Babobski’s Blog: News and opinions from South Africa and around the world

The recent media exposure given to the End Conscription Campaign made me realize that 2009 is the 20^th anniversary of the end of the South African Bush War.  Needless to say this occasion is passing by with hardly a mention anywhere.  This is sad because the Border was something a whole generation of young South Africans had to face and was a rite of passage for nearly two decades of SADF National Servicemen.

 (Above: SADF on patrol : The Charlie Kaplyn during the South African Bush War)

The dreaded brown envelope that contained the SADF national service call up papers was received in Matric.  Being a swimmer and a surfer, one obviously opted for the Navy when completing the required forms for the South African Defense Force.  Obscure details like having attended naval cadets for a few months in Standard Four were naturally included in the form in the vain hope of actually being called up for the Navy.

The day arrived and my brown envelope was in my hand.  I had to report to 2 SAI Walvis Bay in January 1985.  Cool, January was the call up everyone wanted because it meant you could get your two years over with as quickly as possible, as opposed to the July call up where it seemed a death sentence was waiting for you for six months.

Walvis Bay, but that’s in South West Africa was the first thought that went through my stunned brain.  Hey, but at least it’s at the coast so maybe I have been called up to the Navy after all, was the second consolation thought that hit me.  I showed my call up to a mate of mine who had an older brother who had been to the “Mag” already.  Nah, he said 2 SAI means that you going to the infantry.

Wonderful, I am going to a foreign land for two years to serve in the Infantry.  It didn’t get much worse than that, believe me.

I asked some of the local surfers if there were waves in Walvis Bay and whether I should take my surfboard with me. There were  vague mentions of a surf break called Guns near Swakopmund but the unanimous decision was not to believe the army when it said you could bring your own sports equipment for the Wednesday afternoon Sport Parade.

The first Sport Parade after “klaaring in” was very important.  This was when you chose your sport for the next two years.  There were two blonde PF women admin soldiers at Walvis Bay who played tennis who attracted many to the sport.  But Wednesday after Wednesday brought negative reports from the troepie hopefuls who were trying their luck.

There was wind surfing as well at Walvis Bay.  Luckily one of the ou manne warned me about the wind surfing.  The wind surfers had to “tree aan” and carry the equipment on the “loopas” all the way to the lagoon and “makkirie pas” and “om keur” so many times that by the time they got to the lagoon it was almost time to come home again.

Some of the “roofies” opted for pistol shooting as their sport.  This was also a fatal mistake because the shooting range was quite a distance away and pistol shooting attracted many of the P.F’s which meant that most of the national servicemen spend Wednesday afternoons being asked if they could “sien daardie sand duin? “Daar gat julle”

Ou manne also warned us to stay away from “Bondel Sport”.  Bondel Sport at Walvis Bay meant throwing medicine balls at each other for the entire afternoon with the P.F in charge shouting at the “Dienspligtes” to throw the heavy balls harder at each other.

There was a volley ball court right next to the bungalows at 2 SAI and that seemed to be the safest option to me, so I decided that volley ball would be my sport for the next two years.  There were so many guys doing volley ball that one never got a game but at least you could chill and relax for the afternoon.

Then rugby started.  Each platoon had to form a team to compete in the company trials.  A mate of mine Lionel Neethling was a Western Province Schools rugby player who had been classified G3K3 due to high blood pressure.  G3K3 meant that you couldn’t do physical exercise in the SADF and was quite a sought after classification by the sick, lame and the lazy.

However, once it was discovered that Lionel could play rugby, he was ordered to attend the Sport Parade and play rugby, despite being a G3K3.  He was also ordered not to fall over dead during Sport Parade.

Having played on the flank at school I was asked if I wanted to be in the platoon team for the rugby trial.  Sure I thought, it could actually be fun to play some rugby but luckily I said that I would only play if they really needed me.

Sitting on the sideline of the rugby field as a reserve suddenly made me realize that the only place where there was any grass at all in the 2 SAI army camp was at the rugby field (apart from the grass that was being smoked that is).

2 SAI was on the edge of the desert and was a very bleak place.  Actually being able to lie on a patch of green grass was something a troep at Walvis Bay did not do, because there was just sand and the odd malnourished bush here and there.

(Above: Sitting on the grass at Infantry School, Oudtshoorn cleaning R4 rifles with the weeks washing in the background)

The first trial started and a few minutes into the game a sickening tackle by a PF corporal on a young troep jolted all those sitting on the touchline.  Yeessh, this was not schoolboy rugby we were witnessing as the injured player was removed from the field.  Fortunately it was a centre that needed replacing and suddenly none of the reserves could play centre.

