eNONGQAI Vol 4 No 3.1. [Special Edition]

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THE eTHE eTHE eTHE e----NONGQAINONGQAINONGQAINONGQAI

Un-official Police Gazette for VETERANS of the former

South African Police Force and for those interested in the

history of our Police, Defence and our National Security

February 2013; Vol. 4 no 2. 1 (Special Edition)

DIE DIE DIE DIE eeee----NONGQAINONGQAINONGQAINONGQAI

Nie-amptelike Polisiekoerant vir VETERANE van die ou Suid-Afrikaanse

Polisiemag en vir diegene wat belangstel in die geskiedenis van ons polisie,

verdediging en nasionale veiligheid

Februarie 2013; Vol 4 Nr 3.1 (Spesiale Uitgawe)

““““THE SERGEANT vs THE PANGAMAN””””

No 15688 1st Class/Det/Sgt JS Momberg

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Contents

Dedication: No 15688 (M) Detective W/O JS Momberg .................................................... 5

1. Four steps of separation ................................................................................................. 5

2. eNongqai, Vol. 2 No. 10. Par 6.1: S/a/o JHGCL du Toit ............................................ 6

3. Report by Maj-Gen Martin Nel ..................................................................................... 8

4. Approach: SAP Hall of Fame ...................................................................................... 10

5. SAP Museum: HBH ...................................................................................................... 10

6. 1988 SAP Commemorative Album: M de W Dippenaar ........................................ 10

7. Gallantry Awards of the South African Police 1913 – 1994: T King ..................... 10

The beginning: No 15688 Det/W/O Johannes Stephanus Momberg: Joe Momberg .... 10

23 January 2013: eNongqai Vol. 2 No. 11....................................................................... 10

23 January 2013: Memories of my father JS Momberg: Episode 1 ............................. 11

- Date & Place of birth .............................................................................................. 11

- 1933 SAP Depot ...................................................................................................... 11

- Alexander Bay ......................................................................................................... 11

- Lowveld Policeman ................................................................................................ 12

- World War Two ...................................................................................................... 12

24 January 2013: Episode 2 .............................................................................................. 12

- Tobruk ...................................................................................................................... 13

- Stalag VIIIB .............................................................................................................. 13

- Marriage ................................................................................................................... 13

26 January 2013: Episode 3 part 1 follow-up ................................................................. 13

- Jack Hurter .............................................................................................................. 14

26 January 2013: Durban days ......................................................................................... 14

- SAP King's Rest & Suspect Staff Durban Central .............................................. 14

28 January 2013: A “Light bulb Moment” ..................................................................... 15

- Peter Wills................................................................................................................ 15

28 January 2013 Episode 3 part 2 .................................................................................... 15

28 January 2013: Episode 3 part 3. .................................................................................. 18

- Det. Const Hendrik Mokai .................................................................................... 18

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- Det. Const. Dreyer .................................................................................................. 19

- Phinias Tshetaudzi ................................................................................................. 19

The Big One: 28 January 2013 .......................................................................................... 19

28 January 2013: The ones we would rather not mention ... ....................................... 20

29 January 2013 Harley hero ...? ...................................................................................... 21

30 January 2013 – D/Sgt Momberg: Press Cuttings ...................................................... 22

16 February 2013: A “Special Edition” of the eNONGQAI ....................................... 22

- McCrae Murder: Queenswood ............................................................................. 22

- Murder: von Zell .................................................................................................... 22

- Childhood: D/Sgt Momberg ................................................................................. 23

- Incident: Durban Central ...................................................................................... 23

18 February 2013: Afterthought (1) ................................................................................ 23



17 February 2013: JS Momberg Afterthoughts ............................................................. 24

- The McCrae Murder............................................................................................... 24

- Von Zell murder ..................................................................................................... 25

- The Incident at Durban Central ........................................................................... 25

- Boyhood Memories: Sgt Momberg ...................................................................... 25

19 February 2013: Computer problems ......................................................................... 26

23 February 2013: Alfred Percival von Zell ................................................................... 27

23 February 2013: Wedding Picture D/Sgt Momberg & Mrs Momberg ................... 27

26 February 2013: Medals ................................................................................................ 28

26 February 2013: Pennant: Gen IP De Villiers ............................................................. 28

26 February 2013: Correct Rank ...................................................................................... 29

26 February 2013: JS Momberg (DoB & DoD) ............................................................... 29

A Policeman and Detective’s Scrapbook: Photos furnished by Joe Momberg ............ 30

Hartebeespan ................................................................................................................. 30

1933: SAP Depot ................................................................................................................ 32

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Funeral: Lieut TW Wheeler [SAP Band] .................................................................... 34

From SAP Depot to Alexander Bay ............................................................................ 35

Alexander Bay ............................................................................................................... 36

Const Frans Momberg .................................................................................................. 40

Lowveld Policeman ...................................................................................................... 41

World War Two ............................................................................................................. 44

Staff Car & Pennant ...................................................................................................... 45

POW ................................................................................................................................ 46

Discharge ........................................................................................................................ 47

War Record DD 293 .......................................................................................................... 48

Medals: UDF & SAP ......................................................................................................... 49

Marriage Photo .................................................................................................................. 50

SAP Museum documentation: Pangaman .................................................................... 50

Newspaper cuttings SAPS Museum: ......................................................................... 52

Official Reports, Press Cuttings and Photographs as furnished by Joe Momberg

from his late father’s collections ..................................................................................... 57

Photographs: Pangaman ID Parades.......................................................................... 61

ID Parade: Pvte V Buyela & Corp Engelbrecht (SACMP) ........................................... 62

Part of Charge Sheet: Regina vs Phineas Tshetaudzi .............................................. 65

Press Cuttings: Pangaman Case .................................................................................. 66

Annual Report to Compol via the Divisional Commissioner – Det/Sgt Momberg . 82

McCrae-Murder: Queenswood ....................................................................................... 85

AP von Zell-Murder ......................................................................................................... 87

Photographs of Joe Momberg ......................................................................................... 87

End ...................................................................................................................................... 89

Disclaimer .......................................................................................................................... 89

Key Words .......................................................................................................................... 89

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Dedication: No 15688 (M) Detective W/O JS Momberg

This special edition is dedicated to the memory of Detective Warrant Officer JS

Momberg. He spent day after day detecting the Pangaman.

After numerous interviews I am convinced that all good detectives are good team

players! However not anybody can become a detective. What makes a policeman a

good detective?

Is it:

• Intelligence;

• knowledge of investigation of crime;

• knowledge of law and the rules of evidence;

• love for people;

• being a good communicator;

• tenacity and dedication;

• loyalty;

• truthfulness;

• integrity;

• observation;

• logic;

• a conceptual mind;

• being a team player?

Or is it a combination of various factors including the above?

