Episode 26 – Jannie Geldenhuys takes charge of SWA Command

This is episode 26 and we’re covering events in 1977. The incursions into Ovamboland increased suddenly in early 1977 and the SADF was also concerned about reports that the four frontline states of Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola had agreed to support the new wave of insurgency. From early December 1976 SWAPOs armed wing PLAN had set its sights on traditional leaders, literally, who were mostly conservative and well disposed towards the South African administration. To SWAPO, they were sell-outs and had to be eradicated. Then in February 1977, the Caprivi experienced its first incident in two years when a PLAN group opened fire on a South African patrol base near the borders with Angola and Zambia. Three SADF troops were wounded and twelve insurgents were killed in follow up operations before they had time to cross over into Zambia. At the same time, the SADF’s communication operations scheme or hearts and minds campaign, got off the ground. 79 selected national servicemen were withdrawn from other tasks and assigned to teaching duties in black schools in the border area starting on the 22nd March. Just over a week later, on the 31st March, PW Botha announced in Parliament that during the two years since April 1975 a total of 231 insurgents had been killed in Ovamboland, Kavango and the eastern Caprivi. ON the South African side, 33 men had died while Swapo had also killed 53 locals – many were traditional leaders or their family members.