I never made the company rugby team but my name was on the rugby attendance register which meant that every Sport Parade as well as Monday and Thursday afternoon PT sessions all the rugby players had to report to the rugby field.

It was bliss.  A few hours to relax and dream of home away from the madness of basic training while your mates were being drilled to death in the PT sessions or carrying windsurfers up and down to the lagoon or climbing sand dunes while pistol shooting.

Twenty years after the days when the boys had to go to the Border and it seems like nobody even remembers.  It is probably a noble thing to honour the ECC people and it was brave to make the choice to rather go to jail than do two years national service.  But many of us did do our national service and this article is written for them.  Tree aan…..staaldak, webbing en geweer………

After a relatively calm period, numerous housebreakings were reported in the upmarket suburb of Wavecrest in Jeffreys Bay over the past weekend.

Mimosa, Pagoda and Poplar Streets as well as Palm Crescent were all targeted but housebreakings took place in other areas of Wavecrest as well.

(Above: The world famous waves of Jeffreys Bay are being threatened by the ever increasing crime wave on land)

Most of the attacks took place after 2 AM and the method of entry was by breaking and entering through windows. In two instances, doors were forced open, one of them being a sliding door.

The brazen thieves even entered homes occupied by residents and the community is urged to make sure that all access points to your homes are secure before going to bed.

The Police are actively working on the problem and several known housebreakers and other suspects will be arrested in the next few days to see if they are linked to the robberies.

A bakkie was also stolen in Wavecrest over the weekend and on a more positive note, an arrest was made in Seetuin Road where a suspect had stolen goods in his possession and is appearing in court today.

Pellsrus was the other crime hotspot over the weekend with housebreakings and assaults being reported. The Ocean View Neighbourhood Watch again conducted foot patrols over the weekend and only one incident was reported from this suburb.

Aston Bay and Paradise Beach were quiet with no reported incidents taking place. Once again the Neighbourhood Watches in these suburbs must be commended for the sterling job they do in keeping crime under control.

A fraud case involved the purchase of a bakkie was laid with the Police. The modus operandi is a “bargain bakkie” is advertised and after the potential buyer has deposited the funds in the seller’s bank account; the seller disappears with the bakkie.

 There was one arrest for drink driving over the weekend and more operations targeting this crime will be held in the near future.

CPF ELECTIONS The elections will be held on 21 September at 18h00 at the Detective offices in St Croix Street. Should your organization not have registered kindly contact Sue Smit for mandate forms at sue@petimberhomes.co.za

A notorious gang leader was shot by a Jeffreys Bay policewoman on Friday night after resisting arrest and attacking and stabbing another policeman who tried to apprehend him.

The drama began in Ocean View at 9 Pm on Friday evening when the gang robbed a resident of the suburb.  The Jeffreys Bay Crime Prevention Unit (CPU), Sector Police and the CPF were all in the vicinity and chased the suspects, who fled across the Aston Bay road towards Pellsrus.

Inspector Hayward, the sector manager in charge of Ocean View and Pellsrus knew where the gang’s territory was and quickly coordinated the police to circle the area.

The fleeing gang leader was apprehended in-between shacks and when the Police tried to arrest him, he stabbed a policeman in the upper arm. He then attacked other policewoman who evaded the attack and in defending her life, she shot the suspect in the back.

The suspect was then placed under arrest and transferred to Livingstone hospital.  He faces charges of attempted murder and assault with the intent to do grievous body harm.

After witnessing the drama unfold, the Jeffreys Bay CPF wishes to add its voice to the growing calls to clear the confusion surrounding Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act that hinders the Police in the performance of their duties.  It is nothing short of a ludicrous situation when a police officer still has to try apply the policy of minimum force when their lives are in danger.

The Act reads that:

“Where arrest is called for, force may be used only where it is necessary in order to carry out the arrest.

“Where force is necessary, only the least degree of force reasonably necessary to carry out the arrest may be used.

Shooting a suspect solely in order to carry out an arrest is permitted in very limited circumstances only.”

Friday’s night’s incident highlights how easily the Jeffreys Bay community could have been mourning the death of two police members.  When a criminal puts a Police officers’ life in danger and there is hesitation and split decisions that need to be made in the heat of battle about how to deal with the situation, then changes to the Criminal Procedure Act must be made.