One thing is sure, being a good detective one has to be on the road, constantly

following leads, thinking about various possibilities, getting all pieces of the puzzle

together, speaking to informers and interviewing witnesses. A detective has

constantly to recruit new informers, searching for eyewitnesses of the crime and

cultivating sources in the media to assist in solving the case. One thing that makes

this case more remarkable is that the police during the late 1950’s did not have the

forensic laboratories, like today.

Det/WO JS Momberg received little official recognition for this remarkable feat –

HBH.

1. Four steps of separation

Let’s start and see how Det/W/O Momberg came to your attention:

1. During a visit to Durban, my brother, Nico Heymans introduced me to Mr André

du Toit. Andre told me that his late father was a police detective. Naturally I invited

André to submit particulars and photographs of his father to the eNongqai.

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2. In one picture there appeared photo of three detectives, one being Andre’s father

who was the Section Head of the CID at Brooklyn together with Capt Fred van

Niekerk. The other detective was “unknown” at that stage. The other gentleman

appeared to be a prosecutor.

3. Major-General Martin Nel (SAP: Ret) former OC of the Commercial Crime Unit

and a seasoned Pretoria detective identified the third detective as 1class Detective

Sgt Momberg.

4. Joe Momberg, the son of the late Det/W/O Momberg, got on to “Google” and

found the references to his father in the eNongqai. For your comfort and to avoid

moving between the various eNongqai’s it was decided to place all the information

in one “special edition” of the eNongqai so that we could give recognition to the late

Det/W/O JS Momberg.

2. eNongqai, Vol. 2 No. 10. Par 6.1: S/a/o JHGCL du Toit

“Personalities & Biographical Dictionary / Persoonlikhede / biografiese woordeboek:

Par 6.1 s/a/o JHGCL du Toit

Uittreksel uit ‘n berig in SARP November 1964 en aanvullende inligting:

“Ons neem voorwaar swaar afskeid van ‘n legendariese figuur, t.w. s/a.-o. J.H.G.C.L. du

Toit, tevore van die verdenkpersoneel en tans van die Veiligheidspolisie, Afdeling Noord-

Transvaal, wat aan die einde van November 1964 die tuig neerlê. (Tussen hakkies – ons is

maar bly hy gaan, want hy het tog so baie voorletters!)

Hierdie gewilde lid van die Mag het op 2/1/1931 by die Mag aangesluit. Na sy opleiding in

die toendertydse depot is hy na Kroonstad, toe na Bloemfontein vanwaar hy na die speurdiens

oorgeplaas is. Terwyl hy in Bloemfontein diens gedoen het, het hy die Polisie se Weltergewig

kampioenskap in boks verower. Hy het toe vir ‘n paar jaar op Kroonstad misdaad bekamp en

gedurende die tydperk 2/9/1940 tot 24/8/1942 was hy met aktiewe diens, waar hy ‘n eervolle

ontslag ontvang het.

Na ‘n rukkie op Kroonstad (±1945) is hy na Zastron en vandaar (1949) na Harrismith.

Gedurende 1957 is hy na Pretoria en aan die begin van 1958 word hy seksiehoof van die

speurdiens by Brooklyn waar hy vir byna twee jaar aan die spits gestaan het. Hy het

Brooklyn se stof afgeskud en is toe na Pretoria-Sentraal waar hy op verskillende seksies sy

beste gelewer het. So ‘n paar maande gelede is hy na die Veiligheidstak, Afdeling Noord-

Transvaal.”

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Gedurende 1959 onder leiding van kapt. Fred van Niekerk het hy sake ondersoek teen sers.

N.J.J. Arlow en sers. J.L. Hattingh, was gemoeid met die Pangasaak en die van Eeden-

moordsaak.

In Junie 1960 en gedurende die ongesteldheid van maj. Richter, toe kapt. Van Niekerk in

bevel was van die veligheidsmaatreëls met dr. Verwoerd se verblyf in die Pretoriase Algemene

Hospitaal na die poging om hom te vermoor, het mnr. du Toit gereeld daar diens gedoen.

In 1961 was hy deel van maj. Fred van Niekerk se span wat ‘n groot Volkskas bankroofsaak

binne 36 uur opgelos het! In 1962 het hy die ondersoek gelei teen Johannes Buchling wat sy

tante en haar twee kinders wreed vermoor het.

“S./a.-o. Du Toit is ‘n beminlike figuur en ‘n man van min woorde. Hy is baie gewild onder

sy makkers en hy sal baie gemis word. Hy is ‘n veteraan op die gebied van atletiek en het

gereeld sy gewig ingegooi om die jongere hande aan te moedig en aan die sportsoort deel te

neem. Selfs gedurende die huidige jaar het hy ‘n span atlete na Bethlehem as assistant-

bestuurder vergesel, ‘n taak wat hy met sukses uitgevoer het.

Gedurende 1946 is hy na 2/s/sers., 1950 na 1/s/sers., en op 1/1/1958 na s/a.-o. bevorder. Hy

is met mej. Dina Crous gedurende 1936 in die huwelik bevestig en hulle het twee kinders,

André en Julia.

Mnr. Du Toit is ‘n betrekking by die Raad op Atoomkrag aangebied. Hy bly op Pretoria waar

ons hopelik van tyd tot tyd sy gesig sal sien.

Benewens sy diens as Polisieman het hy reeds vir die tydperk 1927 tot 1930 by die Weermag

diens gedoen en ‘n “Voorbeeldige” ontslagsertifikaat is aan hom uitgereik. Ons merk die

volgende interessante opmerking op sy ontslagsertifikaat wat 31/12/1930 gedateer is:

“Qualification for Employment in Civil Life: Should make a good telephonist.” (Hieraan

twyfel ons glad nie, hy kan sy ou sakie altyd op ‘n deeglike en bekwame wyse oor die telefoon

stel.)

Hy is ook die houer van die medaljes:

• Afrika Ster,

• Afrika Diens Oorlog medalje 1939 – 1945,

• Polisie Trouediens,

• Polisie Ster en

• Polisie Getroue Diens Medalje.”

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Naskrif: Na net ‘n paar jaar by die Raad op Atoomkrag, kon hy nie langer wegbly van die

Mag nie en het weer aangesluit en totdat kanker hom neergetrek het, by Sunnyside en

Brooklyn Polisiestasies as speurder gewerk. Hy is op 8 Maart 1974 op die ouderdom van 65

oorlede na ‘n baie lang siekbed.””

