Nongquai Vol 3 No 12
Nongquai Vol 3 No 12
Please will you raise your glass at sunset on the 31st of December 2011 where ever in the
world you may be in honour of all our fallen comrades! Please take a picture of the event
and email it with the name of the photographer, who is on the photo and where it was
taken. Lets see if we will receive photographs from all continents!
Please send it to: Hennie Heymans [email protected]
We will place your picture, DV, in the eNONQAI of January 2012.
Gedagtenis: Aan al ons kollegas van die oud SA Magte
Sal u asb, waar u ook al in die wreld is, met sonsondergang op 31 Desember 2011 u glasie
lig ter nagedagtenis van al ons kamerade wat ons ontval het. Neem asb n foto en stuur dit
aan Hennie Heymans <[email protected]>
Meld wie die fotograaf is en wie op die foto verskyn en waar dit geneem is. Die fotos sal,
DV, in die Januarie-uitgawe van 2012 in die eNONGQAI verskyn.
Kom ons kyk of ons van al die kontinente sal hoor!
Contents / Inhoud
1. WELCOME / WELKOM .................................................................................................................. 7
1.1 Moment of silence/ Bepeinsing..................................................................................................... 7
Die ware sin van die Christusfees Koot Swanepoel (Joubertina)........................................... 8
Die Christusfees bring lig ........................................................................................................... 8
n Paar Kersfees gedagtes ........................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Voorblad / Front Page ................................................................................................................. 10
1.3 Editorial Hennie Heymans ....................................................................................................... 10
- n Eeu van nasionale polisie op 1 April 2013: Ons Polisie-geskiedenis: Die Kapelane................. 12
2A: Kersboodskappe / Christmas Greetings ......................................................................................... 12
2.1 Kersboodskap aan kol Eugene de Kock ................................................................................ 12
2.2 Kersboodskap namens kol E de Kock......................................................................................... 18
2.3 Uiteindelik n kort Kersboodskap van Eugene de Kock!............................................................ 19
2.4 To all retired and ex-members of the South African Police Service........................................... 19
2
2.5 Christmas Message: Retired DWO / Oud-sao Koot van Schalkwyk .......................................... 19
2B: PERSONALIA VANAF 01 NOVEMBER tot 30 NOVEMBER 2012 Johan Jacobs ............... 20
3. Honours & Awards / Eerbewyse & Toekennings ............................................................................. 27
3.1 Roll of Honour / Ererol ............................................................................................................... 27
3.2 SAP Graves: Benoni Koos Brits .............................................................................................. 27
3. 3 Friends Missing and Found! / SAP 55 Vermiste persone ......................................................... 27
4. REUNIONS / REUNIES / EVENTS / GEBEURE .......................................................................... 27
4.1 Skaap op die spit 17 November 2012: Berig en fotos deur Jeanette Jacobs ...................... 27
- Piet Fourie .................................................................................................................................. 27
- Vrou van die Jaar-toekenning: Petro Heyneke .......................................................................... 28
5. PERSOONLIKHEID VAN DIE MAAND ....................................................................................... 30
- Lt-kol Ivan Myers, Honde-eenheid, Kaapstad ........................................................................... 30
6. PERSONALITIES & BIOGRAFICAL DICTIONARY/ PERSOONLIKHEDE / BIOGRAFIESE
WOORDEBOEK .................................................................................................................................. 32
6.1 Konst Chris Lessing van Marshallplein: Paul Els ....................................................................... 32
6.2 Sers MJ Badenhorst en nr 20680 konst AG van Tonder: Malinda Lensing ............................... 33
6.2.1 Genl-maj AG Dries van Tonder (opvolg) ............................................................................ 34
6.3 No 20974K Lt. Richard Peter Barry - Malinda Lensing ............................................................ 34
6.3.1 Mev Barry (eggenote wyle lt Barry) en Malinda Lensing .................................................. 35
6.4 Boksheld Kallie Knoetse: via Rudi Venter ................................................................................ 35
6.5 Kapt Alwyn Burger en Fleur: Paul Els ....................................................................................... 36
6.6 No 25199 maj Joseph Usher Bell (SAP, RI, BSV, NI) alias Oom Joe: Maj Dorothy Dossie
Bell .................................................................................................................................................... 37
6.7 Medals: No 360 Former Detective Head Const AJ Hoffmann Andre Hoffmann .................... 39
6.8 Scotty Smith or maybe George St Leger Gordon Lennox? Trooper & Farrier (FMAP); Scout
(UDF W/O) and Justice of the Peace ............................................................................................. 39
6.9. Kalahari Mac ..................................................................................................................... 41
6.10 Senior SAP Dames, Maleoskop: Dorothy Bell ....................................................................... 42
My Storie.
1. WELCOME / WELKOM
Welkom by die laaste uitgawe van 19 ... nee! 2012, en onthou oor n paar weke is dit 2013! Ja,
die tyd vlieg! Nogmaals hartlik welkom by hierdie uitgawe van die e-NONGQAI, dankie vir
u berigte, fotos en interessanthede!
Welcome also to Rev Bob Timms he is a former member of the SA Navy and SA Police. He
will, DV, we hope, give us something to think about each month. Welcome aboard, Padre!
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will
be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Let us remember and reflect on those that have
passed on and what God has done for us in the past year. Be Blessed Be Bold in
God's Grace. May the New Year be a blessing to all.
Blessings, Bob Timms
My contact numbers are as follows: 017 8112561 cell 076 9988237 email [email protected]
Hierdie woorde gee uitdrukking aan die koms van Christus. Dit was om lig te bring.
Wat die son vir die materile wreld is, is Christus vir ons in die geestelike wreld.
Met die Christusfees het die Son van Geregtigheid ons duistere wreld kom verlig.
n Paar Kersfees gedagtes
Die Kind van God het mens geword sodat ons God se kinders kan word. Hulle wat
die Christusfees nie in die hart het nie, soek dit tevergeefs toegedraai in
geskenkpapier onder n boom.
Met die Christusfees is mense so sentimenteel dat hulle amper optree soos wat God
hulle bedoel het om te wees. Ons probleem is dat ons met die Christusfees opnuut
die vrede soek waarvan die Christusverhaal vertel, maar dat ons nie die Vredevors
in ons lewe soek nie.
Die plek wat die skaapwagters gekry het, is die plek waar drome waar geword het.
Al word Christus duisend maal in Bethlehem gebore, maar nie in jou hart nie, bly jy
verlore.
Die een wat Kersfees nie in sy hart dra nie, sal dit nooit onder n boom vind nie. Om
die Christusfees te herken deur al die geskenkpapier heen, word elke jaar moeiliker.
Die geboorte van Christus is die sonsopkoms van die Bybel.
Daar is liefde met die Christusfees omdat die Christusfees uit liefde gebore is. Laat
elkeen van ons hierdie gees van liefde lewend hou en God verheerlik. Dit is soms
goed om soos kinders te word en daar is geen beter tyd om dit te doen as tydens die
Christusfees nie, toe die magtige Stigter daarvan self n kind was.
It is clear that the police are suffering from a lack of leadership. This is visible on all
levels! From the bottom up! ... And from the top down to ground level. Its one thing
to dress up in a generals or colonels garb; any person can wear a fancy uniform.
However its another thing to be a real General, a Commissioned Officer, Warrant
Officer or a Sergeant in terms of service, knowledge, dedication and excellent
leadership!
It would appear that the police are not in control of their beats or sectors. The
criminals are! (Yesterday, 30 Nov 2012, Friends of the Rails (FOTR) historic steam
locomotive was derailed near Cullinan. The rails were loosened because criminals
were about to steal them! This is the 2nd derailment that FOTR has suffered. This is
not far from the police station. Where are the eyes and ears of the police? Yester
days news was also bad: Family of friends were attacked on their farm!)
The police is lacking in dedication when senior officers place a premium on their
midday meals instead of taking command and control at scenes of serious conflict.
Duty comes first!
The police do not instil confidence in the public at large. The public have clearly lost
confidence in the police.
Have a look at the Score Board the annual report of the commissioner. The
criminals are winning! The public and the police are losing the battle! Insurance
premiums are rising annually! Some houses now sport double security measures!
Farm attacks are now a daily occurrence. There is no clear coherent rural safety plan.
It would appear that farmers and rhinoceroses are now competing to head the list as
top victims of crime.
Loss of integrity at all levels at the police, state departments, exams, banks, nature
conservation etc. (Intelligence is filtering out to criminals, instead of the other way
around!)
Poor tactical intelligence, command and control over state resources even arms,
ammunition and funds. Intelligence or inside information is passed onto
criminals.
Los of pride: I must say I see more African policeman wearing their full uniforms as
opposed to White members who are not wearing their full uniforms i.e. their
headdress. (I even saw a white SANDF Colonel doing shopping at Chamberlains
without a cap!) Many whites in the police are only waiting for pension time so that
they can leave the police (or state) because they are overlooked for promotion. Can
one blame them?
Lack of advancement for whites in the police and state! This impacts negatively on
those doing their best!
The future:
The farmers are going to suffer far more in future. They are losing markets. Food,
fruit and wine production will go down. When one looks at the victims one can see
that a heavy handed violence on the part of the farm attackers! This clearly shows
hatred and destruction!
The state cant protect the farmer. It is now time to form kibbutzes on farms. Farmers
need more eyes on the farm! There is security in numbers.
Lack of free economy ... too much red tape, rules and regulations ...
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More influx of people into the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Boycotts will continue i.e. not paying for services, water and lights.
Water resources are coming under pressure! It is now the time to wake up! We will
not have enough water for agriculture, industry and mining. On top of it we suffer
from severe pollution due to negligence and ineffective municipal leadership.
Can somebody explain this? A sign warns the public that this is a hotspot regarding
smash and grab or hijacking of vehicles. These signs are a motion of no confidence in the
local police. If it is a known hotspot why do the police not catch the criminals! (Its as
easy pie to catch them!)
Dit is gerel dat Eugene de Kock vir ons lesers van die eNONGQAI 'n kersboodskap
gaan stuur. [Dit kan natuurlik nie gewaarborg word nie!]
U gaan vir hom 'n boodskap stuur, dus word elke leser van hierdie FB-blad
opgeroep om hieronder vir Eugene 'n boodskap te stuur! Ons sal u persoonlike
boodskap aan Eugene aanhaal en in die eNONGQAI plaas. Die eNONGQAI sal na
verwagting hier in die 1ste week van Desember verskyn.
Koos Brits Gene, many moons het ek julle groepie uit die kollege
ontvang te Bedfordln Benoni. Jou leiding gegee om n ongeluksverslag te
voltooi. Jy't gegroei en ons het saam as n eenheid met ander lede (noem nie
nou name nie) reuse suksesse met die spook-squad gehad, so het jy aan
beweeg en ek het jou vordering deur die jare dopgehou. My vriend wat
gebeur het, het gebeur die horlosie kan nie terug gedraai word nie, maar die
dag as die deure van die koutjie vir jou oopgaan en jy jou vlerke wyd sprei,
sal ek aan die Vader die Eer gee. Hierdie Kersfees is jy in my en my gesin se
gedagtes en mag GOD met jou wees. Sien uit om weer jou hand te skud. Koos
Nico Frylinck Eugene, ek bid jou Gods rykste sen vir n vreugdevolle
Kersfees en n Nuwejaar toe en dat jy ook baie vinnig weer die pad buite saam
met ons sal kan loop. God Bless !!
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Frik Bruwer Gene ek bid jou n gesende kersfees toe al is dit onder
die omstandighede laat ons hoop die Nuwejaar hou baie geluk en voorspoed
in, en mag ons spoedig n fees vier met jou vrylating baie seninge my vriend.
Frans Diff de Villiers Eugene ons bid jou n gesende kersfees toe en
ook vir jou spoedige vrylating. Mag geregtigheid nou geskied. Het mekaar in
laat sewentigjare ontmoet. Jy in Oshakati en ek was in Ondangwa
gestasioneer. Sterkte jy is n man uit yster gesmee.
Jan Van Wyk Jan van Wyk. 'n Gesende Kersfees vir jou. Ek dink aan
jou elke dag wat jy daar nog gaan bly. Ek het die voorreg gehad om jou te
werf vir die Spesiale Wageenheid, Pretoria. Jy was glo te streng vir die
Kollege lighties. Alhoewel jy net 6 maande by ons was, was jy die beste a/o op
die blok. Ek wonder of iemand weet jy het die eerste minister bewaak as hulle
snags slaap?
Marcia du Pont Alle slegte dinge kom tot n einde. Glo en aanhou glo !
Jou tyd raak min daar. Dalk n laaste kerstyd daar. Die wreld wag vir jou
daarbuite met ope arms. Nietemin gesende kersfees Eugene.
Teen die tyd weet jy dat dit nie n bord vol uitsoekdisse is wat n kersdag
gesend maak nie, maar jou hart vol liefde. . En d wete daar is mense wie vir
jou omgee - daarom dat ek weet jou Kersdag gesender sal wees as vele sn
met bakke vol smullekker kosse !
Tom van Rensburg Kolonel, ons was 'n rukkie in 1983 saam op
Oshakati. Mag dit vir u 'n vreugdevolle Kersfees wees en mag die Nuwejaar
voorspoed in die sin van vrylating vir u bring!
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Koot Swanepoel Kol. Eugne de Kock. Wat 'n voorreg is dit vir my om
vir u net te kan s; "Ons kan nie wag dat u uit die gevangenis te kan stap nie."
Ek het die verhale rondom u met oorgawe gelees. Glo my, "daar is GEEN
veroordeling vir hulle wie in Christus is nie." Romeine 8 v. 1. Ons wense en
bede vir u in hierdie feesgety, is dat die Here u sal sen met gesondheid na
gees, siel en liggaam. Dat u die Here sal ervaar en beleef, soos nog nooit in u
lewe nie. Dat u 'n volheidslewe in Christus sal geniet, met die wete dat HY by
u is. Sy Woord s dat HY u nooit sal verlaat of versaak nie. Ons kan nie wag
om u terug in ons midde te verwelkom nie. Verseker is u in ons gebede. Sen
vir u Kolonel.
Nicolaas Hendrik Smith Els Hi Kol Eugene, mag God se genade en die
Liefde van Jesus saam met u wees die Kersfees en mag die nuwe jaar vir u
goeie nuus inhou. Hennie Els en familie
Izak van Zyl Eugene, jy is vir my persoonlik die simbool van ons volk
se gevangenskap in ons eie land. Soos jy boet en vernedering moet deurgaan
en verwerk, so ly die hele volk weens die sondes van die apartheidsleiers.
Soos jy net jou werk gedoen het onder die bevel van mense wat nooit
aangekeer is vir die opdragte nie, so is elkeen van ons ook besig om net ons
werk te doen midde die korrupsie en wanbestuur van 'n regering wat alles
teen die kraalmuur uitpiepie waarvoor ons hard werk. Te midde van dit alles
sal ons oorleef! Sal ons weer opstaan! Sal ons weer vrygelaat word en ons sal
weer hervat wat ons agtergelaat het toe ons in ballingskap gegaan het....die
keer met meer wysheid.... So weet ek dat jy weer jou volksgenote, jou
kollegas, jou familie en geliefdes weer met ywer sal dien wanneer daardie dag
aangekondig word dat Eugene de Kok onvoorwaardelik vrygelaat gaan
word.
Jou "long walk to freedom" sal seer sekerlik 'n welverdiende "walk" wees wat
verreikende en oorweldigende reaksie nasionaal en internasionaal sal
ontketen.......dit as sulks sal die debat oor wat agter die apatheidsgordyn
gebeur het weer laat ontvlam, maar sal hopelik ook die groot leuen ontbloot!
Mag jy die vrede van JESUS CHRISTUS ervaar die feesgety en mag die nuwe
jaar vir jou net die beste en hopelik blywende vryheid meebring.