A shoot to kill policy when under attack by dangerous criminals may not solve all the crime problems facing our country but our Police officers must be able to defend themselves when their lives and the lives of our community are in danger without fear of recrimination.

 Four robbers armed with assault rifles and hand guns were apprehended in the centre of Jeffreys Bay on Monday just after dark after a high speed car chase.

Acting on information received from the community, well known businesswomen Cheron Kraak hired a private investigator who determined that she was the target of criminals whose plan of action was to rob her at her home in Wavecrest.

The gang had decided to conduct a reconnaissance of Kraak’s house at 7 pm and then hit the house at around 2 am. Once the vehicle started moving towards the residential area of Jeffreys Bay the Police, who had mobilized a task team, moved in and tried to force it to stop.

Weapons were thrown out of the window and after a dramatic car chase, the driver of the mini bus was forced to stop in Woltemade Street, ironically just up the road from the Police Station.

The well armed Policemen dragged the suspects from the vehicle and had them handcuffed within seconds. The suspects were then taken to the police station for questioning.

The R4 and R5 rifles that were thrown out of the window were stolen from an army base in Mthatha and a private security firm in Gauteng and will be checked to see if they are linked to any other crime scenes. The mini bus is licensed in Tsolo in the former homeland of Transkei.

Three of the suspects come from the same area and the Police are investigating to determine whether they are wanted on other charges.

Kraak was thankful for the prompt response by the Police and said that criminals must know that the J’Bay community had declared war on criminals. “The arrest of these thugs proves how well the community and the Police can work together in the fight against crime”, said Kraak. “We are sending out a message to criminals that they are not welcome in our town and that they going to get taken out.”

The Jeffreys Bay Community Police Forum (CPF) agreed with Kraak’s statement and said that all the communities in the town were mobilizing to help the Police win the war against crime. Brenton Williams from the CPF said that on Friday night foot patrols were conducted in Ocean View by residents who were sick of being terrorized by gangsters. “Joint operations by the Aston Bay, Paradise Beach and Wavecrest Neighbourhood Watches, in conjunction with the Police has seen a dramatic reduction in crime in those suburbs”, said Williams. “We must remain vigilant as criminal elements are always seeking soft targets. However the syndicates from out of town that are trying their luck are discovering that our community will fight back.”

There has been a spike in house breakings in Wavecrest with another two incidences occurring last night. It appears that criminals are gaining access through burglar bars and through unprotected doors.

 Residents living in older houses are urged to check their burglar bars as in many instances, it is easy for criminals to loosen them and gain entry. The current modus operandi of the criminals in Wavecrest is to target houses that are occupied.

It does not matter what age the inhabitants are as pensioners as well as young people have been robbed whilst in their homes. The time frame that criminals have been invading homes is between 10pm and 4am.

However, the Jeffreys Bay Police have urged residents to be aware and take safety precautions from sunset as it appears that houses have been watched before the criminals decide who to target. Make sure outer doors and security doors are locked. Unprotected windows must be locked and an inspection of your burglar bars must be carried out to ensure it will not be easy for criminals to gain access.

Laptops, cell phones, cash and guns are what the criminals have been seeking when robbing houses. It is suspected that locals are involved and the Police are following several leads. A well known house breaker has recently been released from jail and is being sought by the Police for questioning.

 Ongoing operations involving the CPF, the Police, Security companies and the neighbourhood watches will be taking place until the situation is under control. Residents must also take note that ATM’s are being monitored by criminals and the necessary precautions must be taken when drawing cash, especially when the surrounding area seems deserted

Following a second violent house robbery in Paradise Beach, the Police, the Neighbourhood Watches, CPF and security companies worked through the night on Sunday and managed to arrest 5 suspects and recover stolen goods.

Superintendent Ntsabo the commanding officer of the Jeffreys Bay Police Station thanked the members of the community at the monthly meeting of the Community Police Forum (CPF) last night as well as Smhart Security who were involved in tracking down the suspects.

“We are taking a zero tolerance towards criminals in the town and we will catch them” said Ntsabo.

Proving that the J’Bay Police mean business 15 “A” arrests have been made since Friday. These arrests are for crimes like assault, murder rape, drunk driving and house breakings while 17 “B” arrests have been made for crimes such as loitering, drunk and disorderly and traffic offences like jumping stop streets.

