YOUR SECURITY HISTORY MAGAZINE WITHOUT MALICE U VEILIGHEIDSGESKIEDENIS TYDSKRIF SONDER KWAADWILLIGHEID VIERDE KOMMI. S.A. SPOORWEGPOLISIEADMINISTRATION | ADMINISTRASIE Publisher | Uitgewer The Nonggai is compiled by Die Nonggai_ word saam- S.A. Police Brigadier (Ret) gestel deur brigadier Hennie Hennie Heymans (HBH) and Heymans (HBH) (S.A. Polisie this e-magazine is published afgetree), en word as ‘n e- on ISSUU, tydskrif op ISSUU gepubl- iseer. Hennie lives in Pretoria, Hennie woon in Pretoria, RSA. He is passionate about RSA. Hy is passievol oor our police-, military- and na- ons _polisie-, militére-_ en tional security history and nasionale velligheids- holds a MA Degree in Na- geskiedenis en het 'n MA- tional Strategic Studies. Graad_ in Nasionale Stra- tegiese Studies verwert. ‘Any opinions expressed by Enige menings wat _ hy him, are entirely his own. —_uitspreek, is uitsluitik sy ele. Penne cn incc ssa ants Hennie Heymans: 072-336-1755 Aim | Doel Our goal is to collect and Ons doel is om die nasionale record our national security veiligheidsgeskiedenis in die history for publication in the Nonggai aan te teken en so Nongqai for future genera- vir die nageslagte bewaar. tions. Policy | Beleid We publish the articles and Ons gebruik die arfikels en stories 28 we receive them stories soos ons dit van ons from our correspondents; we korrespondente ontvang; ons only correct the spelling mis- maak slegs die spelfoute reg. takes. I's important to pub- Dis belangrik om die stories lish the stories in the form te bewaar in die vorm en in L and context as we receive die konteks soos ons dit — Se them from our correspond- ontvang. Lede van die | See eee ee sate oe | $Bigfiba HERINNERINGE MET personnel have their own taal en ons moet dit ook so ONS « language and the have their aanteken. Ons is nie 'n NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 2 SHARE YOUR MEMORIES WITHUS |. Jase own sub-culture. We are not letterkundige of | weten- a scientific or literary journal. skaplike joemnaal nie. Ons We only work with historical werk slegs met die boustene building blocks. van geskiedenis. a ge wontCONTENTS Meet the Contributors to NONGQAI Get to know contributors to Nongqal whose regular columns will delight you! 2 ADMINISTRASIE | ADMINISTRATION 4 INHOUDSOPGAWE | CONTENTS 7 VOORWOORD | FOREWORD J Olivier 15 VOORBLAD STORIE | COVER STORY 11 Vierde kommissaris van die S.A. Spoor- wegpolisie: Luitenant-generaal JJJ van Vuuren, SEE, SMO 18 ELEKTRONIESE BEDIENING | E-SERVICE 19 SAP GESKIEDENIS | SAP HISTORY 19 Dr Leon Wessels vertel 2 Geni Johan van der Merwe verte! 23 WO Mohanlal Seonath Seonath: Col Lo- gan Govender 26 Nongqai Trust 27 SA Police Commissioners in Action: HBH (continued on page 4) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020NONGQAI CONTENTS 28 Const Thomas Lane, VC: HBH 29 DBP: Greyville Police Station: HBH 30 Roofreaksie-eenheid: Tiny Nortje en HBH 35 1947: Konst OV “Vickey” Allers: HBH & D Alers 36 Wat gee aanleiding tot plaasaanvalle en moorde in die Vrystaat: Dr Jane Buys 44 1965: Durban-Sentraal (Distrik 46) KOD: Brig Mike Terblanche 45 Grensoorlog: 30 Augustus 2020: Kranslegging: Bellville-stadsaal: Kol Johan Vorster 46 Former Prominent PMB Police Officer Celebrated a Succession of Firsts in the Police: Col Logan Govender God, die _polisie en orde_handhawing: Brig HB Heymans 51 Itruns in the family: Reon Coetzee (Switserland) Sorgelose jare: HB Heymans Die_Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie_en_die_uitdaginas ns__die lisland ic Genl.maj. Theo Kleinhans 56 Msinga Area and SAP Firearm Unit at Tugela Ferry: Maj Gen Dirk Schoeman 59 Fondeling se Polisiestasie: Gen/-maj Dirk Schoe- man History of Fondeling Farm: Di Sunter 1963: Sers Kitching: HBH 62 ‘SA Constabulary: Mick Shaw (UK) VEILIGHEIDSTAK | SECURITY BRANCH SB: Port Natal: Mrs Eleanor Kasrills and Lt Grobler: Armed and Dangerous: Andre Grobler 81 MISDAADGESKIEDENIS | CRIME HISTORY 1962: A Farm attack in Swaziland: Captain Andre van Ellinekhuyzen 86 SA SPOORWEGPOLISIE | RAILWAYS POLICE SA Spoorwegpolisie: Sake, verhale en staaltjies: Suidwes Staalljies en Verhale: Brig R Bey! Reminiscences of a Railways Policeman: Keith Blake 90 Die Speurder: Johan de Jager 91 ‘n Lewensreis: Brig Hannes Slabbert 94 Ontmoet ons mense: Gen! JJJ van Vuuren: Lt-gen! J Ferreira (SAP) 102 DURBAN BOROUGH POLICE | DURBAN CITY POLICE + DBP: Durban Police Station . DBP: Musgrave Rd Police Station 103 SA KRYGSGESKIEDENIS |MILITARY HISTORY Anglo Boer War: Colourised Photographs: Jennifer Bosch 107 Qp die Majoor! Nico Moolman (Utrecht: KZN) 09 Anglo Boer War Memorial: Wolverton, Bucks, UK: Mick Shaw 118 jeneraal la Ri skiet” Bothma 119 Genl Koos de la Rey: Hoe sy vyande hom beleef het: Nico Smit 121 VWI: Jackie: The South African Baboon Soldier: Peter Dickens : Dr Louis NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 4NONGQAI CONTENTS 125 Second World War: Steve de Witt 126 SAP Brigade: 6 SAI Brig, 2nd SAI Div: The 1944 4 Springbok Rugby POW World Champions: Maj Jean Pierre Scherman (SANDF) 129 ‘The Buffel - Part 4: Presentation of the Buffel to the SADF and Testing at Zeerust — JF “Koos” de Wet 138 SAINLIGTING | INTELLIGENCE Operasie Kismet: Teenspioenasie in Suid-Afrika: RS 012 149 "AS: THE LAW + Qumbu: Landdros se amptelike woning: Francois Erasmus + Have you ever watched justice be served to a rude airline passenger? Barry Taylor (Thailand) 150 DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL Who growls wins: Bravery medal for hero British Army dog that took out an Al Qaeda sniper despite being shot and losing his paw 152 BUITELANDSE INLIGTING | FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE MIS: Bombshell in the briefcase: MIS seized a locked case in a London bank vault packed with espionage kit - and found a spy ring feeding our nuclear secrets to Moscow, as a new book retells one of the greatest Cold War thrillers of all 156 What happened to Jennifer Engelbrecht 157 + Mozambique: Islamic State captures key port, establishes its first outpost in southern Aftica, imposes Sharia Law . ISIS jihadists overrun paradise islands where Bono and Daniel Craig holiday before torching luxury villas and imposing Sharia law Miles? Hannes 160 LAASTE POS | LAST POST SA Commonwealth War Causalities buried across the World: Capt (SAN-Ret) C Ross 162 SAP Graves 163 WO H de Bruin & Maj Dudley Wattrus 164 NONGQAI HELDESAAL | HALL OF FAME 164 Die Lyfwag: (Lt-kol HC “Manie” Bredell) Hannes Engelbrecht 165 Lieutenant-Colonel J.C.G. Terblanche, HC MMM: Paul Els 166 WILDSBEWARING | WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Chengeta Wildlife: Mitch has left us: Rory Young Malawi National Training: Rory Young SOSIALE GELEENTHEDE |SOCIAL EVENTS Nothing to report BOOKS | BOEKE ‘Nothing to report 173 LETTERS | BRIEWE + Kol Dieks Dietrichsen + Prof Govender . Mr Phil Beck + Genkmaj D Schoeman . Martin & Isabella de Lange + Anoniem: Medaljes + Kapt A van Ellinekhuyzen + Pastoor Koot Swanepoel 175 NAWOORD | AFTERWORD Nawoord: Hennie Heymans 178 INDEMNITY & COPYRIGHT | VRYWARING & KOPIEREG NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 5NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020NONG@ATS VOORWOORD | FOREWORD” by Jacques Oli | was only five years old when my grandfather General JJJ van Vuuren retired, and as such | have few memories of his time with the South African Railways Police. However, | do have vague recollections of attending parades with my mother as a toddler and visiting his office in Wolmarans Street in downtown Johannesburg. | thus only got to know about my grandfather's exploits by sitting at his side over the years, where his tales of derring-do and countless hu- mourous anecdotes captivated a young boy's imagination. Although my grandfather and |, as well as the majority of this publication's readers are Afri- kaans-speaking, | felt by writing this foreword in English the infor- mation about my grandfather would be accessible to a wider audience. Thirty-four years have passed since the amalgamation of the South African Police with the South African Railways Po- lice and with the passage of time veterans from this extraordinary law enforcement organisation are inevitably becoming fewer. It is thus of vital importance that as many stories from and as much information about this proud force be preserved for posterity. Jeremia Jesaja_ Janse van Vuuren was born on 3 May 1920 in Swartruggens in the old West- em Transvaal. He was the first son and second eldest child of ‘Abraham Johannes (Qupa Apie) and Catharina Gertruida (Quma The author, Jacques Olivier, wth his Grandfather, General JJ van Vuuren Gerrie) Janse van Vuuren. Qupa Apie was raised on Viakfontein farm in the nearby Koster district and was orphaned as a youth when combat first claimed his father and a broken heart in a concentration camp later took the life of his mother during the Anglo-Boer War. Oupa Apie grew up in the care of an elder brother before serving as a mounted policeman and later as a member of the Union Defence Force in the South West Africa campaign of 1915. Upon dis- charge from the military due to medical reasons he returned to the Western Transvaal and set- tled in Swartruggens, initially renting land before acquiring the farm Winkelhaak in 1928 where the family settled, and nine chil- dren were raised. My grandfather's childhood was NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 in many respects typical of the Depression-era, where a short- age of money and an abun- dance of toil was virtually every- one’s due. Tollie, as he was called by his family, was not raised in abject poverty but the modest circumstances of his up- bringing are evident when one hears that he got his first pair of shoes only in his final year of high school. From an early age Tollie became involved and took responsibility for various facets of the farm's management when Oupa Apie was away trying to earn some extra income to meet the family’s needs. Since Oupa Apie didn't have any formal schooling, academic achieve- ment was a key aspiration for his children, and none would be al- lowed to leave school until they (Continued an page 8)‘Ayoung Jacques Olivier with {Continued from poge 7) matriculated. This insistence on betterment through learning saw eight out of the nine Van Vuuren children gaining university quali- fications, with a number of them acquiring multiple degrees. Tollie was a talented youngster who matriculated at the age of 16. He successfully completed the entrance examination for the civil service and then worked for some time as a clerk at the ‘Swartruggens Magistrate Court. The outbreak of the Second World War, however, resulted in large-scale retrenchments from the civil service as part of an ef- fort by the government to chan- nel men into the war effort. The young man was thus compelled to seek a future in Johannes- burg, where the Technical Col- lege was offering courses in cer- tain trades at compensation to the newly unemployed. Upon completion of the fitters and turn- ers’ course, the older graduates gained employment at factories manufacturing war material and the younger ones were promptly transported to Roberts Heights for enlistment into the armed forces. At this stage Tollie had not yet reached the age of con- sent required to sign the so- called Red Oath for service out- side the borders of the Republic. Appeals to Oupa Apie to sign on his behalf fell on deaf ears, since the injured First World War vet- eran told his son in no uncertain terms “ek sal nie toelaat dat my kind iemand anders se vuilgoed word nie.” (“I will not allow my child to become someone else's NONGOA! VOL 11.NO 10 OCT 2020 Grandfather, General JJ van Vuuren who is enjoying his Grandson’s company. trash.) This situation left Tollie with a quite a challenge. Weeks of ef- fort to find engineering work across all the corners of the Rand were fruitless and yielded no results apart from the oft- repeated questions “are you medically fit?” and ‘why don't you join the army?” And so it came that one morning in early 1941 as Tollie was pon- dering his future at Johannes- burg Station he saw an imposing figure in a neat blue uniform and white pith helmet directing the traffic. Upon enquiring as to his branch of service the man told Tollie that he was a member of the Railways Police and that they weren't required to sign the Red Oath. The policeman added (Continued on page 9)(Continued from page 8) that there were currently vacan- cies and should the young man be interested in joining he simply had to catch the train to the training depot at Braamfontein station. A physical examination and an interview found him to be an acceptable candidate and once the admin was concluded Constable JJJ van Vuuren was swom in on 1 March 1941 as a member of the South African Railways Police. Thus started a journey that would see my grandfather rise from the very bottom up to the highest office of the organisation in a career spanning almost 40 years. Tollie was an intellectually gifted individual and easily mastered his given learning material. Be- fore long he attained the rank of sergeant and was seconded to the special detective department at Headquarters. Shortly thereaf- ter an invitation to sit for the ad- jutant officer exam brought about another promotion. As a detec- tive Tollie was involved in a number of investigations, one of which is worth mentioning if only for the gentlemen's agreement that was honoured under very unusual circumstances. . In South Africa the war years saw bitter divisions within the white population. Whilst thou- sands of men in uniform were fighting on the side of the Union government, many others sym- pathised with the Ossewabrand- wag (OB) (The Ossewabrand- wag or Ox-wagon Sentinel, was a pro-German and anti-British organisation hostile to South Af- rica’s war effort), who vehement- ly opposed South Africa's partici- pation in the war. The Union government's internment of OB sympathisers led to hardship for their relatives and the paramili- tary wing of the OB, the Stormjaers, proceeded on a campaign of robbery and fraud to fund legal battles and provide relief to destitute families. One such event was a daring heist where twelve OB men dressed in military uniforms stole £14,000, a sizeable amount at the time, from the Railways pay- master at Park Station on 28 March 1943, By late 1945 more than two years of careful investigation paid off when Tollie and a col- league followed a lead to appre- hend one of the OB members who participated in the Park Sta- tion heist. They established that Tas Wassenaar had fled to Northern Rhodesia and worked at Mufulira Copper Mine. When Wassenaar emerged from the mineshaft elevator and saw the two men in overcoats and fedo- ras waiting outside the fugitive knew the game was up. “Ek weet hoekom julle hier is,” (‘I know why you are here.") he said and handed himself over without protest. With Wassenaar in custody the trio set off on a long trip by rail back to South Africa. Tollie knew that Wasse- naar's family lived on the West Rand and it was coming up to the weekend as the train steamed towards Krugersdorp. Tollie then asked Wassenaar if he wanted to see his family be- fore being incarcerated. When Wassenaar said yes, my grand- father gave him permission to visit his relatives on the under- standing that he would report back to the Railways Police headquarters on Monday mom- NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 ing to resume his detention. Wassenaar was as good as his word and retumed as agreed! In the subsequent trial he received a pardon and thus never served any time for his role in the rob- bery. As a young boy one of my fond- est pastimes was to play cards with my grandfather, with Van- toon (Vingt Et Un, also known as Pontoon, is a British version of Blackjack ) being a particular fa- vourite. My grandfather was a wonderful raconteur and it was ‘over one such game that he told me the story of a case involving a gang of gunrunners that he brought to justice shortly after the war. In the post-war years firearms were scarce since the Union government had confis- cated all privately owned guns during the hostilities. This creat- ed a flourishing black market and Tollie was charged to inves- tigate an outfit in East London who smuggled handguns hidden between the curved car wind- shields that were imported from the United States for use in lo- cally assembled automobiles. He had to infiltrate the gang, which he did by playing cards with them and also winning all their money at Vantoon before thor- ‘oughly spoiling their evening by arresting them! Successful cases such as those mentioned above bode well for Tollie's prospects and in 1948 he finally joined the ranks of the of- ficers when he was commis- sioned as a lieutenant. One of his first assignments in the new position also had a humourous ‘outcome when he was sent to the then derelict Fort Namutoni at Etosha in South West Africa (Continued on page 10)(Continued from page 8) A bus passenger service had started, and a security check- point was to be set up to act as a kind of border post on the edge of the wild country beyond. Two vehicles, a sedan and a bakkie, were dispatched and the staff complement consisted of Tollie, a captain, two sergeants and a black constable. The ruined for- tress was of no use and the men's camp consisted of the two vehicles pulled in an L shape with a large fire between the cars to keep Namutoni's ma- rauding lions at bay. The first night went well with the sergeants sleeping in the bakkie, the captain inside the sedan, Tollie next to the sedan on a blowup mattress and the consta- ble who constantly fed the fire next to it. The next day the cap- tain expressed a desire to visit one of the district towns and promptly left with the sedan and the constable. Now the delicate matter of an officer's pride came into play, since Tollie could hard- ly insist on sharing the bakkie with the sergeants. He was thus left to feed the fire on his own and also sleep without the safety of a vehicle. Despite offering cup after cup of coffee to the ser- geants, Tollie’s companions opt- ed for an early turn-in and he spent a sleepless night clutching a 93mm Mauser rifle to his chest with a pride of lions roaring nearby. He admitted to me that it was probably the most scared he had ever been in his life! Tollie had by now been in the force for seven years, therefore the time was ripe to pay atten- tion to matters of the heart, and in 1948 he married my grand- mother Adriana Roux and settled for some time on the West Rand. The couple would in due course become the proud parents of three daughters namely Adél, Tharina (my mother) and Klara- dyn. By 1954 Tollie had reached the rank of captain and a transfer to Bloemfontein saw him in charge of the detective branch in the Or- ange Free State. In 1959, and by now a major, an appointment as Commanding Officer of the Training College at Esselen Park brought him back to the Trans- vaal. During his time at the Training College Tollie realised that the responsibilities of being in a supervisory capacity re- quired additional academic in- vestment. As such he com- menced with a BA degree in criminology and sociology at Unisa and by 1968 an Honours degree was added to the first Tollie's Alma Mater welcomed the participation of their gifted student as a founding member of the Institute of Criminology at Unisa, where he served for sev- eral years on the advisory coun- cil. During this time, he also completed several courses at the Military College in Pretoria. His realisation of the value of fur- ther learning in improving the quality of training given helped shape Tollie's view that mem- bers of the Railways Police should be strongly encouraged to pursue tertiary qualifications. The insights gained from his studies led him to pursue a more scientific approach regarding personnel career prospects with- in the force. Psychometric test- ing thus became commonplace to assist with the placement of candidates in the various differ- NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 ent areas of deployment. During the late 1960's a manual of well over 1,400 pages with nine ex- amination papers had been cre- ated with my grandfather's input. A number of Railways Police personnel forthwith put in the ef- fort to complete university de- grees and several of these men would after the amalgamation with the South African Police at- tain generalship. Apart from con- tributing to academic improve- ments in the Railways Police, Tollie also played a key role in the development of shooting sport within the force, since he was himself an excellent shot and keen hunter. Lt-Col van Vuuren, circa 1970 By 1970 Tollie held the rank of colonel and in 1973 a further promotion to the rank of briga- dier followed. In mid-1974 Major- General JJJ van Vuuren was ap- pointed as Commissioner of the Railways Police, and this was later upgraded to the rank of Lieutenant-General. The latter part of the 1970s was a particu- (Continued on page 11) 10(Continued from page 10) larly busy time in the develop- ment of the Railways Police. The Railways Police Task Force was founded in 1975 to combat the emerging scourge of airplane hijacking and international train- ing opportunities were actively sought out. Close cooperation with elite anti-terrorism units in West Germany and Israel helped the Task Force to develop in line with international standards. Tol- lie developed a warm. profes- sional relationship with General Zvi Bar of the Israel Border Po- lice and cooperation with Israel was in fact so close that a copy of the film made by Israeli opera- tives of the Entebbe raid in 1976 was available to the South Afri- cans three days after the opera- tion. The skills obtained through intemational training opportuni- ties by members such as the ex- cellent Major André Horak (another university graduate who later reached the rank of Lieu- tenant-General in the South Afri- can Police) stood the Task Force in good stead when they had to deal with the Air India flight that was hijacked by mercenaries af- ter the failed coup attempt in the Seychelles and flown to Durban in 1981. Another highlight and formidable achievement, especially given South Africa’s international isola- tion at the time, was the admit- tance of the South African Rail- ways Police as a member of the International Association of Port and Airport Police on 14 Decem- ber 1978. In a remarkable exam- ple of African solidarity, Tollie was also instrumental in promot- ing the case for allowing Zam- bia's airport police service to be Maj-Gen JJJ van Vuuren takes the salute at the South African Raliways Police College, Esselen Park, on the occasion of his appointment as Commissioner. 