Piet Van Zyl Kol Eugene, mag net die keur van Sy seninge met jou
wees in hierdie feestyd en dat daar uiteindelik n besluit geneem sal word wat
die deure finaal sal oopsluit vir n nuwe hoofstuk. Walk Tall.
ek jou ontmoed het. Ek sal de dae wat julle my saam met julle utgeneem het
om klagtes by te woon noot, noot vergeet ne. Dis waar ek geleer het om
ware polseman te wees. Geen vrees, geen huwerng en geen nonsens van
niemand. Geseende Kersfees en voorspoedge nuwe jaar. Mag jou
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Kersgeskenk de sleutel na vryheid wees. Sterkte, Kolonel, ek glo dis nog net
'n kwessie van dae. Cheers!!!
Leon Strauss Looking forward to having a few dops and a braai ,with you
and a few other people...heres hoping you have the best Christmas you can under
difficult circumstances, I will for sure raise a glass or three!!!God bless.
Annatjie Joubert Kolonel Eugene, ons hoop, glo en vertrou jy sal binnekort
terug by jou familie wees, mag u 'n baie Gesende Jesus Geboortedag viering geniet,
en weet net Hy hou ons omhoog, want daar is niks wat Hy nie vir Sy kinders nie sal
doen nie, Hy het Sy lewe alreeds vir ons afgele, soveel meer sal Hy vir jou doen. Mag
die dag vol vreugde en seninge wees. Annatjie & Bennie.(Trompie).
Mag die vrede en vreugde van ons Hemelse Vader, u in hierdie feesgety omvou - en
laat ons nooit vergeet wat die uiteindelike doel van Kersfees is nie. My gebed vir u, is
voorspoed en seen vir die nuwe jaar.
Pieter A. Rousseau Kolonel, ons ken mekaar nie, maar ek 'moes' al heelwat vir u bid
en dit alleen verbind ons aan/tot mekaar. Behalwe dat ons die Here vertrou om u
(soos die Psalmdigter skrywe) dag vir dag te dra, kyk ons ook uit vir die dag
wanneer u by die deure uitstap. Mag dit voor Kersfees wees.
David Botha n Gesende Kersfees Eugene. Mag die jaar 2013 n jaar van
Vryheid, Vrede en Vriendskap vir jou en jou geliefdes wees.
Pottie Potgieter Eugene ek wens jou 'n gesende kersfees toe en hoop dat die
jaar wat voorl vir jou alles sal bring wat jy begeer.
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Frik Bruwer Gene ek hoop jy geniet jou week al is dit onder sulke
Dorothy Bell Hi Gene, dis Dossie... My gebede is met jou! As ek aan jou dink
sien ek net daai sexy bachelor in sy "camou" in die offisiersklub toemaar dit was voor
jy getroud was! Net 'n grappie. ... Ek stuur baie boodskappe, maar of jy hulle kry die
weet ek nie! See you soon my friend... x
Tiny Nortje Eugene, ons het mekaar geken, baie vlugtig met tye, en het saam
gewerk, sterkte en `n gesende kersfees vir jou. Ons almal vertrou hy sal spoedig tussen
ons wees.
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Dit is nie moontlik almal te sien wat hy graag sou wou nie, grootliks weens praktiese
relings, maar hy het sy vriende en geliefdes nie vergeet nie, en ek glo hy sal eendag
die geleentheid he om op te maak vir sy afwesigheid.
Hy kan na homself kyk en hy doen dit baie goed. In die dae wat kom mag ek enkeles
van julle nader om ons te help met bepaalde take, wees gerus dat dit in die beste
belang van Eugene is en dat ons dit in goeie trou doen.
Groete Piet Croucamp
2.4 To all retired and ex-members of the South African Police Service
On behalf of all the Inspector- General of the Namibian Police Force, Senior Management
and members of NamPol:
May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a
Prosperous New year for 2013? Many the good Lord protect and safeguard your during this
festive sessions and the year to come.
Best regards
Chief Inspector Edward James Holloway: Namibian Police Force.
sy aftrede. Daar word more n Erediens by sy Ouertehuis vir hom gehou. R.I.V.
Saluut!! Kol Cronwright was n yster!
Dinsdag 13 Nov: Hennie Heymans skryf met leedwese: Piet Haumann (SAP
V Kompol x 302) berig: Dirk Laubsher. Mre s daardie kant. Jou veerpyltjie-maat
van weleer laasnag 12: 20vm (13 Nov.) oorlede. Ek het by hom in die siekeboeg
gewaak. Hy was ook ons oudste lid van die Overstrand Bond.
Donderdag 15 Nov: Brig Henry Bevan al die jare VT Zulu Land en Durban
afgetree as SB Point Durban gister onder narkose oorlede. Saluut RIV
Donderdag 15 Nov: Oud-brig. Willem van Zyl afgetree as hoof van KwaZulu Polisie het Sondag afgesterf agv n lang geveg met longkanker. Begrafnis more
te Babtiste kerk Port Shepstone rus in vrede my vriend Saluut!
Vrydag 16 Nov: Piet Meyer berig; Dir Henry Beavon is oorlede in Durban
tydens 'n operasie. Hy was te KZN Prov Hoofkantoor, Veiligheid en later
Georganiseerde Misdaad. R.I.V.
Maandag 26 Nov: Strauss Soer berig; Pieter du Rand was n a/o te Messina en
oud Hondeman, hy was al etlike jare op pensioen, en het die laaste tyd erg gely aan
kanker. Piet was n groot man letterlik en figuurlik, hy is vanmiddag oorlede. Piet
ons salueer jou.
2.2 SIEKBOEK
Maandag 05 Nov: Anna Pearson berig; Ek wil net graag voorbidding vra vir
my man, Tom, hy is baie siek en dokters het nie veel hoop meer nie. Asseblief dink
aan ons in julle gebede. By die Groot Man is niks onmoontlik nie. Dis baie stresvol
vir ons as gesin om n sterk persoon so hopeloos soos n baba te sien. Baie dankie!
Woensdag 07 Nov: Annette Strampe berig; As ek kan mooi vra vandag - julle
gebede vir my ousus asseblief? Sy's 'n sielkundige by die SAPD in Hermanus, het
Sondagaand 'n beroerte gehad en is tans in die hospitaal in Somerset. Sy's nog so
bitter jonk, net 52...Bid asseblief vir haar herstel...Dis haatlik om so vr te wees as
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Vrydag 23 Nov: Frans Div de Villiers berig; Andries Greyling verjaar ook
vandag. Baie geluk en mag dit n gesende dag wees vir jou.
Vrydag 23 Nov: Sarie van Niekerk berig; 'n Voltjie in die boomtak voor my
kamervenster het vroegoggend al singende vir my ges ons ou groot vriend en
kollega, Koot van Schalkwyk verjaar vandag. Baie geluk Koot, ons hoop jy gaan 'n
baie pragtige dag h, dat jy geweldig bederf gaan word en dat die jaar wat voorl vir
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jou vol vrede, vreugde en sen sal wees. Jy is vroer vanjaar 'n nuwe lewe gegun na
jou ernstige siekbed, die Here stort sy sen in emmers vol oor jou uit. Geniet jou dag
Koot, jy is kosbaar vir ons!
2.4 ALLEGAARTJIE
Vrydag 09 Nov: Andr Volgraaff berig; Goeie more al my FB vriende. Kan
nie meer 'n oomblik verder slaap nie . Ek en liewe heksie is so opgewonde as wat
kan kom. Ons eerste kleinkind word vandag gebore. As ek sien wat die ander oupas
en oumas op hierdie blad te s het oor hul kleinkinders kan ek verstaan hoekom en
moes ek die oomblik met julle deel.
Saterdag 10 Nov: More vriende. My kleindogter wat gister gebore is. Gesond
en alles klopdisselboom. Nou kan ek ook s ek weet waaroor dit gaan as oupas en
oumas oor hul klein kinders praat. Laat 'n persoon voorwaar baie goed voel. Veels
geluk aan die ouers en grootouers JJ
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Stories
Because Pretoria has the HQ we are fortunate to have many Pretoria stories.
However we need more (police history) stories from the rest of South Africa (and
that matter from rest of the world!)
Invitation: Digital recordings
We have also made digital recordings of some interviews. Please contact Brig Hennie
Heymans if you wish to be interviewed and recorded for the sake of police-history.
There are so many veterans that can contribute in this regard, or members who were
eyewitnesses to great historic events! Please come forward!
Serendipity: No 360 Det/Head/Const AJ Hoffmann, KPM
According to Wikipedia: Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant
surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not
specifically searching for it.
A week or two ago I visited my old friend Mervyn Merv Emms. Apart from being
a collector he is an expert on South African crimes I would say he is amateur
criminologist. Mevr asked me whether I knew a detective Hoffmann who wrote a
book on South African crimes many years ago.
Well this is where serendipity comes in: I bought a little booklet for R14-00 written
by Mr AJ Hoffmann. I went and I checked and I found him to be a real person. He
was a policeman in the South African Police with force number 360. I also
established that he was decorated with the KPM.
Merv put me in touch with his grandson. I was able to obtain photos of Mr
Hoffmann and of his Good Service Medal. He was the first person in the police to be
issued with a motorcycle. So thanks to Mevr we have got some information on this
illustrious officer!
Skaapbraai 17 November 2012
The readers of the eNONGQAI and veterans of the police who are members of SuidAfrikaanse Polisie Afgetrede Lede het a lovely braai a whole sheep was braaied!
Thanks to all and watch the eNONGQAI for further news. Thanks to all involved.
The eNONGQAI Dec 2012
We are compiling another interesting issue, thanks to your support! Next year we
will celebrate our fourth year! TIMES FLIES AND WAITS FOR NO MAN!
Police
History in
Southern
Africa:
Preservation and Conservation
It is time to work! Please share with us your photos and old documents. We should
start collecting books, periodicals, magazines etc with articles on the police and our
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Dinsdag 20 Nov: Isabel Kruger berig; Eks n trotse ma. My seun Inus wat sy
HON gedoen het in Rekenaaarprogramering is gisteraand onder die top 5 studente
aangewys by die Pukke. NWU. Trots op hom.
Groete tot die volgende Personalia
27
hek dui ons groot kuierplek aan en so vind elkeen binne n paar uur n vasstrap
vasstrapkuierhoekie vir die dag!
Die braaiers: Brobsie
ie en sy seun Ettiene, neem
n blaaskansie die skaap is harde werk en dis
heng warm voor die spit!
Ons maak kennis met nuwe gesigte en
gesels met die bekendes land en sand. Ons
deel ervaringe en groot onthou dae van
gisters propvol opwinding, soms komi
komies
en soms seer herinneringe. Sjoe wat n
kuiery gee dit nie als af nie.
- Vrou van die Jaar-toekenning:
toekenning: Petro Heyneke
toekenning!
Hennie spreek almal toe. [Hy
[
het net Petro ontvang haar toekenning
dankie ges en Neelsie se opdragte
uitgevoer.]
So tussen dit alles word die Dame van die Jaar 2012 aangewys die wel verdiende
eer val Petro Heyneke toe. n Sertifikaat en trofee word aan haar oorhandig Petro
is oorweldig deur die gedagte en neem met groot nederigheid die toekenning aan.
28
29
geproe en die potte was gou leeg! Vir die soettande is poeding en vla aangebied
maar slegs enkeles het nog n plekkie in die maag oorgehad vir die heerlikheid.
Te gou is die dag om en ons groet mekaar na n genotvolle dag van uitmuntende
gesels en eet tot ons weer sien!
@JeanetteJacobs02/12/12
30
Dit is net n moerse jammerte dat my goeie pel en broeder Andy Miller (SMIB) nie
vandag met ons kon gewees het om hierdie uitslag te vier nie.
Ek heg foto aan sodat jy kan sien wie ek is, n Jood en pa se hond A2411 Cassius
(Mei-maand oorlede.) Hy kon nie langer wag vir pa om terug huis toe te kom.
Dankie tog het ek by die mag aangesluit in 1979 toe daar nog leiers met waardes
was soos my eerste S.B, Patrick John Bosman wat my geleer het om vas te byt en
professioneel te wees in die beroep van n polisieman en om altyd geloofwaardig en
eerlik te wees.
Groete
Ivan Myers
PS: Die wat wil weet wat ek vir vyf en n half jaar gedoen het ek het geleer:
B Tech Labour Relations Management
B Tech Public Management
National Diploma Safety Management
National Diploma Human Resource Management
Het ook vir twee privaat maatskapye vir n kort tydperk gewerk nie eers hulle kon
my duld nie . What an eye opener and I thought the SAPS was deurmekaar.
Kommentaar HBH:
onveranderd geplaas.
As selferkende Jood weet jy dat daar volgens die Tulmud baie streng rels is oor die
versorging van vee en ander diere. Jare terug het ek gelees n Jood moet eers sy diere
en slawe versorg voor hy en die familie kan eet. Die Britse soldate het ons tydens die
Anglo-Boereoorlog en daarna in die ou polisiemag geleer: Versorg eers die perde
(daar was toe nie honde); dan die manskappe, dan die onderoffisiere en dan laaste as
almal versorg is, die offisiere.
Ek is dankbaar dat jy na al die honde se belange omgesien het. Die Bybel s as jy wil
lei moet jy bereid wees om te dien! Indien jy eendag in Pat Bosman vasloop, dra asb
my komplimente oor aan hom! Hy het n kommissaris hier in Pretoria geword. Hy
was n goeie offisier en n ware heer!
31
6.
PERSONALITIES
&
BIOGRAFICAL
DICTIONARY/
PERSOONLIKHEDE / BIOGRAFIESE WOORDEBOEK
6.1 Konst Chris Lessing van Marshallplein: Paul Els
32
33
Beste Malinda,
Baie dankie vir hierdie kosbare fotos. Dit voer mens se herinneringe terug na mens se jeug.
As klein seuntjie tydens vakansies het ek Van Reenen se pliesie met so n bakkie sien ry!
34
Sers Koos Coetzee, toe aan my bekend as Oom Koos, het met so n bakkie my oupa en ouma
besoek. As seuntjie het ek hom gevra waarom daar nie n kappie op die voertuig is, soos die
polisie in Durban? Sy antwoord was hir ken hulle al die skelms en sal hulle nie
weghardloop nie! Die eerste foto moes seker dateer uit die 1950s? Die twee foto dateer uit
die 1960s. Toe het ek self so n wa bestuur.
Die jas? Vir die jonger manne: In die ou dae was die paaie vol stof en het alle inspekterende
offisiere en chauffeurs op staatskoste so n witjas gekry. (In die foto geneem na die slag van
Ongulumbashe dra genl Crous ook so n jas.) Die klerke in die store, die ordonnanse by die
DGs het ook die jas gedra.
Dankie
HBH
35
Kaptein Alwyn Burger was een die SA Polisie se bekendste offisiere, veral op
sportgebied.
(Ons het matriek geskryf gedurende 1963 toe om dit oor die nuus: Konst AP
Burger, seun van majoor Alwyn Burger, sportoffisier van die SA Polisiekollege, se
seun is vandag oorlede. Konst Burger was te Pretoria-Wes gestasioneer en is
doodgery terwyl hy opmetings by die toneel van n botsing gemaak het!) Dit is so
tragies. Sy magnommer is 42018.
36
Ek dink Alwyn Burger het as n brigadier afgetree. Wat ek nog van hom onthou? Ek
was 1964 in die kollege en tydens een van sy besoeke aan Durban het ek in hom
vasgeloop. Dit was een of ander polisie-byeenkoms en toe ek hom groet toe weet hy
wie ek is. Sy optrede het my ongelooflik bendruk. (Hy het my seker opgemerk en
toe vir iemand gevra wie ek is.) Maar toe ons groet toe kom dit : Goeie naand,
Hennie, hoe gaan dit?
Genl Frik van Zyl het my eendag die wenk gegee om n notaboekie te dra. Wanneer
mens n stasie in jou wyk besoek het, onthou mens die lede se name en later hou
mens stil en skryf die name neer. So, vertel hy, het hy lede se name onthou!
Brig Burger was, in my opinie, een die smaart ouens in die Mag gewees!