3. Report by Maj-Gen Martin Nel

eNONGQAI Vol. 2 No. 11 par. 6.1. Uitkenning van Speurders: 1/s/s Momberg – genl-

maj MJ Nel

Haai Hennie,

Die ander dag het jy 'n foto op fb: “Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie - Afgetrede Lede”

gepubliseer waarop, van links na regs, 'n manspersoon, dan wyle brig. Fred van

Niekerk (toe kaptein of majoor) en 'n (onbekende) staatsaanklaer verskyn het en het

jy gevra wie is die ander mense op die foto. Ek kan nie nou die plasing op die fb

muur spoor nie, maar ek wil jou vertel wie die manspesoon met die pak klere links

van wyle Fred is:

Dit was 1/s/sers (eersteklas speurdersersant) MOMBERG van die Kriminele

Ondersoek Departement (K.O.D./C.I.D.) van Brooklyn. Sers Momberg was die

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ondersoekbeampte van die "Pangaman" sake en ek het die voorreg gehad om as

proefspeurderkonstabel onder/saam met hom by Brooklyn K.O.D. te werk. Ons

K.O.D. bevelvoerder was daardie hoofkonstabel Du Toit1 met die baie voorletters

en later 'n Van der Berg totdat ek op 8 Mei 1961 verplaas is na die Bedrog- en

Insolvensie Personeel van die K.O.D. van Pretoria Sentraal waar

Speurderhoofkonstabel Hansie Marais die bevelvoerder was.

Ek kan ongelukkig s/sers Momberg se voorname of roepnaam nie nou onthou nie.

Die "Pangaman" was toe al die tyd 'n skoonmaker by die Polisiehoofkantoor toe hy

ontmasker en arresteer is.

Jy moes die uitkenningsparade gesien het! Iets uit die televisiestories van vandag,

maar wat in die 1960's plaasgevind het, met net swart en wit foto's daarvan. Hoedat

die arme slagoffers hom uitgeken het, weet ek nie. Ek het die Pangaman in lewende

lywe gesien en ek het die foto's van die uitkenningsparade gesien, maar kon nie sê

watter een hy was nie, totdat ek die foto's gesien het waarop die slagoffers hom

uitwys. Die ander mense op die uitkenningsparade was wragtig amper die booswig

se tweelinge.

Ek dink dat s/sers Momberg 'n medalje ontvang het ter erkenning van sy werk in die

Pangamansaak of daar was destyds ten minste sterk sprake daarvan.2 Daar was

letterlik tientalle dossiere en al die verkragtingslagoffers was nie vroue nie. Ek

onthou een manlike slagoffer ('n blanke man nagdiens skoonmaker by die

Uniegebou) wat deur die Pangaman gesodimiseer is toe hy nie 'n vroulike slagoffer

kry nie.)

Ek kan die toneel op die foto onthou as die binnekant van een van die howe in die

statige landdroshofgebou in Pretoriusstraat wat onlangs afgebrand het.

Vriendelike groete,

Martin Nel (Genl-maj (SAP) Afgetree).

NB

The Prosecutor in the Preliminary Examination was Mr AJ Pretorius and the

Magistrate at the Preparatory Examination was Mr AJ Mouton - HBH

1 S/a/o JHGCL du Toit - HBH

2 Hy het geen erkenning ontvang nie - HBH

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4. Approach: SAP Hall of Fame

The focus is on the detective as a human being and “good” policeman. Our approach

was to gather all the information possible on Det/W/O JS Momberg. Detectives and

policemen like Det/W/O Momberg should be honoured in a “SAP Hall of Fame”. We

gathered photographs, reports, press cuttings and publications on Det/W/O

Momberg. We also publish our findings in the form of an investigation diary.

Thanks to all our contributors. It is just as difficult to gather information on the

detecive as on the perpertrator of any crime! The South African Police would have

been a 100 years old on the 1st of April 2013. When Det/W/O Momberg joined the

SAP in 1933 the SAP was 20 years old! We honour a detective like Det/W/O

Momberg; they were the calibre of men which helped to lay the foundation of the

SAP. It was men like him who set the example for the next generation! We must

never forget our corporate history i.e. our “police history”! When we look back we

can see where we come from; and then we know what our destination is.

5. SAP Museum: HBH

Pre-1994 the SAP Museum had an exhibition about the Pangaman. It was very

realistic. I contacted the SAP Museum and they furnished me with some corre-

spondence and press clippings. I sent copies to Joe Momberg.

6. 1988 SAP Commemorative Album: M de W Dippenaar

I found no reference to the Pangaman-case in the above book.

7. Gallantry Awards of the South African Police 1913 – 1994: T King

His Union Defence Force number was SAP 254066 (p. 382); a Constable who became

a Pvte in the UDF. He was from District 35 (Ermelo); Eastern Transvaal. As a POW

he was also in Camp 344 (p. 289). I find that no commendation or medal was

awarded to him – HBH.

The beginning: No 15688 Det/W/O Johannes Stephanus Momberg: Joe

Momberg

23 January 2013: eNongqai Vol. 2 No. 11

I was delighted to discover eNongqai on “Google”. I have fond childhood memories

of my father bringing home the old Nongqai each month.

However, what really excited me was seeing a photo of my late father, Det. Sgt JS

Momberg, and the article about his arrest of the Pretoria pangaman. In those days I

was still in primary school, my Dad was stationed at the Arcadia police station. My

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father spotted him while he was scrubbing an office floor in Wachthuis. He

recognised him, having seen him briefly during a police trap which went wrong at

the Union buildings some years previously. He had eyes like a hawk and a

photographic memory for faces. There is much more to be told, if you are interested.

I am retired, living in Barrydale in the Little Karoo, where I keep busy in my

blacksmith shop.

I hope to hear from you,

Joe Momberg.

23 January 2013: Memories of my father JS Momberg: Episode 1

Dear Brig. Heymans,

For starters - please call me Joe! I think the best way of sharing my father's story with

you is simply to tell things as I remember them. When my laptop battery gets low or

my brain gets fuzzy I will call a halt.

- Date & Place of birth

Johannes Stephanus Momberg was born on the farm Hartebeespan, between

Griekwastad and Papkuil, on 29 November 1912.

He matriculated and found himself in the middle of the Great Depression. He

worked on a road gang, swinging a pick and shovel for the grand sum of 1 shilling3 a

day. That misery came to an end when he saw an SA Police advertisement in a

Kimberly newspaper.

- 1933 SAP Depot

I think his career began in 1933. His SAP number was 15688, if I remember well.

- Alexander Bay

He grew up with horses and could ride very well. After leaving college, he was sent

to Port Nolloth, and spent his first years patrolling the diamond fields.

3 About 10 cents a day! – HBH.

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- Lowveld Policeman

Around 1935, he was transferred to the Lowveld - Komatipoort, and various other

spots. He opened the police station at Nyamazana, where lions prowled around at

night and PWD had not yet provided a front door! Mosquito gauze and a .455

Webley was all he had and it had to be enough.

In fact he once shot a lion in response to a court order after the owner; a certain Joe

Pejacci had negligently allowed his tame lion to sit on the back of his pick-up truck,

from where it attacked a child. That was an adventure which could easily have gone

wrong. He used his trusty Webley at close range, killing the lion on the front stoep of

Pejacci's house. He had many adventures in those wild far off days. Lone

prospectors such as Harry Rogoff were still in the mountains around Barberton.

