Brig. H.B. (Hennie) Heymans is a retired former senior police officer with experience in national security management, who holds a Masters degree in Strategic Studies. His passion is preserving the proud history of our forces and writing prolifically about it. Hennie is the founding editor of NONGQAI and is still actively engaged as our editor emeritus. He is a Trustee of the NONGQAI TRUST and chairs our editorial panel, and also the Executive Committee of NONGQAI Publications.
'n Familie-navraag deur Aurelia Borcher oor haar vader, Lewis Jacobus van Buuren, wat op die voorblad van die Nongqai van November 1960 verskyn. Die familie probeer vasstel wie die seuntjie op die foto is en of daar 'n artikel, onderskrif of ander verwysing in die tydskrif was wat verdere agtergrond oor die foto en Van Buuren se polisiediens verskaf.
This photo journal takes the reader back to the roots of policing in South Africa through rare photographs of police services, stations, detective work and public order over more than a century. It includes images from Bloemfontein, Natal Native Police, Durban, Marshall Square and notable detectives such as Kol AE Trigger, Bill Joyner and Ulf Boberg.
The article recalls Hendrik van den Bergh’s arrest on 20 January 1942 and describes the wider wartime context of the Ossewabrandwag, police loyalties, and internment at Koffiefontein. It also reflects on the historical significance of the event and Van den Bergh’s later career.
Die piece reflects on a former police career, anti-communist convictions, intelligence work, and service within the SAP and security structures. It argues that history should be preserved and recalls opponents, colleagues, and the realities of conflict and transition in South Africa.
This chapter examines the strategic importance of Bethulie and its railway and road bridges during the Anglo-Boer War. It recounts the destruction of the railway bridge by Boer forces, the dramatic efforts of British troops to save the wagon bridge, and the crucial role of the Imperial Military Railways in maintaining military supply lines. The narrative highlights the actions of Major Nolan-Neylan, Captain P. G. Grant, and Lieutenant R. S. Popham, whose interventions preserved a key crossing over the Orange River.
Nongqai Vol 17 No 10 – (54) National Intelligence and the Ultra-Covert Faceless Few
Brief aan Nongqai deur prof Fanie Cloete: Kommentaar op: ‘SOUTH AFRICA’S TRANSITION: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AND WHY - PART 3: THE LESSONS: HOW DID WE ARRIVE WHERE WE ARE TODAY’
A reassessment of the 1993 Mthatha operation argues that the State Security Council's approval of the attack was based on military intelligence presented during a period of intense terrorist violence, rather than on a deliberate decision to target civilians.
National Intelligence Service – Covert Collection : The development of Covert Collection in the National Intelligence Service by Johan Lotriet and Tony Turton
Hierdie persoonlike herinnering deur brigadier Fanie Bouwer beskryf die enorme veiligheidsbeplanning vir Nelson Mandela se eerste openbare toespraak as president op 4 Mei 1994 en bied 'n insiggewende terugblik op die vreedsame oorgang van die "ou" na die "nuwe" Suid-Afrika.
In this thought-provoking article, Adv Anton Wiid examines the increasing prevalence of fake degrees and qualifications issued by so-called “degree mills”. He argues that professional titles such as “Dr.” and “Prof.” are often accepted without proper verification of the issuing institution. The article highlights the risks associated with unaccredited qualifications, stressing that their use is not merely a matter of personal vanity but may involve serious ethical, professional, and legal consequences. Wiid calls on employers, professional bodies, and the public to exercise greater diligence when assessing academic credentials and professional standing.
In hierdie persoonlike herinnering vertel Lucas Holtzhausen van sy diensjare in die Veiligheidstak gedurende 1986 onder bevel van Brigadier Bob Beukes. Toe 'n verlore SA52-tweerigtingradio van die Recces in sy verantwoordelikheidsgebied gevind word, kry hy die opdrag om die oorsprong daarvan vas te stel. Deur sy kennis van die gebied en plaaslike kontakte spoor hy die tydelike Recce-kamp vinnig op. Die voorval beklemtoon Brigadier Beukes se bestuursfilosofie, naamlik dat 'n veldwerker sy gebied en mense deeglik moet ken. Die verhaal illustreer die belang van menslike intelligensie, betroubare beriggewers en tydige rapportering as hoekstene van effektiewe intelligensie-insameling.
'n Oud-polisieman kyk terug op oomblikke waar plig en gewete gebots het, en vra eerlik of sommige besluite anders geneem kon word.
A parliamentary inquiry and a criminal prosecution serve different constitutional purposes and can proceed independently without delay.
Die Broken Windows-teorie berus op die uitgangspunt dat sigbare tekens van verval en wanorde, indien dit nie aangespreek word nie, die indruk skep dat niemand beheer uitoefen nie. Dit kan verdere verval, wanorde en uiteindelik misdaad aanmoedig. Die teorie beklemtoon daarom die belangrikheid van netjiese, veilige en goed onderhoude openbare ruimtes as deel van 'n breër strategie om misdaad te voorkom.
