Larry lag.
“Dat hulle darem kan sê: “Ons het dít en dít gedoen. Op die twaalf ure bystandskof.
Dit was `n “hurry up and wait” situasie. Jy moes op parade kom kwart voor ses, en
dan sit jy en wag. En jy wil die ouens besig hou, anders dink hulle te veel, aan wat
wag die nag, aan die verskriklikheid van hulle situasie.”
Ek: “Waar het julle gesit en kyk?”
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Larry: “Dit was in `n agterkamer, `n ou admin kantoor. Jy het gesit of gelê waar jy
kan. Ag... en daar was nie baie movies nie. Jy kon tronk toe gaan as hulle jou
daarmee gevang het.”
Hy sit sy leesbril, sterkte 2, op sy neus. “Maar kom ons begin by die begin.”
Foto 3: Larry Hanton
Larry Hanton: Dit is rondom 1980, 1981. Ek is wyksersant by die Benoni uniformtak
en op patrollie een oggend. Een van die pligte is om `n hekwag te plaas by die
reaksie-eenheid basis, by die ou Benoni-polisiestasie in Bedfordlaan.
Met dié wat ek op `n stadium die wag besoek, loop ek my vas in ao Bert Steyn. Ek
ken hom van lankal, toe ons beide nog patrollievoertuie gery het in Benoni. Kort
daarna is ek weg om `n Spesiale Taakmag-seleksiekursus te gaan doen. Hy vertel my
dat hy verplaas is na die reaksie-eenheid en ek vra uit. Hy vertel my toe in detail wat
die sy nuwe pligte is, en watter opleiding hy daar moet gee. Ek hou van die idee.
Op hierdie stadium het ek pas `n jaar op Sun City deurgebring as
sekuriteitsbestuurder. My gesonde verstand sê aan my dat die eenheid, behalwe vir
onlustebeheer, ook op `n verantwoordelike manier opgelei moet word om
noodgevalle te kan hanteer. Dit sou insluit enigiets van gyselaarsituasies,
huispenetrasie en –deursoeking, sowel as ander hoërisiko onplooiings. My
ondervinding en kursusse in die polisie se Spesiale Taakmag het my voorberei op
die bogenoemde noodgevalle, sowel as BBP-beskerming, buitelandse wapens,
gevorderde vuurwapenhantering, abseiling en plofstof. Ek kan die leemtes sien en
het die ervaring en opleiding om as instrukteur betrokke te raak.
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Foto 4: van die eerste lede: agter: Gert van der Merwe, Piet Skiet, Baksteen Marais,
sers Matshila, Johannes Mhlangu. Voor: Hein Kilian, Piet Landman, Johnny Johnson
Bert is op hierdie stadium tweede in beheer by die eenheid, en (toe) lt Hein Kilian
die bevelvoerder. Ek bespreek die moontlikheid van `n verplasing met Bert.
Dit gebeur toe ook so en saam met Bert en Kilian vorm ons die eerste groep wat
opleiding gee. Dit is `n eerste in baie opsigte, en ons “skryf die boek” wat gaan
vormgee aan huidige en toekomstige opleiding. Almal moet op dieselfde bladsy
wees.
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Foto 5: Baksteen Marais: Huispenetrasie
Die ou Benoni polisiestasie is die ideale basis omdat ons die barakke kan gebruik om
huispenetrasie en –deursoeking te oefen. Daar is ook `n lesinglokaal en genoeg
kantoorspasie, asook `n wapenkluis. Die ou hooiskuur agter die stasie is een
verdieping hoog met `n balk wat uit die gebou steek, waar ons die eerste gedeelte
van die abseiling opleiding doen. Daar is ook uitgewerkte mynhope wat uitstekende
skietbane is.
Ons werk nóú saam met die Benoni Brandweerstasie. In die onmiddellike omgewing
is daar verskeie woonstelblokke waar ons abseiling kan oefen, sowel as die
brandweer se opleidingstoring. Daar word die lede blootgestel aan hittetonnels,
rooktonnels en skuim.
Ons is betrokke by gesamentlike oefeninge met Spesmagte, en ons skakel by die
spoorwegpolisie se taakmag in. Ons doen saam met die weermag abseiling uit
choppers uit. Ons het abseiling uit choppers gedoen voor enigiemand anders dit nog
gedoen het. En fast roping. Ons skakel in by Sandock-Austral in Benoni, wat die
pantserkarre gebou het. Doen saam met hulle toetse en ry in die Ratels saam met
hulle.
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Foto 6: Abseiling Springs-poskantoorgebou
Lt Kilian (later kolonel), ao Bert Steyn en sersant Larry Hanton vorm die kern
instrukteursgroep waarop alle verdere taktiese opleiding en instrukteurskursusse
baseer word. In 1986 verskuif die eenheid na Dunnottar. Ons gebruik plase in die
Grootvlei en Heidelberg areas vir opleiding. Nou kan ons nuwe lede vir weke daar
hou. Dit beteken dat intensiewe opleiding gedoen word sonder `n tydsrooster en
ander onderbrekings.
Met verloop van tyd kwalifiseer lede soos ao Piet Landman, ao China Bekker, ao
Toit Wessels, Bez Bezuidenhout, Louis Pretorius en `n paar ander as instrukteurs.
Hulle is in staat om `n hoë standaard te handhaaf en opleiding te verskaf sonder
enige onderbrekings.
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Foto 7: Opleiding Benoni Brandweersentrum
Foto 8: Opleiding Benoni Brandweerstasie
Die oorspronklike groep doen ook `n kursus aangebied deur die Spesiale Taakmag,
onder leiding van ao George Archer. `n Duikeenheid word op die been gebring.
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Dawn Davies, veteraan paramedikus en duikinstrukteur van die Benoni
Brandweerstasie bied die eerste kursusse aan. Daarna word dit oorgeneem deur
sersant Roelf Pretorius van die Spesiale Taakmag.
Die eenheid het `n versameling vreemde/buitelandse wapens, wat gebruik word
tydens opleiding, asook met buitelug skoue. Op `n gereelde basis word lesings
aangebied vir regeringsdepartemente, besighede en skole. Daar word gefokus op die
identifisering van limpetmyne en verdagte pakkies, en die prosedures wat gevolg
moet word, sou `n verdagte myn of pakkie opgemerk word.
Van alle lede word verwag om gereeld skietoefeninge by te woon. Lede moet ook
gereeld vuurwapenhantering bywoon, en werk met verskillende wapens soos deur
die eenheid gebruik (Beretta 9mm pistool, R1 geweer, mini Uzi, Walther HMC en die
Beretta pompaksie haelgeweer.)
Foto 9: AK 47, R1 en R4
Baksteen Marais is in beheer van LO, oftewel fiksheid. `n Standaard fiksheidstoets
word gereeld gedoen. Die stoutes word gestraf deur hulle by Duiwel-se-tiet op te
jaag, of hulle die “bosbus” te laat doen.
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Kol Kilian is altyd bereid om sy samewerking te gee en te luister na idees en
voorstelle deur die instrukteurs. Hy laat die manne werk sonder om heeltyd oor
hulle skouers te loer. Dit gee aan die instrukteurs die vryheid om hulle opleiding op
`n hoë standaard te kry. Ons doen dit professioneel.
Foto 10: Opleiding Benoni Brandweerstasie
Die tipiese nuwelingkursus bestaan uit `n oriëntasielesing, lesings oor
gyselaarsituasies, identifisering van plofstowwe en vreemde wapens, asook BBP
beskerming. Die praktiese gedeelte van die kursus bestaan uit gevorderde
vuurwapenhantering, soos toegepas word in gevegspistoolskiet, huisdeursoekings,
vuur- en bewegingoefeninge en die gebruik van skok- en handgranate. Fisiese
opleiding is lewensbelangrik.
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Foto 11: Vreemde Handgranate
Ons as instrukteurs gaan gereeld op “refresher” kursusse en so word die eenheid op
hoogte gehou van nuwe taktiek, asook informasie/intelligensie. Die lede ontvang
opleiding in die gebruik van haelgewere, eerstehulp en touwerk. Ons maak gebruik
van genooide of gasinstrukteurs, om spesialisopleiding aan die lede te bied. Joe
Grant Grierson (1927 - 2007) byvoorbeeld, was `n wapenkenner en selfverdediging-
spesialis. `n Fundi met alle handwapens.
In Hunter News word hy as volg deur kol Errol Kristal (weermag) onthou - `n
herinnering wat al die ou hande van die eenheid sal verstaan:
“I well remember Joe Grant-Grierson and I am sorry to hear he has passed on. He
certainly was an inspired and inspirational man.
I only trained with him on the R1 but it was as if it grew out of his arm. I remember
thinking at the time that his weapon handling was nothing short of magical. Who
would have ever thought that I could ride at about 15 or 20 km on the back bumper
of a jeep, one hand clutching the jeep, the other an ammo box, my rifle slung over
my shoulder? And then drop off the vehicle and put two shots into a No 11 target,
almost before I hit the ground. Or who would have ever thought that I could hit a
half brick at 30 paces, firing from the hip? Or successfully throw a bayonet? Or make
a bomb?
Joe did.”
Foto 12: Joe Grant Grierson
Dit alles, al hierdie opleiding, word gedoen om agtien- en negentienjariges in die
veertien townships aan die Oosrand te kan instuur.
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Volgens Rauch en Storey (1994), in “The Policing of Public Gatherings and
Demonstrations in South Africa 1960-1994”, vereis die Nasionale Party se Totale
Aanslag dat hierdie seuns die fisiese arm van die gereg word wat oproer en protes
met geweld onderdruk. Veral aan die Oosrand lyk die situasie toenemend soos `n
burgeroorlog. Soos die situasie versleg, met die afkondiging van die regering se
Totale Aanslag in 1984, die eerste Noodtoestand in 1985 en die Nasionale security
management system in 1986, word Eenheid 6 se opleiding, toerusting en
metodologie toenemend gemilitariseer. Hierdie situasie word die nuwe konteks vir
onlustebeheer.Dit behels die sentralisering van polisiehulpbronne en -besluitneming,
in lyn met `n hoogs gemilitariseerde en gekoordineerde benadering deur die staat,
om die “people`s war”, soos die bevrydingsbeweging bekend staan, te beveg. Ten
alle koste. Hulle lewens hang letterlik af van die kwaliteit van opleiding wat hulle
van ons kry. Opleiding word prioriteit nommer één.