1974. admitted as a member to the As- sociation, an event that show- cased the integrity and commit- ment of the Railways Police in combating international crime regardless of ideological differ- ences. Having had the satisfaction of guiding the Railways Police through a period of significant growth under his tenure as Com- missioner, Tollie retired from the force in May 1980. Now a new chapter of different challenges NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 and achievements was to com- mence, since my grandfather had acquired the old family farm and was now looking forward to being a part-time farmer. For as long as | can remember my grandfather has been a larg- er-than-life figure in my exist- ence. Oupa Chris, as | knew him (my grandmother thought Chris was a much more fitting name for such a handsome man and called him thus), was a fount of (Continued on page 12) u(Continued from page 12) knowledge. He was an incredi- bly patient and doting grandfa- ther who answered any ques- tions a curious boy might have, and | was in constant awe of how clever he was. What | did- n't realise at the time, but soon came to know, was that he was a legendary prankster who had honed his skills on countless colleagues, hapless siblings and also three daughters. A case in point was his famous “Klipsop", (Klipsop _ literally meaning stone soup, as per the old European folk tale) a dish of instant soup his daughters thought to be delicious by virtue of the two little river stones he always added as the magic ingredient! Jacques and his son Nicholas, together with Gen. van ‘Vuuren and his second wife, Ravonne on their wedding day, 19th May 2012 My — grandfather had a wonderful sense of humour and | recall once waiting for him in his Mercedes while he was at an appointment and slyly passing a wind which | hoped would re- main undetected. When he got back in the car he immediately asked, "Het jy gepxxp, Seun?” (Did you fart my boy?) to which |, shamefaced, had to admit. “Dis goed om te weet, minstens ruik jy The author, his wife Annie, and son Nicholas, on their wedding day pigeons and other birds that would later be roasted on a stick over the fire under the donkey that provided hot water to the farmhouse. Oupa Chris’ training as a tradesman also came in very handy on the farm where he personally construct- ed an elaborate pressure pas- sage and dip system for his darem nie altyd so nie!" (That's good to know, at least you don't always smell like that!) dwas his re- sponse. As a boy | would spend herd of cattle. | will forever all the free time associate the whiff of the Lister ! could with my generators diesel fumes and grandfather, preferably on his farm. There 1 could roam about with a 22 tifle on the lookout for the odour of burning welding flux with my grandfather's farm and his remarkable abilities as a handyman. My grandfather grew up in a (Continued on page 23) NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 2(Continued from page 12) very religious household and lived the rest of his life accord- ing to the principles he was raised on. When visiting the farm during school holidays | recall that my grandfather would kneel next to his bed for even- ing prayers every night before putting out his bedside light. His religious views were those of a humble believer and he was in all ikelihood the most principled person | have come across in my life. Having left a fast-paced job, being a regular cattle farmer wouldn't suffice for my grand- father. Therefore he purpose- fully sought to develop his farm- ing enterprise into a model of success and painstakingly built up a Bonsmara stud herd offer- ing animals that were sought- after by buyers near and far Other accomplishments includ- ed the — awarding of “Conservation Farmer” status by the Department of Agricul- ture for “good conservation, planning and management’. Farming in Swartruggens was seldom boring and in 1997 a fuel tanker derailed at the station in town causing a mas- sive fire. Upon his approach my grandfather saw clouds of black smoke billowing above the town and after assessing the cause of the fire rushed back to the farm to get his Unimog fire- fighting truck to quell the blaze. The 77-year old's fast action and hands-on approach spared the station considerable dam- age since the nearest fire brigade was in Rustenburg and he was able to assist as one of the first responders on the General (Oups-grootji) van Vuuren teaching his Great-Grandson Nicholas to salute. scene. My grandfather was an enthusi- astic farmer who loved working the same land on which he had grown up. Above all, however, he was a realist and in 2000 came to the heart-breaking con- clusion that it was no longer feasible to continue farming on Winkelhaak. The scourge of NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 farm murders and violent crime that has plagued rural South Africa since the mid-1990s had by that time already claimed the lives of his brother Elardus, who was murdered on his farm in the Naboomspruit district, along with that of Boet Roche who was the owner of the farm next to my grandfather's. Given the (Continued on page 24) B(Continued from page 13) increasing regularity with which burglaries on the —_ farm happened in his absence and the fact that at 80 he was no longer exactly fighting fit he realised that his days as a farmer were over. The farm was thus sold to his neighbour Koos Oliver's son as a running concern. Fortunately the Oliviers were the Van Vuuren's neighbours since the very beginning and my grandfather could visit the farm on a number of occasions afterwards. My grandfather loved his family deeply and his sense of duty to the parents he held so dear never diminished. The cemetery where Oupa Apie and Ouma Gerrie rests is located at the T- junction at the entrance to ‘Swartruggens where the Koster road meets the Rustenburg highway. Unfortunately, care- less drivers coming from the Koster direction don't always stop in time and on more than one occasion speeding drivers have ended up in the graveyard causing damage to the grave- stones, including those of Oupa Apie and Ouma Gerrie. Upon learning of this my grandfather immediately commissioned res- torations. On a visit to the farm in 2013 | took a photograph of my grandfather and his great grandson standing between the graves of his parents, once again in good repair. Visits such as these were always special and also poignant as memories from long ago would suddenly be recalled with vivid clarity as we covered the old familiar ground of Winkelhaak Not long before his passing in 2017 my grandfather was look- ing at family photographs at his younger sister Trien’s residence and confided to her that he was ‘ready to go home’ and join the rest of the family. After almost a century of much hard work and many adventures who could begrudge him the yeaming to finally rest with his loved ones Jacques Olivier 22nd September 2020 Aword of thanks - FBV On behalf not only of Nonggai and our readership, but also on behalf of all the veterans of the South African Railways Police, a Force which your Grand- father, General JJJ van Vuuren, helped to mould into the proud and disciplined Force which was rightfully respected across the World for its achievements and excellence, | would like to ‘The author with his Grandfather at the General's 90th birthday, 3rd May 2010. thank you for revealing to us a side of your Grandfather which most of us never got the oppor- tunity to see. He was a truly remarkable. man who came from humble beginnings, but one who left deep tracks. | was fortunate to have met your Grandfather before | joined the Railways Police when he inter- viewed me in July 1977, at which time he invited me to become a member of the Force. | served under him for 2 years, and have the utmost respect for him and for what he achieved. | took great pleasure in discovering the “man behind the uniform” whilst reading your foreword. You have done him proud. Thank you Jacques. Frans Bedford-Visser LS NONGOAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 uWelkom | Welcome Geagte leser, Hartlik welkom by hierdie besondere uitgawe van die Nongaai. ’n Innige woord van dank aan ons lesers wat oor die aardbol versprei is. Mag u hierdie uitgawe geniet. Sonder lesers beteken ‘n tydskrif niks! My dank aan elke persoon wat ‘n bydrae gelewer het! Dankie dat u, u herinneringe en foto's met ons gedeel het. So vorm elke artikel ‘n bousteen van ons geskiedenis! ‘Saluut! ane ings yan Pena 755 Dear Reader, ‘A word of hearty welcome to this unique edition of the Nongaai. Please enjoy this edition. A sin- cere word of thanks to all our readers all over the globe. Without readers the magazine means nothing! Our personal thanks to every photographer and author! Thank you that you have shared your memories and photos with us. Each contribution forms a unique building block of our history. We have duty to protect our heritage and cultural history. The police, railways police, defence force and intelligence services took part in our history. We can only be judged on what we leave behind! Salute! NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 A SHARE YOUR MEMORIES WITH US DEEUU HERINNERINGE METNONGQAI LUIT-GENL J.J.J. VAN VUUREN Beetle ue tats Re Oita VOORBLAD | COVER STORY EE VIERDE KOMMISSARIS VAN DIE S.A. SPOORWEGPOLISIE Luitenant-Generaal J.J.J. van Vuuren, SEE, SMO (1 Augustus 1974 - 29 Mei 1980) Jeremia Jesaja Janse van Vuuren is op 3 Mei 1920 in die distrik van Rustenburg gebore. Hy ontvang skoolopleiding te Rodeon Hoérskool, Swartruggens, waar hy in 1937 matrikuleer en terselfdertyd die staatsdienstoelatingseksamen aflé. Dama werk hy vir enkele maande by 'n plaaslike prokureursfirma en aanvaar toe ‘n tydelike betrekking by die landdroskantoor op Swartruggens. Na uitbreek van die Tweede Wereldoorlog en konkomitante beleid van personeelvermindering raak hy mettertyd werkloos en sluit op 1 Maart 1941, op aanbeveling van sy vader — 'n oud polisieman — aan by die S.A. Spoorwegpolisie as uniform- konstabel. Sy opgang in die Mag, gesien teen die agtergrond toentertydse omstandighede, was nie onaansienlik nie. Hy slaag in 1943 in die voorgeskrewe eksamens vir sowel die rang van sersant en die van hoofkonstabel (adjudant-offisier) en word op 15 Januarie 1947 in die laasgenoemde rang aangestel te hoofkantoor waar hy verbonde was aan die "Uniale Snelspan", 'n afdeling wat belas was met ondersoeke van 'n spesiale aard. In 1247 slaag hy die eksamen vir luitenant en word op 1 Januarie 1948 bevorder tot onderinspekteur (luitenant) in beheer van die onderafdeling waar hy werksaam was. Op 1 April 1954 bevind hy hom op Bloemfontein as inspekteur (kaptein) in beheer van die speurders op die afdeling Oranje-Vrystaat. Op 1 September1958 is hy bevorder tot die rang van majoor en word op 16 Augustus 1959 oorgeplaas na die Opleidingskollege as Bevelvoerende Offisier daar. Sedert 1 April 1968 is hy terug op hoofkantoor in beheer van 'n nuuigestigte onderafdeling gemoeid met personeelontwikkeling en word in 1970 ook daar bevorder tot die rang van kolonel. Op 1 Oktober 1973 word hy aangestel as assistent- kommissaris (administratief) met die rang van brigadier en teen die helfte van 1974 bevorder tot generaal-majoor as kommissaris van die mag. Gedurende 1979 word sy pos verhoog na die van luitenant-generaal en by sy uitdienstreding op 1 Junie 1980 word die rang van generaal aan hom toegeken. General Van Vuuren het benewens sy dagtaak as geregsdienaar ook ‘n aansienlike bydrae gelewer tot die ontwikkeling van sosiale kiubs in die mag en veral waar dit skietklubs aangegaan het. Hy was self ‘n kranige skut en sy entoesiasme op die gebied het waarskynlik saam met die pogings van andere gekulmineer in die latere toegewing om lede van die mag in dienstyd aan skietoefeninge te laat deelneem. Hy het ook 'n prominente rol vervul in die totstandkoming van die sentrale sosiale klubs van die S.A. Spoorwegpolisie deur midde! waarvan die doelstellings en bedrywighede van die onderskeie Klubs op afdelings op 'n eenvormige lees geskoei kon word. Hy was dan ook die eerste beskermheer van die Sentrale Klubs. Hy was ook 'n stigterslid van (ervlg op blodsy 7) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 16(Werolg von blodsy 16) die Suid-Afrikaanse —_Spoorwegpolisiepersonee!- vereniging en het etlike jare op die Uitvoerende Raad daarvan gedien. Hy is ook 'n lewenslange lid van die —-Federasie + van_— Afrikaanse Kultuurverenigings. Kort na sy aanstelling by die Opleidingskollege skryf hy in as student by die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika en behaal in 1965, die graad B.A. met Kriminologie en Sosiologie as hoofvakke opgevolg in 1968 met die graad B.A. in die Kriminologie (met lof). Baie ander lede het hulle ook tot verdere studies gewend en gaandeweg kom die Mag as geheel tot die besef dat oorreding tot vrywillige regsnalewing veel beter resultate in die samelewing afwerp as blote gedwonge wetsgehoorsaamheid. Hy is ook ‘n stigterslid van die Instituut vir Kriminologie van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika waar hy na etlike jare diens op die Adviesraad in Mei 1982 met erelidmaatskap vereer is. Hy en die huidige Kommissaris van die Mag Luitenant- Generaal J. H. Visagie SDE SMO het lank besin en gewerk aan die akademiseringsgedagte bine die polisiegeledere en saam in die laat sestigerjare die eerste handleiding vir bevorderingseksamens in die Mag, 'n bundel wat 1,430 bladsye en 9 vraestelle dek, die lig laat sien. Gedurende die jare wat hy met opleiding gemoeid was, het hy ‘n leidende rol vervul in die totstandkoming en vestigting van doelgerigte opleiding wat voorafgegaan is deur wetenskaplik gefundeerde keuring vir indiensneming en. werkplasing binne die Mag veral met die 00g op gespesialiseerde dienste soos lugdiensveiligheid, die Taakmag, plofstofdeskundiges en andere. Hy het ook in daardie tyd verskeie kursusse met welslae aan die Militére Kollege te Pretoria deurloop Generaal Van Vuuren het 'n belangrike deurbraak gemaak toe hy heftige internasionale teenkanting ten spyt, daarin slaag om vir die Mag lidmaatskap te beding by die International Association of Port and Aiport Police op 14 Desember 1978 waar lede van hierdie Mag vandag nog groot erkenning geniet en ‘n leidende rol vervul. Toekennings Die volgende toekennings is uit ampsweé aan hom gemaak: * Die S.A. Spoorwegpolisiester vir Uitnemende Leierskap. + Die Dekorasie vir Voortreflike Diens in die S.A. Spoorwegpolisie. + Die Ster vir Spoorwegpolisie. + Die S.A. Spoorwegpolisiester vir Troue Diens. Verdienste in die SA. + Die Medalje vir Troue Diens in die S.A Spoorwegpolisie. + Die S.A. Spoorwegpolisiemedalje vir die Bekamping van Terrorisme. Op 28-jarige leefiyd is general Van Vuuren getroud met ‘n nooi uit Kroonstad se wéreld en hulle spog vandag met drie pragtige dogters en twee kleinkinders. Sedert sy aftrede uit die Mag hou hy hom besig met beesboerdery op sy plas naby ‘Swartruggens en het intussen 'n pragtige huis gebou teen die hellings van Florida Heuwels aan die Wesrand waar hy en sy eggenote nou bietjie (Continued on page 18) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 uv(vero von Body 17) uitspan. Generaal Van Vuuren was ‘n stigterslid van die Bond vir Oudgediende Offisiere van die Mag wat op 24 Februarie 1984 beslag gekry het en by welke NONGQAI geleentheid hy tot Voorsitter verkies is. Generaal van Vuuren is op 11 November 2017 op 97 jaar ouderdom oorlede. Uittreksel uit S.A. Spoorwegpolisie Gedenkalbum Adjudant-offisier J.A. Breed ELEKTRONIESE BEDIENING Mo Sst (01 God het beloof om jou te seén! Sielskos: Eseg. 20-21; Luk 2027-40; Ps. 78:1-8; Spr. 207-10 Deuteronomium 15:6 NLV “dy sal seén ontvang as jy die opdragte van die Here jou God wat ek vandag vir jou gee, noukeurig gehoorsaam. Die Here jou God sal jou segn soos Hy belowe het.” ‘Soms vertrap die lewe jou so dat jy hoop en geloof opgee dat iets goeds ooit met jou sal gebeur. As its waar jy vandag is, lees hierdie woorde: “Ek weet wat Ek vir julle beplan het... Ek beplan voorspoed vir ulle, nie teéspoed nie, Ek wil h€ dat julle hoop vir die toekoms moet he" (Jeremia 29:11 NLV). God het 'n plan vir elkeen van ons, maar nie almal van ons ervaar dit rie. Hoekom nie? Om twee redes: 1) Ons besef nie dat ons regte en voorregte het nie. Ons glo dat God ons kan red en hemel toe kan neem wanneer ons sterf, maar ons dink nie dat Hy enigiets aan ons verlede, ons hede of ons toekoms kan doen nie. 2) Ons lewe ver onder die viak wat Hy vir ons in gedagte gehad het, omdat ons onsseff in die verkeerde ig sien. (Ons glo dat Hy enigiemand kan seén - behalwe ons - omdat ons nie waardig is nie. God het jou in die regverdigheid van Christus geklee, dus is jy waardig voor Hom en sal Hy jou “se&n soos Hy belowe het.” Wanner 'n Koning in die Bybelse tyd die troon betree het, het hy seker gemaak dat die vorige Koning en sy familie tereggestel is, sodat niemand teen hom kon optiek nie. ‘Toe Dawid dus vir koning Saul vervang het, het Saul se Kleinseun, Mefisobet, uit vrees na die woestyn toe geviug. Dawid was egter 'n ander tipe koning. In plaas daarvan ‘om sy voorganger se familie ult te wis, het hy gevra: Is. daar nog iemand van Saul se afstammeiinge oor? Ek wil aan so iemand goed doen ter wille van Jonatan” (2 ‘Samuel 9:1 NLV). “Hoekom sal God my seén?’ vrajy. Die antwoord is eenvoudig maar duidelik: ter wile van Christus! NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 18NONGQAI S.A. POLISIE GESKIEDENIS | S.A. Met Hendrik Legakwe was dit anders. Daar was geen kompetisie tussen ons nie. Ek het respek gehad vir sy vaardighede en lewenswys- heid. Indien ons nie vriende was nie — vanweé die ouderdoms- en rasseverskille — was ons beslis gemaklike gespreksgenote. Dit was vir my lekker om na al sy stories te luister. Ek het nooit lyf weggesteek wanneer ons saam gewerk het nie. Hy het my aangespreek wanneer ek brouwerk doen, en hoewel ek nie vir hom bang was nie, het ek geweet hy is nie my speelmaat nie. Hy was streng en het altyd gesé my pa sal ontevrede wees met brouwerk en dat beide van ons dan onnodig in die moeilikheid sal beland. Ons was 'n vennootskap wat altyd probeer het om deeglike werk te doen Wat ons gesprekke betref, was daar geen taboes tussen ons nie. Ons het oor die feite van die lewe en baie lewenswaarhede gesels. Eendag het ons oor Geloftedag (16 Desember) gesels. Hy het my vertel hoe bang hy vir dié dag was. Hy het my vertel dit is gevaarlik vir swart mense om op Geloftedag alleen op die buitepaaie van Vry- burg te wees: “’n Swart mens moet daai dag liewers by die huis bly.” “Waarom?” “As die Boere jou alleen in die pad kry, donner hulle jou. Op dié dag praat hulle nie, hulle moer net.” Ek was skepties oor dié bewering, want ek het nooit self gesien hoe iemand aangerand word nie. In die daaropvolgende jare het ek dik- wels tydens POLICE HISTORY Geloftefeeste oor Legakwe se stellings gepeins: is hier nou mense tussen ons wat tydens die vuur-en -swael-preke en -toesprake so opgepomp raak dat hulle Bloedrivier op hulle eie manier wil vier en besadigde mense soos Legakwe leed sal aandoen net omdat hulle swart is? In Krugersdorp het ek wel jare later gehoor van wit mense wat swart mense aangerand het nadat hulle politieke vergaderings by- gewoon het of nadat hulle laataand, hoog geswael, swart mense op pad teégekom het. Daar was ook baie voorbeelde in die 1980's van mans met balaklawas oor hulle gesigte (polisiemanne?)wat onskul- dige swart mense met handsambokke gesiaan het bloot omdat hulle op strat was. In die vroeé jare van die 21ste eeu was daar ook te dik- wels koerantberigte oor rykmanskinders wat, aangetas deur lawaai- water, swart mense aanrand bloot omdat hulle swart en op strat is Ondanks my gemaklike verhouding met die Tswanas van Vryburg was daar tog iets wat my onrustig lat voel het oor swart mense. Afrika het polities aan die beweeg gekom. Een oggend het ek oor die radio gehoor van 'n Mau- Mau-aanval op wit mense in Kenia. Die Mau- Mau's was hoofsaaklik van die Kikoejoestam en die opstande- linge het Britse gesag uitgedaag. Dit het my baie ontstel. My ma het my gerusgestel met die woorde dat die geweldpleging nie in ons land was nie, maar baie ver in Afrika. Ek sou hierna telkemale wonder of die geweld na ons kant (Wervlg op badsy 20) NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020 19(Verslg von bade 19) toe gaan oonwaai Die onnatuurlike verhouding tussen wit en swart mense was destyds nie vir my verdag nie. Dit was eenvoudig hoe dit was, en ek het aanvaar dat dit 00k was hoe dit moes wees. Wanneer die mense wat in ons huis gewerk het saans by vriende wou gaan kuier, moes my ouers altyd 'n briefie ter verduideliking skryf. Daar was 'n aandklokreé! en nadat die sirene afgegaan het, is swart mense nie toegelaat om in die blanke woongebiede op straat te beweeg het nie. As hulle nie 'n pasbriefie gehad het nie, is hulle deur die polisie in hegtenis geneem. Eendag het die polisie ‘n groot klop- jag op die swart woongebied by die dorp _uitgevoer. Manskappe is vroegdag gemobiliseer en patrollies het rondom die swart woonbuurt stelling ingeneem om te keer dat iemand die klopjag vryspring. Daar is met 'n deur- tot-deur- deursoekveldtog vir gevaarlike wapens, drank en passe begin. My pa en sy kollegas het aan die buiterand van die woongebied diens gedoen. My pa het met 'n spoggerige perd gery en was een van dié wat die buitewyke van die township gepatrolleer het. Dit was maar een manier hoe instromingsbeheer toegepas en die on = wettige besit van drank beheer is. Dit was my eerste kennismaking met instromings- en drankbeheer en baie water sou eers in die see moes loop voordat ek mooi verstaan het wat hier aan die gang was. Laatmiddag, na afloop van die dag se gebeure, het ek gesit ek en luister na die polisiemanne se verhale van die dag. Hulle het vertel hoe hulle deure oopgeskop het, weerspannige mense gewelddadig onder dwang gebring het, aardse besittings uit huise gegooi en groepe mense soos vee aangejaag het polisieselle toe. Dié soort optrede sal nie die toets van grondwetlkheid in die 21ste eeu kan deurstaan nie. Die heersersklas (wittes) het destyds swartmense gewelddadig met wapens en regsinstrumente (wette, polisie- manne en howe) onderdruk. Dit het gebeur omdat ons geglo het God is aan ons kant. Menigmaal het ek as kind geluister hoe grootmense — na aanleiding van