Ocean View/Pellrus remain the hotspot suburbs with crimes ranging from house breakings, domestic violence and assault with knives taking place. An attempted house breaking took place in Paradise Beach but the Police made an arrest and thwarted the attempt. A house breaking took place in Nautilus Street C-Place last night where a door was forced open to gain access.

Two businesses in the CBD were targeted and windows were broken to try gain access. Business owners are urged to take proper security measures to ensure they do not become the victim of criminals as there is an upswing in this type of crime in Jeffreys Bay.

WINNER OF THE STEPHEN BIBB PAINTING

The lucky winner of the painting donated by the world renowned artist Stephen Bibb was announced at the CPF meeting last night. Graham Veitch from Paradise Beach is the CPF member who signed up and won the lucky draw and will be handed the painting at next months CPF meeting.

The local surf community came out of the woodwork on Saturday morning to witness a unique event in the history of surfing in Jeffreys Bay.

Ashley Walter in the best barrel of his life

16 of the top Supertubes surfers would be competing for a place in the Von Zipper Wildcard trials and sharing the line up with the water patrol, who were all long standing J’Bay locals. No surfers from anywhere else in the country or the world were going to surf Supers and there were even local policemen amongst the water patrol, making sure the Supertubes remained local’s only for the entire day.

Below: Ryan Payne the winner of the Supertubes Showdown about to hit the lip at Supertubes

The boardwalks at Supers quickly filled up with spectators and some made a bee line for the top deck at Tyrone Smith’s house and settled in to watch the action unfold. After a long waiting period, and many nervous moments for contest director Koffie Jacobs, the first wave to be ridden in the Xcel Supertubes Showdown was a classic. As the hooter sounded to start the first heat, Warren Dean whipped into a bomb and got barreled three times before being towed back out to the backline by Arthur Joubert, who was controlling the line up on his jet ski.

The first wave set the tone for the contest and spectators were given a display of tube riding that has never been witnessed in Jeffreys Bay before. Even the groms that were invited to the Supertubes Showdown got their cover ups whilst old stalwarts like Trevor Hansen showed he still knows how to ride barrels, much to the delight of his son Keane, who cheering from the beach.

The Xcel sponsored braai was well supported as was the bar as soon as it opened. The water patrol crew managed to come back to the beach to grab some Red Bulls before paddling back into the line up for some more uncrowded J’Bay perfection.

Prize giving ended just in time for the locals to watch the Springboks take on the British Lions in rugby. The day was aptly summed up by Tyrone Smith, the head of the Supertubes Surfing Foundation when he commented “It does not get any better than this”.

Those who still had energy left then managed to drag themselves off to the Mexican, the venue of the still talked about opening function of the Xcel Supertubes Showdown nearly a month ago.

Below: Dylan Lighfoot (14 yrs old) is a name to watch in the future about to cut back on a big Supertubes wall

The final was a tense affair with Supertubes legend Warren Dean trading barrels with Ryan Payne, with Payne eventually getting the nod from the judges and the invite to the Von Zipper Wild Card Trials. Three of the VZ trialists will get the opportunity to surf in the 09 Billabong Pro which will be held in Jeffreys Bay in July.

Final results of the Xcel Supertubes Showdown:

1. Ryan Payne
2. Warren Dean
3. Deon Lategan
4. Stan Badger

Renowned Jeffreys Bay artist Stephen Bibb has joined the war against crime in Jeffreys Bay. Stephen has donated one of his paintings that will be given to an individual or an organization that has signed up as a member of the J’Bay Community Police Forum (CPF) by the end of June 2009.

“Safety and security is an extremely emotive issue in this country, it is time that we all started coming together as communities and taking back the streets from this scourge that is sucking the life from this land” said Bibb, who is well known for his surf art.

(above: Stephen Bibb oil painting on board.  Ocean dreams)

He urged people to join up with the CPF “We are realizing very swiftly that the only way to stand up against these cowardly gangsters and brutal thugs, who prey on the decent and largely defenceless public, relying largely on our fear and our apathy, is to become involved in defending our communities in any way that we can”.

“By joining the CPF and getting on the mailing list that’ll keep you up to date on what’s really happening in your community in the fight against crime.

Becoming more vigilant and security-conscious, all of us will be contributing to the solution and helping the dedicated men and women who make our town and ultimately our country a safe place for all of us”.

Check out Stephen’s art at his website at www.stephenbibbart.com

CRIME UPDATE

Drink driving was targeted over the weekend in Jeffreys Bay and five arrests were made by Kouga traffic officials.