- World War Two

When World War Two broke out he wanted to join up, but was turned down,

because he was regarded as a key man, with his years of knowledge and experience

of the border areas, where Nazi supporters were trying to get over into Portuguese

territory on a frequent basis.

When the Second Division was formed he threatened to resign in order to enlist. He

was finally allowed to join the SA Police Brigade, which was captured when Tobruk

fell. My father was Gen. IP De Villiers personal driver.4 He had the staff car all

packed and ready to go when Rommel's forces over-ran his position. He was not

willing to let the car fall into enemy hands, and torched it, an action which almost

resulted in him getting shot. Erwin Rommel himself intervened and made my

coming into this world possible!

Watch this space for episode 2.

Regards,

Joe Momberg.

24 January 2013: Episode 2

(I will get some pics off to you as soon as my dear wife gets back from Cape Town

this weekend, since I am not fully clued up on all the moves. In truth I am somewhat

of an anachronist at heart.)

4 Gen IP de Villiers left North Africa and Maj-Gen HB Klopper was GOC when Tobruk fell. Gen Klopper was

taken POW – HBH.

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- Tobruk

Tobruk fell to Rommel's troops on 21 June 1942, and on 13 July 1942 he landed at

Brindisi. He took very ill with malaria and was hospitalised from 28 July 1942 to 7

March 1943. Six months later Italy had surrendered and he was in the hands of the

Germans.

- Stalag VIIIB

He was transferred to Stalag VIIIB. In October 1942 he was sent to Camp E283, in

Poland, together with some other "troublemakers”. He did forced labour in a sugar

beet factory at a place called Ratibor. By January 1945, the Russians were coming and

the Germans retreated, camp E283 being evacuated on 2 February 1945.

That was the beginning of a 1200 mile death march in the teeth of the most savage

winter on record, with temperatures of minus 30 Centigrade being measured.5 Those

who could not walk were shot. My Dad never spoke much about those months.

It must have been a frozen hell. When he was finally liberated by the US Third Army

at a place called Weiden, he weighed 98lbs, little more than half his normal body

weight.

- Marriage

After his return he married my mother, and until 1948 he shared with Carel Richter,

the task of looking after Gen. JC Smuts.

The change of government put an end to that very interesting time. Suddenly he had

a new commanding officer who gave him the task of clearing out a store filled with

Nazi flags and other "memorabilia", with the comforting words: "Momberg, jy was

mos in die oorlog gewees, jy sal dit geniet". All the items had to be neatly packaged

and returned to their former owners. Ongoing nightmares and amoebic dysentery

were his constant companions in the early years of my childhood.

Episode 3 " Pangaman" to follow asap.

Regards,

Joe Momberg.

26 January 2013: Episode 3 part 1 follow-up

Hello Hennie,

5 Capt HP Albertyn (SAP) also took part in this death march and I have his personal writtenaccount of this

march. W/O “Doppies” Baartman (SAP Durban) told me how they suffered on this march. Food was always

promised at the “next stop” - HBH

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I have just finished reading the Jan. edition of eNongqai - What a pleasure!

- Jack Hurter

A name I remember from the old Nongqai days was that of Jack Hurter6. I think he

left the SAP and went on to study law. He used to write a good story.

Did Episode 3 part 1 arrive safely? (We have to guard against Murphy’s Law.)

I have been sorting out old pre war photos and if my little machine lets me down, I

will go to a professional on Monday (DV), and get it off to you. Those old "snaps"

were printed rather small. Maybe you IT boffin will be able to assist.

Go Well,

Joe Momberg.

26 January 2013: Durban days

- SAP King's Rest & Suspect Staff Durban Central

At one time my father was stationed at King's Rest and later worked at (Durban)

Central in Smith St. The Suspect staff guys were in the loft of the building, no aircon,

but plenty of blotting paper to absorb the perspiration. One of my dad's colleagues

was a very well spoken chap who had been an inspector in the Kenya Police. His

first name could have been Peter. He later resigned and joined the staff of the Natal

Mercury. I think they had a column called Action Line. Does this ring a bell with

you? I hate to lose a name, and this one stays on the tip of my tongue. There is a

story in that whole business as well... (The reason behind his resignation). It links up

to an incident where my father drew his firearm for the second time in a career of 44

years.

The other two names which come out of the memory bank are Sgt Tommy Swales7

and Jack Kidd.8

So many loose ends so little time.

6 During the 1970’s Maj. Jack Hurter was Station Commander, Durban Central. He is the author of

various “police” stories - HBH 7 I do remember Sgt Tommy Swales. He and W/O Piet van Os were attached to the District Surgeon’s

Office Durban Central. 8 He must have been a legend, because many people always asked about Sgt Kidd when I was stationed at

King’s Rest during the 1960’s - HBH

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Go Well

Joe Momberg

28 January 2013: A “Light bulb Moment”

Good Morning Hennie,

- Peter Wills

This morning, a name came to mind - I think that the ex-Kenya policeman who

worked with my father on the Suspect Staff at Durban central was Peter Wills.9

Confirming that might help on the road ahead.

A history of the SA Police? That is a daunting task, particularly when one realises

that the first casualty in war is always truth. However faith brings a sense of

purpose. This morning I came across a verse in Psalm 60 verse 4: “You have given a

banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth." Hold on to that

thought!

I sent off the next episode last night.

I have sorted out some pics and will try and get them off today. Also some WW2

pics which I scanned and sent off to my son in Ireland. I will ask him to send then to

you

Go Well,

Joe Momberg.

28 January 2013 Episode 3 part 2

According to my father, the whole story began in the late 1940's, not with one man,

but with a gang of six men who attacked courting couples in lonely spots around

Pretoria. They were armed with knobkieries. As a result of police action, two were

shot in traps and another two were caught, convicted and hanged. The remaining

two were still active. In 1952 my father arrested Jack Dibekwane, who was sent to

prison for 12 years. The one who remained decided that he had to upgrade his

armament from a kierie to a panga, which he forged himself, using a piece of spring

steel.

The attacks took a very brutal turn - disabling the male victim, raping the woman

9 He is unknown to me – HBH.

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and making off with whatever money and personal effects could be taken from the

scene. The task of the police was made well-nigh impossible, because of the

following factors:

- The attacks occurred over a wide area, stretching from Fountains Valley to

Wonderboom, from Klapperkop Fort to the area around the old Doll's House.

-The public continued to frequent lonley areas at night, despite police warnings and

lurid details of the attacks given in the local press.

- Those who participated in these ill-advised "romantic outings" were often married,

but not to each other ! Consequently, many of the attacks were never reported. (more

about that later)

It was felt that the best chance of catching the culprit lay in setting traps i.e.,

unmarked police cars would go into lonely areas, and wait for an attack to take

place. Policewomen had not yet been "invented" yet, so that left the guys with two

logistic alternatives; bring a wife or girl-friend along or get one of the policemen to

dress up as ladies. (mmm?)

