Archive for category South Africa

Somalia: Sterling Corporate Services Replaces Saracen International For Training Puntland’s PMPF

Apr 29

Posted by Matt in Company Spotlight, Somalia, South Africa | 2 Comments

With the news of contractor Lodewyk Pietersen being killed by his PMPF force that he was mentoring, I wanted to bring some attention to the company he was working for. Apparently Sterling Corporate Services replaced Saracen International as the prime vendor for training and mentoring Puntland’s anti-piracy force.

Of course this came out last February and I missed this news somehow. Either way, better late than never as they say, and thanks to a reader for pointing out this information.

So who is Sterling Corporate Services?  From the sounds of it, it looks like most of the guys that were with Saracen Int. just changed t-shirts and jumped into a new company. The UAE is still paying for the whole thing as well.

Also, the PMPF has a website which has several links to what is going on with the contract and their anti-piracy efforts on land.They even have a wikipedia entry, just so you can see the overall history of this force and what they are up to.

But as far as a website for SCS, that is a no go. Which is too bad because I could have done more to promote what these guys are doing in Puntland as opposed to finding out what they are doing after one of their guys gets killed while on an operation. With that said, if anyone from the company would like to correct the record as to what happened to your contractor, the industry and public would like to know.

The other reason why SCS should come up and speak about what happened, is because their competitors are taking advantage of this vacuum or ‘lack’ of information and spreading all sorts of negative information to discredit them. Pretty soon, rumor becomes fact, and then you get the main stream media reporting off of these rumors. So keeping quiet can sometimes do more harm than good, and especially in today’s fast paced social networked environment. At the least you should be contacting new media folks like myself, just because my readership are industry folks and the public. -Matt

 

Pmpf logoSomalia: Sterling Corporate Services Replaces Saracen International For Training Puntlands PMPF

 

Puntland counter-piracy force poised for launch
23 February 2012
by Richard Meade
An armed counter-piracy police force, funded by the UAE government and trained by private security, is poised to begin operations inside the Somali state of Puntland after previous attempts to launch such a force floundered.
Speaking exclusively to Lloyd’s List ahead of the UK-sponsored Somalia conference being held in London today, Puntland’s interior minister Abdullahi Ahmed Jama confirmed that the Puntland Maritime Police Force would be resuming operations imminently and directly targeting pirate gangs on land.
The Puntland counter-piracy force was established back in 2010, before being suspended in February last year under pressure from several UN agencies who criticised the force’s lack of transparency, the issue of arms sanctions and the lack of a legal framework to support operations.
According to Mr Jama those issues have now been resolved and the police force is now expected to resume training and recruiting with the backing of international governments.
The Puntland police force will operate with the co-operation of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia which is understood to be pursuing similar plans involving private security trained forces.
According to Mr Jama, the Puntland force is a locally recruited, armed coastal police force established to fight piracy on land and protect Somali marine resources. It has been formed, he argued, in direct response to multiple UN Security Council Resolutions and demands from the international community for the Somali authorities to build security and law enforcement institutions to address piracy.

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Jobs: Team Members-Maritime Security, South Africa

Apr 19

Posted by Matt in Jobs, Maritime Security, South Africa | No Comments

This is cool. Control Risks is opening up shop in South Africa and flying some maritime security positions. This probably coincides with the latest news about South Africa’s view on foreign security companies and maritime security.

I am not the POC or recruiter for this and please follow the directions below if you would like to apply. Also, I have no idea about the weapons and equipment for this contract, or any of the other particulars. So definitely ask those questions when talking with the recruiter. Good luck and I will keep my eyes and ears open for any other companies that set up in South Africa for maritime security work. -Matt

 