6.6 No 25199 maj Joseph Usher Bell (SAP, RI, BSV, NI) alias Oom Joe: Maj
Dorothy Dossie Bell
37
Oom Joe was n jong matrikulant in 1948. Hy vertel hy kon nie buite werk nie, hy was te
jonk! Ons gesels te lekker by die skaapbraai en hy ryg die magnommers af van ou Durbanpolisiemanne: Grobler, Heymans, Zietsman, Steenkamp, (Paul) Roux, (Snorre) Roux,
Harmse, Earle, Engels, Muller, Smit, Sadie, (Piet) Niemand.
Hy ken al die manne. Hy vertel hoe kapt Piet Kemp hom getoets het! Hy het egter net die
blanke lede se magnommers geken! Hy ken al die ou gebeure in en om Durban.
Oom Joe is stigterslid van die Republikeinse Intelligensiediens, die Buro vir Staatsveiligheid
en NI. Hy is van genl Mike Geldenhuys se oorspronklike handuitgesoekte lede.
Kommentaar HBH
Dis die Durban-Connection. Baie lede wat in Durban gedien het, het genl Mike
Geldenhuys in Durban geken en baie van die lede is na RI of die Buro.
Volgens my waarneming, as dit by veiligheid gekom het, was daar die Johannesburgkonneksie en die Durban-konneksie. Johannesburg het die volgende senior veiligheidsmanne opgelewer: Genl HJ van den Bergh, genl Mike Geldenhuys, genl Tiny Venter, genl
PW Kruger en genl Johann Coetzee.
Durban het die volgende senior veiligheidsmanne opgelewer: genl CF Zietsman en genl
FMA Steenkamp en n hele rits na genl Steenkamp wat op sy personeel gedien het, nl genls
HD Stadler, Piet du Toit, Nic van Rensburg, SJ de Swart (later taakmag) en I Coetzee en baie
ander! Genl Basie Smit was as jong luitenant te RI Durban.
Genl Johan van der Merwe was die buiteperd! Hy was eers in bevel van grensposte, toe van
die Vrystaat en SWA daarna het hy die V-Tak oorgeneem. Hy was n uniformtakman. Hy
en genl Mike Geldenhuys was die enigste uniformtak lede om veiligheid oor te neem. Die
ander veiligheidshoofde was almal speurders. (Genl Mike was vroer n speurder en het
weer na die uniformtak gekom ten einde n 1/sersant te word.)
Baie stigterslede van RI en die Buro vir Staatsveiligheid was in Durban in die uniformtak of
speurders gewees. (Sal nie name verstrek nie!)
38
6.8 Scotty Smith or maybe George St Leger Gordon Lennox? Trooper &
Farrier (FMAP); Scout (UDF W/O) and Justice of the Peace
Scotty Smith, (Perth, Scotland 22.11. 1845 - Upington 26.10.1919) He claimed that his
real name was George St Leger Gordon Lennox. He joined a Highland regiment at 18 and
39
served on the Indian NW Frontier in 1864 - 5, where he distinguished himself by his bravery
in the Ambala Campaign.
For disobeying orders and leading a successful charge on the enemy he was court-martialled
and cashiered, but reinstated by the Duke of Cambridge. His father apparently disinherited
him when he refused to marry the neighbour's daughter.
He left for Australia and was called Smith on account of shoeing a horse on the ship. He shot
a man there in a fight, then fled to America. Smith learnt to box while in America, then
returned to Europe to serve in the Franco- Prussian War. He was wounded and taken
prisoner by the Germans. He later fought for the Carlists in the 18726 Spanish War.
In 1877 he joined the FAMP for service in the Galeka War in South-Africa. For a time he was
a farrier at Kokstad.
In 1881 he stole two horses and deserted. A life of being a bandit, highwayman, cattle thief,
bank robber, IDB scoundrel, etc followed. Many tales of his Robin Hood lifestyle followed,
especially in the Northern Cape.
About 1890 he trekked to Luitenantspan, deep in the Kalahari, where he occupied a large farm
illegally and used it for the next 20 years. Smith befriended the Bushmen and learnt from
them the art of desert survival.
In 1892 Smith married Sarah van Niekerk and had two sons and five daughters.
During the SA War Smith served as a scout and secret service agent for the British. For this
he was given a pardon and made a JP.
During WWI Scotty Smith served as a Warrant Officer, scout and in military intelligence in
SWA and is credited with having saved Gen Botha from an enemy ambush.
He spent his last years in retirement on a plot he had acquired in Upington. He possibly died
of influenza, as the epidemic was raging, and is buried in Upington. Source: Ian Uys:
South African Military: Whose Who p 219.
40
Acknowledgements:
41
Mans voor: Ds Colijn, genl Hennie de Witt, mnr A Vlok, genl Tjocklets van Vuuren en
genl H de Villiers. Dames op die foto: Ek kan net twee positief identifiseer: Kapt Dagmar
Wolmarans en kol Groenewald. Agter heel links: ??? Louw van Protokol.
42
Hierdie foto toon lede van No 3 Troop, F Squadron, SAP. Hulle het te Brixtonrif geveg van 10 tot
12 Maart 1922 - HBH
1
43
Is hy seker van die datum? Die rebellie en opstand teen Duitsers in die Unie was gedurende 1914.
Die Foster-bende was tydens dieselfde tydperk. Genl Koos de la Rey is deur die SAP te Langlaagte
geskiet op 15 Sept 1914 HBH.
44
Kaptein Wepener die kaptein het, indien reg onthou word, later jare `n majoor
geword.
Louis Snr se werksmaat se bynaam was Shl Shl. Hierdie ou was verskriklik groot
en so sterk soos `n bees. Hy was byna sewe voet lank. Hy het die Ducktails hel
gegee, en was gevrees en bekend onder hulle. Die Ducktails was `n
groepbeweging wat daarop uit was om wanorde te saai en fights te veroorsaak in
die nagklubs en kroe. Hulle het die polisie absoluut geteiken, en die polisie moes
hulle dan dienooreenkomstig verwyder of arresteer.
Die Blitsmotors wat in daardie jare gebruik was, was die Studebaker Lark en Fords.
Louis Snr het nooit vir die polisie geboks nie, maar wel op skoolvlak en later vir
USCO as amateur. Hy tree uit diens van die polisie aan die einde van 1957.
Louis Pretorius sluit op 23 Desember 1985 aan by die polisie. Na sy ses maande
opleiding word hy in 1986 uitgeplaas na Eenheid 6 in Dunnottar, as deel van die
groot inname van 120 polisiemanne, en twee polisievrouens.
Louis se ervarings gedurende die onluste word in `n volgende artikel bespreek.
Pa Louis onthou Louis Jnr as volg: Louis was `n liefdevolle kind. Altyd baie
nuuskierig, slim en het van kleins af baie gepraat. By oueraand het die onderwysers
keer op keer vir my ges: `Louis is so `n oulike seun, maar praat hy by die huis ook
so baie?` Jy het van jongs af leierseienskappe getoon. Jy het `n goeie sangstem gehad
en verskeie hoofrolle in konserte en operettes gesing. Wanneer ek orrel gespeel het,
het jy altyd uit volle bors saamgesing. Ek het jou leer swem toe jy vyf jaar oud was
en jou vir jou matriekafskeid leer dans. Jy het graag later jare saam met my gedans
op funksies, so dat mense gepraat het van hoe goed ons twee saam dans. Jy was `n
goeie Voortrekker my seun, en het ook karate geneem.
6.12.1 VERVOLGENS `N BLIK OP DIE MILITRE GESKIEDENIS VAN DIE UNIE
VAN SUID-AFRIKA, VERSKAF DEUR LOUIS JUNIOR. DIE VOLLEDIGE TESIS IS
BESKIKBAAR TER INSAE.
6.12.2 The Role and Application of the Union Defence Force in the
Suppression of Internal Unrest, 1912 1945: Andries Marius Fokkens
Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Military Science (Military History) at the Military Academy, Saldanha, Faculty of
Military Science, Stellenbosch University.
Supervisor: Lieutenant Colonel (Prof.) G.E. Visser
Co-supervisor: Dr. W.P. Visser
Date of Submission: September 2006
OPSOMMING
Die gebruik van militre mag in die onderdrukking van interne onrus is n algemene
verskynsel in die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika. Sedert 1652 het die Europese
koloniale besetting van Suid-Afrika gepaard gegaan met geweld.
Boerekommandos en Britse militre regimente en vrywilligereenhede het die vrede
in verafgele gebiede gehandhaaf en die plaaslike bevolkings onderwerp, net soos
ander koloniale moondhede, byvoorbeeld, Frankryk in Noord-Afrika en Duitsland
in Duits-Suidwes-Afrika gedoen het.
46
Die periode van 1912 tot 1945 was geen uitsondering nie, maar met die verskil dat
opstande ook onder die blanke bevolking onderdruk is. In 1907, 1913, 1914 en 1922
het die blanke industrile werkers sodanige onderdrukking ervaar.
Werksonsekerheid en loongeskille was die dryfkrag agter die stakings en die stakers
se militante optrede het die regering gedwing om militre mag te gebruik om die
opstande te onderdruk, nadat die polisie se pogings om wet en orde te handhaaf,
misluk het.
Die publiek was sterk gekant teen sulke hardhandige optrede en Genl. J.C. Smuts het
veral onder kritiek deurgeloop, wat tot sy politieke nederlaag gelei het.
Opstandige inheemse bevolkings in Suid-Afrika en Suidwes-Afrika soos die
Israeliete (1921), die Bondelswarts (1922), die Rehoboth Basters (1925) en die
Ukuambi (1932) het deurgeloop onder strafekspedisies van elemente van die Unie
van Suid-Afrika se polisie en weermag.
Die inheemse bevolking is gegrief deur die regering se implementering van
brandmerkwette, geforseerde kontrakarbeid, hut- en hondebelasting. Die regering se
rassebeleid van die tyd het n meester-en-onderdaan-houding teenoor die inheemse
bevolkings geskep, wat die teer kwessie van beperkte politieke regte vererger het.
Opstande deur inheemse bevolkings wat militant van aard was, is op n vinnige en
ekonomiese manier onderdruk, dog het skerp kritiek uitgelok.
Die benutting van vliegtuie om die opstande te onderdruk was n
magsvermenigvuldiger wat die klein polisie- en weermag gehelp het om verliese
tydens die onderdrukking van opstande aan beide kante te beperk.
Die regering het ook opstande van Afrikanergroepe tydens die Eerste en Tweede
Wreldoorlog onderdruk. In 1914-1915 het prominente Afrikanerleiers en veterane
van die Anglo-Boereoorlog militant opgeruk teen die regering in verset oor die
regering se deelname aan die Eerste Wreldoorlog.
Genl. L. Botha en Genl. Smuts was die argitekte van die vinnige onderdrukking van
die opstande deur die Aktiewe Burgermag op te roep en hoofsaaklik
Afrikaanssprekende vrywilligers te gebruik.
Die periode tussen die twee Wreldoorlo is gekenmerk deur die groei van die
Afrikaner op politieke, sosiale en in n beperkte mate, ook ekonomiese gebied.
Hieruit het verdere onenigheid op politieke en sosiale vlak ontstaan toe die regering
weer besluit het om aan die kant van Brittanje tot die Tweede Wreldoorlog toe te
tree. Ou vyandighede tussen Afrikaans- en Engelssprekendes het herleef en
47
Dit klink na n skitterende verhandeling. Mens sal dit graag onder oog wil kry HBH.
48
49
verslint! Wat n man! (Soos pres SJP Kruger, soos genls CR de Wet en Koos de la
Rey!)
Ja, daar was oomblikke in die polisie wat ek nie trots gevoel het nie! Maar ek was
trots op my vader, my DK en ander offisiere en ons SB. Hulle was ons rolmodelle.
Ons het regtig stupid wette gehad. Toe ek verstand gekry het, het ek gedink: Om
agter wette weg te kruip, mens net swak maak.
In die nuwe Suid-Afrika stap ek eendag in n generaal se kantoor. Hy het die nuwe
vlag in sy kantoor. Hy is onskynlik lojaal aan die SAPD en die nuwe bestel. Die
probleem is egter: Die vlag is onderste bo!
Ek kan nie my lojaliteit oornag verander nie! (Is die lojaliteit agv subtiele
breinspoeling van kleins af? Ek weet nie!) Ek weet regtig nie of ek as verknogte in
die nuwe polisiediens sou kon inpas nie? Sou ek myself verlon het? As ou
veiligheidsman, oudlid van die Sekretariaat van die Staatsveiligheidsraad? As
iemand wat deur majoor Neels du Plooy opgelei is, wat ons geleer het dat generaal
Jesus Christus in bevel is van die veiligheidstak? Sou ek?
Ek is n ou verknogte en so sal ek maar eerder doodgaan in die land van verlore
geleenthede!
Na verloop van tyd het ek tot die besef gekom ek is n wit Afrikaner van Afrika:
Suid-Afrika is my land ook! Ek sal my voeg tot die lojale opposisie! Ja, ek is trots op
my witgeid: Net soos die Black Lawyers of die Black Officers Forum trots is op hul
swartgeid!
Weerpraatjies word misdaadpraatjies
In die ou dae het ons sommer oor die weer gepraat indien jy iemand bv op die stasie
se perron ontmoet het. Nou praat ons oor misdaad as ons 'n gesprek wil begin.
Raai, ek sien in Beeld vanoggend: Hulle het ingebreek by Oom Pik se seun op dieselfde
perseel! Kan julle dit glo! [Ons vergeet van die groot moorde, di op mev De Klerk, op
Eugene Terre Blanche en op ons familie, vriende en kollegas op ons plase en in ons
stede.]
Ek was in my jeug 'n student aan die Universiteit van Natal (Durban) - Those hallowed
halls of learning. Wat n wonderlike ondervinding om daar tussen die statige geboue
te beweeg. Ek sien 'n Skandinawiese dame-student is daar 24 keer met 'n mes
gesteek! Haar skootrekenaar was die mikpunt van die wrede aanval! By die
universiteit nogal. Kan julle dit glo? Wonder wat di lightie swot? Seker praktiese
kriminologie?
50
So terloops: Wat verder tot my geleerdheid bygedra het was die onbeskryflike
snaakse humor - graffiti in die toilette en soms in die klas. [Vgl Please dont feed the
Lecturer; en op die rektor, prof OPF Horwood gemik: Horwood? Whorewood?
What any whore would!
Have a banana!
So van studente humor gepraat: Studente betoog in Durban voor Saambougebou
die Afkom se kantoor was daar. Maj JC van Niekerk drink n dop in die
Offisiersklub en hoe meer hulle skree en betoog hoe meer lig hy sy glas vir hulle.
Daar kom n rooi munisipale bus op die hoek verby en die busdrywer hou stil en
skree: Hey you monkeys, have a banana!, terwyl hy n tros piesangs uithou na
hulle!
Inside Information
Een ou iewers boer met renosters. Toe hy om 'n vervoer/verwyderingspermit
aansoek doen is hy dadelik die slagoffer van renoster stropery!
Dit lyk my die skelms het orals "bronne" - by die bank, by die polisiestasie, by
natuurbewaring, by die lisensiekantoor. Noem dit en die ouens het bronne! Ons
weet almal die SAP is afhanklik van bronne. Ek staan in die ry om my
bestuurslisensie te hernu dis een van die nuwe plae in die NSA en ek praat met
die swart dame langs my. Sy kom van Malawi en werk by Binnelandse Sake. Hoe
veilig is ons paspoorte en ons verblyfregpermitte. Vorm SAP 8 raak ook maar
sommer weg en ipv om gedeporteer te word kry jy blywende vestiging?
Hoe veilig is ons sigwaarde vorms?
Is daar enige, enige respek oor vir ons Reg? Of is sy nog besig om te herstel na die
(simboliese) verkragting?
Afsondering
Ek dink diep terug in ons landsgeskiedenis en ek dink aan die ontwikkeling van
afsonderlikheid het ons die pad nie geloop van die Oos-Grens, Bloukrans,
Weenen, Bloedrivier, Moorddrift en Moordraai nie? Is dit nie waar dit begin het nie?
Ons veiligheid het gel in ons afsondering. Soort by soort en die veldkornet is in
bevel; as daar moeilikheid kom dan roep hy die kommandant en die kommando.