Someone felt that the long arm of the law needed a bit of extra "woema", so it was

decided to import two Rottweilers, (the first in the country, I think.) They were

trained to kill anything that opened a car door from the outside.

At that stage members of the C.I.D. were issued with .25 Star pistols, woefully

underpowered, miserable little things they were. One night, near Klapperkop fort, a

trap was sprung. The Pangaman fled, and one of the policemen gave chase. He

jumped into a donga and fell. Before he could get up the detective fired two shots,

one drilling a hole through his ear, and the other bullet coming to rest in the muscle

near his shoulder blade. The wound healed and Phinias Tshetaundzi was finally

hanged years later with that poor apology of a bullet still sitting in his back !

My father was now permanently assigned to the investigation, which meant that

he spent most nights in trap cars and still reported for duty next morning, with a full

day's work ahead of him. At one stage this day and night work went on

uninterrupted for 82 days and nights. He finally collapsed and had to be taken to

hospital.

It was during one of these trap attempts that he caught a glimpse of his prey.

Unknown to the occupants the car was being stalked. My father was lying between

the front and back seats, facing the driver's door. The stillness of the night was

broken by the clang of metal (the panga), against the back bumper of the car. The

man fled. The trap car was parked near the amphitheatre area of the Union

Buildings. He dodged behind one of the pillars and peeped out. The moonlight was

his undoing. For my father, it was a face once seen, never forgotten.

17

The panga attacks continued to make headlines, and the Pretoria News offered a

reward for the capture of the pangaman. This complicated matters. Trap cars were

suddenly not alone - enthusiastic "bounty hunters" came on scene, and no attack

ever took place where more than one car was present. My father was covering a trap

car from a position hidden in the bushes nearby, when he spotted two figures

approaching, one tall and the other short. The tall one, wearing a dress, was walking

along kicking pebbles along the path, not the sort of thing a lady would do. The trap

was blown, and my father decided to confront the midnight strollers. Sure enough,

the tall one wearing the dress was a man. The two gallant lads told him that they

had every right to be there, because they were out to capture the Pangaman and get

the reward. My father asked, just as a matter of interest, should they be attacked,

what did they have to defend themselves? The one produced a bread knife and the

other, brought out a tiny shoe hammer. Trying hard not to laugh, he then asked

them where their car was parked. They pointed in the general direction of a clump of

trees far in the distance, and out of sight. With a view to getting them to move off, he

then advised them to head back to their car before it was stolen. No, they reassured

him, the car was quite safe, because their wives were IN the car, waiting for them !!

“Red nou 'n volk met sulke mense” – Joe Momberg.

Go Well

Episode 3 part 2

Just a correction at this point: The original gang comprised 5 men, not six. They

were:

• Alfred Magatu, (shot in a trap Koedoespoort 1952)

• John Molele and Simon Shilwane (arrested and hanged, after being convicted

of rape)

• Jack Dibakwane, as previously stated, arrested and sentenced to 12 years.

• The last man was known as Mafuta, who turned out to be the Pangaman,

but whose identity was of course not known at that stage.

Some of the incidents were not without a certain grim humour:

One couple, (married but not to each other), were medical doctors. The pangaman

caught them in flagrante delicto in some lonely spot. A few nasty wounds, a rape

and robbery followed, as per established procedure.

But then the pangaman did a mean trick; he went off with all their clothes! They

drove back to the hospital, both in their birthday suits. They stopped outside

Casualty and hooted but no one came out. Then a lucky find:, a bra, mercifully

overlooked, which the man contrived to use as best he could, during his long walk

18

down the hospital corridor. Loss of dignity was I think, worse than loss of blood, on

that night.

On the night of 1 April 1958, a medical student and his fiancé were on their way

home when he stopped the car near a goldfish pond on the edge of the Union

Buildings gardens. He was not feeling well and she went to the pond to wet a cloth

so that he could wipe his face. She was attacked, and he ran to assist her. His bare-

handed defence gave her time to reach the car and start the engine. He managed to

retreat to the car as well, and she drove away with her badly wounded fiancé. His

dreams of becoming a surgeon were never to be realised. He never regained the full

use of his hands. My father arrived on the scene, and found two things; a piece of the

victim's skull, the size of a half crown, neatly shaved off, with hair still attached, and

a clear footprint belonging to the attacker.

A career had been ruined, but a piece of vital evidence was gained.

Part 3 to follow. Cheers for now.

Joe Momberg.

28 January 2013: Episode 3 part 3.

Records show that 16 attacks were recorded between April 1954 and March 1959.

On the morning of 20 November 1959, my father chanced to walk down one of the

corridors in Wachthuis. He passed an empty office and saw a black man cleaning the

office floor. He recognised him immediately as the same man he had seen near the

Union Buildings Amphitheatre, the same man who had fled, following the abortive

attempt to stalk the trap car.

He was arrested on the spot and taken to his house in what was then known as

Vlakfontein Location. A thorough search of the house was conducted; a trunk was

opened and numerous articles were found such as handbags, spectacle cases,

fountain pens and suchlike; all taken during past robberies. The one outstanding

item was the panga, and the one place not yet searched was a large crate with a

suitcase balanced on top of it.

- Det. Const Hendrik Mokai

When asked what was in the crate, the suspect was very offhand, muttering

something about: "Ou lappe van die vrou". My father smelled a rat, and proceeded

lift the piece of luggage standing on the crate. The suspect dived in under his arm

and before he could make another move my father grabbed him and threw him into

19

the arms of Det. Const Hendrik Mokai, who put the cuffs on him. The crate did

indeed contain a pile of old rags - but it also contained the panga! The weapon

conformed perfectly to the shape of a bruise inflicted on a victim's back some years

previously.

All the pieces of the puzzle were coming together.

The footprint left in the soil next to the goldfish pond on 1April 1958 was a perfect

match.

- Det. Const. Dreyer

On the night in May 1959, when the suspect had fled from a police trap near the

Fountains Drive-In Theatre, and had been wounded by Det. Const. Dreyer, he had

been spying on the car, using a pair of binoculars. As he fell he had dropped it and

one of the lenses bore a beautiful thumb print. Once more, a perfect match.

- Phinias Tshetaudzi

A whole series of identification parades followed where, time after time, Phinias

Tshetaudzi was positively identified by his victims.

On 6 May 1960 he was sentenced to death and he was hanged on the 14th November

1960

It was a job well done but never recognised. The reasons need not be given here,

but I am quite prepared to share them with you, should you feel so inclined.

Despite everything, my father's God-given grit and determination, never flagged in

44 years of service.

The best definition of a life well lived is perhaps that found in Micah chapter 6 and

verse 8: "He has shown you O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but

to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?"

Go Well,

Joe Momberg.

The Big One: 28 January 2013

Greetings Hennie,

Many thanks for the kind words! It would indeed be a good thing if we could sit

around a fire and chew the fat as they say.