Foto 13: Boodskap van MK
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11.2 Tobruk: Verloor of verneder? Hans Lombaard
2012-06-16 16:06
Die sewe soldate wat uit Tobruk ontsnap het nadat Klopper sy motorsleutels vir
hulle gegee het. Wie was hulle en leef enigeen van hulle nog?
In Junie 1942 was die destydse Britse eerste minister, Winston Churchill, op besoek
aan Washington om die Geallieerde oorlogpoging met pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt te
bespreek. (Dit was voordat die Amerikaners oorlog teen Duitsland verklaar het).
Terwyl Churchill laat die aand van die 20ste saam met Roosevelt in sy studeerkamer
sit, is hulle onderbreek deur iemand wat ’n telegram aan die president kom
oorhandig.
Roosevelt het dit gelees sonder om ’n woord te sê en aan Churchill gegee.
“Tobruk has surrendered, with twenty-five thousand men taken prisoner.”
In sy uiters leesbare geskiedenis van die oorlog, The Second World War, beskryf
Churchill dié nuus as “one of the heaviest blows I can recall”.
Hy gaan voort: “I did not attempt to hide from the president the shock I had
received. It was a bitter moment. Defeat is one thing; disgrace another.”
Tobruk, die hawestad aan die Middellandse See wat Churchill “tot die dood toe”
wou verdedig, het geval.
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Churchill se na-oorlogse herinnering aan dié dag is akkuraat, behalwe in een
belangrike opsig: Dit was nie 25 000 man wat oorgegee het nie, maar 33 000.
Dit was nie net vir Churchill ’n bitter pil nie, maar ook vir genl. Jan Smuts en die
Suid-Afrikaanse oorlogpoging. Nie net was ’n Suid-Afrikaner, genl.maj. Hendrik
Klopper, by Tobruk in bevel nie, maar 13 000 Suid-Afrikaanse troepe is sáám met
hom gevange geneem.
Toe die son op 21 Junie 1942 oor die stowwerige hawevesting van Tobruk opkom –
Donderdag presies 70 jaar gelede – was dit vir Klopper, bevelvoerder van die 2de
Divisie, duidelik dat daar ná 24 uur se harde gevegte geen uitkoms meer was nie.
Pogings om sy magte gedurende die nag te konsolideer, uit te breek en stert tussen
die bene weswaarts te vlug, het op niks uitgeloop nie.
In die flou oggendskemerte het Klopper sewe jong Suid-Afrikaanse soldate gewaar.
Hy het sy motorsleutels aan hulle gegee met die woorde: “Maak dat julle wegkom.”
Die sewe het dit uiteindelik, saam met die oorblyfsels van ’n paar ander eenhede wat
ook kon ontsnap, tot in Kaïro gemaak. ’n Mens wonder of enigeen van hulle vandag
nog leef.
(Die militêre historikus Hamish Paterson sê ’n Tobruk-veteraan het hom vertel dit
sou relatief maklik gewees het om uit Tobruk te ontsnap – mits jy jou hande op ’n
voertuig en genoeg brandstof kon lê. Dat die meeste brandstof sentraal gestoor was,
het dit egter byna onmoontlik gemaak).
Diegene wat kon ontsnap, was baie gelukkig. Duisende van hul makkers,
insluitende Klopper, is kort daarna na krygsgevangenekampe in Italië en Duitsland
gestuur.
Die Tobruk-nederlaag het skokgolwe deur die Geallieerde oppergesag in die Midde-
Ooste, Londen en Suid-Afrika gestuur. In die Britse Laerhuis is ’n mosie van
wantroue teen Churchill ingedien.
Veldmaarskalk Alan Brooke, hoof van die generale staf van die Britse magte, merk in
sy dagboek dat Smuts rondom dié tyd aan hom gesê het hy (Smuts) is bekommerd
oor gerugte dat Tobruk “verloën” is.
’n Sondebok was nodig en baie vingers het na Klopper gewys.
Dat die Australiërs net ’n jaar tevore Rommel herhaaldelik bloedneus geslaan het
terwyl hulle Tobruk suksesvol verdedig het, het natuurlik net sout in die Suid-
Afrikaners se wonde gevryf.
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’n Raad van ondersoek na die oorsaak van die nederlaag is toe ingestel – ’n
ongewone stap vir daardie tyd. Dieselfde het immers nie ná die val van Singapoer of
ná Duinkerke gebeur nie.
Die ondersoek is in Oktober 1942, vier maande later, afgehandel en slegs sewe
afskrifte, elkeen hoogs geheim, is gemaak.
Churchill, Smuts en genl. Claude Auchinlek, destyds bevelvoerder van die
Geallieerde magte in die Midde-Ooste, het elkeen ’n afskrif ontvang.
Die verslag is na my beste wete nog nooit volledig openbaar gemaak nie – ’n
skreiende onreg omdat ek glo dat dit Klopper en sy manne sou vryspreek van die
stigma en skuld wat baie van hulle tot hul dood saam met hulle gedra het.
Om die waarheid te sê, die eerste keer wat baie veterane bewus geword het dat so ’n
ondersoek hoegenaamd onderneem is, was in 1959, 17 jaar ná die gebeure, toe die
geskiedskrywer Anthony Heckstall-Smith dié feit onthul het in sy boek Tobruk: The
Story of a Siege.
Churchill het nog gelewe en Britse owerhede het geweier dat die skrywer die
bevindinge van die ondersoek mag publiseer.
Brig. Eric “Scrubs” Hartshorn, self ’n veteraan van die oorlog in Noord-Afrika, het
uiteindelik ’n afskrif van die verslag in Smuts se argiewe opgespoor.
In sy boek Avenge Tobruk, wat in 1960 gepubliseer is, maak hy egter net melding
van enkele van die bevindinge en skryf dis “verstommend dat staatsmanne en
militêre bevelvoerders van daardie tyd geweier het om die bevinding openbaar te
maak”.
My eie pogings om die dokument op te spoor, versoeke aan twee opeenvolgende
ministers van verdediging ten spyt, het oor die jare telkens in ’n doodloopstraat
geëindig.
Ek het selfs Rommel se seun Manfred, destyds die burgemeester van Stuttgart, gaan
opsoek om te hoor of daar in sy pa se dokumentversameling nie iets is wat kon lig
werp op die Tobruk-gebeure nie.
Dis my oortuiging dat die uitslag van die ondersoek vir baie jare ná die oorlog
geheim gehou is omdat dit veral vir Churchill (en moontlik ook vir Smuts) in die
verleentheid sou stel.
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Smuts se seun Jannie, wat gedurende die oorlogsjare sy pa se aide-de-camp was en
ook sy pa se biograaf, het voor sy dood aan my gesê hy was bewus van die Tobruk-
ondersoek, maar het nooit insae daarin gehad nie.
Hy het wel erken dat hy oor heelwat vertroulike inligting oor die Tobruk-debakel
beskik wat hy nie wou publiseer nie omdat dit Churchill in ’n verleentheid sou stel.
“Tobruk was Churchill se baba. Hy het baie verbeeldingryke idees oor Tobruk
gehad.”
Smuts jr. sê die generaals was oortuig dat hulle Tobruk nie sou kon verdedig nie –
totdat Churchill daarop aangedring het sonder om genl. Smuts te raadpleeg.
“My pa was bitter ontsteld. Klopper is met die gebakte pere gelos. Churchill moet
die skuld dra vir die Tobruk-debakel.”
In die jare 1968 en 1969 het ek ook met Klopper ’n paar lang gesprekke hieroor
gehad.
Op my vraag wat by Tobruk verkeerd gegaan het, het hy bloot geantwoord: “Genl.
Smuts het my versoek om ’n verslag oor Tobruk te skryf. Ek het dit gedoen en
daarby berus ek.”
Hierdie verslag van Klopper is na my beste wete ook nog nooit opgespoor nie.
Anders as die meeste ander senior Geallieerde offisiere het Klopper nooit sy
herinneringe te boek gestel nie. (Ten spyte daarvan dat die verhaal van sy
ontsnapping uit Duitse aanhouding nadat hy by Tobruk gevange geneem is ’n
wonderlike verhaal moes wees.)
Klopper is in 1977 in die ouderdom van 75 jaar oorlede.
Paterson sê hy is oortuig Klopper kan nie die skuld dra nie.
Hy sê ’n kombinasie van faktore, waaronder bevel- en beheerprobleme tydens die
gevegte (Klopper het probleme gehad om met sy ondergeskikte bevelvoerders
kontak te maak) en die feit dat hy nie die nodige ondersteuning van sy seniors gekry
het nie, het tot die nederlaag gelei. Klopper was ook relatief onervare: Hy was slegs
drie maande in bevel van die 2de Divisie ten tyde van die gevegte.
Paterson sê dit is vandag duidelik nie een van Klopper se twee seniors – sy direkte
bevelvoerder, genl. Neil Ritchie, en Auchinleck, bevelvoerder van die Geallieerde
magte in die Midde-Ooste – het ooit die morele moed gehad om prontuit aan
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Churchill te erken dit was onmoontlik om Tobruk suksesvol te verdedig nie.
Hans Lombard is ’n joernalis en skakelpersoon.
http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Verloor-of-verneder-20120615
12.2.1 Tobruk: die ware verhaal: Hans Lombard
2012-09-01 23:53
Meer as 70 jaar nadat die gebeure wat op dié vergeelde papier beskryf word dit in
Noord-Afrika afgespeel het, staan ek in die militêre argief in Pretoria met lêer UWH
Tobruk 371 in die hand.