Boere is vredeliewend, al misdaad is stook en poach, veral jag op kroonwild.
Ou dr Lamb en ek praat baie oor die ontwikkeling van die Hollander na vryburger,
na plaasboer, na trekboer, na voortrekker, na Boer en Burger en vandaar na die
moderne Afrikaner. In die ou dae as die trekboer n ander skoorsteen sien, trek hy!
51
Altyd op trek na Utopia waar hy alleen in afsondering kan boer met vee en so nou
en dan iets piets vir die pot.
Ek lees van die boere in die Moot; hier van Pretoria af na Botswana toe. Hulle het
vrugte, tabak, mampoer, graan, mielies en vleis gehad! In hulle eie wreld gewoon.
(Gedurende 1879 was hulle al te bly toe Engelse die Transvaal annekseer het. Nou is
die moeilikheid die Britte sin. Hulle wil boer! Die driemanskap het toe die situasie
omgekeer in 1881.)
En ja, daar was minimale korrupsie maar ook ontug en owerspel! Die landdros hou
aan om die konstawel uit te stuur op patrollie en toe vang die konstabel die
landdros: Onder die bed! Ja, daar was perdediewe destyds die laagste vorm van
lewe! Maar die ou boere was vredeliewende mense om op kommando te gaan was
ook vir hulle lastig. Daarom het meeste gekla van aambeie! Jy kon ook iemand
huur om in jou plek op kommando te gaan.
Vrymesselaars
Die enigste geheime organisasie destyds was die Vrymesselaars die Nederlandse
tak van die beweging wat hier ontkiem het in die tyd van die VOC. Die eerste losie
staan op die Parlement se grond, of is dit andersom? Die Afrikaanse Broederbond
het eers later gekom in 1918. Die Bond het altrustiese doelstellings gehad en die
saak van die Afrikaner oor n wye front bevorder. (Tydens WO2 was die Bond baie
deeglik deur Militre Inligting dopgehou. Ek het sommige van die argiefstukke
bekom.) Die resultate van die Bond is deur SEB opgesuig. Vandag is daar nie veel
oor nie.
Hebsug: Diamante, goud, drank en staatskas
Diamante, goud en drank (later bietjie dagga) was die begin van ons koverte werk in
die polisie. Met die myne het die werkersorganisasies gekom met Bill Andrews aan
die spits, toe kom kommunisme en toe hulle sien hul kan nie van die Boere
kommuniste maak nie, (daar was wel n paar Boere-kommuniste), toe kyk hulle na
die swartmense en hiervandaan het die probleme gekom.
Na die tweede wreldoorlog is die wreld op sy kop gekeer en ons kon waarneem
hoe die mensdom verander het en nou sit ons weer in n rewolusie: Die stryd
tussen die wat HET en die wat nie het nie. Die wat nie het nie kan nie verstaan
waarom hulle niks het nie!
Ek slaan my o op na die Berge. Hoe kan mense nie sien daar is verskil tussen die
staatskas en jou eie bankrekening nie?
52
Eendag vertel een van die senior-offisiere dat hy inspeksie in die Noord-Kaap
gedoen het. By een plekkie was n ao McDonald. Toe hulle sy staande voorskot
nagaan toe sit hy nog met ou tien rand note! Hy word ges om die geld aan te
wend. Nee, kolonel! Dis mos staatsgeld! is sy verweer.
Ons werk 12-uur skofte in die Burgerspark Hotel en (destyds) kol JJ Viktor is ons
bevelvoerder. Hy s: Julle is genomineer om daar te werk. Julle is xxx-vreters en
niemand sit n eis in vir kos of wat ook al! Finish en klaar! Ons het spaarsaam met
staatsgeld omgegaan!
Ek dink ons NSA-waardes4 is besig om te versleg!
Wat die BEE (SEB) betref s my jong seun gisteraand: Pa dis n goeie ding! Dit maak
ons net beter! Ek het nogal lank oor di een gedink. So word hulle ook maar
slagoffers van hulle eie wette!
53
Die Hoof van die Gevangenis deel my later mee dat die bandiete skoon vuisslaan om die
laaste Vrydag van die maand na die landdros kantoor 'uitgeboek' te word.
8.3 Geduld, o geduld wat so baie kan dra! Coert Marais (Pmb)
Passief? Geduldig?Lankmoedig? En al daai dinge. Dit is wat ek regtig wil wees. Dan gebeur
dinge soos politiek, maar ek probeer daar uit bly. DAN gebeur dinge soos gister......
Ek en Louise ry deur die strate van Pietermaritzburg op pad Pensioenkantoor toe. Al die
geskiedkundige geboue is betrek deur honderde "vlugtelinge". Die strate is vuil en vol
gemors. Mense loop oor die paaie en die karre moet keer of hul word raakgery. Die taxis
stop en ry waar hul wil.
Ons kry WETTIGE parkering in die besige straat reg voor die ingang na die pensioenkantoor
in Langalibalelestraat5, op die hoek met Chief Albert Lutulistraat. Ons is gelukkig, want daar
staan ander karre dubbel geparkeer in die straat, sonder bestuurders of passasiers. Louise klim
uit, want dit is vir my moeilik om die kar alleen daar te laat.
'n Groot "dame" klim uit 'n bakkie, wat sy reg langs my, dubbel geparkeer, net so laat en
padgee.
5 Minute later kom Louise uit. Nou sit ons en wag vir 25 minute. Vas geparkeer. Ek skakel
die verkeerspolisie en vertel hul die probleem. Hul verstaan nie wat so 'n groot probleem is
nie. Ek raak opgewonde. My bloeddrukpille en kalmeermiddels wil nie meer werk nie.
Uiteindelik verstaan die verkeersbeampte dat ek nie gelukkig is met die situasie nie. Nou
verduidelik ek waar ek geparkeer is. Hy weet nie waar dit is nie. Uiteindelik verstaan hy. Hy
gee die name van die strate aan as Loop en Durbanweg. Let wel, EK het dit as die nuwe
straatname aangegee. Duidelik is die nuwe benamings niks werd nie. Hy sal iemand uitstuur.
Moet se, ek sal seker nou nog gewag het as dit nie was dat die dame van die bakkie daar
aangekom het nie. Teen DIE tyd het ek al buite die kar gestaan en dans, asof op 'n baie warm
pad. Louise bly my kalmeer.
Baie rustig vra ek die dame "Madam, how can you park like this and just leave your vehicle?"
Boetie, was ek arrogant om so 'n vraag te vra!? Ek word vertel dat dit geregtig is om dit te
doen. Ek se dat ek die Polisie gekontak het. Ek word vertel dat sy nie bang is nie, want die
polisie is haar vriende. Na 'n vurige gesprek, meestal van haar kant af, laat sy my toe om te
ry.
Let wel, toe ek ry, is al die ander karre nog steeds daar dubbel geparkeer. Geen
verkeerspolisie in sig nie.
Ek kan nog uitbrei, maar "rest my case".
Sal maar weer bid vir my verdraagsaamheid.
Die Natal Mounted Police is in 1874 gestig juis agv die Langalibaleleopstand - HBH
54
excrement. Myers was dismissed for speaking out and ordered to pay a R500 fine.
Ecstatic
The dispute went through a long review process and ended up in the Labour Court,
which found in his favour. This decision was then overturned by the Labour Appeal
Court in March. The SCA set aside the appeal court's ruling, finding that the
unreasonableness of Myer's dismissal was sufficient to intervene. Myers told the
newspaper he was happy the court battle was over. "I am ecstatic that justice has
prevailed, and looking forward to returning to my rightful place in the SA Police
Service."
- SAPA
56
The dogs are kept and trained at the Pinelands police dog unit near the
Maitland police station.
It was believed that some police dogs could not concentrate properly because
they were hungry and were distracted by food when sniffing out explosives or
drugs, according to the report.
SPCA spokeswoman Cher Poznanovich said police dogs' food had been
reduced from a daily intake of 750g to 500g. A report handed in by the SPCA
late yesterday noted observations made by an inspector.
The report said that all the dogs except two were in a "good healthy
condition".
One of the two exceptions had undergone an operation and another had
"seemed a little thin".
The Cape Argus visited the dog unit yesterday and found only three dogs
training.
Officers there refused to answer questions.
Poznanovich said the problem had to be sorted out or the dogs' would not be
able to work properly.
She said the SPCA did not want to criticise the department until it had taught
police officers how to properly nourish the animals. Some of the dogs might
have worms or be ill, which would explain their behaviour, she said. "We
have to educate them (police) before we prosecute them.
anywhere until they understand how these dogs are meant to be treated."
Police spokesman Superintendent Billy Jones said the dogs' diet was specified
by the police vet. "There is a prescribed amount of food for the dogs, but,
individually, every dog is being continuously re-evaluated and weighed."
The police have hired an additional external vet to conduct a separate
investigation.
The chairwoman of the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa, June
Woodman, was enraged by the alleged malnourishment, saying the dogs had
to be properly nourished for the strenuous jobs they did. "I can't believe that
57
these dogs' food and facilities are funded by the government budget and they
go hungry. "Even at our organisation, where we have limited re-sources and
depend on public donations, no animal ever goes hungry," she said.
Woodman said that al-though the police dogs' food intake had been reduced
by 250g, what mattered was the quality of that food they were consuming. "If
they eat better quality food, more can be absorbed and they would have more
energy for their high activity level."
Marilyn Hoole, chairwoman of Tears, and Rene Southwood, manager at the
Animal Anti- Cruelty League, both said they had heard claims of
malnourishment at the unit but were not handling the matter.
Hoole said that if the claims were true, the apparent neglect was
"unacceptable".
58
Hy skryf verder volgens n opdrag van die polisie moet toepaslike stappe om
dit reg te stel, gedoen word, indien dit blyk dat die honde nie korrek gevoed
word nie.
N oorlegpleging met lt.kol. K.N. Sarkady, n weermagveearts, het Myers die
honde se rantsoen verhoog. Hy het die provinsiale bevelvoerder skriftelik
verwittig.
Ek is aanges dat slegs Pretoria (die nasionale kantoor) toestemming vir so n
stap kan gee en dat aansoek vir n verhoging in rantsoene gedoen moet word.
Dit ten spyte van die spesiale opdrag wat diskresie vereis.
Myers het toe in elk geval die rantsoen verhoog en toestemming is later
verskaf. Hy is in September 2006 geskors weens die nie-nakoming van bevele
van n aangestelde bevelvoerder van die honde-eenheid.
In di tyd is die honde se rantsoen weer verlaag en het hulle toestand agteruit
gegaan.
Ek is nie toegelaat om betrokke te raak by die eenheid of sy lede nie.
Hondegeleiers het verstaanbaar gefrustreerd geraak en hul unie gekontak, wat
die kwessie verder gevoer het...
Sy skorsing is op 30 Januarie vanjaar opgehef, maar hy het verlof geneem
terwyl n kwessie rakende sy aanstelling uitgeklaar word. Hy het egter op 15
Februarie sy verlof gekanselleer uit vrees dat dinge handuit sou ruk. Hy is toe
aanges om sy verlof te neem.
IVAN MYERS
Appellant
and
First Respondent
Second Respondent
Third Respondent
___________________________________________________________________
1.
This appeal raises the question whether the decision of a commissioner not to
reinstate a senior police officer who had been dismissed for addressing the public
outcry concerning a matter of public interest in the media, was so unreasonable that
no reasonable commissioner could have done so, or was reviewable on another of the
stated grounds.
60
2.
The appeal is with special leave granted by this Court against the whole of the
judgment and order of the Labour Appeal Court, the Labour Court having found in
appellants favour, the LAC having been divided on the issue.
3.
The appeal is not only about the facts and application of the law. It also raises
constitutional issues - the appellants right to freedom of speech and expression and
to dignity, the integrity and accountability of a senior police officer / public servant,
the basic values and the principles enshrined in section 195(1) (a) - (h) of the
Constitution.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
4.
The appellant, [Myers] was dismissed from the employ of the first
respondent, the SAPS, for having made a media communication regarding the
rations of police dogs at the Cape Town Dog Unit at Maitland.
5.
Lieutenant Colonel Myers had commanded the highly specialised Dog Unit
between 2001 and 2007. He had 28 years unbroken service in the SAPS. He
was accountable for the Units assets, human resources, finances and dogs.
But for his dismissal, he would have been eligible for early retirement in
August 2013.
Myers Vol 1 p 195 (11 21), 197 (12 25) to 198 (1 17) and 216 (11 23).
6.
its tender requirements for the supply of dog food. Dogs had previously been
receiving 800 grams of Olympic food per day. After the tender was awarded,
this was reduced to 500 grams of Vets Choice Premium. Upon his return from
attending a 4 month course in Pretoria during 2005, Myers noticed the dogs
appeared emaciated. He contacted the manufacturer of Vets Choice who
informed him that SAPS had purchased the wrong type of food for working
dogs and that he should increase the ration to 700 grams. He increased the
rations in collaboration with the Provincial Vet despite having written three
letters to the Provincial Head: Police Dogs, Colonel Visser [Visser].Visser
eventually granted authority in February 2006, Myers was in effect obliged to
do so unilaterally.
7.
Myers was suspended on 11 September 2006 after the SAPS had appointed an
inexperienced officer into his Unit Commander post with effect from 1
August 2006. Myers filed a grievance disputing this appointment. This
prompted SAPS to suspend and charge Myers for insubordination.
This
62
8.
During Myers period of absence in September 2006 the dog food rations at
his Unit were again reduced from 700 to 500 grams per day upon instruction
from senior management. This resulted in a discernible loss of weight in the
dogs.
9.
During December 2006 and again in February 2007, the South African Police
Union [SAPU], upon being approached by concerned dog handlers, raised the
issue of the malnutrition of police dogs at the Unit with SAPS management.
SAPS management ignored the pleas.
10.
11.
Two days later the story about the dogs malnutrition made headlines in the
media. It was inter - alia reported that the police dogs were eating their own
63
excrement due to malnutrition. Extreme damage was created to the image and
reputation of the dog unit by the SAPS management not reacting to the pleas
of SAPU. Members of the public reacted with shock and anger in the printed
and electronic media at the news of the condition of the dogs. Jones confirmed
at the disciplinary hearing that he understood SAPU to have initiated the
issue in the media and never referred to Myers as the person who created the
media exposure.
12.
SAPS managements eventual response was to deny that there was a problem
with the dogs. This further incensed the public. The issue about the dogs was
in the public eye and subject to intense scrutiny. Extreme adverse and
negative prejudice to the SAPS image was further created by this failure to
truthfully respond to the public outcry.
Visser Vol 1 p 92 (10 11)
Jones Vol 1 p 163 (1 9)
Myers Vol 1 p 186 (21 25)
13.
Myers, as commander of the dog unit, felt morally obligated to take charge of
the situation. On 21 February 2007 he interrupted his leave and returned to
the Unit to defuse the crisis. Upon his arrival at the Unit he found the chief
veterinarian of the SAPS who told Myers that they were about to hold a
64
14.
Newspaper articles the following day again indicated that police management
had denied that there were any problems. Jones, however, admitted that they
were aware by the 21st of February that the crisis had already spilt over to
national as well as international level.
15.
Myers position at the Dog Unit was well known, having been the de facto
media spokesman for the Unit dealing with the printed and audio visual
media during his tenure and having previously met a journalist about the
specific issue.
16.
Since the media exposure he had received numerous telephone calls from
members of the public, colleagues and friends who were clearly incensed and
directed accusations, particularly at him, that the dogs were being maltreated.
17.
On the 23rd of February 2007 Myers sent an email entitled Condition of Police
Dogs to Lamprecht seeking to address the issue regarding the dogs
65
malnutrition and to point out the steps he had taken to resolve the problem
and that the public can be assured of the Dog Unit members commitment to
the dogs.
18.
The gist of his email appeared in Die Burger under the following headlines:
Maitland - eenheid: Bevelvoerder verbreek swye. Rompslomp laat honde ly
19.
Myers Vol 1 p 189 (8 13), 208 (22 25), 215 (7 13), 217 (11 25) to 218 (1 7)
20.
