African Oral Narratives
Military Intelligence in Apartheid-era South Africa

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Interviews


An interview with Vic McPherson regarding interviewee's involvement in the SAP security branch.

Date: February 9, 2009
This interview with Vic McPherson, a former undercover policeman in the SAP Security Branch, regarding his involvement in the Security Branch, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Vic McPherson regarding the bombing of the ANC offices in Lusaka on June 5, 1985.

Date: February 9, 2009
This interview with Vic McPherson, a former undercover policeman in the SAP Security Branch, regarding the bombing of the ANC offices in Lusaka on June 5, 1985, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Vic McPherson regarding the interviewee's, and other agents', involvement in the London bomb, 1982.

Date: February 9, 2009
This interview with Vic McPherson, a former undercover policeman in the SAP Security Branch, regarding his, and other agents', involvement in the London bomb in 1982, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Vic McPherson regarding the planned bombing of the ANC executive council during the Arusha Conference in Tanzania, 1987.

Date: February 9, 2009
This interview with Vic McPherson, a former undercover policeman in the SAP Security Branch, regarding the planned bombing of the ANC executive council during the Arusha Conference in Tanzania in 1987, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Chris Thirion regarding the cause of events leading up to the dismissal of senior officers in the SADF by FW de Klerk in 1992.

Date: June 15, 2009
This interview with Chris Thirion, a former deputy chief of staff intelligence of the SADF, regarding the cause of events leading up to the dismissal of senior officers in the SADF by FW de Klerk in 1992, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with General Johann van der Merwe regarding the poisoning of Rev. Frank Chikane in 1987.

Date: July 7, 2009
This interview with General Johann van der Merwe, a former commissioner of the SAP, regarding the poisoning of Rev. Frank Chikane in 1987, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with General Herman Stadler regarding Dieter Gerhardt's arrest as a Russian spy.

Date: August 31, 2009
This interview with General Herman Stadler, a former head of the SAP Security Branch Intelligence Unit, regarding Dieter Gerhardt's arrest as a Russian spy, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with General Herman Stadler regarding the South African Defence Force's attack on the ANC bases in Botswana (reported at the time as the 'Guns of Gaborone'), 1985.

Date: August 31, 2009
This interview with General Herman Stadler, a former head of the SAP Security Branch Intelligence Unit, regarding the SADFs attack on the ANC bases in Botswana in 1985, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Henk Heslinga regarding the allegations against Winnie Mandela for her alleged involvement in the death of her personal physician, Dr Abubaker Asvat, 1989.

Date: October 5, 2009
This interview with Henk Heslinga, a former head of the Pretoria murder and robbery squad, double agent, and member of the Goldstone Commission, regarding the allegations against Winnie Mandela for her alleged involvement in the death of her personal physician, Dr Abubaker Asvat in 1989, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Henk Heslinga regarding the assassination of the former moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church, professor Johan Heyns on November 5, 1994.

Date: October 5, 2009
This interview with Henk Heslinga, a former head of the Pretoria murder and robbery squad, double agent, and member of the Goldstone Commission, regarding the assassination of the former moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church, professor Johan Heyns, on November 5, 1994, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Henk Heslinga regarding the interviewee's involvement in the Goldstone Commission's investigations, 1992.

Date: October 5, 2009
This interview with Henk Heslinga, a former head of the Pretoria murder and robbery squad, double agent, and member of the Goldstone Commission, regarding his involvement in the Goldstone Commission's invesitigations in 1992, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with General Tienie Groenewald regarding the establishment of the Volksfront (People's Front).

Date: October 12, 2009
This interview with General Tienie Groenewald, a former chief director of Military Intelligence, regarding the establishment of the Volksfront (People's Front), consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with General Tienie Groenewald regarding the threat of civil war at the beginning of 1994.

Date: October 12, 2009
This interview with General Tienie Groenewald, a former chief director of Military Intelligence, regarding the threat of civil war at the beginning of 1994 before the country's first democratic elections, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Colonel Lucas Ras regarding far right-wing activities, how effective they were and how they were infiltrated by the security police.

Date: October 26, 2009
An interview with Colonel Lucas Ras, a former colonel in the SAP Security Branch's D branch unit, regarding far right-wing activities, how effective they were and how they were infiltrated by the security police, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Colonel Lucas Ras regarding interrogation techniques used by the security police.

Date: October 26, 2009
This interview with Colonel Lucas Ras, a former colonel in the SAP Security Branch's D branch unit, regarding interrogation techniques used by the security police, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Colonel Lucas Ras regarding Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) informants.

Date: October 26, 2009
This interview with Colonel Lucas Ras, a former colonel in the SAP Security Branch's D branch unit, regarding Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) informants, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Inspector Joppie van Staden regarding the nature of the interviewee's work in the bomb disposal unit.

Date: December 8, 2009
This interview with Inspector Joppie van Staden, a former police inspector attached to the bomb disposal unit, regarding the nature of his work in the bomb disposal unit, consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

First part of an interview with Inspector Joppie van Staden regarding the riot squad, Unit 19.

Date: December 8, 2009
This is the first part of an interview with Inspector Joppie van Staden, a former police inspector attached to the bomb disposal unit, regarding the riot squad, Unit 19, and consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

Second part of an interview with Inspector Joppie van Staden regarding the riot squad, Unit 19.

Date: December 8, 2009
This is the second part of the interview with Inspector Joppie van Staden, a former police inspector attached to the bomb disposal unit, regarding the riot squad, Unit 19, and consists of an audio recording, transcript and English translation. This interview was conducted, transcribed and translated by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2009.