My pogings om dié lêer in die hande te kry, het meer as 30 jaar gelede al begin, maar
onlangs, nadat my artikel oor die val van Tobruk, vanjaar presies 70 jaar gelede, in
Rapport Weekliks verskyn het, het dit nuwe impetus gekry.
Ná my artikel, waarin ek beskryf het hoe die Suid-Afrikaners destyds deur hul
Geallieerde bondgenote geroskam is omdat hulle Tobruk aan Rommel “oorgegee”
het, is ek oorval met oproepe van nie net genl. Hendrik Klopper se eie familie nie,
maar ook van veterane, familie van veterane en lesers wat aangegryp is deur dié
gebeure.
Hulle wou almal weet: Wat is in die amptelike ondersoek bevind? Hoekom moet dit
70 jaar later steeds geheim wees?
Vandag word Rapport die eerste koerant ter wêreld wat die bevindinge van die
verslag openbaar – al mag dit vir baie dalk na ou nuus klink!
Die verslag wat ek onlangs in Pretoria opgespoor het, bestaan uit twee bundels,
gemerk “Court of Enquiry Tobruk”.
Die twee bundels behels 300 bladsye, met verklarings van 49 getuies. Iemand het ’n
bottel blou ink oor die verslag uitgestort, asof met die doel om dit onleesbaar te
maak, maar die kern is steeds duidelik.
Slegs twee enkele paragrawe verwys regstreeks na Klopper, destyds bevelvoerder
van die 2de Suid-Afrikaanse Divisie en van die Tobruk-garnisoen.
Daarin word hy van skuld vir die nederlaag onthef:
“Die oorgawe van Tobruk moet ongetwyfeld toegeskryf word aan die bollemakiesie-
besluit ter elfder ure van die opperbevel om die vesting te verdedig – wat nie
voorheen beleid was nie – afgesien van die feit dat die 8ste Leër besig was om in
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volle vaart die aftog te blaas in die aangesig van ’n suksesvolle vyand wie se moreel
hoog was.”
Dit strook met Churchill se eie opmerkings in sy memoir, The Hinge of Fate: “The
burden of blame falls upon the high command rather than on General Klopper and
still less on his troops.”
Dié opmerking is effens strydig met Churchill se beskrywing in sy epiese multi-
volume The Second World War, waarin hy skryf: “Defeat is one thing, a disgrace is
something else.”
Ook die Britse pers was destyds taamlik krities teenoor die Suid-Afrikaners en
Klopper en hy is uitgekryt as ’n “verraaier”, “lafaard”, “verraderlike”,
“vyfdekoloner”, “onbekwaam en onervare”. Dis aantygings wat ook oorgewaai het
na Suid-Afrika en ’n stigma waarmee Klopper na sy graf is.
Dié kritiek het die militêre owerhede blykbaar genoop om ’n raad van ondersoek in
te stel, ’n grootliks nuttelose oefening omdat die belangrikste getuie, Klopper, ’n
Nazi-krygsgevangene was.
Die verslag is myns insiens ook nie in alle opsigte eerlik nie. Dit verswyg talle
kardinale feite wat tot die Tobruk-debakel gelei het.
Volgens beskikbare feite is dit duidelik dat die Geallieerdes se Agste Leër in Noord-
Afrika Klopper skandelik in die steek gelaat en dit probeer toesmeer het.
Nietemin verwys die verslag na ’n paar aspekte wat tot die nederlaag bygedra het,
waaronder dat hy geen lugbeskerming gehad het nie, dat sy verdedigingsvestings
verswak was omdat baie landmyne gelig is om elders te gebruik en sy garnisoen nie
volsterkte was nie en sonder volsterkte artillerie.
Rommel se magte het voor die gevegte 39?km wes van Gazala gelê en 104?km van
Tobruk. Op 27 Mei 1942 het Rommel sy aanval op Tobruk by Gazala begin.
26 dae later, nadat verskeie Geallieerde vestings, wat sáám die sogenaamde Gazala-
linie uitgemaak het, oorrompel is, het Rommel uiteindelik sy aandag op Tobruk
gevestig.
Hy het die hawestad op die aand van 20 Junie 1942 aangeval en die volgende
oggend het Klopper die witvlag gehys en 33 000 manskappe is krygsgevange
geneem.
Die vraag is, waar was die ander sewe veggeneraals, hul manskappe, lugmag en
pantsers wat deel gevorm het van die Gazala-linie? Die antwoord, volgens die
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verslag, is dat hulle voet in die wind geslaan het. Hulle was haastig op pad in die
rigting van Kaïro, ’n oorhaastige vlug wat oorlogkorrespondente destyds as die
“Gazala Gallop” beskryf het.
Erger nog: Die verslag maak dit duidelik dat die Geallieerdes se planne dit ’n paar
maande vroeër, in Februarie 1942, nog duidelik gestel het dat Tobruk nie verdedig
sal word indien Rommel deur die Gazala-linie breek nie.
Op 15 Junie – twee dae nadat dit duidelik geword het dat die Gazala-linie gaan val,
ontvang Klopper egter opdrag dat Tobruk tot elke prys verdedig en behou moet
word.
Vandag weet ons (uit ander bronne) dat Churchill destyds opdrag gegee het dat
Klopper bykomende troepe gegee moet word om hom te help om Tobruk te
verdedig.
Ten spyte daarvan dat die generaals dié opdrag nooit uitgevoer het nie, is die Britse
premier verseker dat dit wel gedoen is. Hiervan meld die verslag egter niks.
Dit is dus nou meer as ooit duidelik waarom die verslag nooit gepubliseer is nie.
Dit sou die Britse regering, Churchill en die Geallieerde magte en hul bevelvoerders
in ’n erge verleentheid geplaas het omdat dit hul besluiteloosheid en die spanning in
die opperbevel sou blootlê.
Waarom Klopper, toe hy later kommandant-generaal van die Suid-Afrikaanse
Weermag was, nie self daarop aangedring het dat ’n verslag wat hom van skuld
onthef, gepubliseer word nie, is steeds ’n raaisel.
Hans Lombard is ’n skakelkonsultant en oud-joernalis.
http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Tobruk-die-ware-verhaal-20120831
11.4 Mahatma Gandhi: Was hy ‘n rassis? - Dr. Jaycee van der Walt
In ‘n strewe na objektiwiteit, en om seker te maak dat Gandhi binne korrekte konteks
aangehaal word, is hierdie artikel op GANDHI SE EIE WOORDE gebaseer soos dit
in “The Collective Works of Mahatma Gandhi”en in “Indian Opinion”, verskyn.
Mohandas Gandhi, later die Mahatma of Groot Gees en die vader van Indië, het die
filosofie van Satyagraha of passiewe weerstand, gedurende sy verblyf in Suid-
Afrika, gedurende die periode 1893 tot 1914, geskep.
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Die ANC regering het standbeelde in Johannesburg en Pietermaritzburg ter ere van
Gandhi as vryheidsvegter teen apartheid en voorstander van rasse gelykstelling,
opgerig.
In kontras, het die 109ste “Congress of the United States” van 2005 vir Gandhi as ‘n
rassis en as ‘n voorstander van apartheid, wat swartes minag, onthul.
Waarom?
1). Gandhi het deurgaans na swartes as “K........” verwys (Arabies vir ongelowiges).
Hy het beslis geweet dat die woord aanstoot gee. Sy medewerker, Douglas, het
bedank aangesien Maulana Saheb na ‘n Christen as ‘n K….. verwys het:
“Ek verstaan sy wrewel. Dit sou beter gewees het indien die woord K….. nie gebesig
was nie. Indien K….. ‘n tartende woord is, hoeveel te meer moet die woord Chandal
(Skelwoord tussen Muslims en Hindus), nie wees nie.”
2). Gandhi verwys na swartes as,”algemeen barbaars, onsedelik, lui, onbetroubaar,
moeilikheidmakers”:
“Ons is in ‘n voortdurende stryd teen aftakeling deur Europeane, wat ons na die
vlak van die rou K….. wil degradeer. Die swarte wie se beroep die jag is, wie se
ambisie slegs is om ‘n sekere aantal beeste bymekaar te maak om ‘n vrou mee te
koop, en dan sy lewe in luiheid en in naaktheid te spandeer.”
“K…… is as ‘n reël barbaars - bandiete nog meer so. Hulle is moeilikheidmakers,
baie vuil en leef een graad bokant die dier.”
3). Gandhi beskryf Indiërs as “oneindig superieur” bokant die swartes:
“Die Boere het gefaal om op te merk dat daar beslis opsigtelike en skerp verskille
tussen die Indiërs en die K….. ras van Suid-Afrika is.”
“Die regering van die Boere beledig die Indiërs deur hulle saam met die K….. te
klassifiseer.”
“Niemand het ooit gefluister dat die Indiërs nie altyd anders as sedelik optree nie.
Tog, in hierdie deel van die wêreld word die Indiër, sonder rede, tot die vlak van die
K….. afgetrek.”
4). Gandhi het rasse-segregasie bepleit. Hy beskou die wit ras as die dominerende
ras, gevolg deur die Indiërs met die swartes op die bodem van die stratifikasie:
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“Ons glo net so veel as die blankes glo in die suiwerheid van ras. Ons glo die blanke
ras in Suid-Afrika is die dominerende ras.”
“Indien daar een ding is wat die Indiërs meer as enigiets anders vertroetel, dan is dit
die suiwerheid van hulle ras.”
Sommige Indiërs het seksuele kontak met K….. vroue. Ek dink dit is vol gevaar.
Indiërs moet hulle heeltemal vermy.”
“Danksy die hof se beslissing, kan slegs skoon Indiërs (top klas Hindu), K…..
uitgesonder, nou op die trems ry.”
5). Die stasie insident.