On 18 June 2007 Myers was charged with contravening Regulation 20(f) of the
SAPS Discipline Regulations. It was alleged by the SAPS that by
communicating with the media Myers had prejudiced the administration,
discipline or efficiency of a department, office or institution of the State.
66
21.
22.
23.
24.
On review to the Labour Court, Myers was subsequently granted relief to have the
matter re-heard in the Bargaining Council before another Commissioner.
67
25.
SAPS applied for leave to appeal against this judgment which was denied by the
Labour Court, where-after SAPS successfully petitioned the Labour Appeal Court
[LAC].
26.
The minority in the LAC, per Zondi AJA found that although Myers had committed
an act of serious misconduct, the sanction of dismissal was unreasonable. The
majority, per Waglay DJP and Molemela AJA, found the sanction to be unreasonable
but not so unreasonable as to be reviewable, and confirmed the sanction of dismissal.
27.
The following facts render the decisions to dismiss and subsequently not to reinstate
the appellant in the first instance unfair and in the second case unreasonable.
27.1. Myers was not aware of a task team which was set up by the Provincial
Commissioner of SAPS to deal with the dog food issue and to discuss a
strategy to deal with the media.
27.2. Myers was excluded from the meeting at the Unit when he took it upon
himself to resolve the situation. Visser even conceded that it was a
responsible act for Myers to have gone to the Unit whilst on leave to
assist. Upon the proposition made to Commissioner Strydom by the
prosecutor that Myers actions should have made sure that the SAPS
received the best publicity, Strydom responded that, I t h i n k h e
sh o u l d h a v e b e en m o r e r e sp o n si b l e t o c o - o p e r a t e w i t h m a n a g e m en t
68
a n d t o d i sc u s s a n d m e e t w i t h u s i n o r d e r t o s e e h o w w e c a n c u r b
this
n eg a t i v e
publicity
that
was
c re a t ed
by
the
n e w sp a p er s
assist with the crisis but then told that he was not needed.
Visser Vol 1 p 96 (4 8)
Strydom Vol 2 p 245 (15 25) and 246 (3 6)
27.3. Visser testified that the purpose of the meeting [from which Myers was
excluded] was to explain the contract and the national instructions
regarding the feeding of the dogs to the commanders and the kennel
officials.
27.4. The majority in the LAC (at paragraph [102]) questioned the exclusion
of Myers from the meeting having asked itself whether he would not
have been best suited to deal with the issue that became a public
concern.
27.5. Commissioner Strydom clearly stated that Myers was not part of the
task team. Since he had arrived uninvited, he was not welcome at the
meeting. Myers was requested to leave.
69
27.6. Jones is also on record stating that he was not even aware as to why
Myers was at the Unit on 21 February 2007.
The exclusion of Myers from the meeting did not prompt him to commence
mudslinging the SAPS. The evidence of Myers was to the contrary he
wanted to restore his dignity and the dignity of his subordinates, the image of
the Dog Unit and the SAPS and his integrity as an accountable officer. No
mudslinging ever occurred. His response was a single response to the media.
It turned out to be the final word about the matter. It was by no account
defamatory or undermining of the objectives of the SAPS. It resolved the issue
in the public eye. To dismiss him for such a valuable public-spirited act and to
then not reinstate him was grossly unreasonable.
28.
The fact that the SAPS is an employer who serves the public, and who is
expected to maintain a high degree of discipline within its ranks, may mean
that a media statement that undermines the employer and displays a lack of
respect for authority is prejudicial to the SAPS and cannot go unpunished.
This does not however mean that any media statement, especially one that
never undermined the authority of SAPS or the discipline within the ranks,
justifies dismissal. Myers e-mail was not directed against the authority of
SAPS. It restored its dignity and that of the Unit. It gave a true and factually
correct explanation of the cause for the starvation of the dogs. To dismiss
70
Myers for that was grossly unreasonable, as was the decision not to reinstate
him.
29.
30.
30.2. By not balancing the right of freedom of speech and expression in the public
interest, the right to dignity, and the obligation to be accountable to the public
against the perceived prejudice of SAPS;
30.3. By not interpreting the Standing Order as a guideline and limitation on the
right to freedom of speech and expression in line with the values enshrined in
the Constitution;
30.4. That the conviction and sanction was a decision which a reasonable decision
maker could make in the circumstances.
71
31.
(24 March 2006) TPD the employee faced similar charges as Myers under the Public
Service Act. A full bench at paragraphs [44] to [52] found that whatever prejudice
there may have been for the employer, had been caused already by the time the
appellant made his strongly worded comments. If these comments caused any
prejudice to the department of which the appellant was an officer, such prejudice
existed already when the comments were made. The Court found that there could be
no causal link between the applicants actions and any prejudice the department may
have suffered and therefore found that there was no evidence upon which the
Arbitrator could have convicted the appellant of the charge of having caused
prejudice to the department.
32.
Whatever prejudice there may have been had certainly already been caused by the
SAPS itself by the time Myers made his comments. There can therefore be no causal
link between Myers actions and any prejudice that SAPS may have suffered. Under
these circumstances it is clear that there is no evidence upon which Myers could have
been convicted of having caused prejudice to the SAPS.
Myers Vol 1 p 177 (1 10) , Vol 2 210 (3- 4), 215 (7 13), 217 (5 6), 218 (3 7 and
22 - 24) to 219 (1 6), 308 (4 15)
33.
Myers as the officer accountable for the Dog Unit and the de facto media liaison
officer had just and reasonable cause to restore the negative publicity which had been
created by SAPS. He upheld the principles contained in s 195 of the Constitution by
being accountable and transparent in providing the public with accurate information
72
Kroukam v SA Airlink (Pty) Ltd (2005) 26 ILJ 2153 (LAC) para [94]
34.
The LAC based their finding of prejudice upon the heading of the publication in Die
Burger. Jones, the SAPS media liaison officer, twice conceded that the heading of a
newspaper report was the prerogative of the editor. Despite the heading Rondslomp
[red tape] in the newspaper, Jones confirmed that red tape caused the problem to the
extent that only one person from national level may prescribe and instruct what
amount of food the dogs may receive. The e-mail from Myers to the media had a
neutral non - prejudicial heading, to wit, Condition of Police Dogs. The content
thereof was largely factual. The newspaper report contained some editorial licence
(e.g. mond uitspoel) for which Myers cannot be blamed. Where Myers
exasperation appears in the e-mail, it is explained by him and was clearly justified by
the facts.
Jones Vol 1 p 129 (17 21), 130 (8 12), 152 (18-25) to 153 (1 2) and 174 (20 25) to
175 (1 8)
Myers Vol 1 p 205 (18 20)
73
35.
The content of the e-mail was never challenged by the SAPS during the arbitration.
Absent proof of false statements, knowingly or recklessly made, by a senior officer
exercising his right to speak on an issue of public interest, does not form a reasonable
basis for his dismissal / non-reinstatement.
Pickering v Board of Education 391 U.S 563, 568, 88 3 June 1968 at para 21
36.
The record indicates that there was no prejudice to the SAPS as a result of the
communication by Myers. All witnesses for the employer were unable to
disclose any prejudice to the SAPS as a result of that publication.
37.
This was also evident from the outset where Jones in his factual report that
precipitated the charges only stated that the conduct could have a negative
bearing on the Service. He also declined to comment on the e-mail to the
media when approached to do so.
38.
The emphasis of Standing Order 156 at 3(14), stipulates that official statements
to the media are to ensure that the Service receives the maximum benefit from
media exposure. Visser conceded that the Myers e - mail was to the maximum
74
benefit. He also stated that the content of the article was primarily the same as
what Dr Strydom had stated in the media.
39.
40.
It cannot be disputed that Myers e-mail was not dishonest, nor defamatory
and that it could not have had any negative impact on the operations of the
SAPS. No evidence was led as to any actual or potential effect or impact the
article had or could have had upon the SAPS.
Cf Edcon Ltd v Pilemer NO & Others 2009 (3) All SA 508 (SCA) at 516 para
[20]
41.
1541 (LC) at para [198] it was held that an employer who refuses to engage with an
employee cannot later be heard to complain that it was embarrassed or that it was
brought into disrepute by the employees whistleblowing. Besides denying all
wrongdoing (even when the dogs were seen eating their excrement and after the
public outcry had started in the media), the SAPS in casu singularly failed to engage
75
with SAPU on the two occasions and with Myers on another, when he availed
himself at the Unit on 21 February 2007. It could not, in the circumstances, have
reasonably taken disciplinary action against him for addressing the situation himself
directly.
42.
Strydom Vol 2 p 245 (10 25) to 246 (1 6) and p 262 (15 21)
43.
Myers and the members of his units right to dignity and their own accountability as
public servants justified his responding in the manner in which he did to the
prejudicial and negative media reports and associated public outcry. Since this
response was not forthcoming from his employer, it had to be from him.
Myers Vol 1 p 182 (10 13), 183 (17 24), 203 (10 24), 205 (1 7), 225 (1 9), 302 (1
21), and 305 (15 24)
76
44.
The malnutrition of the dogs was a matter of public interest even attracting
international media interest leading up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
45.
In light of the aforementioned paragraph this called for timely, transparent and
accurate accountability. Myers who was accountable for the Dog Unit responsibly
exercised his duty as the Unit Commander and de facto media liaison officer to inform
the public about the true reasons for the malnourished police dogs.
46.
47.
The public employer has the burden of justifying its adverse employment action.
It must demonstrate that the employees conduct interfered with governmental
operations or that it reasonably believed that the speech would interfere with such
77
48.
49.
The intention of the Myers publication was not defamatory or untrue. He addressed
a matter of public interest which was never disputed by the SAPS and who admitted
that it was a very sensitive issue and a crisis by going so far as to consider a media
strategy to deal with the public outcry. Myers was never informed about it.
50.
78
51.
There are other grounds on which Myers should have been reinstated. Members of
the SAPS who had spoken to the media before were never dismissed. Two incidents
were referred to where direct prejudice was occasioned upon the SAPS where only
warnings were issued.
52.
Myers was charged, convicted and dismissed without his representations ever
having been considered by Strydom.
53.
The SAPS disciplinary regulations together with the Standing Order require prompt
resolution in the form of either an instruction to withdraw criticism in the media or
to issue a warning to the employee. None of this was done. Myers was only charged
some four months later and dismissed (after being successful in the arbitration
relating to his unlawful transfer, which in itself questions the motive of the employer
for charging and dismissing Myers on the grounds of the media communication).
Vol 1 p 57
Strydom Vol 2 p 279 (1 10)
Myers Vol 2 p 300 (5 6)
54.
The communication did not evince any element of dishonesty, dereliction of duty,
loss to the SAPS, or a breach of the SAPS code of conduct, in any event not one which
could seriously have affected the public trust and confidence in Myers. Thus there
was no effect on the employee - employer relationship which justified his dismissal.
79
55.
56.
The preamble to all the Standing Orders of the South African Police Service states:
57.
58.
58
80
59.
60.
S.O (G) 156 provides that : The Service is an open and transparent organisation and
61.
62.
63.
81
64.
Under the heading Criticism and opinions the S.O.(G) provides that No
member may therefore comment negatively on aspects of policing which form part of
the responsibility of another section, component, station, unit etc. [Own emphasis].
The Third Respondent failed to take this second sentence of S.O. (G) 156. 13
(4) (a) into consideration. This is a reviewable irregularity.
65.
Notably the S.O. also states In addition to media liaison officials, the following
members may be designated to communicate with the media: .. (b) an expert from a
specialised unit who has been identified for this purpose; or.......provided that such
member possesses the necessary media communication skills.
66.
The Myers communication was in line with the provisions set out above and
furthermore complied with the undertaking given to the South African National
Editors Forum by the National Commissioner a month earlier where he said :
82
Elke polisiebeampte mag met julle praat oor sy veld en kennis en kundigheid. Ons wil
net nie h iemand van die honde-eenheid moet byvoorbeeld praat oor die helikoptereenheid nie. Ons wil nie inligting beperk nie. Die idee is om kommunikasie met die
publiek te verbeter .
Exhibit C Vol 1 p 73
Visser Vol 1 p 106 (15 - 25) to 108 (1 5)
Jones Vol 1 p 134 (8 20)
Myers Vol 1 p 188 (3 12), 200 (4 20),
67.
Despite the above and the provision in the S.O. at 13 (4) (c) that, criticism or comments
of justice; contravening the provisions of any Act; hamper or interfere with a specific
investigation; or prejudice, embarrass or discredit the Service.
68.
The content of the e-mail was neither critical nor prejudicial to the SAPS. It was
appropriate, factually correct, justified and made with reasonable cause. The
malnutrition of the dogs (and any concomitant prejudice to the SAPS reputation) was
already in the public domain. The e-mail laid the matter to rest. It could never be
argued that this restorative action in the circumstances constituted misconduct.
cf Pickering paragraph 10
cf Modiri v Minister of Safety and Security and Others [2012] 1 All SA 154 (SCA) at
paragraph 13.
69.
SAPS neither rebutted the content of the e-mail by publishing a different version nor
instructed Myers to retract his statements in terms of the Standing Order at 12(5)(b)
70.
The Standing Order was issued in 2001. Jones acknowledged that even after the
Standing Order was issued, commanders still had the mandate to communicate
directly with the media and that his role from 2004 was to assist and support officers
in that regard to ensure that that the content was in line with the vision and mission
of the SAPS. Thus Jones consternation was not that Myers had contravened the
Standing Order inasmuch as he had not used the Media Centre created by the
Provincial Commissioner as a support mechanism. There is no reference in the
Standing Order to a Media Centre and Myers did not require assistance.
Jones Vol 1 p 126 (13 25) to 127 (1 5), p 131 (7 11) and 138 (7 9)
71.
The finding by the Third Respondent that, I could find no further justifiable submissions
based on the evidence placed before me to come to the conclusion that the applicant had the
right to speak to the media without having discussed the matter with the media liaison official
and his commander, suggests that there was some justification for Myers
communication. This fact rendered the Third Respondents decision not to reinstate
Myers all the more unreasonable.
84
72.
73.
Vital and material factors not considered by the Third Respondent or the LAC
were the ambiguity in the S.O, the reasonable cause for making the statement,
the then National Commissioners undertaking to SANEF, the lack of any
evidence of prejudice having been created by the e-mail and the rights of
Myers and the dog handlers contained in sections 10 and 16 of the
Constitution together with his obligations in terms of s 195 of the
Constitution. The Third Respondents failure to apply his mind to these
highly relevant factors further rendered his decision reviewable.
74.
85
75.
In Edcon Ltd v Pillemer NO and Others (2009) 30 ILJ 2646 (SCA) this Court
stated the following regarding the reasonableness test:
It is therefore the
reasonableness of the award that becomes the focal point of the enquiry and in
determining this one focuses not only on the conclusion arrived at but also on the
material that was before the Commissioner when making the award
76.
77.
The evidential material before the Third Respondent did not justify his
conclusion. On the contrary, it rendered his conclusion so unreasonable no
reasonable commissioner could have made such a finding.
78.
and others delivered on 08 December 2011 (LC) (unreported), the Labour Court, in
dealing with the criticism made by an employee about his employer in a newspaper,
held that the arbitrator was required to consider all the evidence and could not
simply disregard critical factors. The main issue in that matter was whether the
employee believed that which he reported to be true.
86
79.
The Third Respondent in this matter failed to consider the totality of the
circumstances and deferred to the finding of the employer. Had he used his
own sense of fairness in making a reasonable value judgment, he, and any
other reasonable commissioner, would have concluded that the conviction
and dismissal was unfair and would have reinstated Myers.
cf Wasteman page 6
80.
The order sought on appeal to this Honourable Court is to uphold the appeal.
81.
The judgment of the LAC, it is respectfully submitted, should be set aside and
substituted with the following order :
81.1. The award by the Arbitrator and the judgment of the LAC are set aside;
81.2. The First Respondent shall re-instate the Appellant retrospectively to his
lawful post as Unit Commander: Cape Town Dog Unit from the date of the
dismissal with full salary, accruals, allowances and benefits including his
pension fund and medical benefits, together with all increases in the interim;
81.4. Payment of costs including the costs of two counsel, where so employed :
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
R G L STELZNER SC
J A NORTJE
15 AUGUST 2012
the SAPS dogs that had lost weight was caused by the police managements decision
to reduce their food rations from 700 grams to 500 grams.
