995 articles
Amazon's planned entry into South Africa's satellite internet market fundamentally shifts the Starlink debate from individual companies to the governance of strategic digital infrastructure. As communications infrastructure becomes increasingly central to national development and resilience, states must develop governance frameworks that balance investment, local capability, digital sovereignty and national interests.
This document presents an early strategic memorandum written in the early 1970s by Brigadier T. J. “Rooi Rus” Swanepoel of the South African Police. Swanepoel, a key operational figure during the first armed confrontation with SWAPO at Ongulambashe on 26 August 1966, drew on his extensive field experience and intelligence work to formulate recommendations on countering emerging insurgent threats. The report itself reflects this background: “I was from July 1963 to September 1967 closely involved in the struggle against terrorist organisations such as the ANC, PAC, SWAPO, ZAPU, ZANU, UNITA and also FRELIMO…” After serving in the Security Branch, Swanepoel was transferred to the Johannesburg Flying Squad, from where he submitted this assessment to Police Headquarters. The memorandum outlines his views on guerrilla tactics, leadership selection, patrol discipline, weapons, fieldcraft, survival skills, and the creation of specialised hunter killer teams. Although written before the implementation of “Operation K”, many of his proposals demonstrate notable foresight and align closely with counter insurgency practices later adopted by the South African Police and Defence Force. The original document survived only in a faded copy. It was carefully retyped by the late Sarie van Niekerk, with Lt Gen Johan Ferreira assisting in deciphering the final illegible sections. With hindsight, Brig Swanepoel’s observations and recommendations appear remarkably prescient.
South Africa’s forensic DNA system is experiencing a severe capacity crisis that threatens the integrity of criminal investigations and the delivery of justice. Recent parliamentary replies reveal an overwhelming backlog of 298,710 DNA exhibit entries, of which 228,017 exceed the prescribed 90 day processing period. Critical Crime Index samples—essential for prosecutions—are heavily affected, including thousands linked to rape, murder, and sexual offences against children. The average age of entries is approximately 800 days, with some samples delayed for more than three years. These delays undermine investigations, weaken prosecutorial cases, and prolong trauma for victims. The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for an emergency national intervention, including regulated partnerships with accredited university laboratories, to expand DNA processing capacity and prevent further erosion of justice.
This article by Dr Ian De Vries examines how persistent political interference has weakened the South African Police Service (SAPS) and contributed to decades of organisational dysfunction. Drawing on historical examples, structural analysis, and current crises highlighted before the Madlanga Commission, De Vries argues that SAPS’s bloated rank system, promotion-for-pay culture, and erosion of experienced officers have severely undermined policing effectiveness. He contends that political meddling—from ministers influencing operational decisions to long standing tensions between commissioners and cabinet members—has become a systemic obstacle to professional policing. De Vries proposes a radical restructuring: abolishing the position of Minister of Police, depoliticising SAPS leadership, and placing accountability under a multi party parliamentary policing committee. This, he argues, would curb unethical political influence, retain expertise, and restore public trust in law enforcement.
René Geyer
Nongqai Vol 17 No 7 – 1983: SA Spoorwegpolisie: Opleiding by GSG9 in Duitsland - Fotoalbum - Johan Lotriet - GSG9 - Duitsland
Proxy‑oorlogvoering is besig om die wêreld se veiligheidslandskap stil maar ingrypend te verander. Agter baie moderne konflikte skuil ’n onsigbare spel van indirekte mag, geheime borge, plaaslike milisies en digitale invloed – ’n gevaarlike mengsel wat oorlog en vrede laat vervaag. Hierdie artikel ontbloot hoe groot- en streekmoondhede vandag hul belange bevorder sonder om self te veg, waarom hierdie strategie so aanloklik geword het, en hoe dit wêreldwye stabiliteit ondermyn. As jy wil verstaan hoe Sirië, Oekraïne, Jemen – en veral Iran en Hezbollah – deel vorm van ’n nuwe era van indirekte konflik, dan is hierdie ontleding onmisbaar.
MAANDBRIEF VAN DIE KAPELAAN - PS 8 - DS J VAN TONDER
The funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demonstrates how states can employ ritual, symbolism and mass mobilisation as instruments of strategic communication before military force is ever employed. Recognising and correctly interpreting such signals is an increasingly important competency for military professionals operating in a multipolar world.
Drones (unmanned vehicles), as a buzzword, have become the newest means of transport of explosives. At first glance, the story of explosives may appear to be a very limited subject, with little interest other than its connection to war activities, rather than "a difficult study of not insignificant scope." From the outset, however, it must be emphasized that even a purely technical review of the subject reveals the fact, which is at the same time enlightening and encouraging, that in times of peace the production of explosives, although very large, is expended chiefly for civil purposes. Again, the destructive misuse of explosives in war must put their constituent customs at peace: these customs, as the sequel will show, are surprisingly large. The construction of the Panama Canal, which would have been impractical without the aid of the powerful explosives developed in modern times. John Read - Explosives
This article reflects on a recent conversation with former members of the South African Railway Police Special Task Force and explores their lesser‑known connections with the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Through personal recollections, operational insights, and historical context, the narrative highlights the unique capabilities of the Railway Police, the covert contributions of NIS operatives, and the importance of compartmentalisation within intelligence structures. The article also revisits significant historical intelligence figures and underscores the ongoing need to document South Africa’s covert security history. Nongqai continues to serve as a platform dedicated to preserving national security heritage with accuracy, balance, and respect for the past.