Skoon Indiërs het gereeld saam met blankes in dieselfde eersteklas kompartement
tussen Durban en Charlestown gereis. Hulle moes beddegoedkaartjies vir die oornag
reis koop. Ghandhi het botweg geweier:
“Abdulla Sheth het aangedring dat ek wel ‘n bedkaartjie koop, maar uit
hardkoppigheid en hoogmoed, en om vyf sjielings te spaar, het ek geweier. Abdulla
het my daaroor gewaarsku.”
Die aand in Pietermaritzburg het Gandhi vir ‘n spoorwegbeampte oor sy bedkaartjie
gelieg: “Ek het reeds een by my.” Hy gaan voort:, “’n Passasier het gekla, hy het
gesien dat ek gekleurd was.”
‘n Beampte het later vir Gandhi versoek om na die goedere kompartement oor te
gaan. Gandhi het geweier: “‘n Konstabel het gekom. Hy het my hand geneem en my
van die trein afgesit en die trein het weggestoom.”
Gandhi het die koue nag in die wagkamer deurgebring en het die volgende dag ‘n
telegram van protes aan die Spoorweë gestuur:
“Die algemene bestuurder het die optrede van die spoorwegbeamptes goedgekeur.
Ek het toe in Maritzburg die bedkaartjie gekoop, wat ek in Durban geweier het om te
koop. Die aand-trein het opgedaag. Daar was ‘n gereserveerde bed vir my.” Gandhi
het in eersteklas na Charlestown gereis:
”Die ontbering wat ek moes ondergaan, was oppervlakkig – slegs ‘n simptoom van
‘n diep siekte van kleur vooroordeel. Ek moet probeer om hierdie siekte uit te roei en
om ontberings in die proses te verduur.”
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Jare later het Gandhi geskryf dat hy aangerand was en dat hy hierdie wêreld-
beroemde insident as die oorsprong van sy filosofie van passiewe weerstand,
beskou.
Desmond Tutu sit Gandhi se leuen voort: ”Gandhi is van die trein afgegooi omdat
hy in ‘n blankes-alleen kompartement gesit het, alhoewel hy ‘n eersteklas kaartjie
gehad het. Ek is bly dat hy die groot vernedering moes verduur, want dit het
geregverdigde woede in hom opgewek, om die metodes van passiewe weestand te
ontwikkel.”
6). Gandhi was ‘n voorstander van apartheid:
“Ek moet erken ek voel sterk teen die vermenging van K…… met Indiërs. Ek dink
dit is onregverdig teenoor die Indiese bevolking.”
“Indiërs, ongeag hulle status, word in dieselfde kompartement met die naturelle,
saamgehok.”
“In die Durban Pos- en Telegraaf kantore was daar aparte ingange vir die naturelle
en Indiërs saam en een apart vir die blankes. Ons het groot vernedering ondervind
en gerespekteerde Indiërs is beledig. Ons het daarom petisies geloods sodat die
outoriteite met hierdie diskriminasie moes wegdoen. Hulle het toe drie aparte
ingange geskep: vir naturelle, vir Asiate apart en vir Europeane.”
“Ons beskou dat dit ‘n wyse beleid van die Indiërs was om, regdeur Suid-Afrika,
hulleself apart van ander gekleurde rasse te hou.”
“Indiërs weet met absolute sekerheid wie die dominerende en regerende ras is.
Hulle aspireer nie tot gelykheid met die blankes nie. Hulle soek nie eens stemreg
nie.”
7). Gedurende die Bhambatha opstand van 1906, het sersant-majoor Gandhi
kospakkies vir die blanke soldate georganiseer en het aktief Indiërs vir diens teen die
Zoeloe “rebelle” gewerf. Hy het vir die regering as ‘n draagbaar draer, gewerk, maar
het slegs Zoeloe kollaborateurs, wat spesiale kentekens gedra het, versorg:
“Daar is bykans nie ‘n familie wat nie iemand het wat teen die K….. rebelle veg nie.
Daarom pleit ons dat alle Indiërs, na die beste van hulle vermoëns, hulle plig moet
doen.”
“Gee die Indiërs die geleentheid met opleiding vir werklike oorlogvoering. Een-
honderd-duisend Indiërs in Natal kan effektiewe werk in geval van oorlog doen.”
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“Teen ongeveer 12 uur was ons met die dag se reis klaar, sonder enige K….. om teen
te veg.”
Was Mahatma Gandhi ‘n rassis? Ek dink hy was.
11.5 Militêre Voertuie – William Marshall
Wie weet wat van die voertuie geword het ?
Ek sien:
a. Spinnekop
b. Roadrunner.
c. Verskeie M4 Sherman’s
d. Comet.
e. Crossley.
f. GMC Otter (heel regs)
g. Marmon –Herrington panserkar.
Stuur asseblief die foto rond, dalk weet iemand iets.
Groete
11.6 Militêre Voertuie – William Marshall
Ek het hulle vandag gaan afneem nadat ek hulle opgespoor het. Aangeheg die foto
van die Hotnotsgod en Spinnekop wat tans in die Genie Formasie se voertuigpark
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staan. Die Hotnotsgod gaan oorgeplaas word na die Genieskool in Kroonstad
eersdags. Ons moet plek soek vir die Spinnekop want hy is die eenigste een oor.
Miskien die SAP museum???
Groete,
William Marshall
11.7 SAMHS (CT) Newsletter : Johan van den Berg
Dear Members and Friends
Please note the following changes to the programme for October and November,
2012. The speakers for these two months have been switched.The speakers and the
topics of their lectures are the following:
FORTHCOMING TALKS
11 OCTOBER 2012: SMUTS AND LETTOW-VORBECK AND THE GREAT WAR IN
EAST AFRICA by Dr. Anne Samson
Mention the Great or First World War and most people instantly think of the
Western Front. For South Africans, it's not much different with thoughts generally
turning to Delville Wood. If East Africa is mentioned, thoughts often turn to
Ethiopia (WW2) rather than World War 1 and if they do turn to World War 1, it is of
1916 when the South African forces under General Jan Smuts faced the Germans
under General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. There was far more to the war in East
Africa than what happened in 1916 and the two lead protagonists, Smuts and
Lettow-Vorbeck's paths crossed on a number of occasions before, during and after
the war. This presentation will shed some light on the nature of the war in East
Africa, on land, water and in the air, and those who led it through from its start on 8
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August 1914 to its end on 25 November 1918.
Biography
Anne Samson completed her PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2004,
the outcome of which was published by IB Tauris in 2006 as Britain, South Africa
And The East Africa Campaign: The Union Comes Of Age. Anne has written a
number of chapters and papers related to the East Africa campaign and South
Africa’s involvement in Africa. Her most recent book, World War I in Africa: The
Forgotten Conflict Among The European Powers is due out in 2012 (IB Tauris). She
works as an independent historian and is currently, in 2012, collaborating with the
Great War in East Africa Association on various events. In her other life, she works
in Education in the Lifelong Learning Sector in the UK and with state primary school
education in Tanzania. She currently lives in the UK but spends as much time in
Africa as possible.
8 NOVEMBER 2012: ASSEGAIS, DRUMS & DRAGOONS: A MILITARY AND
SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE CAPE – A PERSONAL ODYSSEY by Willem
Steenkamp
Maj Willem Steenkamp is well-known as military historian. He started his
professional career as a journalist and was for many years the correspondent on
military matters for a local newspaper, which gave him the insight and developed
the necessary skills to become the author of note which he is today. He will share
thoughts on his latest book Assegais, Drums & Dragoons: A Military and Social History
of the Cape with members of the audience, as well as some of the interesting
discoveries he made about the development and role of the ordinary infantry soldier
at the Cape between 1510 and 1806. But it also has a personal side - the most startling
discovery he made concerns his own ancestors and heritage. He came to the
conclusion that the real history of the Cape is indeed very different to what the
established historiography to this day reflects.
Best regards
Johan van den Berg
Chairman: SAMHS (Cape Town)
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12. HERALDRY, UNIFORMS, COLOURS, FLAGS, MEDALS, MEMORIALS &
BUILDINGS/ HERALDIEK, UNIFORMS, VAANDELS, VLAE, MEDALJES,
GEDENKTEKENS & GEBOUE
-
13. VESTED INTERESTS OF VETERANS /LEDEAANGELEENTHERDE
13.1 Polmed
Baie dankie aan Gideon Serfontein wat my persoonlik
behulpsaam was asook ander lesers. Dankie Gideon!
13.2 Injuries on duty / Beserings aandiens
-
14. THE LIBRARY / DIE BOEKRAK
14.1.1 Plakboek: Van kaalvoetseun tot kommissaris: Genl. MCW
Geldenhuys - 'n Voormalige kommissaris van polisie.
Genl Johan van der Merwe skryf soos volg: Van
kaalvoetseun tot kommissaris: Genl. MCW
Geldenhuys - 'n voormalige kommissaris van
Polisie. Doyen van die ou SA Polisiemag
Die verhaal van generaal Mike Geldenhuys is die
verhaal van 'n lid van die Polisiemag wat sy lewe
daaraan toegewy het om te beskerm en te dien en
alles vir sy taak feil gehad het. Genl. Geldenhuys
het as die seun van ‘n plaaskneg deur harde werk,
toewyding, groot opofferings en studie tot
kommissaris van die SA Polisiemag gevorder. Hy
het hom gedurende 1943 tydens die oorlogsjare by
die SA Polisie aangesluit. Hy het ‘n belangrike rol
in die ontwikkeling van ons land se
veiligheidsgeskiedenis gespeel. As lid van die
uniformafdeling het hy hom op so 'n wyse
onderskei dat hy spoedig as 'n speurder in Soweto aangestel is waar hy met die ondersoek
na die moord op drie lede wat daar vermoor is gehelp het. Poste vir sersante en
hoofkonstabels (adjudant-offisiere) in die speurtak was beperk en genl. Geldenhuys het 'n
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oorplasing na die blitspatrollie gevra waar hy weer in die uniformafdeling gedien het. Hy
is as eerste klas sersant op Utrecht geplaas, daarna hoofkonstabel te Newcastle en luitenant
te Durban. Hy is distrikskommdant op Keetmanshoop in Suidwes-Afrika aangestel . Nadat
generaal Van den Bergh gedurende 1963 hoof van die veiligheidstak geword het, is genl.
