Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War

Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. Former South African police sergeant Nick Howarth reveals the violence, trauma and political warfare he witnessed as a teenage officer in his book, War in Peace: The Truth About the South African Police’s East Rand Riot Unit, 1986–1994. The Podcast is available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartradio and most major podcast platforms. #LawEnforcementTalk #Free #Podcast #Radio Nick Howarth was not merely an observer during one of the most turbulent periods in South Africa’s history. He was on the ground, wearing the uniform and confronting violence that would leave permanent scars on his life. Supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin. Howarth joined the South African Police Force in 1986. He was only 17 years old, fresh out of high school, when he entered a world of burning barricades, political unrest, tribal warfare and mass casualties. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. He eventually served as a section commander in the Internal Stability Division, a specialized anti-terrorist and riot-control unit. During nine years of police service, Howarth witnessed scenes of violence and suffering that most people could scarcely imagine. His experiences are detailed in his gritty firsthand memoir, War in Peace. “It is the story of a man, a uniform, a fractured nation, and the impossible task of keeping the peace when peace had already broken down.” A Teenage Police Officer Thrust Into Warfare At an age when many teenagers are still deciding what they want to do with their lives, Howarth was beginning a dangerous career as a police officer in South Africa. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. The former athlete joined the police believing he was entering a profession devoted to maintaining law and order. Instead, he was quickly thrust into a conflict that often resembled urban warfare. Howarth and the other officers in his unit patrolled townships in armored Casspir vehicles. They responded to burning barricades, bombings, massacres, shootings and widespread political violence. The officers frequently found themselves caught between heavily armed groups while attempting to protect residents, recover victims and prevent further bloodshed. “Bombs, massacres, the murdering of women and children, courage, cowardice, heartache, defeat and victory became part of Howarth’s life.” The constant violence eventually took an enormous psychological toll. After nine years in the specialized unit, Howarth left police work because of the accumulated stress and trauma. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other major podcast platforms. The interview is also featured across Facebook and Instagram. The uniform was gone, but the memories remained. The Hidden War During Apartheid in South Africa During the final years of apartheid, a brutal conflict was raging inside many of South Africa’s townships. The violence was driven in part by a struggle for political influence between supporters of the African National Congress, led by Nelson Mandela, and the Inkatha Freedom Party, led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The conflict unfolded as the National Party government gradually relinquished power and South Africa moved toward democratic rule. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. More than 20,000 people reportedly died during approximately four years of extreme political and tribal violence. Yet much of the bloodshed remained hidden from South Africa’s population and the international community. Strict restrictions on journalists and news organizations limited what the local and foreign media could report. According to Howarth’s account, people outside the townships had litt