NONGQAISouth Africa’s National Security MagazineEstablished in 1907
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South Africa's Defence Oversight Problem: When Parliamentary Scrutiny Fails to Deliver
Defence, National Security & Strategic Affairs / Verdediging, Nasionale Veiligheid & Strategiese Sake

South Africa's Defence Oversight Problem: When Parliamentary Scrutiny Fails to Deliver

South Africa has no shortage of parliamentary oversight mechanisms, but their effectiveness is undermined by a persistent failure to translate scrutiny into corrective action. Examining defence and military veterans, this article argues that accountability must extend beyond explanations and assurances to measurable improvements in institutional performance and service delivery.

Read MoreNovember 12, 2026

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The Life and Times of Lieutenant Colonel John Walter McLean OBE VD (MID), 1855–1939
Anglo Boer War / Anglo-Boereoorlog

The Life and Times of Lieutenant Colonel John Walter McLean OBE VD (MID), 1855–1939

The remarkable life of Lieutenant Colonel John Walter McLean OBE VD (MID) spans more than six decades of South African military and civic history. From the early volunteer forces of the Eastern Cape and the frontier campaigns to the Anglo-Boer War, the First World War and the Railway and Harbour Brigade, this account preserves the experiences, service and legacy of a soldier closely associated with the Kaffrarian Rifles and the history of East London.

November 11, 2026Read
Navraag oor die Nongqai Voorblad van November 1960
Nongqai

Navraag oor die Nongqai Voorblad van November 1960

'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.

November 7, 2026Read
Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy
Non-White SAP Officers

Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy

Sergeant Govindsamy Reddy was the first policeman of Indian descent to be appointed as a law instructor at the Wentworth Police Depot in Durban. He began his duties in 1962 and taught recruits about the law, police procedures and their duties towards the public. He believed that police officers needed both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to serve and protect their communities. He guided recruits with care and understanding while maintaining discipline and high standards.

November 6, 2026Read
Preserving the Legacy of Our Indian Police Unsung Heroes of Chatsworth Subramonia Pillai, A Pioneer in the South African Police
Non-White SAP Officers

Preserving the Legacy of Our Indian Police Unsung Heroes of Chatsworth Subramonia Pillai, A Pioneer in the South African Police

Subramonia Pillai was a true pioneer in the South African Police. He rose from humble beginnings as a factory worker and newspaper seller to become the first Indian police officer to attain the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He made history as the first Indian Station Commander at Chatsworth in 1965. He later commanded the Indian Police Training College at Wentworth, where he helped train future police officers. His life remains an inspiring example of hard work, education, determination and dedicated service to the South African Police.

November 6, 2026Read
Die Onderskeid tussen Koverte Insameling en Koverte Aksie
Republican Intelligence (RI)

Die Onderskeid tussen Koverte Insameling en Koverte Aksie

Hierdie artikel verduidelik die fundamentele verskil tussen koverte insameling van intelligensie en koverte aksie. Aan die hand van Suid-Afrikaanse voorbeelde soos Vlakplaas, die Burgerlike Samewerkingsburo en die voormalige Nasionale Intelligensiediens word aangetoon waarom intelligensiedienste hul onafhanklikheid, objektiwiteit en geloofwaardigheid moet behou deur kennisversameling te skei van geheime operasionele optrede.

November 6, 2026Read
Fotoalbum: Ou Polisiestasies en Foto's van Polisiebeamptes uit Vergange Dae
Police Personalities / Polisie Persoonlikhede

Fotoalbum: Ou Polisiestasies en Foto's van Polisiebeamptes uit Vergange Dae

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.

November 3, 2026Read

In Memoriam

Everyone we remember
South African Police A Tribute to Cedric Naik 06 October 1971 - 31 October 20261971 – 2026

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Is ek dankbaar genoeg?

November 13, 2026

Die skrywer besin oor hoe sy wêreld in Queenswood verander het, oor veiligheid, verval in die stad en mense wat op verskillende maniere probeer oorleef. Hy eindig deur te vra hoe iemand uit ’n Franko-foniese Afrikaland hierheen kan vlieg om ’n karwag te wees terwyl ’n ander man op die hoek staan en bedel.

Vloog Theron: Die Man wat Almal Kon Oortuig

November 12, 2026

Die skrywer onthou verskeie ontmoetings met die legendariese bedrieër Vloog Theron, van sy arrestasie by die Pretoria Skou in 1977 tot latere stories oor sy vermoë om mense te bekoor en te mislei. Die stuk beskryf ook hoe Theron selfs tydens 'n vlug en in 'n hofsaak ander mense om die bos gelei het.

Maandbrief van die Kapelaan

November 11, 2026

'n Kort oordenking deur ds Jacobus van Tonder oor God se voorsienigheid en die wyse waarop Hy mense op spesifieke tye en plekke gebruik om tot seën van ander te wees. Die boodskap beklemtoon die gelowige se roeping om instrumente in God se hand te wees.

Waak teen Ontnugtering

November 2, 2026

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.

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Nuusbrief (SASPOL) Spesiale Taakmag

SA Spoorwegpolisie Spesiale Taakmag Veteranevereniging – Jaarafsluiting 2026

Die SA Spoorwegpolisie Spesiale Taakmag Veteranevereniging het op 7 November 2026 sy jaarafsluiting by Mud & Muse in Kemptonpark gehou. Die geleentheid is deur 44 veterane, erelede, familielede en vriende bygewoon. Die byeenkoms het teruggeblik op 'n suksesvolle jaar van kameraadskap, vriendskap en betekenisvolle prestasies. Spesiale erkenning is gegee aan die dames wat vir die eerste keer die volledige verrigtinge met groot sukses georganiseer en aangebied het. Die jaar se hoogtepunte, waaronder vyf ontbytbyeenkomste, die groei van die vereniging, die bewaring van sy geskiedenis deur 18 nuusbriewe en deelname aan belangrike herdenkingsgeleenthede, is ook uitgelig. Die dag is gekenmerk deur dankbaarheid, waardering, geskenkuitruilings en die versterking van die besondere bande tussen lede en hul families.

Johan Lotriet (Afgetree) · November 13, 2026