1972: SGT TJAART J RIEKERT: LANDMINE VICTIM

Compiled by Deon van Niekerk & Jan Storm

Capt. HTS “Bonny” van Eeden died in a landmine explosion in the Caprivi in October 1971. Capt van Eeden was stationed at Pinetown. Five months later another Durban policeman would also die in a landmine explosion in the Caprivi. The time it would be Sergeant Riekert from the Durban dog unit. His dog “Leeu” was also killed in the explosion. Those days patrols were done in Ford F250 bakkies with sand bags on the back. And 10 months after Sgt. Henning from Bloemfontein and Cst. Dobbin from Greytown were also victims of a landmine explosion.

Sgt Riekert sitting in the centre on an open bakkie. Those days there were no mine resistant vehicles like the Casspir, and patrols were done in open back Ford F100 or F250 bakkies.

He is in the front row second from the right in the group photo.

The scene of the landmine explosion

Photos were supplied by Jan Storm who was apparently in the vehicle behind Sgt. Riekert.

Grave and wall plaque courtesy EGGSA, plus A War Graves project.

Eulogy for a Colleague: Brig Hennie Heymans

I had the honour of working alongside the then Constable Tjaart Riekert during our time at SAP Wentworth (he was my Section Sergeant), and later crossing paths in the line of duty when he served as a dog handler in Durban and I was stationed at King’s Rest. His wife, too, was part of our extended police family, serving as a civilian at SAP Wentworth.

Tjaart was a dedicated policeman — steadfast, fearless, and deeply committed to the calling of service. He carried out his duties with quiet strength and unwavering resolve. In every encounter, he showed the kind of integrity and courage that defined the best of our profession.

I salute him as a colleague, and I remember him as a man of honour. May his legacy live on in the lives he touched and the example he set.