Geldenhuys na die veiligheidstak oorgeplaas. Hy het aan die hoof gestaan van die
ondersoeke na die Glazerontvoering, die spioenasiebedrywighede van Loginov. Hy was
kommissaris tydens die Silvertonbankbeleg en op die toneel toe die drie terroriste
doodgeskiet is.
Die lewenskets van generaal Geldenhuys wek opnuut die herinneringe van 'n polisiemag
wat hoog aangeskrewe in die gemeenskap was en waar elke lid van die polisie vertroue en
gesag ingeboesem het. Dit is onlosmaaklik deel van ons trotse geskiedenis wat elkeen wat
daardie trots deel moet lees.
Die boek kos net R100 en winste is ten bate van die Oud-SAP-Liefdadigheidstrust. Kontak
die volgende persone om die boek aan te skaf:
Genl Bertus Steyn: 012-803-5724 of 083-655-9145.
Mev Annatjie Geldenhuys: epos – “Annatjie Geldenhuys” [email protected]
14.1.2 CV Skrywer: Dr Jaycee van der Walt (77)
Jaycee was vir 28 jaar een van die
Hoofbestuurders van Bayside
Aluminium in Richardsbaai.
Hy beskik oor verskeie universiteits-
grade en Bestuurdiplomas aan die
Universiteite van Pretoria, Stellenbosch
en Kaapstad verwerf. Sy doktorale
proefskrif, onder leiding van prof Daan
Swiegers, handel oor die vestiging van
nywerhede in Richardsbaai.
Jaycee was betrokke as lid van
Richardsbaai se heel eerste rugbyklub,
skiboot klub, buiteklub en die tegniese
kollege. Hy was stigterslid van die
Afrikaanse Sakekamer.
In die openbare lewe is hy drie keer
onbestrede as onafhanklike burge-
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meester verkies.
Sy film oor Richardsbaai is met die eerste prys deur SA Marketing bekroon en is
regdeur die land in 52 teaters vertoon.
Hy skryf 150 artikels en vyf boeke oor Zoeloeland. Sy jongste boek, “ZULULAND
true STORIES 1780 to 1978” het reeds 6 500 eksemplare verkoop.
14.1.3 32 Battalion: The Terrible Ones: Piet Nortje
Random House Struik - 30 August 2012
The Complete History of 32 Battalion (two volumes) - Piet Nortje
The soldiers of 32 Battalion were so feared by their enemies that they were called ‘Os
Terriveis' - ‘The Terrible Ones'. Founded in utmost secrecy from the vanquished
remnants of an Angolan rebel movement, they were forged into an effective fighting
machine that took on guerrilla forces and conventional armies alike. Undefeated in
12 years of frontline battle, the ‘Buffalo Soldiers' became the South African Army's
best combat unit since World War II.
This comprehensive two-volume work chronicles the unit's explosive history.
Starting in the early 1960s, it covers events in Angola that would eventually result in
the formation of 32 Battalion, and it ends in the 2000s, when the soldiers of the unit
unknowingly betrayed themselves. It describes in detail the 117 documented
military operations that 32 Battalion took part in from 1976 to 1993, explaining how
they were planned and executed, and illustrating them with maps. It also provides
personal recollections from former 32 Battalion members and their allies and
enemies, vividly recreating the experience of what happened on the ground.
The Terrible Ones provides a complete picture with new insights, drawing from
thousands of pages of documents in the Department of Defence Documentation
Centre that have only recently been declassified. Definitive and magisterial, this is
one of the most impressive military histories ever written.
Issued by Random House Struik Publishers through the Politicsweb iService
14.1.4 A Spook’s Progress. From Making War to Making Peace: Maritz
Spaarwater - Intelligensie se rol knap uiteengesit: Willie Esterhuyse
2012-09-09 22:07
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Maritz Spaarwater: ZEBRA PRESS, R220
Maritz Spaarwater se A Spook’s
Progress is ’n waardevolle bydrae tot ’n
nou nog onontginde terrein: Die rol van
intelligensiedienste in ’n staat se regeer-
en politieke prosesse.
En hoe om nie in party-politieke
vaarwater te beland nie.
Dié rol kan breedweg in drie
hoofkategorieë beskryf word: Die
behoud en uitbouing van bestaande
magstrukture, magsverhoudinge en
maghebbende mense se posisies soos in
die geval van outoritêre stelsels; die
beskerming, uitbouing en verbreding
van die demokrasie deur middel van
“intelligente” strategiese insette aan
beleidmakers, myns insiens ’n
voorwaarde vir volhoubare demokrasie; en strategiese insette in skikkingsprosesse
met die oog op standhoudende vrede, soos in die geval van diepverdeelde en
konflikgeteisterde samelewings.
In hierdie geval speel intelligensiedienste ’n strategiese verspiedersrol. Oftewel,
gespreksknopers teenoor gevegsknopers. Daar is nog nie genoeg gevallestudies oor
dié belangrike verkennersrol van intelligensiedienste nie. Suid-Afrika word wel as ’n
belangrike rolmodel voorgehou. Maritz Spaarwater se boek is daarom ’n welkome
bydrae. 2
Barry Gilder, wat ná 1994 uit die ANC ’n senior persoon in die geheime diens
geword en intussen afgetree het, se boek Songs and Secrets lig ook vir ons die sluier
oor dié merendeels onbekende en ontoeganklike terrein vir gewone landsburgers.
Die boek waarop baie mense natuurlik steeds wag, is dié van Niel Barnard.3
Hy het Suid-Afrika se intelligensiediens, saam met mense soos Mike Louw, tot een
van die top-tien ter wêreld getransformeer. In Londen is daar in die 1980’s selfs vir
my gesê dis nommer vier, vóór die Israeli’s en ná die Amerikaners, Britte en Russe.
2 Kommentaar van SAP en SAW generaals asook akademici word afgewag - HBH 3 Ek stem saam! - HBH
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Spaarwater se boek bestryk baie fasette van sy lewe en is outobiografies.
Een boodskap kom sterk deur: In diepverdeelde en konflikgeteisterde samelewings
is skikking nie ’n gebeurtenis nie, maar ’n tydsame en moeisame proses wat
versigtig voorberei moet word.
Kundige en goed opgeleide spelers in dié “kuns” word benodig.
Spaarwater het ’n militêre agtergrond. Daar was altyd baie en gereeld sprake van
mededinging tussen nasionale en militêre intelligensie.
’n Insiggewende faset van sy lewe is dit wat hy alles gedoen en waar hy oral
gestudeer het om hom intellektueel te bekwaam.
Die insameling en verwerking van inligting met die oog op strategiese insette is nie
iets wat aan avonturiers, onbekwame mense of dienswillige idiote oorgelaat kan
word nie.
Spaarwater skryf versigtig. Dis te verstane. ’n Kode in alle goeie intelligensiedienste
is om nie vertroue te skaad, mense te inkrimineer of publisiteit te soek nie.
Hy kon vir my as ’n nuuskierige mens die sluier plek-plek hoër gelig het.
Soos oor die intelligensiediens se samewerking in apartheidstye op ons vasteland
met ander dienste en selfs politieke leiers. Om van kontakte met die destydse
Sowjetunie nie te praat nie.
Spaarwater vertel eerstehands van sy en Mike Louw se klandestiene ontmoeting op
12 September 1989 in Switserland met Thabo Mbeki en Jacob Zuma.
Dit was dieselfde dag dat adv. Anton Lubowski in Windhoek vermoor is. Die
ontmoeting in die Palace-hotel sit ’n bal aan die rol wat ons land ten goede verander.
Vóór F.W. de Klerk se inhuldiging op 20 September 1989 lig hulle hom in oor dié
ontmoeting. Hy is nog nie eens ingehuldig nie en sy intelligensiediens het met sy
“aartsvyande” gepraat! De Klerk, verstaanbaar, was briesend.
Hy is, strategies, om die bos gelei en gekompromitteer.
Toe neem hy dié groot besluit van sy lewe: Om self die bal te dra. ’n Gróter
leiersbesluit as sy toespraak in Februarie 1990. Vóór sy inhuldiging as president.
Spaarwater vertel dié verhaal sonder arrogansie of beterweterigheid. Met wat ek
“politieke deernis” wil noem.
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Ek het ’n belang om te verklaar: Ek het Spaarwater in my assosiasie met die
Nasionale Intelligensiediens leer ken. Iemand wat na homself met humor gekyk het.
Homself kon relativeer. Hy kon meer geskryf het as wat hy geskryf het. Maar dis
soos ek hom leer ken het: “Spaarsamig” met sy bydrae.
En iemand wat sy Afrikaansheid nie as negatief beleef nie.
Willie Esterhuyse, skrywer van Eindstryd - Geheime gesprekke en die einde van apartheid.
• Kommentaar deur HBH: Lees eers Willie Esterhuyse se Eindstryd - Geheime
gesprekke en die einde van apartheid en dan Maritz Spaarwater se boek.
Wees egter gewaarsku: Maritz skryf in baie goeie Engels en ‘n Boerseun moet
egter ‘n woordeboek byderhand hê.
14.1.5 Did the Broederbond sell out the Afrikaner? Piet Swanepoel - 12
September 2012
Piet Swanepoel asks how it came about that all power was handed over to the ANC.
No doubt Dr. Niel Barnard and Mike Louw will one day tell their own stories of the
events which led to the eventual handing over of all power to the ANC. Perhaps it
was just as well that at that period of our history I was not a member of the Service
any more, but farming with trout in the Eastern Transvaal and only sporadically
writing fruitless letters to newspapers, to CODESA and to the Afrikaner
Broederbond (AB) of which I was a member.