verskillende preke in die NG Kerk — verte! dat ons die moderne Israel is — geroepe om die Christendom aan die heidene in Donker Afrika te bring. God sou ons nooit fal nie. Ek onthou hoe my ouers eendag na 'n kerkdiens, in gesprek met hul vriende, nie kon ophou om die dominee lof toe te swaai nie. Sy preek, waarin hy parallelle tussen ons situasie en dié van die Bybelse Israel so netjies uitgelig het, was “so helder, so logies en so bemoedigend”. Soos Israel van ouds sou ons oorwin. Apartheid is uit die Bybel geregverdig. Later sou die NG Kerk weer apartheid uit die Bybel veroordee! sonder om __ behoorlik verantwoordelikheid te aanvaar vir hulle ou weé. Sonder behoorlike begeleiding sukkel hulle gemeentelede steeds om nuwe paaie te betree. Ek het geglo God is aan “ons” kant, nie net omdat ek wit was nie, maar ook omdat ek Afrikaans en lid van die NG Kerk was. Tydens 'n perde- springkompetisie het ek baie hard gebid vir ‘n blink vertoning. Toe 'n Engelssprekende meisie my onder die stof ry, was ek verbaas — nie omdat 'n meisie my geklop het nie, want sy was ’n knap tuiter, maar omdat God toegelaat het dat ‘n meisie wat lid was van die Rooms-Katolieke Kerk my so onderkry. Was dit net 'n gelukskoot of aan wie se kant was die Here nou eintlik? Hierna het ek begin twyfel of lede van die NG Kerk werklik God se uitverkorenes is. Die nederlaag het my egter nie genees van my vooroordele teenoor die Roomse Kerk en die “Roomse Gevaar’ waarteen politic! ons jare lank sou waarsku nie. Inteendeel, my vooroordele sou eers toeneem voor- dat my houding teenoor die Katolieke en ander volksgevare sou versag Op 30 November 1954 het Hans Strijdom, “die Leeu van die Noorde’, eerste minister geword. Geen woord is by die skool of tuis daaroor gerep nie. Toe ek politikus geword het in Transvaal het die mense met groot drif van hom gepraat: hy was ‘n politieke vegter wat manalleen die Nasionale Party se viag gedra het toe al sy ander parlementére kollegas met Hertzog en Smuts saamgesmelt het. Hy was 'n vurige republikein wat sy republikeinse politieke ideale met groot cortuiging verkondig het. Hy het onwrikbaar geglo die wit man moet baas wees op sy eie plas. Strijdom was tot in Augustus 1958 aan die stuur van sake en is toe opgevolg deur Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd. Maar al was ek heeltemal onbewus van dié politieke gebeure terwyl dit afgespeel het, sou dit wat in daardie jare gebeur het, dekades later steeds weerklank vind in my lewe. NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 20EK het van 1954 tot 1961 by Marshaliplein en Sentrale Kaseme, in die harijie van Johannesburg, diens gedoen. Ek het toe in Rosettenville gewoon en in die kerkraad van die NG kerk gedien. Ons predikant was ds. Bouwer, ‘n broer van die adjunkhoof van Hoérskool Ermelo waar ek skoolgegaan het. Dit was die dae toe in predikant nog groot gesag in die gemeenskap afgedwing het. Ds. Bouwer het die gemeente met ‘n ysterhand geregeer. As hn kerkraadslid 'n diens oorgesiaan het, het ds. Bouwer hom by die volgende diens plegtig met die hand gegroet terwyl hy homself voorgestel en verneem het wie die broer is. Om huisbesoek saam met ds. Bouwer te doen, was altyd in belewenis. Hy het nooit doekies omgedraai nie en lidmate wat nie kerk bywoon of bydraes gee nie, deeglik geroskam. Sonder uitsondering het die lidmate belowe om kerk toe te kom. Die Sondag daarna het hulle taamlik voor in die kerk gesit sodat die dominee kan sien hulle is daar. Ongelukkig was dit gewoonlik ook die laaste diens wat hulle bygewoon het tot na die volgende huisbesoek. Tydens huisbesoek het lidmate wat nie kerk bywoon nie, dikwels probeer om ds. Bouwer te ontwyk. Wanneer ons die kiokkie by 'n huis gelui of geklop het, het een van die kinders kom oopmaak met die boodskap: “Oom, my pa en ma is ongelukkig nie by die huis nie.” Ds. Bouwer het dan onverstoord geantwoord: “My kind, gaan sé vir jou pa en ma dis die dominee wat huisbesoek doen. Hulle kan maar uitkom.” Ek het 'n wyk in La Rochelle gehad waar die lidmate arm was en selde kerk toe gegaan het. My ouderling het in La Rochelle gewoon en kon soms nie 'n bydrae aan die kerk bekostig nie. Ek het gewoonlik maar in deel van my bydrae op sy naam geplaas om te voorkom dat die gramskap van ds. Bouwer hom tref. In Oktober 1961 is ek bevorder tot adjudant- offisier en na Standerton verplaas, waar ek op 1 Januarie 1962 diens aanvaar het. Op Standerton het my paaie met dié van speurdersers. Basie Smit, hoof van die speurdiens, en sers. Bob Beukes, stasiebevelvoerder, gekruis. Ons later by verskeie geleenthede saamgewerk en was uiteindelik saam generals in die veiligheidstak. ‘n Mens sou die polisie-offisiere wat destyds in beheer was, waarskynlik oor baie dinge kon kritiseer, maar met weinig uitsondering was hul integriteit bo verdenking. Al het — ons ondergeskiktes hulle dikwels dood gewens, het ons hoé agting vir hulle gehad. Hulle het die Polisiemag met in ferm hand bestuur en wet en orde het oor die hele land geheers. Elke reggeaarde polisieman was trots om lid van so 'n Mag te wees. HOOFSTUK 2 Die veiligheidstak SOWJET-RUSLAND en die Kommunistiese blok was 'n gedugte militére mag en die VSA en Westerse lande het hulle as 'n groot bedreiging beskou. Die Kommuniste het Afrika, en veral Suid -Afrika, as ‘n uitstekende teiken vir uitbreiding beskou en reeds in 1921 die Suid-Afrikaanse Kommunisteparty (SAKP) in Suid-Afrika gestig. Kommuniste het begin om die geledere van die African National Congress (ANC) te infiltreer en in 1927 het n geharde Kommunis, EJ. Khaile, sekretaris-generaal van die ANC geword. Op 1 Februarie 1950 is die bevordering van die Kommunisme onwettig verklaar in Suid-Afrika en die Kommuniste het hulle daara al hoe meer op die ANC begin toespits as werktuig vir hul {Werol op bldsy 22) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020 a(ervlg van blodsy 21) doelstellings. Die veiligheidstak van die Polisie het uit in klein groepie bestaan wat gewone ondersoekmetodes ingespan het om die bedrywighede van die SAKP en die ANC aan bande te lé. in Desember 1956 is 156 mense landwyd op verskeie aanklagle in hegtenis geneem, onder wie Nelson Mandela. Tydens die uitgerekte verhoor, wat sowat vyf jaar geduur het, het dit duidelik geblyk dat die SAKP en ANC oor die dienste van _briljante regsgeleerdes beskik. Sekere tekortkominge in die regstelsel het die sak drasties beinvloed en in Maart 1961 is al die beskuldigdes vrygespreek. Dit was duidelik dat nég die Polisie nég die Departement van Justisie tred gehou het met die aard en omvang van die bedreiging. Die SAKP en ANC het hulle met nuwe ywer daarop toegespits om hul doelwitte te bereik en as alliansie die gewapende stryd teen die Regering aangepak. Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), die militére vieuel van die ANC, en die African Resistance Movement (ARM) het tot stand gekom. Weerstand het in die geledere van die ANCISAKP-alliansie begin opbou teen die blanke Kommuniste, wat al hoe meer 'n leidende rol begin spel het. Dié wat daarteen gekant was, het 'n nuwe organisasie, die Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), gestig. Op 8 April 1960 is sowel die ANC as die PAC ingevolge wetgewing tot onwettige organisasies verklaar. Die vroeé sestigerjare is gekenmerk deur in viaag sabotasie- en ander terreurdade. Dit het in era van geweldpleging en stryd ingelui wat drie dekades sou duur en baie lewens sou eis. Op 16 Desember 1961 het bomme by kragsentrales en regeringsgeboue in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth en Durban ontplof. Duisende pamflette met die MK se manifes is tydens die ontploffings versprei. Lede van Pogo, die militére vieuel van die PAC, het op 22 November 1962 die Paarise polisiestasie aangeval. Die aanval is afgeweer en die aanvallers het daama voertuie, vulstasies en winkels beskadig en afgebrand. Twee blankes is met pangas doodgekap en die polisie het uit noodweer op die aanvallers gevuur. Vyf Poqolede is doodgeskiet en 14 gewond. Dit het die oproerigheid laat bedaar. Altesame 500 Pogoleiers is later in hegtenis geneem en swaar vonnisse is aan hulle opgelé. Dit het die ondergrondse struktuur van die PAC so te sé vernietig. Tydens die optrede teen Pogo het die Polisie se veiligheidstak 'n konferensie in Pretoria belé wat deur al die afdelingsbevelvoerders bygewoon is. Daar is besluit dat Pogolede landwyd aangekeer en aangehou moet word. Hoofkantoor sou op die aangewese tyd alle veiligheidstakke skakel en in kodeboodskap gebruik om die bevel te gee. Die boodskap sou lui: “Koop die hoenders.” Kapt. Lappies Labuschagne, _afdelings- bevelvoerder van die veiligheidstakke in die Vrystaat, het ook die Konferensie bygewoon. Tydens die besprekings oor optrede teen Pogo het sy gedagtes afgedwaal, want in die Vrystaat was daar geen Pogoverdagtes nie. Hy het nie 1n woord gehoor van wat gesé is nie. Ongeveer n week later bel n offisier van hoofkantoor hom, raak eers 'n paar gemeenplase kwyt en sé toe: “Koop die hoenders.” Daarop sit hy die telefoon neer. Kapt. Labuschagne was heeltemal uit die veld geslaan. Hy het adjt off. Basie Human laat kom en hom van die vreemde boodskap vertel. Dié het doodluiters opgemerk: “Jy ken die spul by hoofkantoor. Hulle sock weer goedkoop hoenders.” Lede van die veiligheidstak wat goeie bande met boere in die omgewing gehad het, is dadelik daar weg om hoenders te gaan koop. Die middag het twee dosyn hoenders in 'n hok onder die motorafdak by die kantoor van die veiligheidstak gesit en wag om na Pretoria vervoer te word. Dit was warm en die hoenders moes kort-kort natgespuit word om te keer dat hulle vrek. Vroeg die volgende oggend het die telefoon gelui en diesetfde offisier van die vorige dag wou weet: “Hoeveel hoenders?" Kapt. Labuschagne het selfvoldaan geantwoord: “Twee dosyn.” Daar was 1 oomblik doodse stilte en toe die verbaasde opmerking: “Twee dosyn? En julle het nie eens één verdagte gehad nie! Waar de duiwel kry julle hulle vandaan?” Kapt. Labuschagne het besef daar is érens 'n groot misverstand, maar die koeél was deur die kerk. Foute van dié aard word nie ligtelik oor die hoof gesien nie. Hy is binne 24 uur na die uniformtak verplaas en deur iemand anders vervang NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 2WARRANT OFFICER MOHANLAL SEONATH SEONATH by Col Logan Govender | wate + a. Mohanlal Seonath Seonath as 2 constable Amore recent photo Logan Govender tells us: “I met Warrant Officer Seonath whilst stationed in Pietermaritzburg. He is a well-respected and disciplined _non- commissioned officer and later Warrant Officer” We spoke on occasions but only during official duties. Whilst interviewing Warrant Officer Gops (Nicky) Naidoo for his feature in a forthcoming Nongaai, he informed me that in 1969, after attes- tation he was posted to Richmond (N). The whole station including single quarters (barracks) was under reconstruction and he had nowhere to live. Warrant Officer Seonath kindly allowed him board and load at his private home. He resided at his home from 1969 to 1975 (6 years). A commendable and humane gesture on the part of Seonath. We commend and salute you for your act of kindness, Sir.” Born on 8th October 1942 in Sea Cow Lake (known as Newlands today) Durban. (Sea Cow Lake is a residential area in Central Durban, Kwa- Zulu Natal.) He joined SAP on 2/11/1964 at Wentworth Police District. Headquarters. Instructed by a Major (Logan Govender [LG] | chatted with Brigadier Heymans, the Major must have been from the District Commandant's Office, Wentworth, Durban. South) to walk to the edge of his office and look out the window. When he did, he saw people doing exercises dressed in brown overalls. He was told that was the Wentworth Police Indian Training Depot and he should walk to that place and report for his basic training. (LG -That must have been daunting for the young recruit like jumping from the frying pan into the fire: as he Above - Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Lt-Genl Morgan Chet- ty (ate), Capt D John Lamech (late), Capt Govindsamy Reddy (late), W/O Seonath. began his basic training a whole month after his contemporaries). He walked to the Police Depot and was met by Lance Sergeant Morgan Chetty (Late Lieutenant General), he was the Physical Training Instructor. Seonath worked tirelessly at his basic training in an effort to catch up with the other students. He recalls Lance Sergeants D J Lamech, drill & musketry Instructor (Late Captain) and Govindsamy, Law Instructor (Late Captain). He was in troop 4 of 1964. After completion of his basic training he was posted to Pietermaritzburg Central (Loop Street) ‘on 15/05/1965, foot and cycle patrol was part of his duties. He spent 1 month and 11 days at Loop Street before he was transferred to Richmond (N), an area he knew nothing of, however will spend the next over 30 years in that area, it eventually became his home. (Richmond is a town situated on the banks of the upper Illovo River in the Midlands of South Arica, (Contioued on page 24) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 2B{continued from poge 23) approximately 38 km south-west of Pietermaritz- burg.) He was a keen soccer player and participated in many tournaments at the Northdale Stadium, Pietermaritzburg. (LG - The one tournament | recall is “The Easter Tournament” held annually in the 60's; 70's and 80's. | was personally from the time | was a Constable right up to Lieutenant involved in providing police protection for all matches from beginning to the final.” He was tasked with enquiry and investigation of case dockets of minor offences such as Assault, Malicious Injury to Property, etc. He also served Warrants of Arrests, Summonses and other pro- cesses. He recollects that the old station was made of wood and iron and only had three offices. The building was rickety during a storm or gusts of wind. The roof of the old building was support by steel pipes to prevent it from caving in. This was scary at night as he was alone in the building. The holding cells were located about a hundred metres away and had to be visited every hour on the hour. The Station Commander on his arrival was one Warrant Officer J Jonker in 1964. Later replaced by the following: Warrant Officer JF Odendaal; and During June 1972 the new station was ready to be occupied and the Station Commander appointed was Lieutenant PD Schoeman (‘... this Officer had a heart of Gold. It was a pleasure to work with such a good man’, said Seonath.) Schoeman identified potential in Seonath and appointed him as the Station Commander's Clerk. He became the first Non-White member to drive a State vehicle. After a few years Schoeman was transferred to Scottburgh on promotion to Captain. (LG- Not sure whether this was the same Schoeman who was the Station Commander of Plessislaer in the early days. Later came back as a Brigadier to the Divisional Headquarters, Pietermaritzburg, thereafter retired as a Major- General in the South Coast. | was told he is a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A prominent and well-liked Officer amongst all he worked. Whilst chatting to a number of members they all spoke highly of the officer, Gwala (late) — *.. He was a caring man"; Ngcamu ... “He was a mfundise ..."; Suklall — *... He was a father figure *; Gops Naidoo — *... he was a gentleman. | was. promoted because of him”; Sunker -“... He was a Father figure”; Herman de Bruin “... at General Davis funeral which Schoeman attended he went up to and greeted every single member ...” Wow! such accolades for one man. Salute, Sir if it's the same Officer. We are indeed proud of you!) In 1978 Warrant Officer du Toit was the acting Station Commander. Sergeant Danie! Seevaraj was transferred to Richmond in this time and con- firms that. Will G de Witt assumed command of the station. Sergeant Dumas assumed command when De Witt was transferred. Dumas was apparently replaced by one Sergeant Deyzel. Lieutenant ALP Willis was appointed Station Commander until he was promoted to the rank of Captain and transferred to Umbilo, Durban as a Station Commander. A period of 10 years at Richmond elapsed and | received the 10 years medal, Warrant Officer TJ Whitehorn was appointed to replace Captain Willis. (".. it was a great pleasure working with Whitehorn", said Seonath). ‘Whitehom was transferred to Kokstad. Warrant Officer DA Kruger was appointed to re- place Whitehorn as Station Commander. (".. It was a great pleasure to be working with Kruger. | learnt much from him and he was a very good man”, said Seonath.) (LG- | leant that Kruger was an excel- lent, respected Officer by members who served under his command. Warrant Officers Suklal and Gops Reddy, worked with him at Plessislaer, saw him as a father figure amongst ALL members. Thank you, Sir. We salute you for your goodness and kindness towards members you worked with. | did meet Kruger a few times at Crime Conferences and other meetings during 1987 and possibly 1988. He was very friendly and kind to everyone.) Warrant Officer Seonath served 20 years in the Police and received his medal for twenty years’ service. He also received his 75th year Anniversary medal. (LG - This would give us a time period. 75th Anniversary was celebrated in 1988.) Whilst at Richmond he was promoted to Lieutenant thereafter to Captain and was transferred to Plessislaer, Pietermaritzburg. Captain Kruger was replaced by Warrant Officer JK du Plessis. Seonath was then appointed his second in command. Du Plessis was nominated for border duties. Whilst at the border the period (Continued on page 25) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 24(Continued from page 24) was extended to two years. | was acting Station Commander. However, the District Commandant, Colonel Vorster one day arrived at the Station and informed me that | was now appointed Station Commander. Seonath diligently performed his duties as the Sta- tion Commander at Richmond (N). The station was inspected during routine surprise inspections by District Officers, viz Major MFR Otto and Cap- tain Van Dyk, to mention but a few. The Inspecting Officers commend Seonath for his efficiency and management. During 1990 Lieutenant Mike Lombard succeeded Seonath as the Station Commander and he was transferred to the Detective Branch under Captain Meeding. (‘... It was a pleasure working with Captain Meeding’, said Seonath.) At the end of December 1992 retired due to ill- ness. When questioned about the numerous changes in command, Seonath said: *... They came as sergeants or warrant officers to Rich- mond, then promoted to higher ranks and trans- ferred to other stations. Richmond was only run with a warrant officers post, as it was too small a station.” ‘Seonath at his son's graduation. Nongqai asked Maj-gen Dirk Schoeman for his comments: “| was transferred from the Donnybrook Police Station to Richmond (N) in August 1972. On my arrival Warrant Officer Lionel Veater was the Acting Station Commander. Lieutenant Arthur Willis had been transferred prior to my arrival to a Police Station in the Durban area. | remember Warrant Officer Seonath very well. Amongst his many duties he also fetched the awaiting trial prisoners from Burger Street Prison in Pietermaritzburg on a daily basis. | am an Officer in the Old Apostolic Church (South Africa.) In December 1976 | was transferred to Plessislaer_as Station Commander with promotion to Captain. I was later transferred to Greytown and Dundee as District Commandant. | returned to Head Office at Pietermaritzburg with the rank of Colonel. In 1992 | was transferred to Port Shepstone as Area Commissioner as a Brigadier, where | retired as a Major General in 1999. | have the greatest respect for all those wonderful members that supported me over the years and remember them with the highest regard. | was not stationed at Scottburgh.” NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 25NONGQAI NONGQAI TRUST besering wat hy of sy opgedoen het as gevolg van sodanige persoon se betrokkenheid by misdaadvoorkoming, misdaadbekamping of blootstelling aan misdaadbestryding of verwante optrede, of voormalige lede van die Suid- Afrikaanse Polisiemag fered as a result of their involvement in crime prevention, combating crime or exposure to the combating of crime or related actions, or former members of the South African Police force. THE NONGQAI TRUST | NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT m@ Donations are tax deductible for South African tax payers EN Current cS e-Tale} tial) 012345 NONGOAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020SA Police Commissioners in Action wn Above: The Commissioner, Maj-Gen IP de Villiers at the| Front. Right: The Commissioner, Maj-Gen RJ Palmer at Partia- ment with and Lt-Col M Coetzee Below: The Commissioner, Maj-Gen Cl Rademeyer at the Johannesburg Flying Squad. ~~ NONGQAIVOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 - - a7Constable Thomas Lane, VC The Kimberley Policeman who was a VC-recipient Private Thomas Lane VC MCE aes | PELs iT Tt) — pan Cae son TAKU FORTS, CHINA Pra tac) ea ANT THOMAS LANE V.C Sree acts ano amr : m3 : { ne 5 Private Thomas Lane, 67th South Hampshire Reg- iment, was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) on 21 August 1960 during the battle at Taku Forts, China. He later served as a Sergeant in the Natal Horse and the Kimberley Police. He is buried in the Gladstone Cemetery in Kimber- ley - Capt C Ross (SAN—Ret) The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Book of the V.C., by A. L. Haydon This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re- use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook Title: The Book of the V.C. A record of the deeds of heroism for which the Victoria Cross has been bestowed, from its institu- tion in 1857 to the present time Author: A. L. Haydon Release Date: August 30, 2017 [EBook #55461] Language: English Pages 124 - 126 “Towards the end of 1859 trouble broke out afresh with China, immediately after the conclusion of what is known as the Second Chinese War. Sir F. Bruce, the British Commissioner, while sailing up the Pei-ho to Pekin to ratify the treaty just made with the Emperor, was fired upon by the Taku Forts at the mouth of the river. No apologies being forthcoming, an expedition under General Sir James Hope Grant was despatched to teach the Chinese a salutary lesson. The expedition, which was strengthened by a French force, was ready to begin operations against the Taku Forts by July 1860, but owing to the swampy nature of the country around them a halt had to be called while the engineers set