303 ControlRisksLogoWebJobs: Team Members Maritime Security, South Africa

Team Members – Maritime Security
Control Risks
Control Risks is a global risk consultancy specialising in helping organisations manage political, integrity and security risks in complex and hostile environments.
We are a medium sized, rapidly growing company. Since our inception in 1975, we have worked with more than 5,000 clients in over 135 countries worldwide. Our renowned expertise, the breadth of our services and the geographical reach of our organisation enables us to help our clients meet their challenges and realise new business opportunities across the world.
Employer Vision:
People should come to work with us because we provide real benefit to many of the world’s leading organisations. In doing so we give our people direct responsibility, career development and the opportunity to work on some fascinating projects in a rewarding, diverse and enjoyable environment.
Job Title:
Team members- Maritime Security
Location:
Mobile, but hub location will be South Africa
Type of Engagement:
Fixed Term Contract
Department:
Crisis Security Consulting (CSC) Middle East
Manager:
Operations Manager, Maritime
Job Purpose:
To provide security services and general guidance to the Master and crew of merchant vessels in transit.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
-Provide general guidance to the Crew and carry out drills, training and preparations for the Transit as agreed with the Master
-Advising and/or assisting with the hardening of the Vessel in accordance with Owners’ instructions and, where applicable, in accordance with the guidance of BMP
-Monitor suspicious vessels or craft during the Transit

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Maritime Security: South Africa Ponders Armed Guards Aboard Merchant Ships

Apr 13

Posted by Matt in Africa, Maritime Security, South Africa | No Comments

Anyone that has followed the legal show in South Africa towards private security should take note of this one. I was sickened by SA’s treatment of the brave contractors that went to Iraq or Afghanistan. Men were killed and wounded in these wars, and the professionalism and dedication they presented was awesome. They should have been celebrated for their service, and not demonized.

With that said, I think this latest news about SA re-evaluating the value of such men is good news. These veterans in SA would do a fantastic job of defending merchant ships. Not only that, but SA is strategically situated on the continent to take advantage of this market.

From providing floating armories to providing training, SA is in a position to certainly be of value to the industry. So I hope they do work out the legalities and allow armed guards on boats. We will see…

Another point I wanted make with this post, is the Enrica Lexie incident, where Italian Marines posted on this merchant vessel shot and killed some innocent fishermen thinking they were pirates. It has caused quite the stir between India and Italy.

What I wanted to point out was that this was a military detail, and not a private security force. With military details, a ship’s captain really has no say so on what they do–they are military, following the orders of their command. With PSC’s, a ship’s captain calls the shots, and if that PSC doesn’t like it, the ship owners contract the services of another PSC.  That is one of the key advantages with private versus public.

Also, Admiral Nirmal Verma conveniently removes this distinction in his commentary about this incident. That he forgot to mention that this was a ‘military detail’ that did this, and not a PSC.

With that said, eventually a PSC will have an accident. It is bound to happen and when it does, you will certainly see the opposition to private security on vessels use this as a reason why we should not have armed guards on boats. It is the typical knee-jerk reaction of such incidents, and we need to get prepared for it.

This is the floating iceberg of maritime security, and I think it would be prudent for groups like SAMI or BIMCO to have a discussion about how this can be best mitigated. I think all ship owners are watching the Enrica Lexie incident and thinking, what would happen if my guards shot and killed some innocent fishermen in a similar horrible mistake? What is the plan? Or do you just operate on ‘hope and prayers’ that it won’t happen…..?

Of course everyone is working on ensuring this does not happen. Standards and codes of conduct are being produced and signed by folks all over the world. But what is important to note is that we are still humans. We make mistakes and things can go wrong, despite all of the training and all of the rules/laws.  So there should be consideration by all parties as to how best to deal with this reality. Talk with the lawyers, talk with those who have suffered such consequences, and learn from these nightmare scenarios on how best to navigate them. Be prepared as they say….-Matt

 

SA ponders armed guards aboard merchant ships
By Dean Wingrin
Thursday, 12 April 2012
South Africa has been asked to grapple with the question of how to deal with armed guards aboard civilian ships at sea.
In her keynote address at the opening of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in Cape Town yesterday, Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, stated that a number of European countries had approached South Africa with the request that South Africa assist the armed guards that provide anti-piracy protection aboard merchant ships off the east coast of Africa.
“We would like to be advised by yourselves on the ethics and viability of this,” Sisulu asked the Symposium.
Speaking to reporters after her address, Sisulu said that the world was turning to providing onboard security to protect their vessels against piracy. As a result, South Africa was required to grapple with this issue and give it the go-ahead.
“But,” Sisulu continued, “there is a need for us in the South African context that we may be required to allow replenishment for those people who provide security onboard the ships. Now I do know that there is an ethical matter, on whether or not (civilian) ships (can) carry armed people.“

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Legal News: Philip Young To Be Released!