20

I happened to know quite a bit about the pangaman case because in my father's

career, it was the Big One. Wherever we went, family and friends wanted to know

all the details, and I sat in on the re-telling of the case many times. (I was only 12

going on 13, when the arrest took place.)

There is a dark side to every story, and maybe I need to share that as well... May I

ask you? In your research, did you ever encounter anything about a “bad cop" of the

'fifties, stationed in Pretoria, whose claim to fame was that he had personally shot

and killed 13 blacks? One of them was supposed to have been the pangaman!

In the police family we seldom encounter such people. They don't belong - they are

renegades. What is the famous saying? "In order for evil to flourish, it is enough that

good men sit back and do nothing" That needs to be remembered and acted upon.

Always and without delay.

By the way, I have given the pre WW2 Photos to a computer boffin, who is enlarging

each one. They will be ready tomorrow.

Regards,

Joe Momberg.

28 January 2013: The ones we would rather not mention ...

Hello again

I don't know the full story, because my dad was on leave, (my mother was not well).

Someone phoned him with the news that the pangaman had been shot. He

immediately raced to the mortuary.

All the attack victims had described the Pangaman as quite short and stocky,

between 35 and 45 years of age. The corpse on display was that of an

undernourished 18 year old. The famous panga was a piece of un-straightened car

spring with a crude cutting edge filed on the wrong side.

My father then visited the scene of the shooting. The deceased had allegedly been

chased down by car, which had been brought to halt, the driver had fastened the

hand brake, opened the car door, and in the process of all that activity, the fleeing

suspect had not managed to cover more than a few paces before he was shot and

killed. The story did not ring true.

21

My father was in a difficult situation - the man who had fired the shot was of equal

rank to him, and the powers that be were used to such escapades, and were willing

to turn a blind eye. The next day, after my father had searched the police

vehicle inch by inch, all traces of blood had been scrubbed out, and the tyres were

black and shiny. The body had been removed and the whole affair was quietly swept

under the carpet.

Needless to say the panga attacks continued, and the attacker's description remained

the same.

Cheers,

Joe Momberg.

29 January 2013 Harley hero ...?

Sixty years ago a policeman had to be a main peanut to be issued with an official

police car. Consequently my father, a humble Det. Sgt., had to be thankful for

whatever he was provided, in his case, a WW2 Harley Davidson, with sidecar.

The housewives in the Arcadia area were spitting mad, because a gang of "ousie's"

were collecting washing, which then never came back to their owners. Acting on a

tip-off, my father went into one of the black townships, caught three of them red-

handed, together with several large bundles of washing.

Now he had a problem. Arresting them was the easy part, but how was he going to

get them, plus the evidence, to a place of safety and detention? True to his roots, he

made a plan.

With two of the culprits in the sidecar, one behind him, and the offending bundles

tied on wherever he could find room to tie a knot, he set off. Hoots of laughter and

catcalls followed him all the way through the suburbs, until he shamefacedly

entered the police station yard. On arrival, he was accosted by a totally outraged

station commander, who met him with the words: "Jy skend die beeld van die

Polisie!!"

Who said that the life of a policeman was easy?

I wish that I could have sent you a photo of that one.

Go Well,

22

Joe Momberg.

PS If you have any questions about the pics I sent, let me know

30 January 2013 – D/Sgt Momberg: Press Cuttings

Hello There,

I wish that I was half as computer literate as you are.

I will go to my friendly computer boffin tomorrow and find out how to put captions

to each of the pics I sent you. That means that you will not have to limit yourself to a

few select ones.

I am so thankful that you are prepared to take this task upon yourself.

In the meantime, watch this space! Thank you for the press cuttings. I also have a

handful of them which need to go off to you as well.

Cheers,

Joe Momberg.

16 February 2013: A “Special Edition” of the eNONGQAI

Hello Hennie,

It is good to hear from you, and especially good to hear about the special edition you

are planning. I am very thankful, more than words can say...

- McCrae Murder: Queenswood

Among the few things I still have, are photos with regard to a murder case which my

father solved. A lady by the name of McCrae was found murdered in her home in

Queenswood. I will send you what I can. I don't have any written details, however.

- Murder: von Zell

My father was also involved in a murder investigation following the murder of a

man by the name of von Zell. I think that there could be photo of an ID parade.

23

- Childhood: D/Sgt Momberg

It also occurred to me that I have not mentioned anything about Dad's childhood.

I will put on my thinking cap and come back to you asap.

- Incident: Durban Central

Oh, and there was also an incident which may or may not be for publication... a bad

day at Durban Central ...

• [Story withheld – not for publication. Discussed with Joe Momberg. – HBH]

That's all for now.

Go well,

Joe Momberg.

18 February 2013: Afterthought (1)

Hello Hennie,

I sent off some more afterthoughts last night. We used the other PC and e mail - did

you receive them?

I will have some more photos scanned this morning will send them to you.

I have never found my father's warrant card, but I do know that his Force number

was 15688.

Go Well,

Joe Momberg.


Ok we are all agreed, under perfectly controlled conditions, computers will do as

they please!

The guy at the internet/scanning shop has the pics I promised, and I have the

Afterthoughts text on a flash drive - thus (DV) the whole toot will be sent together

later today.

24

I hope that you will be able to make something of the von Zell murder. I think the

guy murdered his wife. You will see a case number or some such on one of the pics.

Now I have to get busy, putting my weekly Bible study together. Wednesday will be

here before I know it.

Somewhere I will find a photo of yours truly which just might be fit for publication.

What you see is what you will get, I am afraid - I was the only child.


Indeed! Growing old in a country which is now programmed to regard all that has

gone before as being irrelevant, at best, and totally evil at worst, is not easy, even for

those whose physical health allows for a reasonable quality of life. That is why

recording history with integrity is so important.

The old Hebrew word of encouragement comes to mind: “Chazak, chazak,

ve’nitchzek!”

Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another!

17 February 2013: JS Momberg Afterthoughts

(At last, I could open the attachment! - HBH)

- The McCrae Murder

The body of the murdered woman was found in a bath full of water. She had fought

her assailant; every room in the house bore evidence of the struggle. The murderer

proved to be a man who had been employed as a part time gardener. The fact that

she had been found in the bath raised the possibility that she had drowned, which

raised the further possibility that she had been alive, had fallen into the bath, that the

attacker had assaulted her, but had not killed her with intent.

My father anticipated this line of defence by arranging for the throat of the victim to

be surgically removed and preserved before the body was released for burial. When

the case came to trial months later, defence council entered a plea of accidental

drowning, which so it was said had taken place after the attacker had realised what

he had done and had fled! The pathologist was called and he presented the court

with the visual proof that the victim had in fact been strangled. The culprit was

convicted, sentenced and hanged.

25

- Von Zell murder

I will send the photos of the ID parade relating to the von Zell murder on Monday

DV, with whatever else I can find.

