996 articles
I share this story to honour Constable Bekinkosi Cele’s loyalty. He trusted me, and we had a strong bond. He once told me he had served as a stretcher bearer “up north,” and that during the fall of Tobruk, the Germans never captured him—he escaped through the hlatini (bush, in isiZulu), hid, and later rejoined the British Army.
1707 - 2011: RADIKALISERING BINNE AFRIKANER-NASIONALISME & 1990 - 1991: ‘n Nabetragting deur ‘n SAP-Uniform offisier: Stryd tussen Plig en Gewete in ’n Verdeelde tydperk het voort gegaan.
1874 – 1894: NATAL MOUNTED POLICE: MEMORIALS - St Peter's Church Pietermaritzburg
On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Durban Dog Unit, a Wall of Remembrance was unveiled in Kloof, just outside Durban, to honour the police dogs who died in the line of duty. The original SAP Dog Memorial, formerly located at th
SECOND WORLD WAR: CAPTAIN KEITH COSTER, SAAF: PRISONER OF WAR: PART I
WORLD WAR TWO: CAPTAIN KEITH COSTER, SAAF: PRISONER OF WAR: PART II (FINAL)
My father, Herbert Ernst Witschas, worked as an agent for the Republican Intelligence (RI) and the Bureau of State Security (BfSS) in Windhoek, then South West Africa (SWA), from 1964 to 1978.
South Africans participated in almost every war theatre during the First and Second World Wars. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty Data Base 7 290 (includes 607 unknown) First World War casualties and 9 986 (includes 84 unknown) Second World War casualties are buried in 1 207 cemeteries. In contrast, 2 959 First World War and 2 005 Second World War casualties are commemorated on 48 memorials. This does not include the more than 2 700 South Africans not recently commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. A new memorial, Cape Town Labour Corps has been constructed in the Gardens in Cape Town and was unveiled by HRH Princess Royal on 22 January 2025.
On the night of April 3–4, 1985, Sgt Paul Stone and Constable Zondi responded to a reported burglary at Premier Foods. In the brave pursuit of a suspect, Paul was fatally wounded by a stab to the neck. His selfless actions in that moment exemplified the highest ideals of police service: courage and unwavering commitment to community safety. Though his grave now rests in the neglected C-Section of Mountain Rise Cemetery, Sergeant Stone’s memory endures in the hearts of colleagues and citizens alike. May this tribute inspire renewed care for his resting place and ensure that his sacrifice remains a lasting testament to duty, loyalty, and love.
This article explores the South African policeman as a moral agent under intense scrutiny. Like a goldfish in a bowl, he is observed by five distinct groups: the judiciary, the public, the media, academics, and politicians. Each shapes his reality, challenges his mandate, and contributes to the narrative of law enforcement. Far from being an aggressor, the policeman stands as a defender of law and dignity—often torn between duty and conscience. Through metaphors of the boxer and the rugby team, the article honours his sacrifice, teamwork, and ethical resilience in times of institutional fragility and fading values.
Hierdie artikel ondersoek die Suid-Afrikaanse polisieman as ’n etiese agent onder intense toesig. Soos ’n goudvis in ’n visbak word hy dopgehou deur vyf groepe: die regstelsel, die publiek, die media, akademici, en politici. Elke groep vorm sy werklikheid, bevraagteken sy mandaat, en dra by tot die narratief rondom wetstoepassing. Die polisieman is nie ’n aggressor nie, maar ’n verdediger van wet en waardigheid—dikwels geskeur tussen plig en gewete. Deur die metafore van die bokser en die rugbyspan eer die artikel sy opoffering, spanwerk en morele volharding in tye van institusionele verval en vervaagde waardes.