Numerous drivers received warnings and others were fined for a variety of offences. Residents must take note that drink driving will not be tolerated by the Kouga Municipality’s Law Enforcement officials. Regular operations targeting drink driving will be held in conjunction with the Police, the neighbourhood watches and the CPF.

A highly successful anti crime operation was held on Friday night in Jeffreys Bay. The Police helicopter helped officers on the ground flush out suspected house breakers as well as providing aerial visibility during the evening.

The Aston Bay and Paradise Beach Neighbourhood Watches were joined by CPF members from Pellsrus and Wavecrest, the Police Crime Prevention Unit, Security companies and the Police Sector managers in a show of force in the suburbs.

Road blocks, foot patrols and vehicle patrols ensured the suburbs were safe before the Watches moved off into Wavecrest to assist police with visible policing and stop and search operations.

Despite Law Enforcements best efforts, a rape still occurred in Pellsrus/Ocean View over the weekend and a murder occurred in Wavecrest. The rape appears to be alcohol related while the murder is under intensive investigation and several leads are being followed up by the Jeffreys Bay detectives.

PHONING THE POLICE STATION

The CPF has received a number of complaints from the community that it is difficult trying to contact the police station and that calls are often not answered.

After an investigation by the CPF the following has been established:

Phoning 10111 from a cell phone can land the caller up at a police station literally anywhere in the country. The cell phone relays the call to a receiver or cell phone tower. It does happen that a call can be routed to a receiver in a different town from where the call in being made. This means phoning 10111 from a cell phone in Jeffreys Bay can be routed to a police station in Port Elizabeth for example.

The numbers of the police station which are found in the telephone book are also incorrect. Back office numbers have some inexplicable reason been supplied and that is the reason why phones are not being answered especially after office hours.

The correct numbers are the correct numbers to phone:

Community Service Centre : 042-2006802 / 2006803
The above number is the one to phone at the Charge Office

Fire-Arm Licenses : 042-2006835 / 2006841
Sector Managers : 042-2006844
Detective Services : 042-2006600 / 2006627
Stock Theft Unit : 042-2007000 / 2007026

SIGN UP AS A MEMBER OF THE CPF

Renowned Jeffreys Bay artist Stephen Bibb has joined the war against crime. Stephen has donated one of his paintings to the CPF and will be given to an individual or an organization that has signed up as a member of the CPF by the end of June 2009.

The giclee archival reproduction is called golden sunrise. Application forms can be obtained by emailing the secretary of the CPF, Sue Smit on sue@petimberhomes.co.za The completed form must be returned to Sue by the end of June.

The CPF wishes to thank Stephen for his contribution to keeping our community safe. Check out his website at www.stephenbibbart.com

Cheeky Watson and SA Rugby have been punting 16 June as the launch date for the Southern Kings, the franchise that would revive rugby in the Eastern Cape.

The Kings were going to play in the Super 15 after two seasons in the Currie Cup. The weary fans from Port Elizabeth accepted that there would be a few tough seasons until the Kings found their feet in top flight rugby.

But, we would be watching the Crusaders and the Sharks and the Bulls playing in our back garden again and that alone would be worth watching our team take a hammering or two along the way. There is a proud rugby tradition in Port Elizabeth and without a doubt we would have toppled some big name teams along the way.

There is no reason why the hills of Ciskei should not be able to match the prop factory that exists in Zimbabwe and that in a few years there would be new “Beasts” and Mjati’s coming through the ranks.

The rugby schools are here and schools like Selborne, Queens, Dale and Grey College have produced generation after generation of Springbok rugby players. Grassroots development programmes could feed talented youngsters into the rugby schools and then into the franchise with relative ease as the infrastructure is already in place.

Warning lights were flickering and alarm bells were ringing when it was announced that the extra super rugby franchise would be based in Australia. There were even a few ridiculous statements that the Kings would be based overseas.

Let’s face facts now. Under the current system the Kings will not make it over the long haul and rugby will continue along the path of terminal decline in the Eastern Province.

The team that has been selected to play the British Lions is a makeshift one at best and diehard EP supporters will battle to connect with this team. Even the doomed Southern Spears seemed to have more local support when they played the Cheetahs at the Boet Erasmus stadium a few years ago.

From reports on the game EP played against Western Province last weekend it is clear that rugby is not improving in the province. Cheeky Watson must act quickly and decisively if he wants to save Eastern Province rugby. And that includes using whatever political connections he has to safeguard the game for generations to come in the nursery of South African rugby.