- The Incident at Durban Central

[Publication withheld – HBH.]

- Boyhood Memories: Sgt Momberg

In lighter vein, of course the man was once a boy….

My father grew up on a sheep farm 12000morgen in extent, located between Papkuil

and Griquatown in the Northern Cape. Land was plentiful, but money was scarce.

My grandmother was the shoemaker in the family, providing “voetgoed” for

everyone. Oupa never owned a car, relying totally on horses and donkeys.

The family went through a bad time at one stage; they left the farm for the diggings,

somewhere along the Orange River, (I presume), hoping to find a diamond or two.

Six weeks later they had found nothing.

In later years my Dad only remembered the hunger, and the cold river water which

had to be fetched by donkey cart each morning. The wretched donkey refused to

enter the water, unless he was led (dragged?) into the river, and that was my father’s

task, he being the eldest.

They finally had to give up and return to the farm. My great grandfather was also

with them, and had kept a sixpence for the rainy day which was now upon them.

They bought a loaf of bread and a small tin of Lyles Golden Syrup and set out for

home, more than a week’s journey. That loaf kept three adults and five children alive

until they reached the farm. The first thing they did on arrival was to slaughter a

sheep and make a fire...

There was naughtiness as well of course.

I once asked Dad whether Oupa was one for giving hidings. Dad said yes, but not

often. So I asked, What for? He admitted to the following:

• In the 1920’s the first aeroplane arrived in Griquatown, amid much doubt

about the existence of such an unheard of thing. It landed and caused panic

among the women and children and stampedes among the animals. When the

first shock died down, and folks came closer to get a good look at this

apparition, my father was amazed, and inspired. Back at the farm, he

announced his intention to build a “vliegmasjien” as well. He had taken

26

agood look at the thing after it had landed, and felt equal to the task of

copying the design. A bicycle frame formed the heart of the marvel, and was

so rigged so as to spin a “propeller “, activated by the pedals. But it wouldn’t

take off, and Dad figured that it just needed a bit of height – like a little bird

leaving the nest. So in the absence of all the adults who had gone to town, the

plane was winched up to the inspection platform of the windpump. The

flight was short, and the landing was violent. No bones were broken, but the

apricot tree was destroyed and the kitchen garden was never the same.

• Result: Eina! Pyn.

My father had ridden every horse on the farm, except the breeding stallion, which

was a killer. On another day when the kids were left alone, Dad decided” This is the

day”.

The beast was saddled (with Oupa’s prized possession, a handmade English saddle).

Eventually the horse threw him, and his head made contact with a rock. He woke up

on the kitchen floor, when a bucket of water was tipped over him. At the same time

punishment was meted out with interest, because the beloved saddle was destroyed,

among the thorns and rocks.

An ugly outcrop of BlouJonasklip surfaced about 50 paces from the farmhouse and

once again my father decided that something had to be done. He figured that his

father would be so pleased when he and Ma came back from the market. He knew

where the dynamite was kept and he had spotted the hiding place of the detonators,

high up in the rafters of the barn. So all the brothers got to work. The charges were

laid and all was in readiness for the Big Bang.

Providentially, Oupa and Ouma came back early, just in time to save the situation, in

very truth, because this bit of landscaping involved a full crate of dynamite. My

father’s good intentions were not rewarded in the manner he had hoped.

And then I was told that I was naughty!!!

Go well

Joe

19 February 2013: Computer problems

Right will do. They say that history must be understood in terms of challenge and

response. However, responses to the electronic logic of computers differ. One of our

blacksmiths in Cape Town murdered 2 laptops - he took them on a one way trip to

27

the anvil. Mmm, rather drastic; and it didn't improve his computer skills one little

bit.

23 February 2013: Alfred Percival von Zell

I have no detail about the von Zell murder. Dad was on the case. Alfred Percival Von

Zell shot his wife on 21 April 1952 and was convicted and finally hanged on 13

November 1953. There is a brief note on ancestry24.com.

I hope the afterthought pics make sense - expanded some of the original captions

Cheers,

Joe Momberg.

23 February 2103: Captions of photos

• jo1 jpg - JS Momberg 1941 Before leaving for North Africa

• jo2 jpg - Namaqualand 1934 JSM second from right

• jo3 jpg - Momberg family Hartebeespan circa 1929 Father back row standing

on right Frans standing on left

• pic1 jpg - Forensic lab photo von Zell case 1952

• pic7 jpg - Back Yard McCrae property Queenswood Pretoria

• pic 8 and 9 - Bath where Mrs McCrae's body was found

• pic 10 and 11- Body of murder victim Mrs McCrae

• pic 12 - ID Parade Alfred Percival von Zell

• pic 13 - Frans Momberg on left (My Uncle) Later Diamond Squad chief

• pic 14 - Namaqualand 1934 JS Momberg on right

• pic 15 - Namaqualand 1934 JS Momberg standing on right

• pic 16 - My people as they were: Ds Grobbelaar at left with Lee Enfield and

Great Uncle Frans Momberg at right. Somewhere in the Kalahari Most likely

on the farm "Gemsbokkie" between Askam and Witdraai in the 1930's. Dog

and children unknown!

• pic 17 My father's parents see jo 3 jpg above

• pic 18 jpg JS Momberg second from right on active service N Africa 1941/42

• pic 19 jpg - My Uncle Frans Momberg

• pic 20 jpg see jo 1 jpg above

23 February 2013: Wedding Picture D/Sgt Momberg & Mrs Momberg

I found a nice wedding photo of the big day when my father married Evelyn Mabel

Chipps. (Tineke will try and send it to you.)

28

She was the granddaughter of Thomas William Chipps, a Londoner who came to SA

as a soldier apparently serving with in the 57th regiment Dragoon Guards. He later

married Irish lass named Lily Larkin and they settled in Cala in the E Cape and

raised a family, of which my Grandfather Daniel James Chipps was the youngest.

My Grandfather was a blacksmith by trade. He married a Boeremeisie in 1893, and

when the Anglo Boer war broke out he joined the commando of Louis Botha. He was

finally captured and sent to Bermuda. Bad times, they must have been - his one

brother Richard died at Magersfontein, and the other two brothers fought on the

English side.

Note: Joe and I had a chat on our genealogy. My Malan family of East Griqualand

and the Chips family are related. Some of the Heymans family also moved to the

Kalahari. It is possible that our forbearers might have met in the Kalahari or in East

Griqualand. Who knows? That’s why I, as a Boere-Afrikaner, find ‘my’ history so

interesting! From Albion I have Cockneys, Irish, Englishmen and Welshmen in the

family and various ancestors from most European countries.

26 February 2013: Medals

Hello Hennie

We put the medals on the scanner, because the camera results were not

satisfactory.

I also included the covering letter confirming the WW2 medal awards.