Lt.kol. Hendrik Abraham “Vel” Kruger was 'n hoogs gerespekteerde lid van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie wat veral bekendheid verwerf het as ondersoeker en ondergrondse agent in die Diamanttak.
Prophetic Words by Anton Wiid about South Africa's future
Hierdie artikel vergelyk die tradisionele polisiële benadering van bevel, beheer en toesig met die moderne bestuursbenadering wat sedert die laat 1980's ontwikkel het. Brigadier Fanie Bouwer besin oor die invloed van hierdie veranderinge op dissipline, aanspreeklikheid, institusionele geheue en die doeltreffendheid van polisiëring.
Humor in Uniform: In hierdie humoristiese herinneringe neem Anton Wiid die leser terug na die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiemag van vervloë jare
Die aanstelling van Meyer Kahn as HUB van die SAPD in 1997 was 'n unieke poging om sakebestuur in polisiëring te integreer, met gemengde resultate.
Volgens die saamgevoegde beoordeling van Meta, ChatGPT en Copilot was die SAP Veiligheidstak een van die mees doeltreffende binnelandse veiligheids- en teeninsurgensie-organisasies van die Koue Oorlog-era in Afrika.
Nongqai Vol 17 No 10 – (26) Maandbrief van die Kapelaan, dr Jacobus van Tonder
Dr Georg Scharf (Destyds BO 1 Mil) se Angola-fotoalbum
Nongqai Vol 17 No 10 – (29) Gemsbok van die Sperrgebiet
Police leadership should be founded on professional qualifications, operational policing experience, integrity, and merit rather than primarily on executive or political considerations.
Geregtelike doodsondersoeke: Hoofman AJM Luthuli
John Kepe, the elusive Boschberg outlaw, evaded police for decades until his dramatic capture and execution in 1952.
This notice invites contributions of information, documents, and photographs relating to the history of rugby in the South African Forces prior to 1995. The aim is to preserve, document, and present this sporting heritage for future research and publication.
Dimitri Tsafendas: Politiek, Mite en die Etiek van Herdenking
The origin and development of ranks in the British Army
Development of Medals & Ribbons in the British Army
Brig Bouwer argues that farm murders reflect a long standing pattern of rural violence shaped by history, politics, weak state capacity, and conflicting national narratives.
Photo album: The history of a country and its people is closely interwoven with its uniformed services.
’n Dramatiese oorsteek van die Oranjerivier eindig in ’n noue ontkoming en ’n verrassende redding van staatsdiamante.
Info wanted on: Nongqai Vol 17 No 10 – (14) Info wanted: JS “Jack” Stoole
A historical and legal analysis showing how violent slogans such as “Kill the Boer” create instability, undermine nation building, and inevitably return as a destructive boomerang within society.
This 1957 letter from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Natal Division, responds to a request from the Military Historical Section regarding a photograph of Natal Police officers. The Deputy Commissioner supplies biographical notes on seven individuals—Lieut C.L. Archer, 1/Sgt C. Woodgate, R.S.M. W. Ingle, Maj O. Dimmick, Staff/Sgt S. Martin, J.B. Burdett (probable), and one of three possible candidates for the seventh figure: J.K. Popham, Lt Strange, or Edmond‑White. The correspondence suggests the photograph may date from the 1906 Natal‑Zululand Rebellion, when a composite unit was formed from the Natal Mounted Police, Natal Police Field Force, and Zululand Mounted Police. A second page notes the existence of the Natal Mounted Police / Natal Police Old Comrades Association and the difficulty of obtaining further information from surviving members.
1900: Anglo Boer War: The battle at Poplar Grove
The article outlines how sleeper (dormant) agents and spies operate within global intelligence systems.
The BSAP evolved from a militarised frontier force into a structured colonial constabulary, later earning distinction for its arduous East Africa war service.
Die Grondwet en die Handves van Menseregte
A historical analysis showing how revolutionary indoctrination, paramilitary training, and state neglect allowed farm attacks in South Africa to evolve into a long running, deadly phenomenon.
Special Newsletter of the Special Task Force of the South African Railways Police
A personal and historical reflection on policing at King’s Rest and the Bluff, spanning from colonial Natal Police days to the modern SAP era.
The bronze statue of a South African Police Patrol Dag Handler wit the bronze plates in the backdrop been clarified and improved through AI
Nongqai Vol 17 No 9 - (34) SAP Kollege: Gedenkwaardighede
Nongqai Vol 17 No 9 – (32) 1990? Bevelsoorhandiging en Uitpaseringsparade
The article argues that the student uprisings were driven not only by practical grievances but by a profound cultural and ideological clash reshaping South African universities.
A concise historical overview of Kenya Police’s Ray Force and Field Intelligence operations during the colonial era.
A curated glimpse into historic global police uniforms reveals striking cultural contrasts in law enforcement identity.
’n Baanbreker in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens: Van tikster tot adjunk-nasionale kommissaris — ’n merkwaardige loopbaan van diens, deursettingsvermoë en leierskap
A police force’s greatest danger is not the criminal outside the gate, but the policeman who opens it from within.