Had I known then, what became general knowledge when Allister Sparks' book,
Tomorrow is another Country, was published in October 1994 by Struik Publishers in
Johannesburg, my memo dated 3 September 1990 to the AB would have been a
different one altogether. What Sparks revealed was that starting from 1986 the
chairman of the Broederbond,. Pieter De Lange, had been meeting with ANC leaders
abroad, and that between November 1987 and May 1990 altogether twelve meetings
were held in great secrecy between influential Broederbond members like F.W. De
Klerk's brother, Wimpie, Sampie Terreblanche and Willie Esterhuyse and others,
with senior ANC leaders in a luxury mansion which belonged to the mighty British
mining house, Consolidated Goldfields in England. Consolidated Goldfields, of
course, had a major subsidiary in South Africa. The chairman of this company,
Rudolph Agnew, had "put up the funding for (Michael) Young to organize a series
of secret meetings between the ANC and Afrikaner establishment figures" (p.78).
Wimpie De Klerk described these events in his diary as follows:
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"For me personally they meant a great deal: the luxury trips and accommodation; the
experience of sitting close to the fire and engaging in political breakthrough work to
bring the National Party and the ANC to dialogue; the bonds of friendship that
developed between Thabo (Mbeki), Aziz (Pahad), Jacob Zuma and myself; the access
to direct confidential information; the position of intermediary, because from the
beginning until now I have conveyed ‘secret messages' from the ANC to FW and
even the other way around, but FW was and is very cautious..."
Just imagine me sitting there on the farm and knowing about these goings on! And
about those sundowners - Esterhuyse told Sparks that after those experiences he was
teaching his political science students that "negotiations do not always have to be
formal, you can use Glenfiddich to resolve a problem".(p.86). You bet they don't
have to be. Especially with the British Establishment paying for this extremely
expensive whiskey!
The sadness of it all was that these naïve academics had not yet heard that he who
pays the piper calls the tune.
The reader might be tempted to ask how these Broederbond fellows hoped to
convince their brethren back home that one had to yield to the ANC's (and their
British godfathers') demands and leave the Afrikaners with absolutely no power
base and completely at the mercy of the black majority.
I am about to tell you. It was all spelt out in that letter of mine dated September 3rd
1990. In actual fact it was not a letter, it was a memorandum which I submitted to
the secretary of our division, for submission to the Executive:
"THE ROLE OF THE AB AT THIS POINT IN TIME
On the 20th August 1990 a member of the Executive Council (EC), Dr............,
addressed a meeting of our and a number of other divisions. During his talk he
made the following points:
a. The EC's approach with respect to the problems facing the creation of a new South
Africa, is to adopt the concept of holism. It follows from this approach that the new
South Africa should consist of one undivided entity.
b. The most likely end model for the country will be a parliament consisting of two
chambers. In the first chamber the members will be chosen by universal franchise,
whereas members of the second chamber will be elected according to some form of
group representation. It has to be accepted that in both houses there will be a
majority of black members.
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c. The EC relies heavily on negotiations, but it has to be spelt out that the only group
with which no negotiations can be conducted is the "regses" (Rightwing Afrikaners).
This subject is probably the most important one the AB has ever encountered in its
entire history. If you were to submit my fears as set out below, together with the
division's comments to the EC, I shall esteem it a favour.
I am concerned that Afrikaners should see anything positive in the concept of
holism, except in as far as it refers to its physical scientific dimension. The moment
the concept is advanced as valid for human society, it becomes nothing else but a
handy way to "prove" the validity of forced integration.
General Jan Smuts was the best known champion of this doctrine in South Africa -
not in the period when he fought on the side of the Boer Republics, but in the period
when he was a member of the inner circle of the British Establishment. This power
block played a significant role in the history of South Africa and many other
countries. For the British Establishment holism was as handy a tool as dialectical
materialism was for the communists - it provided "scientific" proof for the
correctness of their ideologies.
To advance the doctrine of holism at this point in time, when Afrikaners are divided,
having a model of one undivided South Africa with a black majority government as
one option, and partition so that a state for Afrikaners can be created as another
option, appears to me to be a mistake. Many of us have succeeded in shaking off our
colour prejudices, but heaven knows if we will ever learn to love the British
Imperialism of yesteryear and its destruction of the two Afrikaner republics.
It worries me also that the EC has decided not to negotiate with the so-called
‘rightwing". I would have thought that Afrikaner unity should have been the most
important task of the AB. I do not think the differences between Afrikaner groups
are insurmountable.
Basically they differ over one great problem: The anti-government group fear that no
future dispensation in terms of which a majority of Non-Whites will be admitted to
governing organs will guarantee the protection of the property and safety of white
people because the white people will possess no instruments of power. The pro-
government group (and, one has to conclude, the EC,) believe that built-in "checks
and balances" will provide sufficient protection of white interests.
Unfortunately we cannot expect the anti-group to patiently sit and wait to see if their
fears are realized, because if that what they fear becomes reality it will be too late to
do anything about it...
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The great majority of Afrikaners, even if they make all kinds of racist remarks
among themselves, realize that in a future dispensation no forms of racial
discrimination will be tolerated. The great majority of Non-Whites realize that some
kind of protection for Whites will have to be provided, unless they are to be forced
into the new dispensation as a future fifth column.
We all know that protection in the form of a number of seats in parliament is no
solution. In any event such seats will be seen as representing a racist element. A
constitution and a Human Rights Charter can also be by-passed by a strong
government. (We did it ourselves when we removed the Coloureds from the
Common Roll).
The only alternative, therefore, is the creation of a province or a state for Afrikaners."
I expanded at great length about this envisaged province, stressing that its locality
and size would be a matter of consultation with other groups. I also stressed the fact
that my definition of Afrikaners was people who spoke Afrikaans, irrespective of
race, colour or creed. What had to be negotiated, however, was that the principle of
such a state had to be accepted.
The AB never responded to my memo and I never attended another of their
meetings. Many years later they wrote to me asking for a donation of some kind. I
sent them a cheque and a copy of my memo, reminding them that I'd never had a
reply to it. On February 18th 1994 the Secretary replied to my letter and thanked me
for the cheque. Among other things he also made the following points:
"The great problem still remains where such a province or ‘volkstaat' or homeland or
whatever one is to call it, will be situated. . How will it be accomplished? Some of the
thoughts expressed in your letter will, of course, be totally unacceptable to a great
majority of the so-called "regses". And that immediately puts the finger on the most
serious question of our time, which is that Afrikaners or the so-called "regses" cannot
agree on a single vision for the future."
These were valid points. However, I am still adamant that the principle of the matter
should be debated. The locality and the how of the problem will follow logically
upon the acceptance of the principle. Leaving Afrikaners in a limbo in which their
language, their culture and their safety is constantly threatened is to add fuel to a
simmering inferno which might one day destroy the very fabric of this beautiful
country.
(Despite my utter contempt for the role played by Wimpie De Klerk and his cohorts
in the run-up to the handing-over of power to the ANC, I have recently defended the
AB in letters to the Afrikaans press where I have felt that the organization was
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183
unfairly blamed for sins which, to my knowledge, it was not guilty of. For this I have
been vilified in the letters columns of some papers.)
This is an extract from Really Inside Boss: A Tale of South Africa's Late Intelligence Service
(and Something about the CIA)
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=32599
3&sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
14.2 BLAAI VIR BLAAI ... VIR DIE eNONGQAI – Johan Jacobs
Dag sê vriende en vriendinne, na twee weke loer ek weer hierop in boekrak om iets
interessant te kry om te lees. ‘n Brokkie nuus wat ek op Beeld raak gelees het:
14.2.1 Beverly Rycroft wen die Ingrid Jonker-prys vir Engelse poësie 2012
Beverly Rycroft wen vanjaar die Ingrid Jonker-prys vir Engelse poësie met haar
digdebuut, Missing. Die digters prof. Wendy Woodward, Liesl Jobson en Helen
Moffett was die beoordelaars.
Rycroft is uitgesonder vir haar “versvaardigheid, haar sterk stem en die
oorspronklikheid en verskeidenheid in haar beelding en stemtoon.”
Die beoordelaars het waardering uitgespreek vir die innemende verhaal wat Missing
vertel: “Dis soos ’n roman of memoir of ’n boeiende neerdaling na die ryk van Pluto
en ’n wankelende klim terug na die lewe.”
Die leser word ingetrek en reis saam, “maar die poësie is nooit selfbejammering of
sentimenteel nie. Emosies word behendig onderbeklemtoon en daardeur soveel
kragtiger.”
Die beoordelaars het die gees van emosionele grootmoedigheid in haar gedigte
geprys: “Deur die vaevuur van siekte toon Rycroft te alle tye waardering van dít wat
elders gebeur ten spyte van persoonlike lyding en herinner só aan W.H. Auden se
‘Musée des Beaux Arts’.”
Benewens die moed, humor en volgehoue beeldkrag van Rycroft se gedigte het die
beoordelaars haar vermoë uitgelig om die waarheid net effe skeef te vertel soos
Emily Dickinson dit gestel het – “to tell the truth only slightly slant.”
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14.2.2 A Spook’s Progress. From Making War to Making Peace
Maritz Spaarwater
ZEBRA PRESS, R220
Maritz Spaarwater se A Spook’s Progress is ’n waardevolle bydrae tot ’n nou nog
onontginde terrein: Die rol van intelligensiedienste in ’n staat se regeer- en politieke
prosesse. En hoe om nie in partypolitieke vaarwater te beland nie.
Dié rol kan breedweg in drie hoofkategorieë beskryf word: Die behoud en uitbouing
van bestaande magstrukture, magsverhoudinge en maghebbende mense se posisies
soos in die geval van outoritêre stelsels; die beskerming, uitbouing en verbreding
van die demokrasie deur middel van “intelligente” strategiese insette aan
beleidmakers, myns insiens ’n voorwaarde vir volhoubare demokrasie; en
strategiese insette in skikkingsprosesse met die oog op standhoudende vrede, soos in
die geval van diepverdeelde en konflikgeteisterde samelewings.