to work to make roads. These were completed by the middle of August, and then the attack commenced in real eamest. Under_a heavy fire from the Chinese gunners [125] English and French vied with each other to be the first to cross the ditches in front of the forts. Scaling-ladders and pontoon bridges were requisi- tioned, but the delay in placing these in position galled a number of our men to such an extent that Privates and officers alike plunged boldly into the water and swam across. The first to reach the walls were Lieutenant Robert Rogers, of the 44th Regiment, two Lieutenants of the 67th, E. H. Le- non and Nathaniel Burslem, with Privates John MDougall and Thomas Lane. Up through the embrasures they alll clambered, Burslem and Lane being specially noticed as they knocked away a portion of the wall and enlarged the opening suffi- ciently to enable them to scramble through, just as did Dunley at the Secunderabagh fight Where they showed the way their comrades quick- ly followed, the while some of the French with lad- ders vainly attempted to climb the walls. At the head of the 67th Regiment came Ensign Chaplin, bearing proudly the colour which he was deter mined to plant first upon the fort. He had hardly gained the ditch, however, when a bullet struck him in the arm, making him drop the standard. There was a brief pause while he bound a hand- kerchief tightly round his wound, then on he went again, colours raised aloft. A French regiment of infantry was pressing for- ward at the same time, and Chaplin playfully called to their colour-bearer to race him to the fort. The challenge was promptly taken up. As soon as the breach was clear the ensign dashed for it, and by strenuous effort forced his way inside. Before him were Chinese riflemen and pikemen, but he cut his way through them with his sword, and hur- ried on to his goal 126) (Continued on page 29) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 2B(Contiued from page 28) Suddenly a second bullet caught him, making him stagger, at which a private clutched at the swaying standard pole. “Hands off" cried Chaplin vehemently, for he saw that the French colour-bearer was now close be- hind him. And, pulling himself together gamely, he made a last spurt for the summit, which’ he reached well in advance of all others. Ina moment the flag was planted, amid a ringing British cheer; then the brave young ensign was seen to fall. A shot in the leg had brought him down at last. Seeing him prone on the ground at their mercy, the Chinese made a rush for him, but they were luckily too late. The 67th swarmed up the hill, and Chaplin was rescued to survive that engagement and many others, and wear on his breast the Cross for Valour in token of his gallantry. At the same time that he was gazetted the names of Rogers, Lenon, Burslem, M’Dougall, and Lane also appeared, ‘the V.C. having been bestowed upon them for that bold dash at the breach. NB It would be interesting if one of our readers can find more about Const Lane and his service in the Kimberley Police from the McGregor Museum in Kimberley - HBH + Greyville Police Station Durban Gemeente Politie | Durban Borough Police NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 29Roofreaksie-eenheid: Tiny Nortje & HBH ROOFREAKSIE-EENHEID Die groot aantal voorvalle en strafrooftogte, hand- sakdiefstalle en sakkerollery in die middestad van Johannesburg en die voorstad, Hillbrow, het kom- ‘mer in polisiegeledere gewek. Tussen 20 en 30 rowe is daagliks by die Polisie aangemeld, Straatrowers, slaan meedoénloos op onskuldige mense toe en oorsese toeriste is van die gunsteling slagoffers Vroue is gesogte teikens en sou 'n slagoffer haar teésit, word sy gewelddadig op die grond neergeslinger. Na samesprekings oor die aangeleentheid het die Streekkommissaris, Witwatersrand, besuit om 'n. spesiale eenheid, die Roofreaksie-eenheid, op die been te bring om hierdie tipe misdade te bekamp. Die cenheid gaan op ’n professionele manier te werk: ‘n Studie van die modus operandi van die rowe word gemaak, Johannesburg word in blokke verdeel, en voorvalle word op die kaart ingespeld ‘om probleemgebiede te identifiseer. Daarna is die cenheid gereed om toe te slian, Lede verrig om die beurt diens by die verskillende blokke om sodoende nie in 'n spesifieke gebied bekend te raak nie. Gedurende November 1986 is 150 rowe in die mid- destad by die Polisie aangemeld. Na die stigting van die eenheid in Desember 1986, het die aangemelde rooftogte verminder tot 60 en tans word 'n gemid- deld van slegs 30 sake per maand aangemeld, Hoofkantoor het magtiging verleen dat die lede slen- terdrag met hulle bestaande kleretoelae mag aankoop. Die manne is soms so “gekamoefleer” dat, hulle moeilik as polisiemanne herken kan word: menige rowers het al met 'n skok besef dat die “slordige vent” op die straathoek sy kans afgewag het om hom tydens 'n poging tot roof te arresteer. Sommige van die lede verskyn verslons op straat ander met ‘n regte “punk” haarstyl, terwyl ander modieus geklee of soos fabrickswerkers aangetrek uit rd van die saak word uiters streng ci pline in hierdie gesogte Eenheid gehandhaaf en lede word dus streng gekeur. Lede van die Eenheid het die afgelope twee jaar 2915 sake ondersovk, 3 412 amrestasies uitgevoer en was by 664 skietvoorvaile betrokke. Die lede se trots op hul Eenheid kan gesien word in die dra van 'n cie kenteken op T-hemde, pette en Iyfbandgespes. ROBBERY ACTION UNIT The wave of street robberies, handbag-snatching and pickpocketing in the centre of Johannesburg, and the suburb of Hillbrow caused concern among. members of the Police. Between 20 and 30 rob- beries were reported to the police daily. Street rob- bers strike at innocent people without mercy, and tourists from abroad are favourite victims. The handbags of women are favourite targets and should a victim offer resistance, she is violently flung to the ground. After discussions on this matter the Divisional Commissioner, Witwatersrand, decided to institute @ special Unit in order to combat these types of crime. ‘The unit operates in a highly professional manner: A study of the modus operandi of the robbers is made, Johannesburg divided into blocks, and ‘occurrences marked on a map to enable the unit to identify the problem areas. Members operate on a rotation basis in the various blocks to prevent them from becoming known in a specific area. During November 1986, 150 robberies in the city entre were reported, After the establishment of the Unit in December 1986, the number of rob- beries reported dropped to 60 and at present an average of only 30 robberies are reported monthly. Head Office has authorised members to use their existing clothing allowance to purchase casual wear, At times members are so well camouflaged that they cannot be identified as policemen; many a robber realized to his surprise that the “hobo” at the street comer was a policeman waiting to arrest him for attempted robbery. Some members appear in the public dressed as hobos, punk rockers, construction workers and ‘many other disguises, while some are well clad. ipline in this coveted Unit is inevitably strict and members are, therefore, selected with great care During the last two years members of the Unit investigated 2915 cases, effected 3.412 arrests, and were involved in 64 shooting incidents. The members take great pride in the Unit and dis play the Unit's insignia on their T-shirts, caps and belt buckles Bron: 1993: SAP Jaarboek en WWR Afkom Notule gedateer 24 November 1986—HBH.. NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020NOTULE VAN VERGADERING GEHOU TER STIGTING VAN DIE ASDELING WITWATERSRANDSE ROOF = BEKANPINGSERNUETD OP 1985.11.24 om OSh30 IN DIE OFFISTERSCLUR TE AEDELINGSHOOFKWARTIER NTTWATERSRAND OPENING EN VERWELKOMTNG (1) Generasi-Najoor H VAN EY heet die betrokke offisiers welkom en spreek sy komier uit oor dic toonana in rows en ander erastige mis dade oor die afgelope paar maande uit. (2) Hy dui daorop dat slegs gevotiveerde wense vir hierdie doel aange- stel moot word en dat die Mag die verentwoordelikheld het oa met Seluriteits matskappye en personcel te skakel ten einds problene te identifiseer en noontlik selfs beriggewers te wert. 2. PRESENSTE ‘n Presensielys word gesirkuleer - daer 1s 15 persone teenwoordige 3. DOELSTELLING Brigadier A P VAN DEN HERVER wys daarop dat daar in hierdie afdeling by- kans 'n krisis-situasie betreffende die tooname in rove beleef word, Hy wys daarop dat daar oor die naweek 21 tot 23 November 1986, 'n totaal van 75 rowe in hierdie afdeling gepleog is, Op hierdis stadiun verlaat Generael-Msjoor VAN EYX die vergadering as gevolg van ander dringende verpligtinge. Brigadier VAN EN HERVER vys daarop dat die doel van die vergadering is om die kundigheid van die teenwoordigers in te span ten einde die vernelde roof-bekampingseenheid op dic bcen te bring en dat dié eenheid sigeclf hoofsanklik met die bekamping van gewapende roof, sakkerollery en aanvalle op toeriste besig sal hou. 4. BEPLANNING er die ondervernelde probleen- Brigadier VAN DBN HEEVER identi: areas nasalik:— Jeppe Johannesburg itiddestad Doornfontein Braamfontein Park-, Jeppe-, Doornfontein-, George Goch-, en Mayfair stasies en Hl brow, (2) Mannekrag Brigadier VAN DEN HEEVER wys daarop dat slegs lede wat werklik ge~ motiveerd is by die eenheid betrek moet word. ‘iernaas sal 'n gefrag- mentearde struktuur onhoudbaar biane die Johannesburgse polisizerings doelwit wees. Juis daarom sai die reeds bestaande Hillbrow eenheid by die nuve eenheid ingelyf moet word. oaeeseta NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020(3) Die ) ©) Na bespreking word besluit dat dic Afdeling Witwatersrand Roof- bekampingseenheid uit 75 man sal bestaan, wat na gelang van be~ hoefte aangepas sal kan word. Brigadier VAN DEN HBEYER gee opdrag dat die Distrikskoumandante en Distrikspeuroffisiere in oorleg wot dic Tak Vervoerpolisieéring, nodige mannekrag sal moet voorsien. Reserviste kan, indien hul produktic? aangewend kan word, betrek vord. Struktuering Brigadier VAN DEN HEEVER gee opirag dat Brigadier B SCHOLTZ die corhoofse bevelsposisie sal inneem, Dat luitenant NORTJS van die huidig Hillbrow eenheid as bevelvoerder van die gekombineerde eenheid sal optree, met 3 adjudant-offisiere en 'n verdere 75 man— skappe wat hom sal bystaan. Die eenheids bevelvoerder sal ook direkte toegang tot die distrikspeuroffisiere en die bevelvoerder van Moord-en Roofeenheid ha. van, Moord-en Roofeenheid Brixton sai 1 adjudant-offisier vir die skake- ling tussen hulle en die bekampingseenheid nomineer. Vervoer Na bespreking word besluit dat daar hoofsaaklik van voetpatrollies, motorfietse en kombi's gebruik gemaak sal word. Brigadier VAN DEN HEEVER onderneem om die nodige redlings te tref. Radiotoerusting Brigadier SCHOLT2, die distrikspeuroffisiere en die cenheids bevel- voerder moet die aspex uitklaar en die nodige reélings tref. Kantoor-akkomnodasie Sal by Jeppe - SAP voorsien word. Radic en telefoonverbindings moet ook voorsion word. Operasionslisering Na 'n uitgebreide bespreking raak die vergadering tot die onderver- melde besluite:- (1) Qperasie-tye (a) Algemene publiek Maandae tot Donderdae : 09n00 tot 22h00 Vrydae : 09h00 tot 02h00 op Saterdagoggend Saterdae : 09h00 tot 1500 Hierdie tye sal aanpasbaar wees na gelang van die diskres- sie van die eenheidsbevelvoerder. (b) Beskerming van tooriste. Met spesifieke verwysing na die beskerming van toeriste, word besluit dat mannekrag van die eenheid aangewend, NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 32(8) sal word om veral vanaf Vrydae tot Sondae toeriste te beskerm en/of waar nodig te agtervolg om potensicdle rowers te arresteer, sou hulle op so 'n tocris toesiaan. Ten einde 'n bepaling in die verband te maak gee brigadier VAN DEN HEEVER opdrag dat distrikspeuroffisiere 'n opgawe van hotelle waar veral, internasionale toeriste tuisgaan, aan brigadier SCHOLT op i98511.25 moet voorlé. Hiernaas moet daar ook uitgewys word of dieselfde hotellé toergidse en/of busdienste onsovoorts voorsien. (2) Verdagte~ rekordstelsel. Brigadier van den ileever gee opdrag dat die nodige fotografiese toorusting vir die neen van foto's van verdagtes, bekom moet word. Dat die nodige registers bygehou moat word en inligting tussen dié eenheid on Moord-en Roofeenheid en ander speurtakke uitgeruil moet word. (3) Aanhoudings Van alle verdagtes of gearresteerdes sal by Jeppe SAP selle plaasvind. (4) Registrasie van sake Sake sal geopen word by die stasiowyk waarin die misdaad gepleeg of dic arrestasie gemaak word, 'n Duidelike landkaart toegelig met grafieke moet by die eenheid bygehou word ten einde mis daadtendense en/of suksesse visueel voor te stel. (5) Qndersoeke Die eenheid sal self vir die volledige ondersock en beregtiging van sake verantwoordelik wees. Lede uit die senheid moet spe- sifiel vir die doel aangewys word. Die stelsel kan later, in- dien, nodigyaangepas word. (6) Modus-operandi. Die modus-operandi van die eenieid sal deur die "manne-op-die~ grond" bepaal word. Algemeen. (1) Op, versoek van brigadier YAN DEN HEEVER sal kolonel GERBER reél dat die Tak Vervoerpolisiesring ook ernstige misdasd vanaf O8n00 op tn daaglikse basis aan Afdeling rapporteer. (2) Kollonel ENCELBRECHT versoek dat dié tak ook vir Moord~ en Roof en/of SANAB ten opsigte van orastige sake in verband met moord, roof, en/of dwelmoortredings sal inlig. (3) Ten opsigte van die beoogde konferensie met sckuriteitshoofde, word die ondervernelde instansics vir spesifieke uitnodiging witgesonder, waamen brigadier MEYER die nodige aandag sal skenk naamlik:— JCC, ASK, CDA * Johannesburg, Carlton Hotel, Johannesburg Sun Hotel, die S.A, Tocrisme Raad, Koornhof hotel, Braan- fontein Hotel, Brigadier VISSER, .S.S.A se ‘cantoor,Lind pos Be ‘tantoor” SAP Offisiere Majoor P W DE JAGER (SAX) ot Bankinstellings. sBheeonel a NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020 33(9) Die vorgadering verdaag on 1030, cs/ Kaptein Tiny Nortje: Seksiehoof RRE ONGOAI VOL 11 No 10.0cT2020 x1947: Konstabel OV “Vicky” Allers HBH & Deon Alers SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE ROYAL MOUNTED ESCORT 17 TH. FEBRUARY 24TH. APRIL 1947 > oe aoe) 9 Inleiding Deon Alers het my gekontak oor die 1947 _Koninklike Berede Eskort. Ek het vir hom die boonste foto gestuur en ook van die 1947 SAP Motorfiets Eskort. Daarop het hy twee lede van die mag positief geidentifiseer. Ons later die twee lede in die optog ook positief identifiseer. Ek het die volgende foto en briefie van Deon Alers ontvang - HBH. Hennie, Ek glo nie in toeval nie — maar ek het nooit geweet daar was 'n Allers in die groep nie. 3de ry links OV (Oltman Victor) Ailers — baie interessante karakter. Ek het wragtag nie gedink ek gaan die inligting / foto deur hierdie NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 ea kanaal kry nie! Wat se inligting het jy nog van hom? Sy pa, Johannes Jacobus Allers, was ook n polisieman in SWA Groete Deon Alers (Deon Alers spel hul van met{Wat gee aanlei Dr Jane Buys ing tot plaasaanvalle en moorde in die Vrystaat? Inleiding Verkorte CV: Dr Jane Buys Jane Buys het in 1990 as ‘nN gegradueerde die verpligte verkorte basiese Polisie opleiding by die Polisie-kollege in Pretoria voltooi, waarna sy by die ‘ou veiligheidspolisie se provinsiale kantoor in Bloemfontein geplaas is. Buys se —eggenoot, Robert, ’n — Lugmag viieénier, is gereeld verplaas tussen 1994 en 2001. In dié tydperk werk sy by onderskeidelik die veiligheidspolisie se hoofkantoor in Pretoria, die speurtak te Vredenburg en die provinsiale kantoor vir Misdaad Intelligensie in die Vrystaat, waar sy tot en met 2008 hoof van die analiste afdeling binne Misdaad Intelligensie was. Dit het behels die opleiding van alle analiste by 109 polisiestasies in die Vrystaat asook al die wetenskaplike ontleding van misdaadtendense, patrone en navorsing rakende die oorsake van alle prioriteitsmisdade. Tussen 2008 en 2011 was sy werksaam as 'n analis by Nasionale Intelligensie (NIA) en hoof analis in die Vrystaat vir die Sokker Wéreldbeker 2010. Buys het sielkunde as 'n hoofvak op universiteit gehad, en sy reken dit het haar passie geprikkel oor wat kriminele dryf om in sekere misdade betrokke te raak, bv hul omstandighede, verwysings raamwerk, familie verbintenis of persoonlikheidseienskappe. Haar PhD-graad aan Kovsies in 2007 het gehandel oor: “The transformation of the South African police from a paramilitary force to a service delivery organization.” Sy is ook passievol oor haar familie. Haar dogter Carissa het ‘n B.Comm. Regte-graad en studeer tans LLB aan Kovsies, haar seun Reinhard is tans besig met sy “Advanced Personal Trainer diploma’. Buys het op 'n plas grootgeword, en haar swaer boer al vir 45 jaar in die Noord-Kaap naby Lime Acres. “Ek het ongelooflike respek en waardering vir landbouers vir hul passie, toewyding en deursettingsvermoé om, ten spyte van die natuur se elemente waaroor hulle nie beheer het nie, steeds suksesvol in die kosmandjie van die land te voorsien.” Sy is sedert 1 September 2014 by Vrystaat Landbou (VL) aangestel as Velligheidsrisiko-analis by die VKB VL Veiligheidslessenaar. Wat gee aanleiding tot plaasaanvalle en moorde in die Vrystaat Agtergrond Viystaat Landbou se _georganiseerde landboustrukture maak voorsiening vir besture wat verkies word by _ Boere-vereniging en distrikslandbou-unie (DBU) viak. Die besture bestaan uit ‘n voorsitter, vise-voorsitter, sekretaris, veiligheidsverteenwoordiger en addisionele lede Daar is verder 10 streek —veiligheids- verteenwoordigers wat dien op die Landelike Veiligheidskomitee en VKB Veiligheids-lessenaar wie se primere taak is om na die veiligheid van landbouers om te sien. Bestuursiede wat veiligheidsverteenwoordigers insluit is primér boere wat ‘n vrywillige diens lewer aan hul onderskeie boerderygemeenskappe ten einde aspekte wat negatief op ‘n veilige en volhoubare landbou omgewing inwerk, deurlopend aan te spreek. Dit is dus van kardinale belang om die menings/persepsies van hierdie verteenwoordigers te toets rakende aspekte wat aanleiding gee tot plaasaanvalle in die Vrystaat. Van die 88 dorpe wat in die Vrystaat bestaan, is 11 dorpe geklassifiseer onder die Landelike Beveiliging Strategie (LBS) as _landelike polisiestasies wat beteken dat daar nie ‘n dorpsinfrastruktuur bestaan nie, en dat die gemeenskap primer uit boerdery bestaan. In die voormalige tuislande bv. Qwaqwa en Bophuthatswana wat as Thaba-Nchu/Selosesha/ Botshabelo bekend staan, is daar nie ‘n georganiseerde landbou struktuur in plek nie. Daar is tans 61 DBUs en 169 Boere Verenigings in die Vrystaat Die primére —funksie van __veiligheids- verteenwoordigers en Landelike Veiligheids- koordineerders van die Polisie wat by elke Polisiestasie aangestel is, is om ‘n (Consnuedon page 37) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 36(Continued from poge 36) kodrdineringsfunksie te vervul tesame met boerdery gemeenskappe. Die primére funksies sluit in om maandvergaderings op plaaslike en cluster viak te reél en by te woon waar emstige geweldsmisdade (plaasaanvalle) en eiendom verwante misdade geverifieer word ten einde misdaadvoorkomingsoperasies van stapel te stuur. Dit behels verder die fasilitering van wit- en biouligpatrollies, plaasbesoeke, inoefeninge van plaasaanvalle en opleidingswerkswinkels oor ‘n verskeidenheid van aspekte. Dit dien vermeld te word dat baie van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers 3 tot 5 jaar en selfs 10 jaar die vrywillige diens by Boere Verengings vervul, en hul gewoonlik eerste op 'n plaasaanval se misdaadtoneel is. Baie inligting rakende die omstandighede en manifestering van plaasaanvalle word van hul af bekom Navorsing in terme van gevalle studies by slagoffers van plaasaanvalle en opnames onder veiligheids verteenwoordigers en boere word gereeld deur Vrystaat Landbou (VL) gedoen, ten einde die impak en omvang van die misdaadprobleem te bepaal, asook om voorstelle tov toekomstige intervensies tesame met die polisie, te verrig. Opnames aan veiligheidsverteenwoordigers rakende plaasaanvalle en -moorde ‘n Meningsopname vraelys is op 12 Maart 2016 aan al die velligheidsverteenwoordigers van DBUs per epos versend vir voltooiing om sodoende hul persepsies rakende die veiligheid van landbouers en boerderygemeenskappe —spesifiek tov plaasaanvalle en -moorde in die Vrystaat te bepaal. Die deelname van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers was 54.41%, wat as ‘n verteenwoordigende steekproef beskou word Die vraelys bestaan uit 29 vrae wat in beide gestruktureerde en “oop vrae" opgestel was en die antwoorde is verwerk in ‘n persentasie uitdrukking. Slegs die antwoorde wat betrekking het tot die aanieidende oorsake en of redes/motiewe vir die pleging van plaasaanvalle en -moorde word in die artikel vervat. ‘n_ Tweede meningspeiling is gedoen onder veiligheidsverteenwoordigers_ van Landbou Verenigings en DBUs tydens ‘n Veiligheidsberaad in die Lejweleputswa-area te Welkom op 2 April 2016. Daar is 45 Landbou Verenigings in die gebied en 37 veiligheidsverteenwoordigers het die vraelys voltooi, dus ‘n verteenwoordigende steekproef van 82.22%. Familie en vriende wat deur plaasaanvalle en of -moorde geteiken is Veiligheidsverteenwoordigers het op die vraag welke hul familie en of vriende het wat al in plaasaanvalle en of -moorde geteiken is, geantwoord dat dit inderdaad so is (76.31%). Dit verteenwoordig meer as ‘n drie kwart van hul familie en of vriende wat slagoffers van ‘n plaasaanval en of -moord in die Vrystaat geword het. Wat is die redes, motiewe en of aanleidende oorsake van plaasaanvalle en -moorde? Volgens veiligheidsverteenwoordigers het die volgende omstandighede aanleiding tot die realisering van plaasaanvalle en of - moorde in die Vrystaat gegee. Die persepsie van amper drie kwart (72.98%) is dat boere en of plaas eienaars oor geld, kontant en vuurwapens beskik en dat die motief vir plaasaanvalle grotendeels as roof beskou kan word. In amper 50% van aanvalle (48%), is die mening dat wraak, haat en rassisme die pleging van plaasaanvalle deur kriminele dryf. Op die vraag of sommige politieke partye enigsins ‘n rol speel in die bevordering van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde, dee! veiligheidsverteenwoordigers die opinie dat dit wel so is met 'n groot meerderheid van 89.19%. In die Lejweleputswa- streek het veiligheidsverteenwoordigers aangedui dat hul van mening is dat in 78.38% van plaasaanvalle, sommige politieke partye 'n rol speel in die aanhitsing van kriminele om sulke aanvalle op plase en of kleinhoewes te pleeg. Dit was verder gevra