SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
PASSING OF BRIGADIER JOHAN REYNDERS
REVERENCE TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER JOHAN REYNDERS
REMEMBERED WITH RESPECT
Brigadier Johan Reynders
Deputy Cluster Commander at Ladysmith
Authored, researched, compiled, edited, and submitted for publication by Logan Govender [LG], drawing on information provided by Brigadier Johan Reynders, his son Justin Van der Western as well as various sources, police personnel, and other contributors.
It is with deep sadness and much regret that I learnt of the passing of Brigadier Johan Reynders, a respected officer and a true gentleman.
A few years ago, in Pietermaritzburg, I had the privilege of meeting Brigadier Reynders, his wife, son, and his brother (a former police member from the Cape) and his wife. This meeting was no coincidence – for as my Christian upbringing has taught me, everything happens for a reason. Neither of us four men realised at first that we shared the same proud background – that of policemen.
During our conversation, after Brigadier Reynders learnt that I was associated with Nongqai, he raised a thoughtful question: why had no record been compiled on one of the top police Dogmasters of the 1960s, Detective Warrant Officer (Wessies) Van der Westhuizen?
With his assistance, and that of Colonel Lucas Holtzhausen and Martin Van Niekerk, we embarked on a protracted search for Oom Wessies. Through the kind help of his son, Justin, we were able to compile a record of this remarkable man’s service. It was a kind and gentlemanly gesture on Brigadier Reynders’ part to insist on acknowledging and honouring Oom Wessies. He personally visited him, took a photograph with, and contributed a written piece which I have appended to this tribute.
Oom Wessie with Brigadier J Reynders
CONTRIBUTION OF BRIGADIER JOHAN REYNDERS – DETECTIVE WARRANT OFFICER (WESSIES) HENDRIK PETRUS VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
“D/W/O van der Westhuizen was commonly known to others as Warrant Officer Wessie. He was born in Swellendam on 3 November 1937 and where he finished his school career in 1955.
He joined the South African Police on 1955-12-22 at the age of 18 years and completed his basic training at the “Depot”, this was the old term for the Pretoria Police College, on 30/06/1956. His force number was 32463-9.
After his basic training D/W/O Wessie was posted to Brixton Flying Squad in Johannesburg. His first commander was Luit Viljoen. He was stationed at the following stations Johannesburg, Greenwood, Park, Inanda, Kroonstad, Upington, Worchester and lastly Estcourt.
D/W/O Wessie was married to Jaqueline and they had three sons namely Quiton, Justin and Brandon.
In 1956 he also successfully completed his Mechanical course at the Benoni Mechanical school.
On 15 January 1962 D/W/O he completed his Dogmasters Course at the SAPS Dog School in Pretoria. He was part of a group of successful candidates. The commander at that stage was Brigadier Blom. The dogs that he had were “Vellies” and “Helgardt”.
Part of his duties at dog handler and tracker included the attendance of all serious crime scenes in order to look for fingerprints and to make plaster casts of vehicle tracks and footprints. His area included the old Ladysmith, Dundee and Newcastle districts. He did a lot of travelling and was commended by the SAP Quarter Master for doing 400 000km with his Chevrolet car without any damages or repairs. Other duties that he performed included the supervision at the Estcourt Police Mortuary and the assistance to the doctors with post-mortems. As a detective, he investigated all cases reported where members of the SAP were involved in. He remarked with a smile and said he was not successful in that because he had no convictions.
He was decorated with medals for the combatting of terrorism, the SAPS 75 year’s medal, and received medals for good service after 10, 20 and 30 years respectively.
Asked about cases that he could remember he humbly said that that were many. He mentioned a stock theft case where he and the dog followed the spoor for six kilometre and when they opened the door of the identified house, the suspect was still skinning the sheep.
During a burglary case at the Ladysmith Post Office and amount of R483 000.00 was stolen. On 1983/04/28 he was part of the task team that solved the case, arrested the suspects and recovered the cash.
D/W/O Wessie is well loved in the Estcourt community. He loved fishing and camping where he usually took charge of the kitchen. He also built ski boats as a hobby and several of these boats are still in use. He was a keen gardener who was always proud of his vegetable garden and made sure each visitor was sent off with a fresh parcel of veggies.
D/W/O van der Westhuizen retired on 1992/12/31 after an exemplary career of thirty-seven years of faithful service to the South African Police. He received a personal letter of thanks from Head Office, Pretoria and the then Head of the District Detectives, LtCol M A J van Tonder.
On the 3rd of November 2023 D/W/O Wessie celebrated his 86th birthday.
He is currently residing at Shepstone Place for the Aged in Estcourt. He is in good health and still a police officer through and through. His handshake will remind you that he is still fit and strong.
We salute you Oom Wessie. You were such a good example to us. May the Lord bless you and keep you in the years ahead.” – Brigadier Johan Reynders.
I will always treasure the time spent with Brigadier Reynders and his dear family. I complimented him and his wife on the fine manner in which they raised their son, himself a Warrant Officer in the South African Police. His brother and sister-in-law shared good humour, daring me to try biltong he had brought from the Cape — a challenge I gladly accepted and did not regret!
Later, I met Brigadier Reynders again at the funeral of the late Lieutenant Jack Haskins, another moment that reminded me of the deep bonds that unite those who serve.
At the funeral of Lieutenant Jack Haskins.
From left to right, Brigadiers J Reynders; H Badul; M Gwala, District Commissioner; C Marion; Colonel B Padayachee
At the funeral of Lieutenant Jack Haskins.
Brigadier J Reynders, first from right
Martin Van Niekerk and Oom Wessie
At the funeral of Lieutenant Jack Haskins.
Brigadier Reynders and Captain M Pillay
It was both a pleasure and a privilege to have known Brigadier Reynders — a man of faith, dignity, and duty. His service and his humanity will not be forgotten.
Rest in Peace, Sir. Thank you for serving. I salute you.
“Goeie More almal Net om julle in te lig dat Brigadier Johan Reynders gister oorlede is. Hy was SB op verskeie stasies in KZN en het het op Estcourt gewoon na sy aftrede. Ons sal hom onthou as ‘n baie sagmoedige en uiters bekwame offisier
Rus in vrede Johan. Ons innige meegevoel gaan uit aan sy vrou en familie lede.” – Lucas Holtzhausen
“May his soul rest in peace and perpetual light shine upon him condolences to the family I had an opportunity to work with him for many years a brilliant officer with humanity understanding an absolute Gentleman” – Lionel Peters
“I write this tribute not merely to mourn the passing of Brigadier Johan Reynders, but to celebrate the life of a man who embodied the finest values of our police service, honour, humility, and faith. His kindness and his desire to preserve the memory of others reflect the heart of a true leader. May his memory continue to inspire those who serve. “Death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2) (KJV). Death reminds us of the brevity of life and that we only have a certain amount of time to live and love well. Farewell.” –
“Agnoscere et honorare servientibus” – To acknowledge and honour those who served.
“Soli Deo Gloria” – To God alone the glory.
Logan Govender
Thank you for taking the time to write about my amazing grandfather. He was a hero and friend to many.