The police management considered the statement to be prejudicial to the
administration, discipline or efficiency of the South African Police Service hence
the charge of misconduct against Myers.
The Labour Appeal Court agreed with the Disciplinary Hearings findings but
disagreed with the Labour Court which had held that the sanction of dismissal was
harsh and referred the matter back to the arbitration for rehearing.
The SCA held that the conviction for misconduct was correct but that the sanction of
dismissal was not fair given the circumstances. It found that the majority of the
Labour Appeal Court had not sufficiently considered the mitigating factors and had
adopted an incorrect test in approving of the sanction of dismissal. It agreed with the
judgment of the minority (presided by Zondi AJA) that the sanction was
unreasonable. The Labour Appeal Court had found that the dismissal was harsh but
not so unreasonable as to be set aside and which the SCA considered to be
inappropriate.
Myers had had unbroken service of 28 years in the SAPS and was a Commander of a
Unit who was only 6 years away from retirement. There was nothing to suggest that
if he was reinstated continued employment relationship on the SAPS would be
intolerable.
Having regard to all of the above factors the SCA considered the sanction of dismal
to be unfair, and reduced it to a written warning valid for a period of 12 months
from the date of this order and directed that he be reinstated.
9.6 Police need to bulk up capacity of forensic science labs - Kohler Barnard
Die skaduminisater van polisie stel voor dat die SAPD meer wetenskaplike labratoriums
kry. Vir meer besonderhede klik:
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=341987&sn=
Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
10.
NATIONAL
SECURITY
VEILIGHEIDSGESKIEDENIS
HISTORY
NASIONALE
10.1 WO2: Gevleuelde Seiners: Geveerde spioen sit jare in skoorsteen vas
2012-11-05 04:10 : The Telegraph
JOHANNESBURG. Toe David Martin die kaggel in sy huis in Surrey, in die suide
van Engeland, skoonmaak, het hy op veel meer as roet afgekom.
89
In die skoorsteen was die skelet van n posduif met n silinder aan sy poot wat n
geheime boodskap bevat wat van die D-Dag-inval in 1944 dateer. In die silinder was
sigaretpapier met gekodeerde skrif daarop, het Martin vertel.
Sy huis is naby die hotel in Reigate waar Brittanje se genl. Montgomery die D-Daginval van Frankryk in die geheim beplan het. Monty het militre duiwehokke by
die hotel aangehou.
In n Pigeons at War-uitstalling by Bletchley Park, die sentrum vir die Geallieerdes
se kodeontsyferaars, is talle boodskappe wat deur duiwe afgelewer is tydens die
Tweede Wreldoorlog. Hierdie is egter die eerste boodskap wat in kodetaal geskryf
is.
Kenners probeer ontsyfer nou die boodskap, wat nooit sy voorgenome ontvanger
bereik het nie, om hopelik n unieke insig in die oorlog te kry.
Die boodskap is gestuur deur sers. W. Stott en was bedoel vir die geheimsinnige
X02, n moontlike kodenaam vir die Bomkommandement.
Posduiwe was onder vele diere wat deur die Geallieerdes ingespan is tydens die
Tweede Wreldoorlog. Hulle is gebruik om tydens die D-Dag-inval boodskappe
terug na die Verenigde Koninkryk te stuur dat operasies volgens plan verloop het.
The Telegraph http://www.dieburger.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Geveerde-spioen-sitjare-in-skoorsteen-vas-20121105
10.2 The Rhodesian T-55 Tanks and Operation Hectic - Johan Jacobs
Before 1979 the Rhodesian Army had not possessed any tanks.
The regiment consisted of five armoured squadrons, each of four troops, with a
supporting Signals Troop, Army Service Corps detachment, Training Troop and an
HQ element. In 1979 a supporting Infantry Troop was added. A, B and C Squadrons
were territorial units, while D and E Squadrons were staffed by regulars and
national servicemen. The armoured troops used the South African
manufactured Eland 90 armoured car, the British made Ferret armoured scout
car and a variety of Rhodesian armoured personnel carriers constructed on the short
wheelbase '25' and long wheelbase '45' Mercedes truck chassis, or the Nissan truck
chassis.
Eland 90
Ferret
90
In October of 1979 they received eight T-55 tanks from South Africa, confiscated
from a French ship, the Astor, which had been transporting a heavy weapons
consignment from Libya for Idi Amin in Uganda. Amins regime collapsed on the
day that the ship docked in Mombasa it was redirected to Angola. The ship called in
to Durban where the cargo, including ten Polish-built T-55LD tanks (built in 1975),
was seized, South Africa at that point considering itself to be at war with Angola.
Two of the tanks were kept by the South Africans for evaluation. The remaining
eight were transported to Rhodesia, together with SADF advisers for the purpose of
training Rhodesian crews. The rumour was spread that the tanks had been captured
in Mozambique, in order to obscure South Africas part in the deal. The tanks, now
part of the Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment (RhACR) - in a newly-formed E
Squadron were driven around on tank transporters for several months in order to
give the impression that the Rhodesians possessed a large number of heavy tanks.
On arrival the T-55s had sported the original Libyan camouflage scheme.
Libyan camouflage
Major Winkler was from 1978 the Officer Commanding the RhACR, he was an
American field grade officer in the U.S. Army, who, after resignation went to South
Africa first, and then towards Rhodesia. He was commissioned in the Rhodesian
Army on 12 August 1977. The Rhodesian Armoured Corps then consisted of four
squadrons. He ordered the tanks to be repainted in American camouflage, which
was eminently unsuitable, and finally the South African instructors had them
painted in anti-infra-red South African camouflage, which proved perfect for
Rhodesian conditions.
91
SA Camouflage
The tank crews came from 'D' Sqn RhACR, regular force soldiers who had signed on
for a minimum of 3 years. Trained crews were vital if the tanks were to be used to
maximum effect and it was necessary to ensure that the crews would remain in the
Army for some time. A few of the men had tank experience already, but initially
there was a lot of experimenting and reliance on the manuals, until Army HQ
arranged for proper training by members of the SADF School of Armour.
Command of 'E' Sqn was given to Captain Kaufeldt, an experienced tanker from
West Germany. More recruits from the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) and Selous
Scouts arrived to fill the gaps and acquitted themselves well in their new task. The
Soviet-manufactured radios were removed from the tanks and replaced with the
South African radios and headsets used on the South African made Eland 90
Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs). These used a throat-activated microphone
system and were far superior to the Soviet models. In Soviet tanks the radios were
operated by the loader, in addition to his task on the main gun. The Rhodesians,
reasoning that the loader already had enough to keep him occupied, moved the
radios to the tank commander's position. The tank crews were issued with brandnew Soviet AK47 assault rifles and were eager to test them in battle conditions. The
tanks were ready for action in a flash while talks were going around for a peaceful
settlement. But they were destined to remain unused.
After the election of Bishop Muzorewas government in 1979, Rhodesians hoped that
Britain and the international community would recognise his administration and
end sanctions. After all, British observers had pronounced the election free and fair
in their official report. African voters had turned out in great numbers to vote for the
Bishop, and, with a few minor exceptions, there had been no intimidation or
coercion. The Rhodesians rightly felt that they had fulfilled the demands of the
international community for African majority rule in Rhodesia, now renamed
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
92
based at the Audio Visual Arts building of the University of Rhodesia. As far as
possible, the ZIPRA men would be given an opportunity to escape, and had possibly
been informed of the plan beforehand.
The SAS squadrons were to be backed up by tanks and armoured cars of the
Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment, together with a surprise weapon in the form of
hitherto undisclosed 106mm recoilless rifles in the Rhodesian armoury. Eland
armoured cars would support A and B Squadrons, while the Rhodesian T-55
tanks would support C Squadron by pounding the Audio Visual Arts building into
rubble prior to the attack by the troops. At first it was intended that all eight of the T55 tanks would be used against the university buildings, but later four of them were
sent to Bulawayo to assist the RLI Support Commando in the attack planned for a
large Assembly Point in the area.
The tanks were secretly put onto low-loaders and moved to a forward assembly area
at the King George VI barracks. Rehearsals with the tanks had taken place at Kibrit
barracks, and the planning was thorough and detailed. The tanks would fire
approximately 80 high-explosive rounds into the building at point-blank range, after
which a single tank would ram the security wall around the university. With
foresight, the troops had even removed the front fenders of the tank concerned, so
that debris from the wall would not get caught under them and foul the tracks! This
was the command tank and during the preparations the CO was in close contact
with SAS Major Bob Mackenzie, whose troops would subsequently enter the
building and clear it. Trooper Hughes, who took the unique photos shown here, was
loader on this particular tank and he recalls that the tanks were also equipped with
spotlights and fully stocked with extra 12.7 and 7.62 ammunition in addition to the
main gun load.
The SAS teams would use this breach to storm the building and clear it of terrorists,
marking each cleared room with a sheet draped out of the window. The SAS men
were well-prepared for their task, equipped with AK-47s, body armour and stun
grenades, similar to those used by their British counterparts. The operation would be
over before the terrorists were aware of what was happening. As the voting drew to
a close, the troops of the SAS, RLI and Selous Scouts waited eagerly for the code
word Quartz to be given. They were impatient to get to grips at last with the enemy
that had always used classic guerrilla hit and run tactics. There can be no doubt that
if the order had been given the terrorist forces would have been decimated within
hours. Their superior numbers would have counted for little in the face of an attack
by the small, but highly motivated and effective Rhodesian troops.
The signal was never given and the tanks were later taken up into the new
Zimbabwe Army.
95
@JohanJacobs 27/11/12
References:
Wikipedia
NEWSLETTER No 404,
40 NOVEMBER 2012
Our speaker on 11 October 2012 was Dr Anne Samson,, an independent historian
and coordinator of the Great War in East Africa Association, and the author of
World War One in Africa the Forgotten Conflict of the Empire, which is to be
published shortly.
Dr Samson introduced her lecture by asking what aspects of the campaign were of
most interest to the audience, concluding th
that,
at, for most of us, the military aspects
were what attracted our attention most. Instead of looking at these, our speaker
chose to examine some of the behind the scenes actions of the campaign which
96
explain why or how the military campaign developed in the way it did and also to
look briefly at the two best-known commanders in German East Africa Gen Jan
Christiaan Smuts and Gen Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck.
Dr Samson argued that none of the countries involved in the campaign had actually
wanted to fight in East Africa. The only person who had an explicit intention to
wage war in the area was von Lettow-Vorbeck, whose strategy was to attract as
many forces away from the main battle front in Europe as he possibly could. The
German Governor Heinrich von Schnee was prepared to fight only if the territory
was threatened. Britain unwittingly provided that opportunity when a signaller
dutifully carried out the instructions set out in the Naval Blue Book. The Royal Navy
bombarded the wireless stations at Dar es Salaam on 8 August 1914, before a shot
had been fired in Europe the British Expeditionary force had not yet arrived at the
front! The governor chose not to retaliate but to carry out the Kolonialamt orders to
evacuate the coastal areas and destroy the wireless stations.
Von Lettow-Vorbeck saw the British action as an act of war and ordered pre-emptive
attacks. He had arrived in East Africa in 1914 and had toured the territory to
ascertain what he needed to do to defend the colony should a war break out in
Europe.
In London, things were in a state of disarray. The Prime Minister, Asquith, was
trying to get Britain on a war footing and planning to protect the British Isles and
send the forces promised to France and Belgium. East Africa had been discussed by
the cabinet on 5 August 1914, the day before Kitchener was appointed Secretary of
State for War. It was decided to send a force from India to help protect British East
Africa and another Indian force to invade German East Africa at Tanga. This was
done with the intention of protecting sea routes rather than for territorial acquisition.
This decision resulted in the fiasco at Tanga where 1 100 German troops routed 8 000
Indian invaders.
This result was not surprising! After deciding to send troops on 5 August 1914, their
departure was then delayed until a departure date was decided upon. The War
Office, India Office, Colonial Office and Admiralty were all involved although the
India Office was ultimately responsible. General Aitken believed that the landing
would be a walk-over as his Indian troops would be fighting black troops not a
correct assumption! His troops spent six weeks afloat and many of the men had
never seen the sea, let alone travelled in a ship. Many fell ill and no disembarkation
training had been carried out. The equipment had not been packed to enable easy
off-loading.
Capt Caulfield, the naval officer in charge, refused to allow the transports into Tanga
Bay as he was worried about mines. Also a local truce had been declared by Admiral
97
King-Hall. This truce was rejected by the Admiralty and Caulfield advised the
Germans of this, so warning them of the impending attack. He then had the bay
swept for mines. The time spent on all of this gave Von Lettow-Vorbeck 24 hours to
move his troops to Tanga to deal with the landing. The land attack at Longido had
taken place a day earlier so he could concentrate his efforts on one attack at a time.
The British East African territories were all raising forces and preparing for war
against the German colony. On Lake Nyasa HMS Gwendolen put the German
Hedwig von Wissmann out of action and the battles of Kasoa and Karonga were
fought. The German administrator, Steir, inquired of his British counterpart in
Nyasaland if there was a war on as German troops were massing at Mbeya and he
had not been informed! When this was confirmed the local German commander,
Steinkeller, wrote to the British administrator warning him to remove women and
children from the town before he attacked.
Northern Rhodesia occupied Schuckmannsburg in the Caprivi Strip. Naval actions
took place on Lake Tanganyika to prevent the Belgians from getting involved and
the situation remained static until Cdr Spicer-Simpson arrived with his flotilla in
August 1915. Battles took place on Lake Victoria between the British and Germans
for dominance of the ports on the lake and attacks were made by the Germans to
disrupt the Uganda Railway.
In the Indian Ocean the German cruiser SMS Knigsberg was causing concern and
had sunk HMS Pegasus in Zanzibar harbour on 20 September 1914. She sheltered in
the Rufiji delta to effect repairs and await a supply of coal. But she was found by the
Royal Flying Corps and the South African hunter and scout Pieter Pretorius. After
some 18 months Knigsberg was finally sunk by two monitors but not before her
guns were removed and they and the crew joined Von Lettow-Vorbecks land forces.
Some 35 allied ships were released for service elsewhere by this sinking.
Up to and after the battle of Tanga, control over the British forces in East Africa was
in a state of shambles. The War Office controlled strategic direction but Kitchener
wanted to avoid war in East Africa, whilst the general staff wanted to fight. The
Colonial Office provided local direction and was responsible for costs. They were
reluctant to do anything which would involve expense and this included the
provision of troops and equipment. The Admiralty controlled delivery of supplies
and troops and had to defend the carriers, ports and cargo in the Indian Ocean. The
India Office supplied men and material and commanded the two Indian
Expeditionary forces in East Africa, which were directed by the War Office and
working alongside the staff and forces controlled by the Colonial Office. All of this
was sure to lead to total confusion! In addition the Foreign Office was there to
ensure that Britain and its allies in Africa all worked in harmony while the Colonial
Office did not really want any other countries involved. This state of affairs was
98
The South Africans fought their first battle in East Africa before Smuts arrived,
under the command of Gen Smith-Dorrien. The result was the slaughter on 12
February 1916 at Salaita Hill. Von Lettow-Vorbecks forces were spread across the
country. By now they were a finely-honed fighting force which had fought on
without any support from Germany. They were largely black soldiers or Askaris, but
with some white officers and NCOs and naval personnel from the Konigsberg. They
learned to survive on what was available and to live off the land, which simplified
logistics considerably. Each unit was independent and did not rely on their
commander in chief for instructions.
Opposing them was a polyglot force made up of British, South Africans, Indians,
Rhodesians, East and Central Africans, joined later by Gold Coasters, Nigerians and
West Indians some 23 countries involved in the end. They were largely infantry as
the climate did not really suit horses. Since 1914 there had been four Commanders in
Chief, each with his personal style and idiosyncrasies.