wie die politieke partye is en wat hul doen ten einde kriminele aan te hits om aanvalle te pleeg. Veiligheidsverteenwoordigers in nagenoeg 40% (37.84%) van gevalle, meen dat politieke opsweping/haatspraak deur die EFF lei tot verhoogde aggressie en of dreigemente van grondbeseltings en opsweping en of intimidasie van plaaswerkers. Dit hang saam met die sogenaamde swak beeld van boere wat mense verdruk en swak behandel wat geskets word, al synde boere grond gesteel het vir als te blameer is wat verkeerd is in die land. Meer as 10% van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers (13.51%) het ook gemeld dat die beloftes van grond deur die regering veral in aanloop tot verkiesings, ‘n Klimaat_ skep waarin kriminele plaasaanvalle pleeg. Dit hang saam met die feit dat daar geen veroordeling vir plaasaanvalle deur die ANC regering is nie en die korrekte inligting oor wie grond in SA wettiglik besit word nie aan die bevolking/massas deurgegee nie Verdere motiewe, redes en aanleidende oorsake vir plaasaanvalle is synde veiligheidsverteenwoor- digers, dat boere maklike en sagte teikens is en hul plase/wonings afgeleé is en in sommige gevalle verafgeleé is van bewoonde gebiede, met dien verstande dat hulp nie dadelik opdaag indien daar paniek is nie (27.03%). Werkloosheid en (Cortiued on page 38) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 37(Continued from page 37) armoede is in 21.62% van plaasaanvalle as bydraende faktore gelys, tesame met wetteloosheid, gebrek aan opvoeding en respek vir lewe en die beskerming van eiendomsreg wat kriminele beweeg om sulke dade te pleeg. Verder word arbeidsgeskille, swak verhouding tussen die boer en werker/s en die indiensneming van seisoen-werkers gelys as moontlike aanleidende oorsake tot sommige plaasaanvalle in 16.21% van insidente. ‘n Gebrekkige kriminele regstelsel, ligte vonnisse en korrupsie dra ook daartoe by dat kriminele boere aanval op plase/kleinhoewes (8.11%), en nalatigheid van boere om kontant verkope van plase af te bedryf, dra ook in 5.41% by tot plaasaanvalle. Is daar voldoende regeringstrategie’ in plek om plaasaanvalle en -moorde te voorkom? Die oorgrote meerderheid van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers (97.36%) het aangedui dat daar nie —_voldoende regeringstrategieé in plek is om plaasaanvalle en - moorde te voorkom nie. In die Lejweleputswa streek het 86.49% van __veiligheids- verteenwoordigers aangedui dat daar nie genoegsame regeringstrategieé in plek is nie. Voorstelle oor wat die regering moet doen om dit effektief aan te spreek, het 44.44% van respondente geantwoord meer effektiewe sigbare polisigring, meer SAPD mannekrag, logistiek en voertuie; groter kundigheid, beter keuring en werwing van polisiebeamptes en reserviste; beter opleiding van polisiclede; 'n afdeling vir plaasveiligheid en intelligensie gebaseer op ‘n pro- aktiewe fokus met operasies en beter grensbeheer. Nagenoeg 'n kwart van respondente (22.22%) het aangedui dat plaasmoorde moet deur regering as prioriteitsmisdaad verklaar word, dat daar ‘n gebrek aan veroordeling en aanhitsing deur sekere politici is, dat boere grond gesteel het wat verwagtinge onder die swart bevolking skep, wat nie haalbaar is nie. Verder het 12.96% van respondente aangedui dat ‘n beter regstelsel dmv toepassing van wetgewing, strenger en swaarder vonnisse en inbring van die doodstraf moet plaasvind. Nagenoeg 10% (9.26%) van respondente het aangetoon dat die ekonomiese verliese wat boere ly, die vestiging van swartboerdery entiteite sowel as die bydrae wat boere lewer tot voedsel sekerheid, moet in die media groter bewusmaking geniet. Is plaaswerkers en of hul families enigsins betrokke by die beplanning en of manifestering van plaasaanvallefmoorde op boere in die Vrystaat? Op die vraag of plaaswerkers en of hul familie enigsins betrokke is by die beplanning en of manifestering van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde in die Vrystaat, het veiligheidsverteenwoordigers gemeld dat dit wel so is, met 91.89%. In die Lejweleputswa-streek het veiligheidsverteenwoordigers in 97.30% van gevalle aangedui dat plaaswerkers in 'n direkte of indirekte manier betrokke is by die pleging van plaasaanvalle op boere en of hul families. Dit word aangevoer dat in meer as ‘n derde van aanvalle, huisbediendes en of werkers op plase wetend en onwetend inligting aan kriminele in smokkelkroeé (taverns/shebeens) verskaf rakende die doen en late van landbouers (36.36%). Dat daar ‘n ongesonde arbeids- en of werksverhouding tussen die boer en die werker is, wat lei tot ontevredenheid, griewe en persepsies rakende benadeling. Dat daar ‘n tipe van ‘n wraak ter sprake is as gevolg van vorige werksinsidente wat tussen ‘n werker en ‘n boer ontstaan het. In net minder as 20% (18.2%) het respondente aangedui dat intimidasie van werkers deur _kriminele plaasvind ten einde inligting te bekom rakende die boer se doen en late, wat saamval met persepsies dat daar geredelik geld en of vuurwapens op plase beskikbaar is, asook geldgierigheid aan die kant van opportunistiese kriminele. In net minder as 10% (9.9%), het respondente aangetoon dat daar ‘n tipe van ongeletterdheid te bespeur word by sommige werkers wat geen respek vir lewe toon nie. Dit hang ook saam met leé beloftes van die regering en wanpersepsies oor die feit dat boere grond geste! het, en haatspraak deur sekere Politieke groeperinge en of partye. Is enige buitelandse burgers betrokke by die pleging van plaasaanvalle en of moorde in die provinsie? Op die vraag of buitelanders betrokke is by die pleging van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde in die provinsie het 87.88% van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers gemeld dat dit so is. In die Lejweleputswa-streek het 94.59% van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers aangetoon dat hul ook van mening is dat buitelanders betrokke is by die pleging en of manifestering van plaasaanvalle in die Vrystaat. Veiligheidsverteenwoordigers is van mening dat die volgende nasionaliteite meestal betrokke is by die pleging van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde in die Veystaat, naamlik Zimbabwiérs met 48.65%, gevolg deur Basotho's en Mosambiekers met 35.14% en Nigeriérs met 10.81%. Volgens die menings opname in die Lejweleputswa streek het veiligheids verteenwoordigers aangetoon dat hul van mening is dat in 33.33% van plaasaanvalle Zimbabwiérs en Mosambiekers betrokke is, gevolg deur Basotho's (30.21%). (Continued on page 39) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 38(Continued from page 38) Watter redes sit agter die betrokkenheid van buitelanders by plaasaanvalle? Veiligheidsverteenwoordigers is van mening dat die grootste rede vir buitelanders se betrokkenheid by plaasaanvalle gevind kan word in die feit dat werkloosheid, armoede en haatspraak in die land van oorsprong plaasvind en cortreders daarvan oortuig om sodanige aanvalle in SA te kom pleeg (40.54%). Dit word gevolg deurdat sindikate en of bendes dikwels gebruik maak of buitelanders huur om sodanige misdade te pleeg teen betaling (24.32%). Verder het sekere buitelanders die persepsie dat daar geld, werksgeleenthede en vuurwapens _geredelik beskikbaar is op plase en dat landbouers maklike teikens is (21.62). Verder is dit maklik om te viug na buurlande waar oortreders bekend is met die ‘omgewing (16.21%) juis as gevolg van gebrekkige grensbeheer wat tussen Suid-Afrika en die lande bestaan (5.41%). Is daar enige bendes en georganiseerde groepe wat betrokke is by die pleging van Plaasaanvalle/moorde in die provinsie? Op die vraag of daar enige bendes of georganiseerde groeperinge betrokke is by die pleging van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde het 64.71% van veiligheidsverteenwoordigers gemeld dat dit wel so is. Dit blyk dat 75.67% van veiligheidskoordineerders meen dat plaasaanvalle georganiseerd van aard is. In die Lejweleputswa- streek se opname het veiligheidsverteenwoordigers aangetoon dat hul van mening is dat in 78.38% van plaasaanvalle, bendes en of georganiseerde groeperinge van kriminele betrokke is by die pleging daarvan. Dit beteken nie soseer sindikate nie maar wel persone wat dit op 'n goed georganiseerde wyse uitvoer. Redes wat hiervoor aangevoer word is dat aanvalle met militére presiesheid uitgevoer word, dat in stedelike gemeenskappe mense is wat bereid om enige iets vir geld te doen. Die Adam- moord in Bethulie is uitgewys as ‘n plaasmoord wat deur 'n bende, genaamd “Born to Kill” uitgevoer is. Hoe opereer sodanige groeperinge (modus operandi)? Velligheidsverteenwoordigers het drie_maniere uitgewys wat ressorteer onder die modus operandi van kriminele groeperinge wat op ‘n georganiseerde wyse betrokke is by plaasaanvalle in die Vrystaat. In nagenoeg 50% (46.15%) vind deeglike vooraf observasie, beplanning en “recces” plas deur kriminele of ook genoem ‘hit squads” wat aanvalle uitvoer op die boer wanneer hy / sy op sy kwesbaarste is. Kriminele bekom inligting van plaaswerkers in smokkelkroe’ (shebeens/taverns) deur soms kwaadwillig/bona fide, of selfs deur intimidasie/dreigemente teenoor sodanige werkers hul oorreed om inligting te verskaf (42.31%). Waar ‘n hoé intensiteit van veediefstal en oorgrens misdade voorkom en dit verhoed word deur of die boer of SA Nasionale Weermag deur beeste te skud wat onwettig wei op plase aangrensend aan die RSA/Lesotho grens, gaan dit oor in intimidasie, —brandstigting, kwaadwillige saakbeskadiging, wat die voorlopers van ‘n plaasaanval is (11.54%). Veiligheids wenke oor hoe om georganiseerdheid van plaasaanvalle te bekamp Veiligheidsverteenwoordigers is van mening dat die vyf aksiestappe in werking gestel moet word oor hoe die georganiseerdheid van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde hok geslaan kan word in die Vrystaat. Dat in nagenoeg 40% (39.39%) moet boere pro-aktiewe waarskuwing- en of reaksie stelsels by hul wonings in plek hé, bv. ‘n alarmstelsel gekoppel aan ‘n paniek-knoppie by ‘n sekuriteitsmaatskappy en ook monitering van verdagte voertuie en of persone. Boere moet veral let op die vergiftiging van honde, kwaadwillige saakbeskadiging van eiendom, intimidasie en of brandstigting op hul plase wat voorlopers kan wees van 'n dreigende plaasaanval. In die gevalle moet hul, hul veiligheid opskerp, en ook poog om ‘n vaste roetine te verhoed. Meer as 'n derde van respondente (36.36%) het gemeld dat beter wetstoepassing met gereelde patrollies, operasies en observasies deur die polisie, die daarstel van ‘n uitgebreide intelligensie en beriggewer netwerk, en die infiltrasie van bendes of georganiseerde groeperinge ook van belang is. Boere moet strenger indiensneming maatreéls toepas tov toekomstige werkers asook beter verhoudinge met hul werkers handhaaf (9.1%). Daar moet meer positiewe stories in die media bekend gemaak word oor boere, wat as teenspraak teen populistiese politieke uitsprake kan dien (6.1%) Wat is die polisie se rol in die bekamping van plaasaanvalle en -moorde? Volgens veiligheids verteenwoordigers moet die polisie die volgende funksies vervul om effektief (continued on gage 40) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 39(Contes from poge 39) plaasaanvalle en of -moorde in die Vrystaat te bekamp. Meer as 50% (54.1%) is van mening dat meer landelike beveiligings patrollies van stapel gestuur moet word wat meer mannekrag en of Voertuie in Landelike gebiede, meer plaasbesoeke ten einde boerdery gemeenskappe te domineer: inligting insamelings netwerke deur Misdaad Intelligensie; meer en verbeterde opleiding aan polisie beamptes; polisie lede beter kennis oor hul geografiese area van bediening, en beter samewerking met boerdery gemeenskappe moet na vore kom. Nagenoeg ‘n kwart (27.03%) se siening is dat strenger pro-aktiewe sigbare polisie optrede teen enige vorm van misdaad/“zero tolerance” moet deur die polisie van stapel gestuur word wat as afskrikmiddel vir kriminele sal dien om nie misdaad te pleeg nie. Probleme bine polisie bestuur wat wanfunksioneel is en ook gegrond op regstellende aksie/rasse diskriminasie en beter verhoudinge met boerdery gemeenskappe, en beter ondersoek van misdade (16.21%) moet aangespreek word. In die Lejweleputswa streek verwag veiligheids verteenwoordigers dat die polisie se dienslewering moet verbeter dmv meer mannekrag, voertuie, toerusting (26.89%); polisie se bevoegdheid i.t-v. opleiding moet verbeter (26.1%); beter inligting insamelings vermoé (25.21%), en dat die reserviste stelsel uitgebrei moet word (21.85%) Literatuur studie, onderhoude met kundiges en gevalle studies VL het gevalle studies onder slagoffers van plaasaanvalle uitgevoer. Onderhoude was ook gevoer met kundiges 0.2. oud-generaal (dr) Chris de Kock, oud-generaal (dr) Johan Burger, navorsing en literatuur studies rakende plaasaanvalle o.a. Watermeyer en Homsuch (2) se MA-verhandelinge. Verder is al die ondersoeke wat die regering geloods het oor plaasaanvalle, nl. die Britz versiag (1997), die Bevindinge van die Instituut vir Sekerheid Studies (1999), die bevindinge van die Kommissie van Ondersoek na Plaasaanvalle (2003), die 3 ondersoeke van die Mense Regte Kommissie (MRK) (2003, 2008, 2015) onderskeidelik, bestudeer. Die Britz versiag se belangrikste bevindinge is dat in 99% van plaasaanvalle, roof die primére dryfveer was. Dat geen duistere —motief onderliggend aan plaasaanvalle geidentifiseer kon word nie. Dat arbeidsontslagte wel ‘n bydraende rol gespeel het in enkele van die aanvalle, dat die bewoners van plase as sagte teikens beskou word as gevolg van hul geisoleerde posisie en diegene wat vir aanvalle verantwoordelik is, afkomstig is vanaf woongebiede/nedersettings in die omgewing daarvan.(3) Kortliks het die ondersoek deur die ISS bevind dat plaasaanvalle baie goed beplan was deur middel van goeie verkenning en inligting, dat die aanvallers goed bekend was met die roetine van slagoffers, dat plaaslike inwoners taktiese inligting verskaf aan persone wat van buite af na die area inkom om die aanval te pleeg, dat smokkelkroeé en ander openbare plekke in nedersettings dien as. ideale plekke waar buitelanders inligting oor die distrik vanaf plaaslike inwoners bekom en hul ook oorreed om aan aanvalle deel te neem. Verder dat oortreders vertroud is met die binnekant van die woning waar kluise en waardevolle items geberg word, dus is daar betrokkenheid van werkers in diens van slagoffers, in die meeste van gevalle vind Kommissie plaas deur middel van diefstal op klein items gevolg deur die beskadiging van eiendom of inbrake wat later eindig met gewapende roof. (4) Die Kommissie van Ondersoek na Plaasaanvalle (2003) het bevind dat die grootste meerderheid van plaasaanvalle word by verre deur die begeerte om te roofite stee! gemotiveer en geen aanduiding kon gevind word dat enige organisasie plaasaanvalle inisieer nie. 'n Vergelykende studie tussen plaasaanvalle en transito- en- huisrowe in stedelike gebiede was gedoen en daar is bevind dat slagoffers van plaasaanvalle ‘n groter risiko loop om gedood of beseer te word as die slagoffers van transito rowe en verdere navorsing was aanbeveel. Dat die persentasie swart slagoffers van plaasaanvalle besig was om toe te neem. Dat in 89.3% van plaasaanvalle roof die motief was, in 7.1% was 'n vorm van intimidasie betrokke, terwyl in 2.0% 'n politieke of rasmotief te bespeur was en in 1.6% was dit arbeidsverwant, soos ‘n dispuut oor lone. Dat slegs in 2.8% werkers betrokke was in die aanvalle tussen 1998 en 2001.(5) Die MRK se ondersoeke was juis daarop gefokus ‘om bevindinge en aanbevelings te doen oor hoe die polisie hul dienslewering in boerdery gemeenskappe kan verbeter deur samewerking met die burgerlike samelewing om die aanleidende oorsake van misdade te bepaal. Die MRK se 2015 verslag het kortiks die volgende aanbeveel, nl. dat die reserviste strategie moet hersien en geimplementeer word as ‘n saak van dringendheid. Sektorpolisigring en die tekorte rakende mannekrag en toerusting van die polisie belemmer —dienslewering in landelike gemeenskappe. Die viakke van vertroue tussen die polisie en landelike gemeenskappe moet verbeter. Slagoffers moet toenemend ingelig word rakende vordering op hul sake. Navorsing oor die hoof corsake van geweld moet verbeter en (Contiued an page 1) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 40.{Continued from pose 40) toeneem. ‘n Misdaad Bedreigings Analise word benodig wat beter polisigringsmetodes sal uitwys. Veediefstal en vakante posisies by Veediefstal eenhede moet prioriteit aandag geniet. GPFs en plaaswagstrukture moet gevestig word in alle geografiese areas. ‘n Landbou Forum moet gestig word wat sal deeineem in ‘n nasionale debat oor veiligheid in boerdery gemeenskappe. Die rol en belangrikheid van swart boere en werkers word agterwee gelaat en boerdery gemeenskappe is interafhanklik van mekaar, daarom dat goeie verhoudinge tussen boere en hul werkers nie genoegsaam uitgewys word in die media nie. ‘n Uitgebreide misdaadprent van alle misdade wat op landbougrond gepleeg word bestaan nie en effektiewe strategieé om met corgrensmisdade en georganiseerde misdaad effektief aan te spreek, ontbreek.(6) Professor Rudolph Zinn, ‘n dosent in Polisiekunde aan Unisa meld dat die rede vir plaasaanvalle is grootliks om geld en vuurwapens te bekom.(7) Dat huisrowers in 77% van gevalle teikens kies oor wie hul binne-inligting het en dat hul vooraf observasie hou om die ligging en uitleg van die huis te bepaal, watter sekuriteitsmaatreéls om die woning is en die gewoontes en roetines van die huisbewoners bepaal alvorens hul toesiaan.(8) Sy navorsing toon dat vergelding op boere by slegs 5% van plaasaanvalle die rede vir die aanval was. (9) Prof Zinn meld dat ‘n kenmerkende karaktereienskap van huisrowers is hul bereidwilligheid om maksimum geweld teen hul slagoffers te gebruik en dat die rowers met diefstal begin het en toe geéskaleer het na die pleging van erstige geweldsmisdade. Dat hul gemiddeld 103 misdade in ‘n 7 jaar periode gepleeg het voordat hul gearresteer is. Die meerderheid van huisrowers erken dat hulle gereeld roof en dat misdaad vir hulle ‘n voltydse werk was voordat hul gevang is. Prof Zinn se navorsing dui daarop dat nagenoeg 17% van huisrowers buitelandse burgers is wat 0k in plaasaanvalle betrokke kan wees. (10) Dr Johan Burger meld dat die hoofmotief in plaasaanvalle in Suid-Afrika is om te steel. (11) Dr Chris de Kock is van mening dat die hoofmotief in plaasaanvalle roof is gegrond op ontledings wat gedoen is maar dat dit ook hoog tyd geword dat daar behoorlike onafhanklike navorsing gedoen word om die oorsake van plaasaanvalle te bepaal. Daar moet egter nie staatgemaak word op die polisie om dit te doen nie. Agri-SA kan dit ook doen en leiding gee in die verband. Daar moet met die slagoffers van plaasaanvalle in gesprek getree word. (12) Gevolgtrekking Ondersoeke, kundiges, akademici en gevalle studies deur VL het bepaal dat plaasaanvalle goed beplan word en met presiesheid uitgevoer word. Dit beteken dat groepe op 'n georganiseerde wyse daarby betrokke is en wat moontlik deur sindikate/ georganiseerde groepe uitgevoer word net soos wat sekere sindikate renosters teiken vir stropery. In die Vrystaat word plaasaanvalle deur gemiddeld 3 tot 4 aanvallers gepleeg wat in ‘n groep opereer. Dit dui daarop dat landbouers, hul families en werkers om die rede groter klem op ‘n veiliger landbou omgewing moet plaas om sodoende dit vir kriminele moeilik te maak om hulle te teiken, dus hul areas/gebiede te verhard deur inskakeling by veiligheidstrukture in hul onderskeie areas. Daar kon egter nie met enige ondersoeke bewys word dat plaasaanvalle georkestreerd plaasvind nie, veral ten opsigte van enige politike aksies wat daarop gerig is om landbouers van hul grond af te dryf nie. Die apatiese houding van poiitici in die algemeen en die vyandige houding van sommige politieke partye jeens blanke boere wat ook deur middel van propaganda bedryf word, asook beloftes van grond deur die regering, politieke opsweping tot grondbesettings asook geen veroordeling van aanvalle, kan ‘n akkommoderende omgewing skep waarin sekere opportunistiese kriminele oortuig voel om plase aan te val of boere te vermoor. Die regering moet plaasaanvalle ten sterkste afkeur in die openbare media en landbou as ‘n nasionale bate sien Samewerking tussen die regering, die boerdery gemeenskap en ander rolspelers is van kardinale belang om die voorkoms van plaasaanvalle te kan bekamp. Dit is derhalwe nodig dat die regering die misdaadsituasie in die land, en plaasaanvalle in besonder, met die nodige ems bejeén. Indien die regering stabiliteit in die land wil verseker is dit noodsaaklik dat daama gestreef word om respek te kweek vir fundamentele menseregte en vryheid. Sonder stabiliteit in die land is ontwikkeling nie moontik nie wat dan ook negatief op die ekonomiese en maatskaplike veiligheid van die individu sal inwerk. (13) Die regering moet nie net die landbouer en sy omgewing as ‘n nasionale bate beskou nie, maar ook as ‘n anker vir landelike gebiede wat tot groot groei en ontwikkeling van plaaslike ekonomieé aanleiding kan gee. Die artikel moet gesien word as ‘n verkennende studie rakende die persepsies van veiligheids verteenwoordigers wat na ‘n periode van 4 jaar, weer gedoen kan word. Eerstens om te bepaal of persepsies daadwerklik verander het, en tweedens of ander aspekte en faktore geidentifiseer kan word wat aanleiding gee tot plaasaanvalle en - moorde in die Vrystaat. Daar is verder ‘n algemene persepsie in die media en veral onder (Continued on page 42) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 a(Contoued from page 42) boere (tydens gesprekke) dat plaasaanvalle meer brutaal is as enige ander gewapende roof (huis roof) in dorpse- en of stedelike areas. Ten einde dit te bepaal, sal gevalle studies en ‘n steekproef van slagoffers in beide gemeenskappe met dossier analise gedoen moet word. Die SA Besigheidskamer het in 2012 bevind dat 'n plaas 3 tot 5 jaar neem om weer ten volle te funksioneer na 'n plaasaanval en dat dit die ekonomie R2 miljoen rand kos (14). Die figuur was gebaseer op die jaarlikse bydrae wat die landbousektor tot die land se BBP lewer wat op daardie stadium uitgewerk is teen 39 982 plase (2007). Die bedrag kan deesdae aansienlik hoér wees. Elke boer wat vermoor word het tot gevolg dat voedselproduksie verminder en dat die aantal boere in SA drasties verminder, sowel as werkers wat ook geteiken word. Die boeregemeenskap word al kleiner en gaandeweg uitgewis deur plaasaanvalle. Agri-SA se Nasionale Landbou Misdaad opname wat deur die Buro vir Marknavorsing, UNISA uitgevoer