Aug 23

Posted by Matt in Afghanistan, Legal News, South Africa | 1 Comment

This is fantastic news and I really hope this turns out to be true.  Philip Young is a South African security contractor that has been detained unlawfully, and has been a prisoner of Afghanistan’s legal system. His case was clearly a self defense shooting against an armed combatant. To imprison him was wrong, pure and simple. Here is a quote from the Justice 4 Philip Young page on Facebook.

Imminent release Confirmed. May be out of here as early as next week. Just waiting for the admin to get done.

So we will see and thanks to Debbie at Facebook for giving me the heads up on this. There are a lot of people out there that will be happy to hear this. As more information comes up, I will make the edit. -Matt

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Bounties: Koevoet Bounty System During The South African Bush Wars

Dec 22

Posted by Matt in Africa, Bounties, South Africa, Training | 1 Comment

     It was the 1978 brainchild of then Colonel Hans Dreyer (later a Major-General in the SAP) to develop and exploit intelligence and was based on the Portuguese Flechas and the Rhodesian Selous Scouts. Koevoet was based in Oshakati and suffered 153 killed in action and several hundred more wounded. They killed more than 3,681 SWAPO insurgentswhich resulted in a 1:25 or one to 25 kill ratio.

paragraph dividerBounties: Koevoet Bounty System During The South African Bush Wars 

     What I wanted to point out here was a very interesting piece of history that I don’t think has really been discussed out there.  Maybe Peter Stiff talked about it in his Covert War book, but either way, I thought I would bring it up here and archive it.

     This to me is a prime example of incentivizing warfare, and providing a means of competition within a unit for the destruction of an enemy. To create an industry (competition) out of killing your enemy basically.  In this case, the Koevoet attached a value to the enemy(killed or captured) and their weapons/equipment, and established a bounty system that all of Koevoet could partake in and supplement their salaries with. The results were stunning.

     Koevoet also gets a big mention for it’s innovative war fighting methods, and the proof of concept for applying the Selous Scout model to a different war and in a different country (see below).  In other words, this unit would be an excellent study for how this type of counter-insurgency warfare could be taught, and even by a private company.  Look at the effectiveness of this stuff  in both Rhodesia and SWA and you can see exactly what I mean. -Matt

rule dividerBounties: Koevoet Bounty System During The South African Bush Wars

     Koevoet worked on a bounty policy where anything and everything that you brought in had a price on its head.  People somewhere around R2,000, large calibre mortars probably a bit more, land mines slightly less and so on, which was a great motivating factor for the combatants and the teams because you could earn double, triple your money.  It also meant that score boards were kept and that the teams competed against each other for the most number of kills in a given week in the bush. -Sean Mark Callahan, Page 30 of the TRC, 17th of June, 1997

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Koevoet From Wikipedia

     At the time, South Africa saw itself as the only country on the sub-continent that could stave off the onslaught of communism. As such, South-West Africa and its northern border with Angola was the one battleground that South Africa had to control if it was to weaken the Cuban-backed South-West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO).

Rising insurgency

     In many countries there is a formal separation of duties between law enforcement and the military. The former is generally responsible for domestic issues while the latter is deployed in defence of the nation. At first this philosophy was adopted in South-West Africa. Guerilla operations inside the country were dealt with by the police. Insurgents were seen as common criminals that should be processed by the criminal justice system. However, insurgents used military equipment which normal police officers were not equipped or trained to deal with. A better armed and better trained unit capable of facing such challenges was established within the South-West African Police (SWAPOL) force.

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Podcasts: Interview With Peter Stiff, Author Of The Covert War (Koevoet)

Dec 20

Posted by Matt in Books, Podcasts, South Africa | No Comments

Listen to internet radio with TRP on Blog Talk Radio

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Cool Stuff: Green Boots–Koevoet

Dec 17

Posted by Matt in Africa, Cool Stuff, Law Enforcement, Music, South Africa, Video | No Comments

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Technology: RRS Staring Array Radar Takes LEDS To New Level

Oct 6

Posted by Matt in South Africa, Technology, Weapons Stuff | 1 Comment

     Thanks to Eeben for sending me this one. I really like these technologies because they have the potential to save lives. It would also help to defeat the very simple weapon system called the rocket launcher (like the RPG), which is in use by many of today’s forces throughout the world. These systems can also be used to locate and neutralize teams that are attacking the vehicle. It is all about minimizing the effectiveness of the very low cost weapon systems being used by combatants throughout the world.