Control and command was centralised as far as was possible with the poor means of
communication available. This proved to be a problem when the proper timing of
coordinated attacks was essential as part of Smuts encircling tactics. Maps were
scarce commodities for both sides but, until they were pushed south of the central
railway, the Germans had a better command of the terrain. In his memoirs, Von
Lettow-Vorbeck noted that, each time a map was captured, this was used to update
and improve his maps and so eventually get a comprehensive map of the country.
This in fact applied to both sides.
Although there were stories of atrocities, these were few and in the early days of the
campaign. Later on, prisoners were exchanged, truces called to collect the wounded
and bury the dead and letters of complaint regarding treatment of people and
ungentlemanly behaviour were exchanged. When von Lettow-Vorbeck was awarded
the Pour le Mrite in November 1916, Smuts wrote to congratulate him, knowing
that he would not have received the news from Germany as the telegraphic links
with Germany had been severed.
Both commanders were both loved and hated. Von Lettow-Vorbeck was known as a
strict but humane commander, often marching with his men. Smuts was well
regarded by his troops for suffering the same deprivations as his men unlike many
British officers who were perceived to live better than their troops. He was however
accused of neglect by some of his more senior commanders for overstretching his
supply lines too much often men were marching and fighting on quarter rations.
This probably applied to both sides as German East Africa had very poor roads and
railways and animal transport suffered heavily from disease.
Smuts was in East Africa for approximately one year. There seems to have been only
100
one occasion when Smuts and Von Lettow-Vorbeck personally commanded the
forces that opposed each other. This was in the lead-up to the battle of Wami in
August 1916. It does not appear that they were aware of this. In January 1917, Smuts
was recalled and told that he would be attending Lloyd Georges Imperial War
meetings in London on behalf of Louis Botha.
On his departure Smuts announced that the Germans had been defeated. They had
lost control of the most important towns and all that remained to be done were
mopping-up operations. This, however, was not the case at all and Gen Hoskins,
Smuts successor, was replaced after three months for inactivity. In fact, he had been
repairing much-needed lines of communication during the rainy season, when
fighting was almost impossible. In fact there is evidence to indicate that Smuts had
been involved in the removal of Hoskins and his replacement by Gen Jaap van
Deventer as commander-in-chief. Van Deventer was to see the campaign through to
its end, even though he was not at hand to accept the surrender.
Von Lettow-Vorbecks struggle had taken him deep into Portuguese East Africa
(almost reaching the Zambezi River), back into German East Africa and into
northern Rhodesia where the last battle was fought on 13 November 1918 at Kasama.
The Germans surrendered unconditionally on 16 November 1918 five days after
the formal cessation of hostilities - and the formal surrender took place at Abercorn
to Gen Edwards on 25 November 1918.
Smuts was in London representing South Africa at Imperial War meetings and
thereafter, at Lloyd Georges request, he stayed on as handyman of the Empire
resolving issues strikes by Welsh miners, visiting the front, preparing the defence
of London against air attack and being part of the process of founding the RAF,
among others. As a result of Smuts request to be allowed to take over Belgian-held
territory in German East Africa, the Foreign Office thought it prudent to ascertain
the war aims of the various countries involved in Africa. The Belgians and
Portuguese were quite concerned that South Africa was after their territory. Smuts
was also involved in plans for the creation of a League of Nations and a mandate
system.
On 19 January 1919, five years after the date he arrived in East Africa, Von LettowVorbeck was on his way home. The decision not to return German East Africa to
Germany had been taken. He had been undefeated and was the only German
general to occupy British territory but the German colony would become a British
mandate. In 1920, Von Lettow-Vorbeck and Governor Schnee joined forces for the
first time (even though the Governor had stayed the course of the campaign in East
Africa) to fight for the return of the colony to Germany as they had not been
defeated. But it was not to be.
101
Smuts and Von Lettow-Vorbeck finally met one another at a dinner in London in
1929. They remained in contact with each other and, during the Second World War
Smuts and other British friends sent food parcels to Germany to help Von LettowVorbeck through some tough times after Hitler had cancelled all his allowances,
Their last contact was two weeks before Smuts died in 1950. In 1953 Von LettowVorbeck returned to Africa to see the changes that had occurred and was welcomed
by his surviving Askaris. Ten years later, the year he died, the German government
finally decided to pay the surviving Askaris their outstanding salaries fifty years
after they had served the Kaiser.
The time Smuts spent in East Africa facing Von Lettow-Vorbeck has become the
most well-known part of the East Africa campaign. The British press, after Tanga
and the defeat at Jasin in 1915, carried very few reports. The campaign was regarded
as a side show when compared with the European struggles. The arrival of Smuts
spurred the campaign into action and his driving, or rather the avoiding tactics of
the Germans, enabled him to take control of the German territory. Smuts the
politician recognized the power and influence of the press and ensured that he sent
regular positive reports back to South Africa and London. Life for the troops under
Smuts was hard and improved only slightly later on. Gen Jaap van Deventer carried
on the campaign until the end but as the war had become a relentless pursuit of the
German forces, there was little to report.
It is estimated that one million lives were lost, including porters. Of the British
losses, 75% died from disease and malnutrition. The cost to Britain was 72 million
pounds, four times the 1914 military budget. The cost to South Africa was 39 million
pounds. Britain achieved what it desired, except for Rwanda and Burundi. India
failed to obtain colonial territory and South Africa failed to expand. Belgium gained
more than it wanted and only Portugal was happy with what territorial gains they
received.
In the final assessment, Lord Kitchener was right. There had been no need to fight
the East African campaign. Why Kitchener was against the war in East Africa is the
subject for another talk, as is the reason why South Africa has done so little to
remember the loss of so many young lives in East Africa. Had it not been for 1916,
the one year when Jan Smuts and Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck faced one another, the
East African campaign would still be as little-known as the West African and
Palestinian campaigns of that same world war.
For members with a special interest in the German East African Campaign, the
website of the Great War in East Africa Association is http://gweaa.com/.
The Chairman thanked Dr Samson for giving us a rare treat, a preview of her
forthcoming book, and remarked that it was a particular pleasure to have a lady
102
generasie met bittergal in hulle strandhuise by die see sit. Diegene wat n gemors
van die verlede gemaak het, het geen geloofwaardigheid mee om enigiets aan ons
toekoms te doen nie. As ek hulle was, het ek liefs in skaamte geswyg.
Soos ek dit verstaan gaan dit nie hier eerstens of die Belharbelydenis my verhouding
met die Drie-enige God en my naaste op Bybelse grondslag suiwer vergestalt nie,
maar oor Belhar wat die deur na gister toesluit en die deur na mre oopsluit. Die
ouer generasie het 'n gemors van die verlede gemaak en Belhar gaan dit regmaak.
Indien dit die bedoeling is, wag daar 'n wrede ontnugtering op dr. Ernst. Die SuidAfrikaanse Raad van Kerke wat nou deel van die VGKSA is, was bloot 'n gerieflike
werktuig vir die ANC/SAKP-alliansie om hulle doelstellings te bereik. Die invloed
van die VGKSA op politieke terrein is onbenullig. Voorvadergeeste en Sangomas het
baie meer invloed.
Ek het nogal gehoop dat dr. Stoffel van der Merwe se relaas oor die
wesenskenmerke van apartheid 'n beter begrip van die probleme waarmee ons, die
ouer generasie geworstel het, by dr. Ernst sou skep. Hy het dit ter insae gehad. Dat
mnr. F W de Klerk en die Nasionale Party in baie opsigte verbrou het, is gewis en
seker. Die vraag is egter waar in Afrika het demokrasie geslaag en 'n gesonde
staatkundige bedeling geskep?
Ek heg die kommentaar wat ek na aanleiding van kritiek wat ek voorheen ontvang
het, gelewer het, weer hierby aan.(Word nie aangeheg nie.)
Groete
Johan van der Merwe
Kol Hein Kilian vertel verder, soos vertel aan, en weergegee deur, Anemari Jansen
en Larry Hanton.
105
Man, 1978 toe ek van offisierskursus af kom, toe moes ons Saterdae oortyd werk. En
die offisier moet nou saam met die polisievrou werk. Ek weet nie of hulle nie die
outjies saam met die vroue vertrou het of wat nie. Nou loop ek en Xxx daar in
Princeslaan en daar kom `n verdagte so uit die OK Bazaar uit gehardloop, en
almal skreeu keer keer. Ek gryp hom daar vas toe het hy `n klomp vroue
onderklere gesteel, ek druk hom daar vas en ek vra Xxx of sy magtiging het om te
bestuur. Ja, s sy en ek s vir haar nou gaan haal die polisiekar. Dit was so `n ou geel
Valiant. Nou is dit Saterdagoggend, die dorp is vol en die omstanders raak
opstandig, want ek druk hierdie perd vas. Ek maak die agterdeur oop, ek laai hom
agterin en ek s vir haar ry polisiestasie toe. Maar sy ry. Kyk, ek en die verdagte is
meer af van die sitplek af as op die sitplek.
Ons kom daar by die stasie en sy stop en ons is weer af van die sitplek. Nou is ons by
die stasie in, en wat jy gewoonlik doen is om hom onder die toonbank te laat sit en
ek maak `n skeleton docket oop. Ek vra vir hom wat is sy naam, maar hy brom-
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brom. Maar Xxx haak vas en sy moer hom onder daai toonbank. Wat is jou f@kken
naam, en sy pluk hom daar uit. Kyk, sy het nie k@k van kabouters gevat nie.
Nou hou ek maar my pose, jy weet, ek is `n jong offisiertjie en ek kan nou nie ook die
perd daar `n paar warm klappe gee nie. Die volgende oomblik toe trek sy die perd
daar bymekaar maar sy moer hom vet. As sy hom `n vraag vra moet hy antwoord.
Daarna, toe sing hy soos `n kanarie. Nee jis, daai was nie jou antie nie.
Nee, ek dink sy sou `n paar ouens dik gedonner het in haar dae, dis verseker. Sy het
ook daarop geroem dat sy enige ou onder die tafel in kan drink. Sy het nie dat enige
man haar intimideer nie.
In 1972 het vroue in die polisie ingekom. Aanvanklik was dit vir ons as oudpolisiemanne `n vreeslike aanpassing gewees. Kyk, daar het `n paar mi
polisievrouens ingekom, en minder mooies - die mooies is natuurlik verskriklik
gejag. Baie van hulle is met polisiemanne getroud ook. Van die minder mooies het
maar so rondgefloat en van hulle is ook eventueel getroud, met haasmanne en ander
polisiemanne. Kyk, `n haasman is `n ou wat nie `n polisieman is nie.
Ek het twee van hulle gehad wat die kursus gedoen het saam met Louis-hulle.
Jeanine en Madelein. Later het Tessa Nel bygekom. Sy het nou laasjaar eers afgetree
van die eenheid af. Daar was nie baie vrouens nie, maar die wat by my eenheid
betrokke was, het baie goeie werk gedoen.
Daar was tye wat dit maar moeilik en rof gegaan het. Jy het ook maar jou moangatte
en huilies gehad. Ouens wat na hulle ma`s toe gehardloop het, een sommer na die
minister toe.
Hoe het jy die ma`s hanteer? Het hulle jou gebel?
Jy sal dit nie glo nie, maar ek was op `n stadium geparadeer gewees. `n Ou het `n
naamlose brief geskryf vir die kommisaris, en hy het vyf aantygings daarin gemaak.
Ek vloek die ouens (die enigste ding wat waar was), ek gebruik my polisiekar terwyl
ek op verlof is, ek kry `n duiktoelaag maar ek duik nooit nie. Dit was so vier of vyf
aantygings, maar dit was `n klomp str@nt gewees, maar toe paradeer hulle my voor
`n generaal Stevens. Gelukkig het my seun `n plakboek bymekaargehou. Toe het ek
al die foto`s waar ons lyke uitgeduik het. So dit was ongesubstansierde aantygings.
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naamlose brief nie. Dis in die eerste plek `n ou wat `n slapgat of `n lafaard is. Dit was
`n ou wat ek eendag opgedonner het by die eenheid. En hy het nie die guts gehad
om sy pak te vat, of my te kom konfronteer nie.
Maar daardie selfde generaal voor wie ek geparadeer was, het die eenheid agterna
kom besoek. Hy en omtrent vier of vyf generaals. En hulle het mos nou agtergekom
wie is die eenheid en wat doen ons. Dit was nie toe Adriaan Vlok daar was nie, dit
was voor dit. Die aand voor hulle ry, toe stap hy saam met my en klap my nog so
agter op die skouers en s: Jy doen `n baie goeie job - donner hulle op. Net so. Dit
was sy spesifieke woorde aan my.
Dit het my verskriklik gegrief, die naamlose brief.
Foto 3: Kapt Kilian en Gert van der Merwe tydens huispenetrasie oefeninge.
En dan die ou wie se ma vir die minister ges het hy kry nie kos nie, ou Nick se ma,
maar hy het my agterna kom om verskoning vra. En dit was nonsens man. Hulle het
kos gevat vir die lede, elke dag, van die menasie af, Wayne Farr het met `n spesiale
voertuig gaan aflewer. Voor ons Dunnottar toe is het ons nie `n kombuis gehad nie,
toe het ons baie swaargekry. Ons het baie dae van die oorskietkos van die Benoni
menasie geleef. In die lokasies kon jy niks koop nie, alles was vol traanrook en daar
was in elk geval baie min te koop.
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Ons het een aand uit Kwa-Thema uit gery met twee Casspirs, na my huis toe en ons
was erg honger. Hulle het my sypaadjie in sy peetjie in gery. My vrou het iets soos
vyf en twintig brode daardie aand opgesny. My laaitie het net kafee toe en terug
gejaag heeltyd, as hy die bord so neersit, dan is dit nt so, dan is daar niks nie. Ekself
het nie eens een broodjie gehad daai aand nie. As `n ou honger gely het, het ek saam
met hom honger gely, verstaan., Ek het nie gery en iewers gaan eet nie en
teruggekom en ges oukei julle moet maar vrek van die honger nie. Daar was nie
sulke dinge nie. Vandat ons Dunnottar toe getrek het kan `n ou nooit s hy het nie
kos gekry nie. Ons het vir hulle kos in die lokasie gaan aflewer. Maar soos mense
nou maar is, nou kry hy vier toebroodjies en dan kla hy daaroor.
Foto 4: Lede van die eenheid kyk toe terwyl tradisionele wapens ingehandig word.
`n Dom vraag: hoe het salarisse gelyk? vra Anemari.
Die ou wat by die polisie aangesluit het, kry dadelik `n salaris. As hy na die Eenheid
toe gekom het omdat ons `n onluseenheid was, het hulle ietsie ekstra gekry, nie
veel nie, maar darem.
Ek het nog iewers my ou betaalstrokies my laaste bedrag wat ek uitgekry het was
R 2 900. Die salarisse was altyd pateties swak, maar jy het nie vir die salaris polisie
toe gegaan nie. Uit die aard van die saak moes meeste van ons se vrouens werk. As
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jou vrou nie gewerk het nie het jy swaargetrek en baie ouens het swaargetrek.
Vrouens het die pot aan die kook gehou. Jy`t maar die huis betaal en die kinders se
skoolfonds en sulke goed.
En baie ouens se vrouens kon nie die druk hanteer nie. Ek meen, jy kan verstaan, jy`t
`n babatjie, en die ou is nooit daar nie. Jy sit as `n vrou by die huis alleen in die nag,
die kind het kroep, of hy`t gastro of die tipe van goed en jy moet die hele nag met
daardie kind sit en more moet jy weer gaan werk. Baie vrouens kon dit nie hanteer
het nie, dan vat hulle maar die pad, gaan terug na die ma toe - as die ou by die huis
kom het sy weggeloop.