is, het bepaal dat die direkte en indirekte verliese wat die kommersiéle landbou sektor in Suid-Afrika in 2017 deur misdaad gelei het, op R18.92 biljoen beraam word met 70% van boere wat slagoffers van misdaad geword het. Wat die Vrystaat se verliese aanbetref, is dit beraam op R811,1 miljoen met 71.15% van boere wat slagoffers van misdaad geword het. (15) Die sosiale en ekonomiese impak van plaasaanvalle op werkers en hul gesinne, is nie in berekening gebring nie. Die trauma wat slagoffers van plaasaanvalle en of -moorde deurgaan, is ook nog nie vermeld nie. Verder moet daar bepaal word welke plaasaanvalle en of -moorde bydra tot die ontvolking van Landelike gebiede en spesifiek boerdery gemeenskappe, dus die impak en omvang daarvan. Hoeveel boere en hul families verlaat plase, verhuur dit en of verkoop na ‘n plaasaanval?. Hoeveel boere star bankrotskap in die gesig deels ag.v. ekonomiese en of eiendomsverwante misdade, waardeur ‘n boer net nie meer volhoubaar verder kan boer nie. Plaasaanvalle en -moorde op _boerdery gemeenskappe bly ‘n komplekse problem wat deurlopend uitgebreide navorsing benodig ten einde effektiewe strategieé daar te stel ter voorkoming daarvan. BIBLIOGRAFIE PRIMERE BRONNE Britz, KJ. en Seyisi, M.E., “Attacks on farms and smaltholdings", 1998. Buys, J en Botha, G., Onderhoud met Dr Chris de Kock, Oorsake van plaasaanvalle/moorde in die Vrystaat, Pretoria, 17 November 2015. Buys, J en Botha, G., Onderhoud met Dr Johan Burger, Oorsake van plaasaanvalle/moorde in die Vrystaat, Pretoria, 16 November 2015. South African Police Service, National Rural Safe- ty Strategy, 2010. South African Police Service, Rural Safety Strate- gy, Implementation Guidelines, 2011. South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC): “inquiry into Human Rights Violations in Farming Communities”, August 2003. South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC): ‘National_Investigative_hearing_into Safety and Security challenges in farming commu- nities’, 15816 September 2014 and 6 October 2014”, August 2015. AgriSA, National Agricultural Sector Crime Survey, Bureau of Market Research UNISA, November 2018. KOERANT ARTIKELS Farmers Weekly: 7 December 2012 Volksblad: 12 Maart 2012; 28 November 2015. VERHANDELINGE: Hornsusch, V,:“A_victimological investigation of farm_attacks with specific reference to farmers’ perceptions of their susceptibility. the consequenc- es of attacks for farmers and the coping strategies applied by them after victimisation”, 2007. Watermeyer, LH., ‘n_Veiligheids_analise_van plaasaanvalle in die RSA, 1997 tot 2003. SEKONDERE BRONNE (ARTIKELS): Solidarity Research Institute, “An overview of farm attacks in South Africa and the potential impact thereof on society”. November 2012 Vrystaat__Landbou _Veiligheidslessenaar, “Veiligheidshandleiding 2015 ‘n__gids__vir landbouers, 2015. ELEKTRONIESE ARTIKELS s.a., Zinn, R., “Understanding and preventing Home invasion in South Africa, 20 May 2010. EINDNOTAS 1 - National Rural Safety Strategy, South African Police Service, 2010, p. 21; Veiligheidshandleiding Vrystaat Landbou, ‘n gids vir landbouers, 2015. (Continued on page 43) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 a2(Continued from poge 42) 2 - V. Hornsusch, “A victimological investigation of farm attacks with specific reference _to_farmers’ perceptions of their _ susceptibility. the gonsequenees_ of altecks for famers_and the es applied by them _ after ima font p 88. - KJ. Britz, M.E. Seyisi, “Attacks on farms and sania! 1998, pp. 29, 40, 42; Watermeyer, p. 84. 4-L.H. Watermeyer, 'n Veiligheids analise van plaasaanvaille in die RSA, 1997 tot 2003, pp. 88- 89. ° . SAHRC: “Inquiry into Human. Rights Violations in Farming Communities”, August 2003, p. 51. 6 - SAHRC National Investigative Hearing into Sefety_and Security Challenges _in_ farming communities, 15816 September 2014 and 6 October 2014. 7 -Volksblad, 12 Maart 2012, p. 7. 8 - SAHRC: “Inquiry into Human Rights Violation: in Farming Communities”, 9 - s.a, R. Zinn., “Understanding and preventing Home invasion in South Africa, 20 May 2010, pp. 5-6. 10 - Volksblad, 12 Maart 2012: “Mate van geweld onderskei_misdaad in SA’, p. 7. Volksblad, 12 Maart 2012. 41- Volksblad, 28 November 2015, p. 2, Jane Buys en Gernie Botha: Onderhoud met Dr Johan Bi 1ke_van plaasaanvalle/moorde in die vnvstaa iat, Pretoria, 16 November 2015. - Farmers Weekly, 7 Desember 2012, p. 15; Jane Buys en Gernie Botha: Onderhoud met Dr Chris de Kock, Oorsake van asaanvalle/ moorde_in die Vrystaat, Pretoria, 17 November 2015. 13 - Watermeyer, pp. 103-104. 14 - Solidarity Research Institute, “An overview of farm attacks in South Africa and the potential im- pact thereof on society’, November 2012, p. 19. 15 - AgriSA, National Agricultural Sector Crime Survey, Bureau of Market Research at UNISA, November 2018. Helmet badge of the N.P.; this was worn om the left side of the agri NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 431965: Durban-Sentraal (Distrik 46) KOD Brig Mike Terblanche C.J, DEPARTMENT DURBAN TANUARY. 1966 7 S.A. POLISIE S.A. POLICE K.0. DEPARTEMENT JANUARIE 1965 DURBAN Bekende lede, voorste ry: speurder-sers JS Momberg wat die Pangaman in Pretoria vasgetrek het. Agterste ry: Speurderkonstabel Hermanus Isaac Johannes * Basie “ Sadie - bekende SAP-sportman. CONTACT DETAILS | KONTAKBESONDERHEDE Hennie Heymans: 072-336-1755 heymanshb@gmail.com NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020 44GRENSOORLOG 30 Augustus 2020: Kranslegging: Bellville-stadsaal Kol Johan Vorster Kranslegging op 30 Augustus 2020 by Bellvlle- stadsaal waar verskeie Veterane organisasies hulde bring aan gesneuwelde soldate en polisiemanne in die grensoorlog 1966-1989: Majoor Vorster en Pine Pienaar bevoorreg om by te woon namens Spesiale Taakmag Bond van rn SAPD en Nasionale Koevoetbond; Dankie aan Monja Kolberg en Sunel Vermaak wat die pragtige tuiker vir STM gemaak en geskenk het! Salut aan elkeen wat die hoogste prys vir hul land betaal het en ook diegene wat verwond en met letsels gelaat was. Former Prominent PMB Police Officer Celebrated a Succession of Firsts in the Police Col Logan Govender Former prominent Pietermaritzburg & Soweto po- lice officer celebrated a succession of firsts in his 30-year career with the SA Police. He joined the SAP in 1969 in Pietermaritzburg and was posted to Vereeniging. After his basic training at The Wentworth Police Training College, he was reposted back to that area His duties comprised of foot patrol, visiting of va- cant premises. There was no official accommoda- tion for Indians so he was forced to seek accom- modation at “Top Location” where the late, Mrs Adelaide Frances Tambo, nee “Tshukudu” was born. Wife of the former President of the ANC, late Oliver Tambo. It was an era where Africans, Col- oureds and Indians lived alongside each other peacefully in racial harmony for many years. In 1972 he was transferred to back to Mountain Rise, KZN. In 1984 he was promoted to commissioned rank and posted to Lenasia station as Station Com- (continued on poe 46) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 45(Continued from page 45) mander. However, due to a lack of proper accom- modation he only assumed the command of the Right: Johnny Govender at his graduation ceremony in 1984, Below: Govender at his Candidate Office's Course in 1984 in Benoni. Rear row from left - 6th Professor (Major General) George Govender, 7th Colonel Johnny Govender. \ Front row from left - 1st | Brigadiers Anesh. Maharaj (former Chatsworth Dis- tric); Bala Naidoo (former Provincial Head. Forensic ‘Science Laboratory, KZN) Photograph 3: Govender, far right at the farewell function of Warrant Officer Sham Singh (First indian Station Command- er at Lenasia (old station). Sham Singh on left and his wife Asha. station in 1985. Later he was transferred to the Inspectorate at Po- lice Headquarters in Protea, Soweto. Thereafter to the Soweto Flying Squad as the Commander. After spending about ten years in the Soweto Re- gion he was posted back to Plessislaer, Pietermar- itzburg as the — Station Commander. Govender faithfully and loyally served the Soweto and Plessislaer, Edendale community and the SAP for over 30 years. Govender notched numerous firsts in _his_po- lice career. * In 1969 he was the first Indian to be trans- ferred to Gauteng from KZN + In 1980 he was the first Indian to receive an award for top marks in the police exams throughout South Africa; + In 1985 the first Indian commissioned officer to tread soil in Gauteng. + In 1990 the first indian appointed as Com- mander of Flying Squad, Soweto; + In 1992 the first Indian Station Commander at Plessislaer. We congratulate you on your achievements and salute you, Sir! Logan Govender God, die polisie en orde handhawing Brig HB Heymans vou As jong seun van 18-jaar oud was ek gedurende die 1960's vir die eerste maal blootgeste! aan geweld, faksiegevegte en moontlke terreur. So Moes ek met 'n .303-geweer saam met ‘n Zulu- konstabel al om die Wentworth-olieraffinadery patrolleer. Bid jou aan! Punt-303 teen ‘n outomatiese wapen. Gelukkig het niks gebeur nie. Hier in 1965-rond het die SAW ons begin oplei in teen-insurgensie met helikopters in die Umbumbulu-polisiewyk. So tussen die uitroei van daggaplante is ons die basiese van teen- insurgensie tegnieke opgelei. Ek was lid van die deeltydse Port Natal Mobiele-eenheid. Later was ek ‘n stasiebevelvoerder en as sulks is ek nie genomineer vir grensdiens nie. Lede van die Durban se Mobiele-eenheid is na SWA gestuur — ek onthou major FLC “Frikkie” Engels, AO “Sterk- Gert’ Smit, sersant Des Welthagen en konst. J Visagé het toe die eerste maal met Swapo kennis gemaak op 26 Augustus 1966 te Ongulambashe. Daar was geen ongevalle. Ons was suksesvol in ons optrede aldaar. (Vandag 54 jaar gelede.) Ek is later na die veiligheidspolisie waar ons terroriste aangekeer het. Ek kan nog die naam van een onthou. Na ek offisier geword het, is ek na veiligheidshoofkantoor verplaas. Dis sieldodende werk vir ‘n jong man om op hoofkantoor te wees. Ek reél toe om ‘n teen-insurgensiekursus te Maleoskop te ondergaan. Tydens die kursus breek onluste uit te Welkom op die goudmyne. Ons is daarheen in opruktrokke en het deur die nag gereis. Daar aangekom het die DK, kol Fischer, ons hartlik ontvang en ons is met warm sop bedien en ons is tuis in die polisie-gimnasium. Hier (Connaued en page $7) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 46(Continued from poge 46) hy was, by die slag van Ongulambashe op 26 Aug. 1966. het ek my eerste les geleer: Ons het koud en ongeriefiik gereis. Ons het eintik *moeg” daar aangekom. Die DK het my geleer deur sy voorbeeld om die manne self, in die midde! van die nag, te ontvang en om om te sien na die maag en slaapplek. Ek het geleer om “om te gee" vir my manne. Die onluste op die goudmyne was iets verskrikliks! Waterpype is uit mure gebreek en as wapens gebruik. Bome is afgebreek en die takke is aangewend as wapens. Klippe is gegooi. Ek en my groep het slegs nagdiens gewerk. Wat ‘n vermorsing van infrastruktuur het ons nie daar waargeneem nie? Weer reél ek om grensdiens in Rhodesié te doen Ek het dit vreesiik geniet. Die gebied waar ek grensdiens verrig het, was deur terreur geteister voor en na my koms. Nooit het ek terreur ervaar nie. Ons bevelvoerder It kol JJ Viktor reis eendag ‘om ons te besoek. Op pad na ons, draai hy vir aankomende voertuig uit. Die voertuig ry toe oor ‘nlandmyn reg voor die kolonel! Later word ek aangestel as skakeloffisier met Mosambiek se polisie. Wat ‘n_ interessante ervaring om die hierdie kommunistiese land van nader te beskou. Ek het verskillende soldate daar gesien wat of Russe of Oos-Duitsers kon wees. Natuurlik was die oorlog met Frelimo aan die gang en die SAW het ook soms 'n “hoflikheidsbesoek" aan die ANC ter plaatse gebring en in die proses oorgrens operasies uitgevoer. Ek het in opdrag met ‘n amptelike paspoort gereis — nie ‘n toeriste paspoort nie. Dit was interessant om daar te beweeg en plekke te sien waarvan ek net op veiligheidsversiae raak gelees het. Baie van ons teenstanders het daar gewoon. Ek is nooit as gyselaar aangehou nie. Eendag is ek aangestel op 'n waarnemingspan om terroriste in Lesotho wat op pad was na die RSA, onder 00g te hou. Ons het die waarneming gedoen en hulle is later deur die SAP onder bevel van genl Bert Wandrag gearresteer. Die bestuurder van ons voertuig het met nagsig- apparaat teen ho& spoed bestuur tydens die aglervolging. Ek het lekker opgewonde geraak in die donker-jaagtog. Toe ons die mense aankeer het my tande geklap van die koue en van die opgewondenheid! Die drie-stuks is beveel om die motor kaal binne dertig sekondes te verlaat en kaal agter die motor te gaan Ié. Van skok het die een ou, terwyl hy op sy maag gele het, reg oor die straat getrineer! Snaaks hoe mens klein onbenullige goedjies onthou. Ons het geld en wapens gekonfiskeer. Hulle was op pad om ‘n bekende Zulu-hoofman te vermoor. Die SAP het sy lewe gered. Met die vrylating van mnr Nelson Mandela doen majoor Marius Bonthuys en ek spesiale diens in Soweto en beleef ek weer onluste. Selfs die polisie is oorweldig — ek staan een oggend op die polisieterrein en kyk hoe die prisoniers op pad hof toe ontset word! Niemand van die polisie het op die skare gevuur nie. Dis net gelate ervaar. Later word ek self DK te Welkom en ervaar eerstehands onluste van die ergste graad. Baie mense kom tydens onluste op die myne om. Ek loop self saam met die manne op die grond. Regter Goldstone kom besoek my in my kantoor oor die geweld op die myne. Later sou ek twee maal voor die kommissie getuig. My ervaring is die volgende: Die reuk van rook as gevolg van verbranding van geboue, winkels, Polisiemanne se huise, motors en vragmotors wat aan die brand gesteek is, sal my altyd bybly. Die reuk van petrol, lyke en riool. Dan die geraas Helikopter in die lug, sirenes wat loei, honde wat blaf — dis nou amptelike honde en inwoners se honde, die dreunsang (kry steeds pyn op die maag as ek dit hoor!) en die skril gelu-lu-lu van die dames in die woongebied, die huil van kinders (waarom is hulle daar?), skote wat geskiet word (in Soweto het ons dikwels na-ure gehoor hoe hulle skiet!), die polisie se radio wat die heeltyd babbel en polisiedames wat oor die radio berigte stuur. Ons kan soms nie by alles kom nie! Tientalle voorvalle vind plas. Ons is te min — die dun blou lyn kan nie orals dek nie. Dis ‘n rewolusionére toestand — te veel van hulle en te min van ons. Onthou swart lede pas hul eie huise en families op. Lyke word afgevoer na die lykhuis. Weekliks inspekteur ek die lykshuis volgens staande orders. Lyke stapel op en lykskouings vind plaas. Die verwoesting, aangespoor deur die strategie om die land onregeerbaar maak, is iets vreesliks om te aanskou. Die intimidasie van diegene wat die land nog enigsins steun, is werklik! Eendag is ek en die kapelaan | vasgevang in ‘'n (cominaedon page 4) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 a7(Continued from page 47) dreunsingende skare. Die hele woongebied van Meloding is op pad om 'n petisie af te lewer! Dis iets vreesliks — dis soos ‘om in ‘n seestroom vasgevang te wees — daar is absolut niks wat jy kan doen nie. Die kapelaan vra raad. Ek vra hom om sy 08 toe te maak en te bid verder sal ek versigtig bestuur en probeer om uit die gewoel te Kom. Ons het sonder letsel anderkant uitgekom. Een Sondagaand tree ek en ‘n luitenant op by ‘n toneel. Ongevraagd daag versterkings op, hulle vra: *Kolonel hoe kon julle hier staan? Ons moes almal aan die linkerkant van die Casspir uitklim want die hele hostel het Klippe na julle en ons gegooi.” Toe sien ek eers hoe die klippe om ons lé. Nie een Klip het vir my of die luitenant getref nie! Dis ‘n wonderwerk — ook is ons sagtedop voertuig nie getref nie! Die probleme van polisieman wees, veral die bevelvoerder: Eerstens moet hy regmatig optree dat dit nie ‘n problem later vir jou en jou manne probleme skep nie. Destyds was daar die Goldstone-kommissie wat veral op polisie-optrede gefokus het. So aan die eenkant moet jy baie versigtig wees vir ontoelaatbare optrede, daarom is voorligting aan manne voor diensbeurt baie belangrik. Balans moet gehandhaaf word Andersyds kan hoofkantoor jou vra: “Wat is verkeerd? Kan jy dan nie die situasie hanteer nie?" Aan die anderkant is daar die onaantasbare: Die liggaam word deur stres geaffekteer. Ek dink ek was aan adrenalien versiaaf — het van aksie, avontuur en weereens aksie gehou. Ek het soggens van 0400 wakker geword en deurgewerk na 23:00. Ek wou by alles betrokke wees en alles beleef. Vandag word ons apartheidspolisie genoem, selfs met die Gestapo vergelyk. Onsin! Ek was ‘n polisieman wat getrou was aan die belofte wat ek afgelé het toe ek ingesweer was. Die polisie waarvan ek deel was, het enige misdaad ondersoek en in die hof laat bereg. Of die klaer swart of pienk was, ons het ons werk gedoen en alles was aan kontrole onderworpe bv. gereelde daaglikse, weeklikse, | maandelikse en kwartaallikse inspeksies is gehou van alle werk gedoen. Ons was met ‘n diskresie beklee, en Meeste van ons het op universele misdaad gefokus. En God? Hy wat ons geroep het vir hierdie taak, was deurentyd aan ons getrou! God was vir ons ‘n vesting, 'n burg op wie ons kon vertrou. Ek het net eenmaal seergekry toe ‘n verkragter my met ‘n kierie geslaan het. Nadat ek straatwys geword het, het ek nooit ooit seergekry nie! Ja, ek het vriende op die grens verloor, mense van my stasie en buurstasie is getref, maar ek kan onomwonde getuig van die Allerhoogste se beskerming tydens my dienstermyn. Net met my o& het ek die gevaar aanskou, vir my het die onheil nooit getref nie! Ek het op ver paaie geloop en baie avonture beleef. Ek dank die Here vandag as ek so terugkyk! Ek dink ook God het my soms teen myself ook beskerm. wows 84: Tiny Nortje, Elria Wessels en 82 ander met 52 Opmerkings Louis Langenhoven: Lekker om van die wedervarings te lees. Dankie daarvoor Brig Hennie Heymans: Ek sou graag jou kritiek vanuit jou vakgebied wou hoor. Ek wil hierdie verwerk na ‘n artikel vir die Nongqai. Louis Langenhoven: Nee wat Brig. Daar kan nie kritiek wees teen 'n man se lewensverhaal nie. Behalwe dat dit dalk te kort is ©. Ek dink juis daar Ié baie stukke vergete geskiedenis opgestuit in sulke “oorsigte" (of narratiewe soos hul deesdae sé) wat dit eintlik vir mens “lewend” maak en die werklike verloop van sake weergee. Danie J Putter: ‘n Wonderlike relaas van u loopbaan. 'SERVAMUS ET SERVIMUS' Elria Wessels: Baie dankie. Ek het dit baie interessant gevind. Anjoret Greyling Van Niekerk: En ons dank God vir manne soos oom Hennie Heymans ... pragtige getuienis x David Holmes: Hennie what you have said here brings so much back to me. Yes, a different police Force but very similar sights and smells as well as experiences. Philip Hanafey: Baie dankie vir die artikel. Dis waar woorde. Tertius E Barnardt: Tydens die 1976 onluste was John Vorsterplein deur hordes genader ...ons was dit nie te wagte ... al wat ‘n manskap was na buite met knuppel, boeie, rewolwer of pistool wat ook al beman....die agitators was bedrywig agter die linie en die massas vorentoe aangemoedig. Die vrouens se “beurtsang" sal my altyd bybly...die Manne het gestaan en voor hulle in gereedheid gestaar...ek het een van die belhamels dopgehou en in my kop aantekeninge gemaak....skielik maar soos in skielik was die hondemeesters daar en ‘ons Duitse honde-vriende word daar geneem op ‘n (Conrnued on poge 43) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020(Continued from poge 48) drafstappie, ‘n oefening en die massas_laat waai ..heinings word platgetrap die Sjinese winkels se deure was gesluit en die meerderheid viug na die landdroskantore se kant... Ek het my belhamel ingehaal toe hy hom disnis geval het... hy het op die draad getrap om oor te kom. Daai swaai aksie en daar skiet hy in die lug!!!...Ek het hom aan luit Sohn van VT oorhandig en hy was gou geidentifiseer as 'n belhamel. In die hofsake wat gevolg het kan ek onthou hoe ek vir die landdros verduidelik het wat die vrouens se dreunsang was en wat se inslag dit op my gehad het. Kan dit nou nog onthou ... Nee dit was nie aangenaam nie, maar vas gestaan in my geloof was ek nie vir ‘n oomblik vreesbevange nie. Robert van Onselen: Puik geste! Brig Hennie, dankie vir die deel - u vat die dienste van Polisieman so raak vas en kan vele lede daarmee assosieer. Dit is met ‘n hand van Bo wat ons Skepper baie van ons ongeskonde onder omstandighede gedra het. Saluut aan u en almal wat oor soveel jare met passie en toewyding hul beroep nagevolg het. Dit was voorwaar 'n edele beroep waarop ons met trots kan terugdink. Leon Wessels: Dankie Hennie. Herman Sadie: Dankie vir die deel Hennie, my oorlede Oom , Kaptein Kjelvei was nie gelukkig soos jy nie @ Hennie Heymans: Ek onthou! Ek het 'n storie oor hom in die Nongqai geplaas wat deur sy drywer daardie and, geskryf was! Ek plas die komende maand 'n foto of twee van jou Vader - Durban Speurders en 'n SAP-Sportspan. Sy voorletters was "HI" en sy naam was "Basie” wat was sy name? ... Herman Sadie: Hermanus Basie * Sadie Leonie Loock Grobler: hierdie is jou kosbare memorie - doen dit in boekvorm! Ek lees tans Izak Isaac Johannes de Villiers se 'Strooidak_en Toring’ - baie interessant - eerlik met deemis. Hennie Heymans: Ons moet die geskiedenis EERLIK, OPREG, OBJEKTIEF EN ONBEVANGE aanbied - ons moet egter nooit lieg nie - dan word ons uitgevang en gediskrediteer. KONTEKS is ook belangrik. Dana Kruger: Pragtige storie. Saluut Ockert Marais: Mooi gestel. Dankie Hennie. A A Johan Pienaar: Aangrypende verhaal. Johann Posthumus: Dankie vir die deel Hennie. Mens kan waarlik God se beskermende hand waarneem deur al jou _lewensbedreigende situasies! Ons is diep dankbaar saam met jou dat Hy jou beskerm het deur al die gevare. Hoe dwaas is die wat so ligtelik praat van oorlog en wat dit nie self beleef het nie. Mag Hy ons bewaar om dit nie weer in ons leeftyd te ervaar nie! Andre van Ellinckhuyzen: Ek het lekker gelees. Dankie Brig. Laas nag 01:00 is daar skielik die dreun van 'n helikopter lag en reg bo my huis. Ek was oombliklik wawyd wakker. En soos Brig daar skryf, die dinge roep onmiddellik herinneringe, goed en sleg. Marietjie van Dyk: As ‘n polisieman se vrou sal ek daardie tye nooit vergeet nie! As my man so gereeld grens toe moes gaan om landmyne onskadelik te gaan stel, moes ek alleen met my kroos by die huis bly en ons moes wonder wanneer ons hom weer sal sien. Hennie Heymans - ek weet waar jy deur is. My Vader was ook polisieman en ons as kinders moes baie alleen, sam met my Moeder