In hierdie geval speel intelligensiedienste ’n strategiese verspiedersrol. Oftewel,
gespreksknopers teenoor gevegknopers. Daar is nog nie genoeg gevallestudies oor
dié belangrike verkennersrol van intelligensiedienste nie. Suid-Afrika word wel as ’n
belangrike rolmodel voorgehou.
Maritz Spaarwater se boek is daarom ’n welkome bydrae.
14.2.3 Evita Se Bossie Sikelela: Evita Bezuidenhout
Prys: R153.00
Evita – bekroonde sjef en ikoon van die nasie – bring vir jou die heerlikste disse van
haar omswerwinge deur gans Suid-Afrika en die wye wêreld. Van die Kaap tot in
Limpopo, van die Weskus tot daar waar die President vandaan kom, rol die borde in
vol kwartels en tarentaal vleis met pruimedante. Kweperbredie en lemoeneend.
Pofadders, beesstert en soetsuur vlakvark. Sy maak ou geregte nuut, en berei
veldkos fyn – wie het kon dink aan waterblommetjiehoender of botterblomslaai vir
die eetkamertafel? Iedere resep getoets en gekeur, almal verspot maklik om te maak.
Goeiste, net om haar boek te lees of deur te blaai is al ’n smakkende ervaring, met al
die prente van ons vriendin op al die plekke waar sy was. Eers was dit Kossie
Sikelela, nou Bossie – ’n nuwe kouefront tref jou tafel.
Boek nommer een klink baie interessant en ek dink heelwat mense in die
intelligensie gemeenskap sal van hierdie boek hou. Lekker lees!
Johan Jacobs
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15. HUMOUR IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM
15.1 Useful Military Warnings Barry Taylor
"Aim towards the Enemy." - Instruction printed on U.S. Rocket Launcher
"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend." - U.S. Army
"Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs are
guaranteed to always hit the ground." - U.S.A.F. Ammo Troop
"If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal
"A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you
least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of
your unit." - Army's magazine of preventive maintenance
"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed." - U.S. Air
Force Manual
"Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo." - Infantry Journal
"Tracers work both ways." - U.S. Army Ordnance
"Five-second fuses only last three seconds." - Infantry Journal
"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid." - Col. David Hackworth
"If your attack is going too well, you're probably walking into an ambush." - Infantry
Journal
"No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection." - Joe Gay
"Any ship can be a minesweeper ... once." - Anonymous
"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do." - Unknown Army Recruit
"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you." - Your Buddies
(And lastly)
"If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him." - U.S. Ammo Troop
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16. ANECDOTES, A POINT TO PONDER, ETC
17. OOR DIE NONGQAI SE DRUMPEL
17.1 Oom Kallie Reitz
Oom Kallie Reitz (85) van die Reitz-stoeiklub en
Reitz-loodgieters het by ons kom inloer –
waterprobleme! Maar ons het lekker oor die ou dae
gesels. Ek het ook by hom besoek afgelê. Hy was
Springbokstoeier vir baie jare en het aan die begin
vir Manie van Zyl ondergesit! Later het Manie
weer vir hom onder gesit. Hy was by genl Manie
van Zyl se begrafnis! (Sal later die begrafnisbrief
plaas.) Sy Pa was ‘n neef van maj Roothman in die
SAP Kollege en die Reitzse het ‘n stoeivertoning
voor kol IP de Villiers gegee. Oom Kallie se vader
het aangevoer dat ‘n polisieman beter oor die
wegkom met stoei as boks.
Oom Kallie se vrou kom van Durban en was in
Port Natal. Verrassing: Hier sit (brig) Quartus
Grobler en Hester Venter (mev CF Zietsman) op
skoolfoto’s! (Die brigadier se pa was Oom Grobbie
– die SB van Durban-Sentraal. Ek onthou Oom Grobbie goed!) Oom Kallie ken letterlik
honderde polisiemanne – veral die stoeiers. Hy stuur ook groete vir die Nagsersant op
Hermanus!
Kol Andy Malan (SAW) – militêre historikus
Andy skakel en noem onder andere: Tydens nagmaal op Kerkplein het leeus genl Piet
Joubert se osse gevang! Vier leeus is naby Leeubrug geskiet – vandaar die vier leeus op die
vier hoekpilare. Die gebied is 1916 drooggelê daar was ‘n vlei!
Lt-genl Ian Gleeson (SAW) – Pringlebaai
Hy skakel. Hy is ook skrywer en stel ook in militêre geskiedenis belang. Hy stel belang in
duikbote, die rol van swart soldate en die moord op soldate tydens die oorlog. Ek het hom
vertel van vier lede van die SAP Brigade wat vermoor is en van Pottie se Vader wat die
duikboot met die vliegtuig aangekeer het. [In die ou dae het ek saam met genl Gleeson op
verskeie komitees gedien in die NVB-stelsel.]
• Dankie aan almal wat ons geskakel het – na my siekte en herstel!
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18. NEWS FROM ALL OVER - THE POLICE POST BAG / NUUS
POS VAN HEINDE EN VERRE - POLISIE-POSSAK
18.1 Pottie Potgieter van Port Edward (Port Vet-word?)
Hennie
Ek heg hierby aan die volgende:
• 'n Kort oorsig van my oorlede vader se loopbaan in die SA Lugmag met
sekere hoogtepunte.
• Die volledige bundel wat al sy gedigte beval. Let wel, hierdie gedigte is
ongepubliseer. Sover aan my bekend was nog nie een van die gedigte nog
ooit in enige geskrewe medium gepubliseer nie.
Ek het al verskeie male probeer om dit wel te doen maar het telkens geen reaksie
gehad van die instansies wat ek gekontak het nie. Dus sal dit 'n "Scoop" wees as dit
in die eNongqai gepubliseer word.
Op hierdie stadium staan die ou kop stil en kan ek nie aan enige ander voorvalle
dink wat 'n storie regverdig nie. Maar jy weet mos hoe dit gaan, hoe harder jy dink
hoe meer slaan die kop toe. Een dag, as jy dit nou gladnie verwag nie, dan peul 'n
gedagte of herinnering mos skierlik van nêrens uit. Dan sal ek dadelik gaan sit en
skryf.
Sterkte daardie kant,
Vriendelike groete
Pottie
18.2 Terry Devine
Hi Hennie ,
Found your magazines very interesting. What information you have access to? Never knew
it existed, I thought it had all died with the passing of steam. I have in my mementoes a
book on all the locomotives CFM used in Mozambique and I think rolling stock (Drawings).
A lot are ex SAR stock if I recall.
Also your article on the BSAP as I am an ex BSAP reservist was with the BSAP for many
years, was excellent. My Mother was born in Mafeking and her sister was born during the
siege of Mafeking.
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Regards
Terry Devine.
18.3 SAP Lede op brug te Vic Falls deur Zambië aangehou was: Rusty van
Rooyen
Dagsê Hennie,
Hoop dit gaan nog klop disselboom na die ongesteldheid. Ek het 'n navraag gekry ivm die insident
waar die 5 SAP-lede deur Zambië aangehou was. Ek kan dit vaagweg onthou. Dit was laat in die jare
60 vroeë 70's. Ken jy die storie? As jy weet kan ek asb 'n kort opsomming van die insident kry.
Groete en Sterkte,
Rusty van Rooyen
Hallo Rusty
Iemand het my ook gevra - ek doen navraag in die eNONGQAI en sal jou laat weet van
enige terugvoering
Groete
Hennie Heymans
Iewers verbind ek die van “Winter” met die voorval. Onthou ek reg?
18.4 No 0420807-2 Rudolf Murray
Hallo Hennie. Hoop dit gaan goed. Ek is `n oudlid (0420807-2) wat in 2001 die Diens verlaat
het. Ek het via die BSAP-Association se webtuiste op hierdie blad afgekom en dis `n riem
onder die hart.
Samehorigheid en eensgesindheid onder die oudlede is krities belangrik.
Ek merk dat genl Geldenhuys se boek eersdaags verskyn. Wil jy my nie op hoogte hou nie
asb? Ek het genl Van Der Merwe se boek en sal ook genl Geldenhuys se boek in my
versameling hê.
Ek onthou `n Desember vakansie in 1979 in Port Edward waar ons in `n chalet langs die
generaal tuisgegaan het en ek sy seun, Arnold, bevriend het. Kan goed onthou hoe die
kommissaris sommer so tussen die ander polisiemanne op die strand gesit het.
Groete en beste wense met jou taak.
Servamus et Servimus
Rudolf Murray
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18.5 Helen Lammers
Hi Hennie
I came across your website yesterday and all I can say is WOW. The amount of
research is just overwhelming.
I have joined a history forum with the name 'histomil' which is a breakaway group
from the ww2f. It is not just confined to WW1 and WW2 but covers history from pre
1900 to current history. I am a true novice but am learning fast, and have been
welcomed with open arms to this forum (they even made me a moderator). Quite a
number of members are interested in SA history.
I would formally like to invite you to the forum, if you are interested, as I believe
your contributions would be enormously valued.
They are a great bunch of guys. Respect is the order of the day and all opinions are
valued. We have members from all over the world, UK, States, Holland, Belgium,
Far East, Germany, Ukraine, Shanghai. Unlike many of these forums, there is no
fighting, slandering, etc. Fun topics are also entertained. In short, a relaxed forum
but with tremendous contributions by all.
I look forward to hearing from you
18.6 Clive & Terry Mitchell: Royal Air Force
Hennie
Thank you for sending the link
and I hope that your readers
enjoy the article. Would it be
possible for you to send me a
soft copy of the photo of Terry
and I that you have used on the
front cover? I have tried to save
it myself but cannot find a way
of doing so.