Daar was altyd huislike probleme. Baie ouens se meisies het my gebel met vrae soos:
hy s hy`s by die werk, s hy by die werk, jy weet want hulle het nooit geglo `n ou
kan so baie werk nie. Ek meen jissie, Saterdagaand kom en gaan, Vrydagaand kom
en gaan, Maandagoggend is hy miskien n bietjie af, en dan Wo, Do, Vr, Sat, Sondag
sien jy hom nie weer nie. Kyk, daai tyd was daar nie selfone nie. Nou, die enigste
telefoon was by die polisiestasie. In die hewige onlusgebiede was daar net `n
polisieradio, en die pagers of Beepers wat ons gedra het. Baiemaal het ons gesukkel
met opvangs met die polisieradios. So kommunikasie was `n werklike probleem.
Net voor ek uit die Mag uit is het ons Beepers gehad, wat ons self gerel het deur die
Brandweer.
Ek sal s 1980 tot 1989, en beslis 1990, was daar groot, groot, onlussituasies gewees.
Daar is ook die kwessie rondom kommunikasie met die vrouens. Baie van die ouens
soos Larry Hanton, en ek en Bert Steyn, wat lank getroud was se vrouens het vrede
gemaak met ons werk as polisiemanne ek meen, toe Larry Taakmag toe is, was hy
ook net so lank by die huis weg. Karen het al geweet, as hy nie daar is nie is hy nie
daar nie, verstaan. Maar sy het geweet hy is by die werk. Dit is die verskil. Baie van
die ouens wat nie `n standvastige verhouding gehad het nie, het probleme gehad.
Ek dink jy en jou vrou moet eerstens vriende wees, en ek sou s daar moet
wedersydse respek vir mekaar wees.
Baie outjies was jonk getroud en baie geskei soos China Bekker en Moaner. Moaner
het `n baie stormagtige verhouding gehad voor hy getroud is. Jy weet, die outjies
was jonk, en van die girls het hulle baie gelaaik. As jy in die dorp rondgeloop het
met jou cammo... daar was nooit `n tekort aan vroumense nie. Uit persoonlike
ondervinding kan ek jou ook s baie vroumense h van `n ou in uniform. Veral as
`n ou goed lyk in sy uniform, As jy `n ou kry wat mooi gebou is, en hy lyk netjies
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ek jou s, meisies is nie `n probleem nie. Ek kan jou verseker, jy kan maar gaan kyk,
selfs in Amerika, as daardie ouens daar staan op parade, met hulle uniform en
medaljes aan, step-outs en goed, die vroumense drool oor hulle. Hy hoef nie die
aantreklikste ou te wees nie, maar hy lyk aantreklik in `n uniform. `n Uniform maak
ouens net meer gesog en aanvaarbaar en baiekeer, jy kan maar kyk, het ouens in
hulle uniforms getrou. En dit het baie probleme veroorsaak. Die ouens maak ogies
vir die girls, en die girls vir die ouens - en more oormore het hy die girl se adres
gevat, en dan die tyd wat hy af is, wat hy by die huis moet wees, gaan kuier hy by
die girlfriend, jy weet. So daardie tipe van dinge het gebeur.
Net so op `n ligter nooit, daar was `n ou by ons op die eenheid, ou Dirk Struwig. Een
van daai yster-ouens. Hy het nou lank in Irak en daai plekke ook gewerk. Nou`s hy
nie getroud nie en hy ry eendag saam met my Benoni Stadsraad toe. Nou vertel hy
my van hierdie mooi girl wat hy gesien het, hierdie blonde, en net toe kom hierdie
girl ingestap. Sy s sy is van Modder-Oos en ek vra nogal so ewe watter kant is
Modder-Oos, en sy beduie nee dis diekant toe s, en toe het sy net so `n klos hare
onder haar arms. Dis `n mooi girl jy weet, `n aantreklike meisie, maar toe sit die wit
salpeterkolle so onder haar arm. Ek s toe Dirk, het jy gesien hoe lyk daai ding se
arms daar onder. Wat`s fout met haar arms, vra hy toe so ewe. Ek s man sy skeer
nie haar onderarmhare nie, lyk soos `n bos hier onder haar arm. Nooit, hy het dit nie
gesien nie.
Maar dis sulke goedjies soos daardie wat jy onthou, en oor lag.
10.4 Anglo- Boer War: Elands River Siege: BSAP Terry Schwartz
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11.
HERALDRY, UNIFORMS, COLOURS, FLAGS, MEDALS,
MEMORIALS & BUILDINGS/ HERALDIEK, UNIFORMS,
VAANDELS, VLAE, MEDALJES, GEDENKTEKENS & GEBOUE
11.1 Website: The South African Police Hall of Fame
-
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polisiekruis vir dapperheid (in die plek van die KPM) ingevoer. (Daar was die ou 18 jaar
medalje) Die ster vir verdienste is aanvanklik op 33 jr toegeken. (Die medalje en die ou 18
jaar het saam geloop.) Hierdie en ou 18 jaar was die medaljes van die 1960s. Heelwat later is
die 10-, 20-, 30 jaar en balkie vir 40 jaar ingevoer.
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OF
VETERANS
/LEDE
AAN-
12.1 Polmed
-
12.3 eNONGQAI: Vol 3 No. 11: Par 17.3: Regsvraag: Johan Henning:
Kommissaris van Ede-hoedanigheid na aftrede uit S.A. Polisie
Goeie dag Hennie,
Hier is my stuiwertjie vir die bovermelde beursie:
Kommissaris-van-Ede-skap kleef nie aan 'n polisiebeampte se rang nie, daardie
hoedanigheid kleef daaraan dat iemand 'n lid van die Mag is, met ander woorde uit
hoofde van sy amp as 'n lid van die Mag, ongeag of so iemand 'n konstabel of 'n
kolonel in die "Mag" is.
Laat ek verduidelik: Die bemagtigingswet is die Wet op Vrederegters en Kommissarisse
van Ede, 16 van 1963 (die Wet). Die Wet maak voorsiening dat die "Minister van
Justisie", of sy gedelegeerde beampte, kommissarisse van ede op twee maniere kan
aanstel.
Ingevolge artikel 5(1) van die Wet kan die Minister of sy gedelegeerde beampte "...
iemand as 'n kommissaris van ede aanstel ..." en ingevolge artikel 5(2) beklee
'n kommissaris van ede wat aldus aangestel is, " ... sy amp solank dit die Minister
behaag." 'n Artikel 5 aangestelde kommissaris van ede beklee dus sy amp in sy
persoonlike hoedanigheid by naam. Dit is dan ook so 'n soort kommissaris van ede
wat kolonel Johan Henning sou geword het indien sy aansoek suksesvol afgehandel
sou gewees het.
Artikel 6 van die Wet bepaal die Minister kan "... by kennisgewing in die Staatskoerant
die bekler van 'n amp as 'n kommissaris van ede aanwys vir 'n gebied in die kennisgewing
vermeld, en kan so 'n kennisgewing insgelyks intrek of wysig." Hierdie soort kommissarisse van ede word in die opskrif van artikel 6 genoem "Kommissarisse van ede ex
officio." ("Ex officio" beteken letterlik: "Uit hoofde van sy/haar/my amp".)
Die destydse Minister, wyle mnr Abdulah Mohamed Omar, het by wyse van
Goewermentskennisgewing No. 903, gedateer 10 Julie 1998, die beklers van die
ampte vermeld in die Skedule tot die G.K., aangewys as kommissarisse van ede vir
die Republiek van Suid-Afrika met ingang van daardie datum. Met betrekking tot die
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Dankie Genl!
Wouter Grov
Hallo Almal,
Uiteindelik het ons Wouter se boek in ons hande! Dit is n groot opgewondenheid
hier! Ons het reeds hier plaaslik die eerste 30 boeke verkoop, tussen Donderdag en
Sondag. Hier volg nou die besonderhede waar julle die boeke kan kry. Julle kan
natuurlik ook by n boekwinkel navraag doen en hulle kan dit by "On the dot" bestel.
Naam: Die Padkaart van n Speurder, My Storie. Wouter Grov
Uitgewer: Naledi
Koste: R150
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124
125
(I have read the original book, the sardonic humour has changed it somewhat! - HBH)
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A South African Revenue Services employee spilled the beans on a small Chinese
shop in a rural area where, when raided by SARS, R1,2 million was found under the
counter.
Janet Wilhelm of the HSRC observes: It is amazing how so many people can enter a
country seemingly unnoticed! She quotes the SAPS Aliens Investigation Unit as
saying many Chinese travel to South Africa via Mbabane, Maputo and Maseru
from where they enter South Africa with false identity documents by road.
Patrick Chong, chairman of the Chinese Association of South Africa, says: Many
would enter on tourist or student visas then simply stay.
Researchers of Noseweek followed the Chen family where one pioneer settled
illegally in South Africa, spreading within four years to 172 members of the family
scattered across Lesotho trading Chinese products.
What is even more mind-boggling and sinister is that the South African ANC
government officially proclaimed Chinese as honorary blacks, making them
exempt from affirmative action, quotas and Black Economic Empowerment.
The whole Chinese experiment has been carefully planned, criminally enhanced,
and no doubt vast sums of money are involved, lining the pockets of very
influential South African politicians.
It is ironic that while populists like Malema and Shivangu walk about claiming land
and minerals for the South African people, the ANC government has allowed at least
400 000 additional Indians and Pakistanis, at least 400 000 Chinese and at least 10
million illegals from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Angola and now also
Zambia into the country
Vuller deur Roy Allen (Australi).
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(Dames, Den is nie so n mooi man nie! Dis net ek, wat sulke goeie fotos neem HBH)
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16.8 Visit by Col Terry Schwartz (BSAP & SAP) East Rand
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17. NEWS FROM ALL OVER - THE POLICE POST BAG / NUUS POS VAN
HEINDE EN VERRE - POLISIE-POSSAK
17.1 Kamele in die SAP: Dr Henry Abbott (Upington)
Hennie,
Dit is een of ander fliek wat vir 30 pond gekoop kan word. Hier is die stil fotografie van die
film http://www.britishpathe.com/video/stills/desert-patrol groete, Henry Abbott.
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Hi Hennie,
I paid R149.00 for the item at Cash Converters in Fourways. It seemed very
interesting so I bought it.
Maybe you might know Mr. 'Koos Nel' for whom it was made, or one of your
interest group might know of him.
It is basically a Cadac gas bottle that has had some modifications, such as a door cut
out, and mounted over a metal 'A-frame' support with a crank handle welded on the
top of the gas bottle. Quite basic but functional I would guess.
Whoever presented it has had it plated in gold chrome to make it look presentable,
but I am sure in its original form it would have probably been blue as per the Cadac
gas bottles of that size and shape.
Maybe it was stolen, I don't know...
If anyone is interested they are welcome to contact me. It is quite bulky and heavy,
mounted on nice dark wood (see attached pics).
I will keep looking for my Grandfathers KPM and any other memorabilia.
Regards,
Andre Hoffmann
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17.5 Wolves in the SADF : A Question from Mr Gerald Prinsloo, SANDF Archive
198003 Paratus : Big Red
Gerald Prinsloo wants to know if we can
help him: The SADF Dog School had a
program to cross-breed wolves and dogs
for Counter Insurgency purposes.
Normal police dogs could not work in
the heat and sand of SWA. It was thought
that a cross-breed would be tougher.
More info would be welcome, please.
Cross-bred pups
I seem te remember that the Police experimented with the Israeli Desert Dog for the same
purpose?
I'm very busy at the moment with the publisher sorting out details for my book which is due
to be out next March. I have sent you a picture of the proposed cover. The person on the front
is me on guard duty in Northern Ireland back in 1974.
I will take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and happy
new year.
Best wishes,
Steve Corbet
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KARATEKA40:
www.karateka40.co.za
Karateka40 - age groups, mature adult, stressful, crime, self defence, self confidence, men
www.karateka40.co.za
LEN ELS, ISKK, SHIBUCHO SOUTH AFRICA
In 1998 Solly Pokroy and I started a club called KARATEKA40 which caters for the mature
karateka. We believe in the philosophy of Master Gichin Funakoshi, namely that karate is a
way of life, for life. We are also realistic (mature?) enough to accept that we cannot (fully)
compete against the 20-somethings anymore and prefer competing against our peers. It is
amazing what the human body can do if one set your mind to it, regardless of age. And the
benefits are not only physical, but mainly mental. It is not only the training, but also the
philosophy involved that attracts the mature student. Lets face it: karate is cheaper (and
more effective) than Prozac...
To date we have produced four shodans, including two ladies whilst Solly set the standard
himself by grading Godan at 75! Members vary from early 40s to an amazing 82 year old
brown belt!
We are all fighting Father Time. As one gets older, physiological changes occur. These
include fibrosis, losing the protective lining in the joints as well as loss of speed, stamina,
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and range of motion. Our muscles also lose strength, endurance, mass and agility. There is a
natural increase of collagen in the muscles, making them less flexible. If this all sounds
familiar, you were probably born before 1967. If not, just wait someday you will
understand.
Yet, despite these physiological changes, you can improve your flexibility and thus improve
your martial arts skills. Flexibility after 40 is absolutely possible. It does however demand a
mind change as well as consistent, daily practice. Accept that you are no longer 20something and therefore need to adjust your training regime.
Akihito Isaka Sensei, former JKA instructor and leading kumite and kata competitor from
the late 60s all the way to the early 90s, radically changed his approach to karate in his mid
40s. His focus is now on slow-motion training and stretching, focusing on the muscles and
ligaments around the hips and back as well as the centre of gravity. According to him this is
the foundation upon which technical excellence can be built. To prove his point, Isaka at 64
could still perform repeated jodan yoko geri keagis with 5kg iron clogs attached to his feet.
Kanazawa Sensei also warned that after 40 one should train internally, not externally. He
believes in Tai Chi-type stretching exercises.
In order to improve flexibility, one should stretch daily (static and not ballistic) and ensure
that you work the full range of motion in all movements. Stretch all the major muscle
groups. Make sure you breathe properly whilst stretching. Increased blood pressure is a
special concern for the over 40s.
Be aware of the enemies of flexibility: physical inactivity and stress. Both produces toxic
wastes in the body and shortens and hardens the muscles. Fortunately, these factors can be
controlled. In addition, watch your weight. What you eat or drink (or not eat or drink) will
affect your flexibility.
Fortunately there are a number of benefits to be reaped by those who build and maintain
flexibility. Youll be less prone to injuries and heal faster. Because of better blood flow you
will experience greater ease of movement. Flexibility promotes agility. Flexibility conserves
energy. Flexibility facilitates speed. Flexibility promotes good posture. In short, flexibility
ensures joyful, painless training for the mature And yes, it causes us to still be a force to be
reckoned with
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22. Kerkdiens vir Herdenking van die 100 Jarige Bestaan van die Weermag in SA
* Toon Slabbert van die SAW Vereniging (SAWV) het verlede week verwittig dat die
kerkdiens op 18/11/2012 ook op die Internet by http://www.who-els.co.za/p/videostreams. html beskikbaar sal wees.
* Paul Els rapporteer dat n opname van die diens nou op http://www.who-els.co.za
en fotos van diens op http://paul.who-els.co.za/2012/11/100-jarige-bestaan-van-dieweermag-in.html beskikbaar is.
23. The Situation in the RSA. Dr Anthony Turton, the well-known speaker and
author has posted the following on the Net:
We are again teetering on the brink in the RSA and things are starting to unravel. I
did a briefing in Washington a few weeks ago as the Americans are acutely
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interested in what is happening here so they flew me across. They are now starting
to classify us as a fragile state, at least in government circles, if not yet in public.
Clem Sunter recently released a statement showing that SA now has a 25% chance of
becoming a failed state, 25% chance of a slow slide into insignificance and only a
50% chance of remaining in the First League. These are not good odds and with the
recent ratings agency downgrades at national level, followed by the downgrade of
Goldfields to junk status, one is left concerned.
My sense is that we are approaching the point of ungovernability once again, similar
to the 1980s, but this time without a credible police and military force, so the
outcome is going to be stochastic and unpredictable. In the past we have united at
that moment and pulled back from the brink, but this time I am less certain we will
do it again. Interesting times and yes, our national DNA will again be tested I fear,
but not in a way we have seen it before.
Vuller
Kontak besonderhede: Hennie Heymans <heymanshb@ gmail.com>
Greetings - Groete
Salute! Saluut!
Hennie Heymans 2012
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