An interview with Detective Warrant Officer Drummond Hammond regarding the intelligence networks running from South Africa to the neighbouring countries, and about "Dad" (Steve Burnett).

Date: February 25, 2010
This interview with Detective Warrant Officer Drummond Hammond who was attached to the organised crime unit's intelligence unit, regarding the intelligence networks running from South Africa to the neighbouring countries, and about "Dad" (Steve Burnett), consists of an audio recording and transcript. This interview was conducted as one interview, and transcribed in two parts by De Wet Potgieter on behalf of SAHA in 2010.

Images

Former police commissioner General Johann van der Merwe at a South African Police (SAP) ceremony on December 1, 1989.

Former police commissioner General Johann van der Merwe at a South African Police (SAP) ceremony on December 1, 1989.

Date: December 1, 1989
This colour image of General Johann van der Merwe, last police commissioner of apartheid South Africa, is one of a series of photographs taken by photographer Doug Lee at a SAP ceremony on December 1, 1989.
Former police commissioner Hennie de Witt during a South African Police (SAP) ceremony on December 1, 1989.

Former police commissioner Hennie de Witt during a South African Police (SAP) ceremony on December 1, 1989.

Date: December 1, 1989
This colour image of former police commissioner Hennie de Witt is one of a series of photographs taken by photographer Doug Lee at a SAP ceremony on December 1, 1989.
Eugene Terre'Blanche, Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader,  on horseback during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in 1993.

Eugene Terre'Blanche, Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader, on horseback during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in 1993.

Date: October 9, 1993
This colour image of the leader of the white supremacist Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) Eugene Terre'Blanche on horseback, is one of a series of photographs taken by photographer Doug Lee during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in October 1993.
Storm troopers of the Afrikaners Weerstandsbeweging (Afrikaner Resistance Movement) carrying the South African flag during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in 1993.

Storm troopers of the Afrikaners Weerstandsbeweging (Afrikaner Resistance Movement) carrying the South African flag during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in 1993.

Date: October 9, 1993
This colour image of Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) storm troopers is one of a series of photographs taken by photographer Doug Lee of the AWB rally in Klerksdorp in October 1993.
Youths carrying the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (African Resistance Movement) flag during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in 1993.

Youths carrying the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (African Resistance Movement) flag during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in 1993.

Date: October 9, 1993
This colour image of youths carrying the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) flag is one of a series of photographs taken by photographer Doug Lee during a right-wing rally in Klerksdorp in October 1993.
Former South African president FW de Klerk before a television interview at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1994.

Former South African president FW de Klerk before a television interview at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1994.

Date: 1994
This colour image of FW de Klerk is one of a series of images taken by photographer Doug Lee of president FW de Klerk before a television interview at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1994. De Klerk was the South African president at the time of the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994.
Constand Viljoen, former chief of the South African Defence Force and leader of the Volksfront, on the night he decided to go to the polls during South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

Constand Viljoen, former chief of the South African Defence Force and leader of the Volksfront, on the night he decided to go to the polls during South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

Date: April 27, 1994
This colour image of Constand Viljoen is one of a series taken by photographer Doug Lee of the night Viljoen went to the polls during the 1994 elections. Constand Viljoen was former chief of the South African Defence Force and leader of a grouping of right-wing organisations called the Afrikaner Volksfront (Afrikaner People's Front). In March 1994, an attempt to protect the government of Lucas Mangope in the bantustan of Bophuthatswana during a popular uprising was wrecked by the intervention of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB)despite being asked not to participate in the action because of their racist views. After this incident Viljoen left the Volksfront and registered the Freedom Front as a political party to represent conservative Afrikaner interests. It is believed that this decision by Constand Viljoen to finally take part in the 1994 elections prevented a violent uprising by Afrikaners.
General Tienie Groenewald, former chief director of military intelligence, on his way to a meeting in September 1997.

General Tienie Groenewald, former chief director of military intelligence, on his way to a meeting in September 1997.

Date: September 6, 1997
This colour image of General Tienie Groenewald, former chief director of military intelligence, is one of a series of images taken by photograhper Doug Lee of a meeting between General Groenewald, Magnus Malan (former minister of defence), General Constand Viljoen (former chief of the SADF and leader of the Afrikaner Volksfront) and Colonel Jan Breytenbach on September 6, 1997.
Generals Magnus Malan and Constand Viljoen shaking hands at a meeting in September 1997.

Generals Magnus Malan and Constand Viljoen shaking hands at a meeting in September 1997.

Date: September 6, 1997
This colour image of Generals Magnus Malan (former minister of defence) and Constand Viljoen (former chief of the SADF and leader of the Volksfront) shaking hands at a meeting, is one of a series of images taken by photographer Doug Lee at a meeting between the latter with General Tienie Groenewald and Colonel Jan Breytenbach on September 6, 1997.
A rare photograph of former South African president PW Botha after retirement at his homestead, Die Anker, in the Wilderness in the Southern Cape in May 2003.

A rare photograph of former South African president PW Botha after retirement at his homestead, Die Anker, in the Wilderness in the Southern Cape in May 2003.

Date: May 2003
This colour image of former South African president PW Botha, commonly known as 'Die Groot Krokodil' (Afrikaans for 'The Big Crocodile'), is one of a series of rare photographs taken by photographer Doug Lee of PW Botha in his old age at his homestead, Die Anker, in May 2003.
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