Regards,
C T Mitchell, Wg Cdr, Deputy
Defence Adviser, Pretoria
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Dear readers,
Clive’s interesting speech on the RAF and the BSAP is published in:
http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/vol_3_no_9.2
Clive’s wife, Terry Mitchell (nee Whitehead) hails from Durban where her father
was a police officer (rank unknown). Please assist Terry in finding more information
on her father during their sojourn in Durban.
Hennie Heymans
18.7 Anemari Jansen - Alberton
Hallo daar Hennie,
Hoe gaan dit? Dankie vir die gesellige kuier by julle nou die dag. Hennie, hier is
Artikel 3 oor Eenheid 6, met foto`s apart aangeheg. Jy sal sien die een foto se
onderskrif is in geel gemerk - ek wil net die name uitstaande by Hein Kilian kry.
Verder stuur ek vir jou vanaand die artikel wat ek gedoen het oor die herontmoeting
tussen Genl Hans Dreyer en Eugene. Gene se dis alles reg om dit te publiseer. Hy het
gevra dat ek dit in Engels vertaal - ek het, maar ek stuur solank die Afrikaanse
weergawe, sodat ek net `n dag of twee langer op die Engelse storie kan broei. Is dit
reg so? Dan is die besluit joue. Aan toestemming vir foto`s werk ons.
Lekker naweek vir julle!!! Baie groete,
Anemari
NS - Gene het sy foongeld ontvang.
18.8 Model of SAP Flying Squad Golf: Neil Anderson
Hi, I'm new to the group and have recently built a model of a Flying squad Golf. I've
put pictures up on the group. Adrian Hill told me I should contact you as I was
looking for pictures of SAP vehicles for reference for further projects. Thanks, Neil.
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18.8 Kol Willie Louw (SAW)
Hello Hennie,
Baie dankie vir die interessante Sept. uitgawe van die eNONGQAI waarin ek en van
my Komdo Bevs ook figureer. Ons het wonderlike en soms baie besige tye in die
OVS Goudvelde beleef- Kordon en Soektog Ops, mynstakings en onluste, ‘n orkaan
ens. ens. Wat ‘n voorreg om so lekker met die destydse SAP-lede te kon saamwerk.
Bel jou later vanaand om te hoor hoe dit gaan.
Sterkte en dolfyn-groete uit Jeffreysbaai.
Willie Louw
18.8 Frederick Pretorius, SAPS Gauteng
hi there my name is frederick.
can i please ask a favour i went on your website and saw that most of the pictures
does not open. i work for the SAPS PHO Gauteng Corporate Communications.
ive notice that the police is turning 100 years next year and would like to have any
pictures from 1913 up un till 2012 that will tel the history of the Police.
i am doing the desing for our componant fot the national police day and the
prestidge awards for next year and i want to get a head start on all of that. please
help me where you can i will highly appriciate it
regards
F.J Pretorius
sac
We have invited Frederick to subscribe to our eNONGQAI. The SAP-webpage is still under
construction - HBH
18.9 Re: History of the South African Police: Prof Francois du Toit
More Hennie
Dankie vir die groot en pragtige werk wat julle doen.
Groetnis en seen vir julle
Francois & Mimmie du Toit – Sjina
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18.10 Curt von Keyserlingk: Pottie Potgieter
Hallo Hennie en Sarie (Van Niekerk)
Die aangehegte lêer bevat die drie stories wat ek oor Curt von Keiserlink kan skryf.
Die onderstaande het ek ook op 'n kol ten opsigte van Oom Curt gehoor.
Klaarblyklik het dit in die parlement plaasgevind toe hy skadu minister van polisie
was.
Daar was 'n lang bespreking oor die Polisie se salarisse en ook hulle gevaar toelae.
Oom Kurt was baie sterk vir 'n aansienlike verhoring van beide.
Toe die bespreking end se kant toe staan toe vlie daar een van die manne van die
regerende party op en sê dat as die polisie so 'n verhoging gaan kry dan moet
dieselfde ook aan die likkewane toegestaan word.
Oom Curt vlie toe op en vra toe die volgende: "Meneer die Speaker ek sal net graag
wil weet, wat is nou die gevaarlikste, om 'n leeu te vang of hom op te pas as hy eers
agter tralies sit?"
Na wat ek verneem het die hele parlement uitgebars van die lag!!!
Soos ek sê, ek kan dit nie bevestig nie maar soos ek die oubaas geken het sal dit my
beslis nie verbaas nie!
Ek hoop dit sal vir julle van nuut wees.
Goete
Pottie
Beste Pottie
Oom Curt von Keyserlingk was ‘n polisieman se polisieman! Eendag op parade te SAP
Wentworth sê hy: “Men I want your hair short! Not long like mine!!!” Ek bars uit van die lag
op parade en dink aan Oom “Vingers” Snyman! Oom Curt het wit hare en ‘n pik swart snor
gedra – hy was ‘n regte Pruis!
Destyds het di8e SAP in Port Natal, Natal en die Transkei net een brigadier en een kapelaan
gehad. (Brig Murray (Pmb) en ds Jansen (‘n stoeier in Durban)).
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Ons moet dril vir ‘n parade in Pmb voor adv John Vorster. Sers Des Welthagen was ons
pelotonsersant. Hy was ‘n SALM-Korea veteraan en ‘n fantastiese onderoffisier. Hy ook
saam met ons op die Mobiele Eenheid. Die yster op die parade was sersant Erasmus – van
die Kollege, later Durban en toe weer Kollege.) Tydens “Oop order Mars!” Is ‘sant Erasmus
ewe flink. Toe hy skree: “Voorste ry staan!” Op die flink bevel toe skiet sy vlastande uit!
Weer kon ek my lag nie bedwing nie!
(Maj FLC Engels, kapt’s Tiekie Loots, Visagie, Pelser (Elwin Pelser vd SAP kollege se pa) en
luitenante At de Villiers, Colin Steyn en Pottie Potgieter en “menere” Ras, Dippenaar, Jacobs
en die SB van Bellair was die ysters.)
Ons het daardie dae baie gedril in Durban en Pietermaritzburg! Eendag vergeet maj Engels,
die paradebevelvoerder, ‘n bevel. Ons het: “Generale saluut! Presenteer geweer!” gedoen en
hy het met sy rug na ons gestaan. Hy vergeet toe om te skree: “Skouer geweer!” Maj Snyman
was teenwoordig en het van die verhoog af diplomaties ingetree!
Hulle vertel daar is ‘n blitsdebat in die Parlement. Oom Curt wou ook “iets” sê. Hy staan op
skuif sy papiere rond, sit sy bril op en toe hy wou praat sê die speaker hy moet sit want sy
tyd is om!
‘n Laaste herinnering: Met ons Weduwee- en Weesfondsdanse het die Oubaas altyd ‘n sigaar
gerook en ‘n eenlensbril gedra! Regte ou heer! Hy was tydens WO2 reeds ‘n majoor in die
Royal Wiltshire Regt terwyl hy ‘n SAP sersant was. Hy het baie gedoen om die beeld van die
SAP in Durban te bevorder! (Toe word die SAP nabewering vir hom kwaad en verplaas hom
as afdelingskommissaris van Port Natal na Johannesburg as afdelingsinspekteur! Daar is
mos nie geheime nie!)
19. SAP-webblad / SAP Webpage
We urge our readers to register on the website then you are automatically informed
of all events through bulletins. Ons doen ‘n beroep op ons lesers om op die webblad te reg
istreer dan word u outomaties verwittig van alle gebeure dmv bulletins.
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20. NETWORKING & “LET’S SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER”/
NETWERK & “KOM ONS ONDERSTEUN MEKAAR”
20.1 Annemari Jansen – Koorsboom Kothuis
20.2 Kersfees in Bethelhem, Israel: Jannie Otto
Hallo Hennie,
Baie dankie vir die geleentheid!!
Wil jy Oukersaand 2012 in Bethlehem (Israel) slaap? Kom saam met ‘n oud
polisieman. Ons vertrek DV op 22 Desember via Kaïro na Israel en kom terug die
oggend van 31 Desember 2012. Slegs 24 plekke beskikbaar. Vir volledige program,
kontak my per epos te: [email protected] of telefonies 082-851-6204 / 012-335-
6419.
Seëngroete,
Jannie Otto
082-851-6204
Eagle Vision Toere/Tours
21. STOP PRESS / LAAT BERIGTE
21.1 Afsterwe: Brig Pierre le Clus (SALM, SSVR en Bop SVR)
“WEL EN WEE VAN DIE MILITêRE VETERANE: BERIG 34/2012
WEE VAN DIE VETERANE
1. Afsterwe van Pierre le Clus van die SALM
AP Stemmet van die SA Leër verwittig met leedwese dat Pierre skielik op 05/09/2012 op George
oorlede is. Sy gedenkdiens was op 08/09/2012 by die NG Gemeente Denneoord waar hy baie betrokke
was. Sy eggenote, Louise, se telnos is 044-8841592 en 082 3569706”. Nota. Dit is vreemd dat nie
een van ons lede van die SALM hiervan bewus was of dit gerapporteer het nie.”
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21.2 Koevoet se Muur van Herinnering: V-T-Monument – A Jansen
22. INDEMITY / VRYWARING
Die e-Nongqai bevat die uiteenlopende en diverse persoonlike menings van verskillende
korrespondente en die opsteller van e-Nongqai kan nie vir enige deel van die inhoud
daarvan in sy persoonlike hoedanigheid verantwoordelik gehou word nie.
The e-Nongqai contains various and sundry personal opinions of different correspondents
and the compiler of e-Nongqai cannot be held responsible for any of their comments.
Enige advertensies of enige sake voortspruitend is tussen u en die ander party.
23. NEXT EDITION / VOLGENDE UITGAWE
A special edition some time, Deo Volenti, November 2012.
24. CONCLUSION / SLOT
Dankie aan almal wat gehelp het om hierdie uitgawe ’n sukses te maak!
Kontak besonderhede: “Hennie Heymans” <heymanshb@ gmail.com>
Greetings - Groete
Salute! Saluut!
Hennie Heymans © 2012