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AL3283 :: The De Wet Potgieter collection

Collection No: AL3283
Title: The De Wet Potgieter collection
Creator: Inventory prepared by Debora Matthews, updated in December 2022
Origination: De Wet Potgieter
Inclusive Dates: 1980-2010
Bulk Dates: 1993-1994
Extent: 1.0 linear metre (10 archival boxes); 6 videos; photographs
Language: English, Afrikaans
Acquisition: Accession numbers: 09-008, 09-029, 10-013
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research
Use Restrictions: Copyright restrictions may apply. See SAHA copyright statement for Use Restrictions. SAHA is the copyright holder for the oral history interviews.
Created: 14 October 2010
Abstract: The De Wet Potgieter collection consists of oral history interviews conducted with military intelligence operatives during the apartheid era; documents and materials relating to the activities of Military Intelligence and the Security Branch of the South African Police (SAP) during the apartheid era, and related material; extremist right-wing organisations in South Africa, and Doug Lee photographs.

Interviews were conducted by De Wet Potgieter with Vic McPherson, Chris Thirion, Generals Herman Stadler, Johann van der Merwe and Tienie Groenewald, Colonel Lucas Ras, Henk Heslinga, Inspector Joppie van Staden, and Detective Warrant Officer Drummond Hammond.

The document collection consists of materials on the South African Defence Force (SADF) relating to Anti-ANC propaganda, the Civil Cooperation Bureau (CCB), the Directorate Covert Collection (DCC) and Operation Nyawa. The section on the Security Branch of the SAP contains material on the Self Defence Units (SDUs), Operation Sunrise, and ANC-SACP investigations. Top secret information is contained in materials on the South African Institute of Maritime Research (SAIMR) in relation to Keith-Maxwell Annandale, mercenaries, the Seychelles coup, and their relations with the right-wing and the ANC; and revolutionary watchdogs. The collection also includes material pertaining to the Counter revolutionary intelligence task force (Trewits), PW Botha and the Nelson Mandela tapes, PW Botha's last cabinet meeting, threats against the De Klerk regime, and the assassination of Chris Hani. The section on right-wing organisations includes material on the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), the Boer Commando Corps (formerly Brandwag), the Boer Force (Die Boeremag), and the following splinter groups - Blanke Bevrydingsbeweging van Suid-Afrika (BBB), Boere Weerstandsbeweging (BWB), Huis van Oranje, Orde Boerevolk, Afrikanerjeugaksie, Aksie Quo-Vadis SAUK, Kerk van die Skepper, Wit Wolwe, Verenigde Regse Massa Beweging (V.R.M.B.), and the Afrikaner-Boerevolk. There are also material on the World Apartheid Movement (WAM) and international right-wing organisations.

The Doug Lee photographic material is significant for its wide coverage of right-wing activities and events, including many images of Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche. There are also images of PW Botha, FW de Klerk, the launch of Radio Pretoria, Willem Ratte, Gaye Derby-Lewis, 32 Battalion, Jani Allen, Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Carl Niehaus, Kumleben Commission of Enquiry, Magnus Malan, Constand Viljoen, Barend Strydom, and General Johann van der Merwe, amongst others.
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