agter bly! Ek onthou die “wilde 1960's" - Cato Manor, Sharpeville en Pogo. Waar sou ons gewees het sonder ons vrouens - julle was ook helde en julle moes ook eintlik medaljes gekry het! Bart Vosloo: Is baie waar. Innes Benade: Goeiedag Vriend Hennie. Hierdie verhaal is so oortuigend en feitelik Korrek dat ek vrees vir jou lewe... Die dienaars van die leuen is nie gediend met die WAARHEID nie. Mag jou getuienis en die wonder van sosiale media al Meer en meer die stigtende vrede wat hieruit voortvioei dien. Mag anderskleuriges se 08 oopgaan vir die ander kant van die munt en mag GOD se kleurlose kinders verenig teen die aanslag van bedrog, korrupsie, vergrype, moord en wetteloosheid. Ek eer die geskiedenis van die SAPD! Netti Botha: Hennie my ou vriend, my hart klop sommer hard van pure trots op jou...hierdie skrywe van jou was soos om in die fliek te sit en dit te aanskou ! Kom ons bid tot ons God dat dit Nooit weer ‘n herhaling van geweld in hierdie land sal wees nie... ek sien Innes het vir jou hierbo geskryf, ken jy hom?? Hy is ‘n pragtige mens!! Hennie Heymans: Ja, Netti, ek ken vir Innes Benade - as polisiebeampte was ons deel van sy kudde! Ek was teenwoordig waar hy opgetree en gepreek het. God het hom gesalf en hy kon die WOORD gestand doen! GLO MY - SONDER DIE KAPELANE WAS DIE SAP VERLORE! Ek het 'n drie maande kursus in die Republiek van China (Taiwan) gedoen en daar geleer van die "onsigbare” dimensie. Die kommuniste het die Politicke Kommissar, die Nasionalistiese Chinese het die Political Warfare Officer (Polwar Officer) gehad - gelukkig het ons die KAPELAAN gehad wat as GOD se verteenwoordiger ons bemoedig en versterk het. Hennie Heymans: Ek salueer u, ons oud- kapelaan! Ek moet bely GOD het ons, deur Sy Engele, elke dag beskerm sodat ons die gevaar slegs met ons o& aanskou het. Dankie vir u kommentaar - dit doen my goed om dit te lees! (continued on pe 5) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 49(Continued from poge #9) Kan ons Hom ooit genoeg bedank? Rodney Warwick: Hennie... | agree with some of the comments above that you should commit your career details to an autobiographical book form You have the ability to write well and you remem- ber things... Small and big. One of the frustrations in working on SADF and Union Defence Force his- tory is the lack of memoirs. Now there are a num- ber from former national servicemen which is a good balance to the very few senior men who have written. But very few former policemen have done memoirs. | know you are busy with Nongqai and more generalized SA Police history... But your own fuller autobiography would be a useful source for historians Kas Landman: Groot waardering en dank Hennie Jurie Vos: Amen David Wilson: Thanks for sharing Hennie. Broth- ers in Arms. What a time it was indeed. We salute you! Frans Bedford-Visser: Sjoe, Hennie. Dankie vir jou woorde. Ek kry eintlik sulke rillings as ek dit lees! As jong polisieman het ek self daardie dreunende skare beleef. As 19-jarige sersant was ek in beheer van ‘n groep van net vyf polisiemanne in Soweto, toe ‘n skare van duisende op ons toegesak het. Die Here alleen weet wat gebeur het, want toe ons ses jong manne daar gestaan het, wapens gereed, wetend dat as ons begin skiet gaan ons binne oomblikke oorrompel wees, en heel moontlik doodgemaak word op die wreedste manier, toe die skare skielik gestop het, en na 'n groot getoi-toi, en met die skril gelululu van die Swart vroumense, het hulle stadig teruggedraai en begin versprei. Ek weet tot nou toe nie wat daar gebeur het nie, ek weet net ons het vasgestaan en gebid vir God se genade om ons by te staan. Ek onthou ook die faksie gevegte tussen die ama-Zulu en die Khosa myners op die myn hostelle, waarnatoe ons geroep was. Ons, ver te min om enigiets te kan doen om die bloedige bakleiery tussen die twee groepe tot stilstand toe te bring, waar ons net kon wag om agterna die beseerdes te kon help, van wie se beserings keer op keer te erg was om te oorleef. Ek onthou die adrenaline, die opgewondenheid en dankbaarheid toe ons besef ons gaan oorleef. En ek onthou ons kollegas wie nie so gelukkig was nie, wie hul lewens gegee het vir ons Land, Suid- Afrika, en ek salueer hulle Francois En Judy Erasmus: Nou lekker gelees en my ingeleef in die situasies. Vandag is dit anders. So asof God nie bestaan nie. Nou Kan ons net bid Leon Engelbrecht: So lekker gelees en terugflitse van my dae as jong konstabel te Bellair- en Mayville-polisiestasie asook —sersant op Hibberdene vanaf 1976 tot 1980 waar ek ook die wreedheid van stamgevegte gesien het tot “dagga kap" in die Transkei. Daarna verplaas na Velligheidstak N- Tvl in die “Ou Kompot" gebou bokant die SAP-museum en heelwat later die BBP -eenheid en my laaste 26 jaar by Openbare betrekkinge HK. Jy moet daai boek skryf Brig Hennie terwyl als nog vars in die geheue is - dankie vir ‘n goeie oorsig - min in hierdie land weet wat ons in daardie tye beleef en moes trotseer het. Marie Sweetnam: My broer Willie van Rooyen was vir 10 jaar poliesman in die strate van Johannesburg in die 50-liger jare. Darna was hy vir 10 jaar op die blou karre van die Flying Squad en my man het dikwels deur die nag saam met hom en sy drywer Van der Walt rondgery. Willie was op diens in die Newlands-polisiestasie (nou glo al gesluit) toe die geweld by Sharpeville uitgebreek het. By Newlands was hulle in volle radio kontak as bystand met die naburige Sharpeville-stasie. Hy het dit vir my op band vertel voordat hy in 1983 oorlede - ek sou dit graag bekend wou maak, maar weet nou al dat ek niks daarmee sal bereik nie.... Hy het later jare sy diens as stasiehoof van Groblershoop, Noord-Wes-Kaap en toe Sers.maj. op Upington se stasie afgesluit. Hy was bekend as "Ou Vadertjie” in die Johannesburg se Polisie as gevolg van sy omgee- natuur vir die jong Poliesmanne en die prisoniers Marie Sweetnam: Nee hy was nooit ‘n genl- major nie, miskien het ek nog die titel verkeerd. Willie het gereeld die selle oopgesluit op Groblershoop en op Upington in die verskriklike hitte, sodat die prisoniers buite in die vierkant onder die boompies kon sit - vandaar ook die bynaam van OU Vadertjie. Kommentare op die Nongqai se Facebook-blad Piet Pens Oelofse: Jo Baas Hennie, dis 'n leeftyd se vertel. Salut Tero Nepgen: Brig Hennie jy het die lewe van ‘n getroue lid van die dun blou lyn in hierdie skrywe 0 raak gevat wat geen ander persoon wat nie deel van die destydse SAP was nie, sal kan verstaan nie. Ja, die Rhodesiese grens was iets om te beleef. Ek het nooit die voorreg gehad om in SWA grensdienste te verrig nie, maar na ek offisier geword het, op die SA grens dienste verrig. Dankie brig. dat jy die deel van jou lewensgeskiedenis met ons gedeel het. Elria Wessels: Hennie jy het die lewe van ‘n getroue lid van die dun blou lyn in hierdie skrywe 80 raak gevat! SheilanDerek de Beer: Salut! Gavin Tischendorf: An interesting journey, with incredible memories. Fanie Bouwer: Lekker gelees. ‘n Man wat sy (Continued on page 1) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 50(Continued from poge 50) geragtes oor sy/ons geskiedenis so wonderlik kan Eugene Smit: Mooi uiteengesit nef, dit skets die lewe van so baie van ons wat gedien het. Dankie daarvoor. John Parker: Saluut Willie du Plessis: Hennie, ja, jy het ‘n pad geloop met baie memories, harde tye en ook goeie tye, jy sal dit die res van jou lewe saamdra. Salut, jy het absolut baie ondervindinge beleef, waarvan min mense weet, jy kan trots wees. Rodney Warwick: Hennie, my late Dad's first job was as an industrial chemist at the Durban refin- ery... Until he was transferred by BP to Cape Town in 1967. You and him might have well passed each other there as young men, all those years ago. Lorita Bryden: ae Craig Williamson: When are you going to do your memoir? It's time. Johan Vorster: Salut Brig!!! Uppie Upton: Dankiel! Willem D. du Plooij: Salut! Brigadier - ons bly so dankbaar vir elke lid van die SAP (Mag) en SAP Diens, wie getrou, hulle soos gehoort gedra het 00s Verteenwoordigers van Wet en Orde en Gereg (Ongeag hulle kulturele agtergronde). .. Elke een wie so gedien het is n Inspirasie vir ons jonger geslagte. Jp Mulder: Aan God al die eer. Dankie vir die stukkie geskiedenis en vir U bydrae. Kobus Van Der Merwe: Ja Brigadier ... soos ek voorheen gesé het ... ek het die voorreg gehad om saam met u diens te kon doen in die VTak....ek is self besig om my storie saam te stel.. mens moet net mooi dink hoe om wat te It runs in the family Reon Coetzee (Switserland) Permission to marry: No 15522(Mounted) Constable MJ Coetzee—permission granted by GRC Baston dated 23.11.1935. Later GRC Baston was appointed the first Brigadier in the SA handed to applicant. 4 this permit is operative for three Police and acted as Commissioner of Police whilst Maj-Gen IP de Villiers was seconded to the Union Defence Force. NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020 stReon Coetzee writes: “My grandfather on the My (blougat) number is W88218M. right...” Comments by HBH Policing runs in our family. His son (my Uncle) is Johannes Christoffel (Johnny) “I worked with Reon at Police HQ and in Durban- Coetzee 30135F; South during the 1960's | worked with his uncle, Johnny's son Matthys 68418T and then Sgt Johnny Coetzee who was stationed at Johnny's daughter Desirée W405210E. Amanzimtoti (Durban-South District 75.)” His brother BB Coetzee was also a SAP member but spent most of his career in NI. DIE DOEL VAN DIE TRUST Enea [lV ee ae emai NONGQAI TRUST Ee BE es Cee Rene Ia Coat Lae} le nd Uae AU Le ee se ee Cen CT er ee PTSD; psychological support; care Ce Mad See aa en ume er TT 002701/2018(T) Ce RR con Creme cas NONGOQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020Sorgelose jare HB Heymans Gedurende my skooldae dae in Durban gedurende die sestigs het ek baie met die munisipale bus na Suid-kuspad gery en dan per trein verder na Amanzimtoti gereis. Daar aangekom, ‘n boot gehuur en met die rivier opgevaar en dan ‘n vuurtjie aangeslaan en gebraai. Wonderlik, kinderlik en onskuldig. Ons het destyds Fanta gedrink. My skoolvriend Donald Campbell het altyd pap gemaak as ons gebraai het. Later is ek polisieman en na my diensbeurt, my rooi Volksie geneem en suidwaarts gependel en langs ‘n strandmeer gebraai terwyl die stoomtreine verby stoom. Daar was baie dryfhout en gou het ek lekker kole gehad. Ek het baie min aot Polisievriende gehad, maar tog, watter lekker dae het ons nie gehad nie! Geen bekommernis, geen selfone, geen onluste, geen bystanddiens nie - net ‘n lekker ongekompliseerde lewe. Ons was net “pang” vir offisiere! Hulle was kwaai, moeilike manne! Maar toe kom die studies en eksamens. Raak bewus van die land se probleme. Ek onthou nog die dag toe dr HF Verwoerd vermoor is. Die ergste ramp is toe ek na hoofkantoor verplaas is! Dit was lekker om polisieman in Durban te wees! My treinvriend, Peter Stow, het hierdie pragtige foto by 'Toti geneem van die trein, die ‘strandmeer en die see - al wat kort is die vuur! wens oT —EeE—— CONTACT DETAILS | KONTAKBESONDERHEDE Hennie Heymans: 072-336-1755 heymanshb@gmail.com NONGOAIVOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 53Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie Genl.maj. Theo Kleinhans Met die totstandkoming van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie op 1 April 1913 is verskeie Polisiemagte van die verskillende voormalige Boere- republieke, Britse kolonies en ander polisie + eenhede saamgevoeg om een nasionale polisiemag te vorm. Gedurende die tydperk ongeveer 1976 en 1994 het die unieke situasie in Suid Afrika ontstaan waar die een nasionale polisiemag verdeel is in 11 onathanklike polisiemagte, waama daar weer amalgamering moes plaasvind tot een nasionale polisiemag met die ineenstorting van die beleid van staatkundige verdeling. Dit was die gevolg van die uitvoering van die Nasionale Party se beleid van afsonderlike ontwikkeling, oftewel Apartheid soos die wereld dit geken het. Die totstandkoming van Onafhanklike of Selfregerende state het ten gevolge gehad dat die afsonderlike swart state elk ‘neie polisiemag as deel van die pakket ontvang het. Met die demokratisering van die nuwe regeringstelsel in 1994 was dit nodig om Suid-Afrika weer in een soewereine staat te hervorm, met die gevolglike ontbinding van alle staatsdepartemente in die Tuislande — 00k die polisiemagte = en die hers-kepping van een nasionale polisiemag. So het daar 11 tuislande tot stand gekom op grondgebied wat soms op onlogiese toedeling plaasgevind het. Vier van hierdie state het —_besluit| om “onafhanklik” te word — naamlik Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda ‘en Ciskei. Hierdie onafhanklikheid —is___nooit internasionaal erken nie. Die ander ses het net tot die viak van selfregerende _ status gevorder — naamlik Kwa-Zulu, Lebowa, KwaNdebele, Qwa- Qwa, KaNgwane en Gazankulu. Stigting van Tuisland Polisiemagte. Voordat ‘n Tuisland polisiemag tot stand kon kom het die betrokke kabinet so ‘n versoek na die Suid Afrikaanse Regering gerig vir die instelling van ‘n eie Polisiemag vir die gebied. Daar is dan na ‘n ondersoek deur kundige personeel van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisiemag besluit op die grootte en verspreiding van die polisiemag, met rang en posverdelings volgens die beginsels van werkstudie. Dit het ook die plasing en beplanning vir die oprigting van bykomende polisiestasies ingesluit, wat dan deur die Departement van Samewerking en Ontwikkeling tot stand gebring is. Oordrag van funksies. Polisiéringsfunksies van elke polisiemag het _plaasgevind sodra die betrokke staat Selfregerende status ontvang het. Die funksies van die Veiligheidstak is egter teruggehou totdat die betrokke staat volle onafhanklikheid gekry het — soos Transkei, Ciskei, Bophuthatswana en Venda Personeel Ten einde die polisiemagte met voldoende personeel te beman, soos in die — werkstudie ondersoek bepaal, is bestaande lede van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie van dieselfde bevolkingsgroep — Xhoza, Zulu, Venda ens - die geleentheid gebied om oorplasing te kry na die nuwe polisiemag, met behoud van diensjare en rang. Nie baie lede het _hierin belanggestel nie, veral in die tydperk van die moorde op lede van die polisiemagte met brandende buitebande in die tereg-stellingsmetode as verraaiers. Dit het daartoe aanleiding gegee NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 en die uitdagings tydens die tuisland beleid (FF dat bykomende nuwe lede in die betrokke Tuisland gewerf moes word aangesien daar te min Suid Atikaanse Polisielede belanggestel het in oorplasings. Feitlik sonder uitsondering was die lede wat wel beskikbaar was vir corplasing te junior in rang om die bevel en beheer van die nuwe polisiemag oor te neem. Daar is dan gebruik gemaak van ervare blanke offisiere van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie wat by wyse van sekondering aan die nuwe polisiemag _beskikbaar gestel is. Hierdie sekonderings het gepaard gegaan met sekere bykomende toelaes ten einde lede aan te moedig om onder hierdie moeilike omstandighede ‘n nuwe polisiemag van die grond op te bou. Dit het uiteindelik daartoe gelei dat toe die laste polisiemag wat in ‘n Tuisland tot stand gekom het - dié van KwaNdebele - was daar ongeveer 35 SAP-lede wat bereid was om oorplasings te neem. Van hulle, wat reeds Ndebele offisiere was, se oorplasings is deur die (contioued on page 5)(Contiowed from poge S) KwaNdebele regering geweier omdat die betrokke lede nie volgens stamtradisie besny was nie. Gevolglik moes die tekorte aangevul word deur gesekondeerde wit offisiere van die SA Polisie en nuwe rekrute wat inderhaas opgelei_moes word. Die grootte van die onderskeie polisiemagte het —_ mettertyd gegroei tot meer as 6,000 lede elk in Bophuthatswana en Transkei tot ‘n paar honderd in Qwa-Qwa Opleiding Aanvanklik is die opleiding van al die nuwe lede vir die Tuislande by die bestaande Suid Afrikaanse Opleidingskollege in Hammanskraal gedoen. Mettertyd het die onafhanklike state soos Transkei, Venda, Ciskei en Bophuthatswana sowel as KwaZulu hulle eie opleidingskolleges vir nuwe rekrute geopen — hoofsaaklik met die steun van gesekondeerde lede van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie. Die meeste van die offisierskursusse was steeds op kontrak deur die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie saam met SAP-lede gedoen. Grondgebied Een van die —_grootste struikelblokke om van die nuwe polisiemagte funksionele departemente te maak was die onpraktiese wyse — waarop grondgebied oorgedra is. ‘n Onafhanklike staat, soos Bophuthatswana het uiteindelik uit ongeveer sewe losstaande stukke bestaan. Die regs- implikasies hiervan was ‘n nagmertie. Byvoorbeeld die vervoer van gevangenes van een brokstuk na ‘n ander vir ‘n hofsaak, — gevangenes vanaf Thaba Nchu in die Vrystaat word vervoer na die Hooggeregshof in Mmabatho, ‘n afstand van ongeveer 500 km - en hulle ontsnap tangs die pad in Bloemfontein. Die regsbevoegdheid van _ die Bophuthatswana polisie op RSA grondgebied vir die agtervolging en her-arrestasie was juridies nooit opgelos nie. Die polisie van KwaZulu, wat nooit — onafhanklikheid — wou aanvaar nie, maar hulle eie polisiemag gehad het, moes nagenoeg drie en — twintig losstaande brokstukke polisieer wat versprei was oor die hele Natal en tussendeur SA Polisiestasies se grense. Die hele uitvoering van die politike eierdanse oor grense en die bevoegdhede van die onderskeie “onafhanklike” polisiemagte was prakties onhaalbaar. Amalgamering. Met die veranderende politieke bedeling in die begin 1990s is daar weer 'n proses aan die gang gesit waarin al die polisiemagte herenig moes word tot een nasionale polisiediens. Dit het sy eie uitdagings gehad. ‘n Polisie-mag soos Transkei met ongeveer 6,000 lede het net soveel generaals gehad as die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie met 114,000 in daardie stadium. Daarteenoor het Bophuthatswana, ook met ongeveer 6,000 lede net een generaal-majoor gehad, en hy was reeds voor die amalgamering van sy pos onthef. Dit het gou geblyk dat daar in baie van die Tuislande versnelde bevorderings plaasgevind het in alle staatsdepartemente in die aanloop tot die amalgamering, 0k in die polisiemagte. Dit was doelbewus om senior posisies te beklee in die nuwe nasionale departemente. Om dit te ondervang is daar ‘n ariikel, 2366), in die tussentydse Grond-wet ingevoeg wat die nuwe Regering die bevoegdheid gegee het om ‘onregmatige bevorderings in die voorafgaande 18 maande voor die “1994 verkiesing te NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 ondersoek. Vir hierdie doel was die Regter White Kommissie aangewys wat in 1997 en 1998 sodanige bevorderings kon ondersoek en waar nodig regstel waar dit in stryd was met goedgekeurde beleid. Op hierdie wyse was etlike honderde —_versnelde bevorderings nietig verklaar en reggestel. Dit is weer 'n nuwe hoofstuk van die geskiedenis met opstande deur die polisie in Transkei wat teen hierdie regstellings beswaar gemaak het. Koste implikasies Daar word deesdae baie gewag gemaak van die vermorsing van belasting-betalers se geld deur die huidige regering. As in ag geneem word dat elkeen van die tuislande voorsien moes word van ‘n volledige regering-stelsel, staatsdepartemente met personeel, eerste ministers/ presidente, ministers, parlementsgeboue met die gepaardgaande —_—spoggerige parlementsopenings — waarheen ek en senior offisiere van hoofkantoor genooi was..... en die medaljes wat uitgedeel is! Ons nageslag sal rede hé om kop te skud oor baie van die besluite wat in belang van politieke oorlewing gemaak is en steeds gemaak word Meer oor genl.maj. Theo Kleinhans - (in sy eie woorde): Ek het my B.Admin.