In addition I am also sending the dog tags issued to my Dad at Stalag VIIIB,

where he was kept as a POW until his transfer to the labour camp E283 in

Poland.

I hope this goes off OK.

Cheers

"Neef" Joe

26 February 2013: Pennant: Gen IP De Villiers

Yo Hennie it's me again.

The attachment is a pic of the pendant which my father pulled off gen. IP de

Villiers' staff car before he set fire to it, to prevent it from falling

29

into enemy hands. My father carried that little flag hidden on his person

throughout his captivity. That springbok emblem stood for something. For my

Dad, it was his personal act of defiance to the hated swastika.

That just about wraps it up for tonight.

26 February 2013: Correct Rank

It's me again!

I have been so in the Pangaman groove that I just realised, as I was looking at his

medals, that somewhere in his Durban days, he was in fact promoted to the rank of

Det. W/Officer.

I have no documentation to prove it, but the details on the Medal for Faithful Service

carries the inscription "15688 S/A/O JS Momberg 6.1.66." The Star of Merit bears the

rank of S/Sers.

I hope this sets the record straight.

Joe Momberg.

26 February 2013: JS Momberg (DoB & DoD)

Hi Hennie,

My father, JS Momberg was born on 29th November 1912 on the farm Hartebeespan,

distrik Griekwastad and he died on 7thApril 2001 in Somerset West.

Groete.

Joe.

30

A Policeman and Detective’s Scrapbook: Photos furnished by Joe

Momberg

Hartebeespan

Momberg Family Hartebeespan 1929 and the Momberg-brothers in the back row.

Background: 1929 – 1933 were tough years for farmers – not only a severe drought

but also a depression. Farmers were still recuperating from the economic effects of

the Anglo-Boer War three decades ago! Many a white man worked on the SA

Railways as a labourer on the road or building dams: pick axe, spade, shovel and

wheel barrow. They were paid a shilling (or ten cents a day). Many farmers were

kept alive by selling cream to the creamery where they made cheese and butter. The

SAR’s Road Motor Transport collected cream in cans from nearly all the farms in the

Kalahari. Cream was one of the few cash crops in that part of the world. The police

rode camels at Witdraai and Van Zylsrus - HBH

31

Ds. Grobbelaar and Frans Momberg snr

Oupa and Ouma Momberg 1929

32

1933: SAP Depot

Changing of the Guard

30-04-1933: Katkisante of the Dutch Reformed Church: Det/Sgt Momberg, centre

row, 2nd from the right.

33

On Parade: Det/Sgt Momberg in the centre.

Det/Sgt Momberg is in the front row on the right.

34

Funeral: Lieut TW Wheeler [SAP Band]

Lt. Wheeler, Bandmaster SAP Band, died on 11 May 1933

SAP Guard of Honour

Lt Tom Wheeler (Photo - HBH)

35

Charger covered in barding taking part in the funeral.

From SAP Depot to Alexander Bay

At a station on the main line between Pretoria and Cape Town

36

Alexander Bay

In Namaqualand, standing right.

Bayonet drill – Namakwaland; Det/Sgt Momberg is 3rd from left.

37

In Namakwaland – Det/Sgt Momberg on the right.

Police Camp

38

Parade

JSM – Back row, standing right

39

The SAP Camp

On guard

40

Of cooks and bottle washers ...

Const Frans Momberg

Mounted Constable Frans Momberg (uncle). Later OC Diamond Squad.

41

Momberg-Brothers

Lowveld Policeman

Leaving on Patrol (THB = Nelspruit).

42

Lion country!

Patrol & Rest day with “private” transport?

43

Police station at Nyamazane?

Local Populace at Nyamazane

44

World War Two

Before departure to

North Africa and most

probably on leave in

Cairo.

45

Staff Car & Pennant

Above: Pennant of the staff car of Major General IP de Villiers. [When Tobruk fell

Maj-Gen HB Klopper was in charge – HBH]

46

Pvte JS Momberg: Centre

POW

Dog tags: JS

Momberg

Stalag VlllB

Ratibor sugarbeet factory (Poland) and Camp E283 in Poland

47

Discharge

Form DD 342 – Discharge Certificate: No SAP 254066 Pvt JS Momberg

48

War Record DD 293

49

Medals: UDF & SAP

50

Marriage Photo

SAP Museum documentation: Pangaman

Ms Marlene Swanepoel of the SAPS Museum sent the following information on the

Pangaman:

51

52

Newspaper cuttings SAPS Museum:

53

54

55

56

57

Official Reports, Press Cuttings and Photographs as furnished by Joe

Momberg from his late father’s collections

58

59

60

61

Photographs: Pangaman ID Parades

62

ID Parade: Pvte V Buyela & Corp Engelbrecht (SACMP)

Medical Reports: Pvte V Buyela

63

64

65

Part of Charge Sheet: Regina vs Phineas Tshetaudzi

66

Press Cuttings: Pangaman Case

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

Annual Report to Compol via the Divisional Commissioner – Det/Sgt

Momberg

83

Note: For a short period the SAP had the ranks of Commandants and Field Cornets,

while Divisions were known as Commands (komandemente).

84

85

McCrae-Murder: Queenswood

Note the little dog: right bottom – HBH.

86

87

AP von Zell-Murder

Photographs of Joe Momberg

88

89

A word of thanks to Joe Momberg

Dear Joe,

Thanks for making contact and in so doing playing a part in the

conservation of our police history.

Thanks for all the information, reports, photographs, helpfulness

and patience. Although you admire your father, thanks for being

honest and truthful. Thanks for sharing with our readers about a detective who only

worked as part of a team in solving various murder cases.

The past is very interesting and thanks for lifting the curtain on our past! Sincerely

yours,

Hennie Heymans.

End

Our thanks to all contributors. We salute the memory of a fine Detective, Salute!

Hennie Heymans

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Key Words

Albertyn, Capt HP

Baartman, W/O “Doppies”

Camp E283 Poland

Coetser, Const NJE

De Villiers, Maj-Gen IP

Dibakwane, Jack

Dreyer Det/Const

Du Toit, Andrè

Du Toit, D/H/Const JHGCL

Grobbelaar, Ds (Rev)

Heymans, Nico

Hurter, Maj Jack

Kidd, Sgt Jack (King’s Rest)

90

Magatu, Alfred

McCrae – Murder

Mokai, Det/Const Hendrik

Molele, John

Momberg, D/W/O JS

Momberg, Frans (snr)

Momberg, Joe

Mouton, AJ

Nel, Maj-Gen Martin

Pangaman

Pretorius, JC

Richter, Maj Carl

Shilwane, Simon

Smuts, Gen JC

Stalag VlllB

Swales, Sgt Tommy

Tshitaundzi, Phineas

Van Niekerk, Maj Fred

Von Zell, Alfred Percival

Wheeler, Lt TW (SAP Band)

Wills, Peter

Documents

eNONGQAI Vol 4 No 3.1. [Special Edition]