-graad in 1976 gekry by Kovsies met die hoofvakke Staatsleer, Staats- administrasie en Toegepaste Volkekunde. Ek was toe die stasiebevelvoerder by Bainsvlei in Bloemfontein. Ek het my Honneurs in 1977 gedoen en moes my Magister in een jaar- 1978 - doen aangesien ek aan die einde van die jaar na die Polisiekollege verplaas is. Die tema vir my verhandeling was "Diplomatieke_skikkings-pogings in die Rhodesiese onweersone (Contiued en page 56) 55(Continued from page 55) tot die beraad van Geneva". Hierdie was tot aanloop van die onafhanklikwording van Rhodesié tot Zimbabwe. My studieleier was prof. (dr.) Neil Barnard, wat kort daarna die DG geword' het by Nasionale intelligensie. Ek was toe op die personeel van die DK, Bloemfontein. Ongeveer 1979/80 was ek 'n pos aangebied as “Buitelandse Diplomatieke Beampte" by Buitelandse Sake. Ek het dit van die hand gewys aangesien my een seun in die tyd 'n reeks operasies ondergaan het vir ‘n aangebore gebrek Hoe anders kon 'n mens se lewe verloop het, maar ek is tevrede met die besluite was ek wel geneem het. Min ander kon op 49 aftree en op 74 nog steeds oorleef. Groete. Theo Erkenning Met dank ontvang van It-gent Johan Ferreira Msinga Area and SAP Firearm Unit at Tugela Ferry Maj Gen Dirk Schoeman Goeienaand Hennie Vertrou dit gaan goed en was 'n goeie dag Ek stuur graag my herinneringe deur van die Greytown! Msinga/Tugela Ferry-dae. Dit is jou voorreg om aan te pas en/of te wysig na goeddunke. Indien jy dink ek moet miskien kyk of ek paslike foto's kan opspoor doen ek dit graag. Het gedink as ek die storie in Engels skryf is die trefkrag dalk baie meer. Mooi rustige aand. Groete Dirk. Msinga Area and SAP Firearm Unit at Tugela Ferry Introduction The Msinga area is policed by two Police Stations in the area namely Tugela Ferry and Pomeroy. The name Msinga means a current in the sea where air movement causes ripples on top of the water surface and ends up influencing the nearby climatic conditions through its breeze. Msinga is largely located in deep gorges of the Tugela and Buffalo Rivers, isolated from the immediate sur- roundings municipal areas. Msinga is accessible via the R33, linking it with Dundee, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, Kranskop and Weenen. The strong traditional culture preva- lent particularly in Msinga is a valuable asset that must be preserved and valued. Exposure to Msinga | arrived with the RMT bus full of excitement and expectations from the SA Police College at Grey- town on the 4" December 1963 at about 11:00. There was no one to fetch me. | was clearly not expected. | was stranded in the middle of no- where with my huge steel trunk and luggage. Later during the morning, | met the Station Com- mander, Warrant Officer M. van Rooyen. | stood at attention in front of this immaculately dressed of- ficer. At first glance | realised he was a policeman with many years of experience behind his back. It must be remembered twelve months previously | was still a youngster at school having just written Matric. Accommodation was found for me at Varty's Guest Home, Pine Street Greytown where | shared a room at the back of the house with Constable Gid- eon Pieterse. During that December 1963 | heard all the stories about Faction Fighting in the Msinga area. In this same month members were rushed to Tugela Fer- Ty reacting to major Faction Fights in the area. | was told that the District Surgeon, Doctor Botha, under the prevailing circumstances performed post -mortems in the veld. | soon learned to keep a steel “trommel” packed (Continued on page 57) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 56with tinned food, torch, plate and clothes etc. just in case we were rushed off to Tugela Ferry at short notice | vividly remember seeing the formidable Firearm Unit on the right southern banks of the Tugela be- fore crossing the river on the impressive bridge comprising a steel structure. The area was effec- tively fenced off with a high security fence. During the course of 1965 | was transferred to the Rietvlei Police Station within the Greytown Police District where Sergeant A.J.C. Fourie was the Sta- tion Commander. | welcomed this transfer as | was very concerned about the possibility of being transferred to the remote area of Tugela Ferry. | recall Constable Daan Meintjies was stationed at Pomeroy. He retired as Area Commissioner for the Eshowe area and retired as a Major General. He now resides at Mtunzini. | was transferred from the Rietvlei Police Station in the Greytown District to Loop Street in Pietermar- itzburg with promotion to Sergeant in December 1966. Return to Msinga and Greytown In December 1982 | was in the privileged position to return to Greytown as District Commandant. | was now in the position to pay regular visits to the Tugela Ferry Police Station, where Warrant Officer B.T. Khumalo was the Station Commander. He was later transferred to the KwaZulu Police with promotion to Lieutenant. I remember the stocky shortly built Warrant Officer Jurgen Freeze vividly displaying German disci- pline. The prescribed registers that were neces- sary to keep in terms of Police Standing Orders were all meticulously maintained. It was common knowledge that Warrant Officer Freeze enjoyed his brandy after hours. During working hours his conduct was impeccable. At this stage the tents had been replaced with pre- fabricated huts. ‘A beautiful recreation area (/apa) had been built in the camp comprising of a counter etc. where members of the Unit could relax after working hours. | observed the prisoners walking about in the camp as part of the family. These prisoners were locked up in cells in the camp after hours. Special legislation had been passed by the Kwa- Zulu Legislative Assembly in terms of a Proclama- tion whereby these prisoners could be detained for a period of ninety (90) days until they had made all the information ‘voluntarily’ available pertaining to unlawful firearms in the Msinga area. A file was kept on each prisoner and all investigations involv- ing a specific prisoner was checked by an Inspect- ing Officer. ‘A monthly report was also submitted to the Office of the District Commandant at Greytown, from where a condensed report was submitted to the Office of the Divisional Commissioner at Pieter- maritzburg where the late Brigadier Mulder van Eyck was in charge of the Natal Division ‘A Police docket was opened for each prisoner for every firearm(s) that was recovered on the basis of the information that was made available on a voluntarily basis. The specific firearm(s) was circu- lated to ensure that the firearm was not involved in, other crimes and/or reported stolen elsewhere. After completion of investigations the stack of dockets would be submitted to the Office of the Attorney General in Pietermaritzburg for a deci- sion. After the prisoner had made alll the infor- mation involving unlawful firearms and the Attor- ney General declined to prosecute, he would be released. | remember a large number of these unlawful fire- arms were kept in the Strong Room at the Grey- town Police Station under the control of the late Sergeant Mostert, before being dispatched to the Quartermaster of the South African Police {Continued on page 55) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 7| recall that cases involving Faction Fighting were heard at special court in Greytown where the ac- cused appeared. Warrant Officer de Bruin the Station Commander from the Pomeroy Police Sta- ‘he aa sie of the Capa ver tion was an extremely competent investigator of these cases. Retirement of Warrant Officer Freeze During the course of 1985 Warrant Officer Freeze retired from the SAP on normal superannuation. A. special occasion was arranged at Merthley Lake on the outskirts of Greytown. All those Officers and members that had worked with him attended the occasion. | had the opportunity of browsing through his personal file and related to special in- cidents in the course of his colourful career over many years. Warrant Officer Freeze likewise used the opportunity to share special memories from his career with us. Al the Officers and members, who he had worked with him over many years from the Office of the District Commandant at Greytown attended the occasion such as Captains van der Westhuizen, Lieutenants Koos van Rooyen, Gert Olivier, Warrant Officers Jack Ferreira, and Eddie Horn. To the best of my knowledge he relocated to Paul Pietersburg area in the Northern Kwa Zulu Natal We were in the fortunate position to replace him with Warrant Officer Buks Le Roux from the Grey- town Police Station. Faction Fights in the Msinga area Within a relatively short time after my return to Greytown | was again exposed to Faction Fighting in the Msinga area. Over the years it was common knowledge that the slightest dispute had the po- tential of triggering a Faction Fight. | was again exposed to the same scenario | was exposed to in December 1963 as a young Constable During one of the Faction Fights we brought in re- inforcement from other areas in KZN to combat the Faction Fights. 1 remember that Brigadier Mulder van Eyck, the Divisional Commissioner Natal from Pietermaritzburg came to Tugela Ferry on one of these occasions and we slept over in one of the pre-fabricated huts at the Firearm Unit at Tugela Ferry. After all this | realize a solution had to be found for this ever-on-going Faction Fights especially during December and over the Easter period. | subse- quently held meetings with Induna’s from the Msinga area in my garage at our home in Grey- town to find a way forward in taking pro-active measures. After this meeting | submitted a lengthy report to the Office of Brigadier Mulder van Eyck requesting that a Special Ant-Faction Fight Unit be established at Tugela Ferry. | was thankful that Brigadier van Eyck supported my views and a Special Faction Unit was estab- lished at Tugela Ferry utilising the facilities of the Firearm Unit at Tugela Ferry. The members of the Special Faction Fight Unit were drawn from all over the country. | used Lieu- tenant Koos van Rooyen from my Office to brief these members on the Zulu customs and protocol to be followed on visiting a Chief or an Induna in the area at his kraal. | received criticism from certain Officers attached to Head Office wanting to know how many arrests had been made by this Unit for the unlawful pos- session of firearms, | endeavoured to explain that the primary task of the Special Faction Unit was not to make arrests for the possession of illegal firearms in the area but to take pro-active action against Faction Fights in the Msinga area. | remember that Captain Gideon van der Westhuizen from Greytown Head Office was the first Officer in charge of this Unit. Thinking back, the Unit was successful in taking pro-active action against Faction Fights in the ar- ea. In or about November 1986 | was transferred to Dundee as District Commandant and subse- quently lost track of the events in the Msinga area. (Continued on page 59) NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 58(Continued rom page 58) A brief look at the history of the town of Tugela Ferry Tugela Ferry is a town on the northem bank of the Tugela Ferry, in central KwaZulu Natal. During the apartheid era it formed part of the homeland, and is present included in the Umzinyathi District Munici- pality. The town's name commemorated the ferry which once operated here before a steel Bridge was constricted The prominent steel bridge linking the Norther and Souther shore of Tugela River is stil in place as well as the Church of Scotland Hospital The hospital is a district hospital with 347 beds un- der the supervision of uMzinyathi Health District. In the 1870's the Church of Scotland sent a mis- sionary, to Umsinga area. Unfortunately, he drowned at sea before reaching South Africa. Dr James Dalzell was sent as his replacement. Dr Dalzell, a missionary, physician and surgeon were sent by the Church to spread the word of God to improve the health status of the community In 1939, the clinic was removed closer to the Tugela River where the present Church of Scotland Hospital is located. The town’s hospital is re- nowned for having discovered the first XDR-TB outbreak in 2005. The Tugela Ferry town now comprises a multi- million Mall which opened its doors to the local community on the 23% April 2015 and now offers a new shopping experience. The memory of the many informal traders along the road passing through Tugela Ferry on the road to Fondeling se Polisiestasie Genl-maj Dirk Schoeman Middag Hennie Baie dankie vir jou terugvoering en dat my kortverhaal vir jou aanvaarbaar is. Net een gedagte: Ek dink die spelling van sersant de Bruin se van op Pomeroy is 00s nou aangedui en nie de Bruyn nie. (Reggemaak—HBH) Jammer en baie dankie, de Bruyns het later my pad gekruis. Nou ja, na my verplasing vanaf Rietviei na Pietermaritzburg in Desember 1966, is op my NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 nuwe stasie aangewend vir aflosdienste weens my blootstelling aan klein stasies. Dit het my gered, die stadslewe en die massiewe stasie met die besig aanklagkantoor was vir my een groot nagmerrie!! In Februarie 1967 is ek toe gebruik om die stasiebevelvoerder_ van Fondling, Sersant Mostert te gaan aflos. Hierdie Fondeling Polisiestasie was ‘n gewone grasdak hut soos op die ingeslote foto aangedui word. Ek dink ook die Kennisgewingsbord voor die polisiestasie kan op die foto gesien word. Hierdie beskeie Polisiestasie was verantwoordelik vir die polisiéring van die Lesotho-grens met die RSA, met al sy duisternis van allerlei probleme van veediefstalle ens. Amper onmoontlik om te glo! Die naam Fondeling was afkomstig van die plaas met die naam van Fondeling en die hut was deur die Staat (PWD) gehuur om te benut as ‘n polisiestasie. Die Sersant Mostert was ‘n blok van ‘n man en het ‘n Landrover vol gesit. Terwyl Sersant Mostert nog daar was, het ek hom soms vergesel met patrollies en dit het ook ‘n “visvang-patrollie” ingesluit in die berge! Tragies, later is die Sersant Mossie oorlede na komplikasies met die trek van ‘n tand. Die Sersant Mossie was getroud met 'n nooi Judy Talor (continued on page 2) 59(Continued from poge 59) bekende familie van die Underberg omgewing. Terwyl ek op Fondeling Polisie-stasie en vir die kort periode diens gedoen het, besoek die afdelingsinspekteur van Natal (Pieter-maritzburg), Brigadier Kemp die stasie. My broek het letterlik gebewe weens die feit dat die gewone plaasdiere naby die polisiestasie in hokke was. Sersant Mossie met Judy het die ou plaaswonng bewoon as getroude kwartiere. Ek het ‘n kamer aan die kant van die huis betrek vir die ruk wat ek daar was. Daar was nie krag nie en ons moes lampe gebruik Sersant Mossie was egter baie innoverend, die Landrover in die aand naby die kombuisvenster getrek en kabels met die battery in die Landrover gekoppel vir ligte. Die Fondeling Polisiestasie is later vervang deur die luukse BOESMANSGRENSPOS in die berge! Die grenspos was nog in die jare 90's gereeld besoek deur die veiligheidstak van Pieter- maritzburg. Ek is seker as mens die takbevelvoerder van die Boesmansnekgrenspos nou kontak sal hy met graagte ‘n foto van die huidige polisiestasie stuur vir vergelyking met die vorige polisiestasie van Fondeling. Waarskynlik kan hy ook die geskiedenis bekom oor die gemelde vorige polisiestasie. Jammer dat ek so baie geskryf het en nie in die formele vorm nie. Ek gaan nog kyk vir verdere foto's van my vorige storie. Na my mening weerspieé! jou kosbare foto's die stand van sake langs die Tugela nog voor die bou van die staal brug oor die Tugela! (Sien die vorige storie—HBH) Groete Dirk. Nota deur HBH Fondeling is hier korrek gespe! want dit is die oorspronklike plaas se naam. Die korrekte spelwyse van vondeling in Afrikaans is “Vondeling’. Daar is 'n wynplaas ook met die naam “Vondeling”. yf NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10 0CT 2020History of Fondeling Farm Di Sunter FONDELING Farm is of historical significance, in that it was the first farm pegged in the Underberg District, back in 1895, when Robert Cockerall, a transport rider, decided to settle here. The ruins of the first homestead as well as the original Under- berg Stock Sale Yards can be seen on the farm. There is an abundance of stone blocks from these ruins that could be utilised for various projects. Later, the Bushmans Nek Police Station was built on FONDELING, which then became the home- stead after the police relocated to the Lesotho/ South African Border Post further up the road. The old red brick building was the homestead until 1950, after which the present huge homestead was built. Soon after the Second World War, Mrs Peta Stayt and her husband, who was blinded in the war, set off from Britain and drove through Af- rica, to Underberg. Mrs Stayt picked up Africans of many countries who assisted them in their trip through the sand and mud of their epic African journey, many hanging on the running boards of her vechicle and they all came to settle on FONDELING. Peta Stayt had all her belong- ings sent via ship to South Africa and then onto Underberg via the railways and today some of the Oregon Pine cupboards in the house made from the timber of the packing crates still bare the sten- cilled name of Underberg Station. Mrs Stayt moved into the Old Police Station building and set about her plans to build the most magnificent homestead of her dreams, FONDELING, in 1950. She planned the house down to the finest detail without the aid of architects or engineers and set about building the finest home in Underberg, as- sisted by her All African, adopted labour force. The terraced walls and flower beds were made of the stone dug from the farm and crafted by a stone mason. Peta Stayt. = de- signed FONDELING with a verandah on each side of the house so she could follow the sun. She al- ways slept on the verandah off the main bedroom and was reputed to have never slept a night inside the magnificent house that she built. When it snowed, she merely roled down a biind to protect herself from the elements. She creat- ed FONDELING for orphans and retired clergy- man and was very friendly with the author, Alan Paton, who is said to have penned his classic South African novel, “Cry the Beloved Country" from the verandah of FONDELING, overlooking the mountain, "Garden Castle.” Peta Stayt was in her 80's before she sold her farm and moved into the village of Underberg, where she named her home, “LITTLE FONDELING.” Over the years many of the orphans that Peta Stayt raised at FONDELING have returned to revisit their fond memories of the remarkable homestead and the remarkable woman who raised them. Incidentally, Peta Stayt was the first woman to graduate from Oxford University. htio:/wmww.fondelinafarm.co.2a/ FOhistory.htm History of Fondeling Farm Dear Sir. Of course you can publish the piece as long as | am stated as the source. Di Sunter now. The original name and spelling of Fondeling is true to history and not a poor spelling. This has been researched extensively. It was the first farm pegged in the District by Robert Cockerell There is a lot of history with the ‘Old Police Station’ house. The cops were originally based there under a Commander Kitchen. He was nicknamed “Kombuis", for obvious reasons. The Himeville Museum has a lot more info and pictures of this period in history. Di Sunter 1963: Sers JHJ Kitching van Fondeling (HBH) NONGOAIVOL 11 NO 10 OCT 2020 61NONGOQAI SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY By Mick Shaw This has not been an easy subject for me to research and is well out of my normal comfort zone. | have looked at it from a general observation. This is just an overview; | think the assump- tions | have made to be reason- ably accurate; this is really a simplified look at this police force. To put things in perspective, the Second Boer War lasted from the 11" October 1899 until 31 May 1902 so Queen Victoria did not live to see the end of it. She died on the 22” January 1901. The outcome of the war was beginning to be seen during the early months of 1900. Pretoria and Johannesburg had been taken and it was hoped that the Boer military and political leaders would soon be captured, aking the wind out of the sails for the Boer commandos and that they would soon surrender. However, that was not to be the case and it would take a further year and a half to fully win them over. The plan was to re-open the Witwatersrand gold mines. Tax revenue from the mines would help with rebuilding the area which was so badly needed. A Police force would be more acceptable to the population than the army and, financially, a better choice. Planning had to start for the post-war period and law and order would have to be provided for the Rural Transvaal and Orange Free State. The job of forming, setting up and commanding this new Con- stabulary was given to Major General Robert Baden Powell. Maj-Gen Robert Baden Powell What was needed was a para- military police force to help cover the vast area required: a fully armed and trained one was es- sential to do this. Baden Powell was impressed with the Canadians, in particular “C” Battery. He had served with them at Mafeking and wanted to get as many as he could in his new Constabulary. He also recruited from the UK. In fact, by April 1901, recruiters raised 5,601 constables from over the British Isles. A number of men had police experience from such forces as the —_London Metropolitan Police, Liverpool City Police, Irish Constabulary and Dublin City Police. Consta- NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10.0CT 2020 bles were also recruited from Canada, Australia and America to name just a few, as well as locally from the British South Af- rican Police and Bechuanaland Border Police etc. Boer Commandos were also later recruited. At its peak the SAC had 10,000 officers and men. Men were required to be between 20 and 35 years of age or the physical equivalent; also, smart, well-presented and, where possible, with good horsemanship. Good eyesight was important as were respectable references from previous employers. As well as the 10,000 men, the force also required between 2,000 and 3,000 natives to serve as servants, cooks and scouts. Some also became second class constables and helped new men who had not been to Africa before settle in and interact with African communities, gaining their support and cooperation. Native constables were not armed and were also not allowed to police Boer communities. On first seeing this photograph of a South African constable the uniform was pretty much as | had expected. It was dark blue or black with SAC on the round necked collar, a duty band on the left arm and a police whistle and chain. The constable is wearing a pith type helmet. I'm not sure how this photograph came to be taken but this was to be nothing like the uniform (Continued on page 63) 62(Continued from page 62) SAC Constable (Photograph courtesy of Zetef du Plessis). required. The South African Constabulary was to be a para- military force, somewhere between police and army. This uniform would have been totally unsuited to the work they would be doing which would be mainly on horseback. Therefore, it would have to be completely different. The uniform was designed by Baden Powell himself. It was a serviceable khaki with green facings. The hat was a West Canadian slouch hat with a broad stiff brim similar to that of the Canadian Mounties (this hat was to be later adopted by the Boy Scouts, also founded by Ba- den Powell in 1908). The hat had a rifle-green band with a small plume of cock's feathers. The green shoulder epaulets on the khaki tunic had a metal SAC in a gold colour, probably brass. They had well cut trousers or breeches and brown puttee leg- gings. The tunic could be con- verted into a full-dress uniform by buttoning up the gorge and fixing a green Lancer front to the breast buttons as you see below. It was one of the smart- est military uniforms and the troopers were often taken for officers. v SAC uniform designed by Baden Powell The actual service kit was a shirt, green tie and a chocolate jumper with half sleeves. The South African Constabulary was known as the ‘Green Police’ Examples of the uniform are de- picted in the colour drawings above. My thanks to Holly Impey, a good friend of mine. The undress uniform is depicted clearly in the cartoon recruiting poster, | purchased - here NONGQAI VOL 11 NO 10. 0CT 2020 showing a South African Con- stabulary Sergeant. At the bottom is written; “A fine horseman and a good shot. A Sergeant of the South African Constabulary’. Another purchase | made, (Image overleaf - FBV) which | now believe also to be a used for recruiting is the picture below which is almost certainly a propaganda photograph. It was probably taken in the UK as the photographer was G. Sinclair from Stockton-on-Tees. It is most likely that both subjects in the photograph were just outfitted for the picture. The “Boer Commando” is well dressed. After the second Boer War most Commandoes were wearing threadbare clothing which was worn out with the years of fighting in the veld. In this photograph he — looks relatively well dressed, unsciled, tidy and clean shaven. The “policeman” is wearing a bandolier and holding a .303 Lee -Enfield rifle which would not be seen as common practice in the common practice in the UK so (continued on page 64) 683