     Now could we ever see a day where private industry would have the financing necessary to buy these systems and put them on their armored transports? Maybe. The cost and effectiveness would be factors.  It is definitely something that should be presented to potential customers as a way to supplement the defense of their personnel and facilities. Imagine an LEDS 300 system on a tower or on a Casspir/MRAP?

     Currently, I know the military sports all types of sensors on vehicles these days, but the pinnacle of these types of systems is their ability to zap RPG’s in mid-air and destroy that stuff in a way that doesn’t hurt the dismounted troops nearby.  With an ultra-fast radar detection system, it will give the other systems on the vehicle time to make decisions and arm/launch whatever munitions is required. Hence why the RRS news is key here. I believe there are multiple countries trying to achieve the same goal with these systems, and I hope they are able to effectively accomplish the task. -Matt

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Saab LEDS CV90Technology: RRS Staring Array Radar Takes LEDS To New Level

The CV90 sporting LEDS 150. Note the staring array radars at the front corners and the two high speed directed launchers containing multispectrals smoke and Mongoose missiles to the rear of the remote weapon station.  

Reutech staring array radar takes LEDS to new level 

06 October 2010

By Leon Engelbrecht

Reutech Radar Systems (RRS) says its new frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) staring array radar can detect a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launch within 5.2 milliseconds (ms) and can provide an accurate track within 14.3ms. A millisecond is 1000th of a second and a RPG, fired at 20 metres, takes roughly 187 to impact.

Similar staring array technology forms the core of the radar systems supporting the US Navy’s Aegis and the US Army’s Patriot air defence complexes.The cost of developing this technology in South Africa is not known, but RRS was awarded a R643 970 contract in July “to demonstrate a frequency modulated continuous wave ranging radar concept.” RRS last month said it has been working on staring arrays for the “past three years.”

Colonel Cobus van der Merwe (Retired), SAAB Electronic Defense Systems’ Product Manager for Land Self-Protection Systems told a recent precision weapons solutions conference that with the radar his company’s Land Electronic Defense Systems (LEDS) can detect a RPG within 5ms and calculate whether the RPG will hit or miss the carrier vehicle within a further 10ms. The active defence controller then determines the validity of the threat within a further 10ms before taking less than 50ms to compute an intercept. It then takes 10ms to launch and a further 50ms for the “effects deployment”.

RRS’ Peter Bradshaw in a separate presentation at the South African Precision Weapon Solutions Conference held at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in Cape Town two weeks ago, added that 5.2ms for first detection amounted to a “worst-case scenario” for the radar. He added that once detected and confirmed, track updates were given every 1.3ms.

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Call To Action: Free South African Security Contractor Philip Young From Afghan Prison!!!

Jun 19

Posted by Matt in Afghanistan, Call To Action, Legal News, South Africa | 3 Comments

     One operator said Phil Young had shot the Afghan guard in order to stop the bloodbath. According to the operator, the dead man’s brother was well-known in Taliban ranks. His family lived in a Taliban stronghold on the Pakistani border.    

     Trouble maker. The guard had apparently been a troublemaker for some time and was about to be fired. The six guards had apparently been conspiring for some time to kidnap or kill the foreigners on a certain day early in October. Young and the guards worked for the American company Anham, which is linked to the American government’s Counternarcotics Advisory Teams (CNAT), in Lakshar Gah. The Macedonian guard commander apparently knew of the plot but did nothing to stop it. 

     “Phil and some of his colleagues returned that day from a mission and when he saw the six in civilian clothes but armed with AK47s, he immediately suspected trouble,” said the operator. ”He confronted the men, upon which one aimed a weapon at Phil and fired a shot.” The shot missed Young and in self-defence, he fired three shots at the guard as he apparently realised that the lives of many of his colleagues would be in danger if all six of the men started firing at them. According to the operator, the central government in Afghanistan had rules and regulations for security guards, which stated that a person could fire back if he was being shot at.

*****

     This makes me sick.  All of these contractors that I have posted lately who are currently imprisoned in Afghanistan, are at the mercy of a corrupt government and pathetic justice system.  Just look at the facts with Philip Young’s case?  He should be given a medal and not a prison sentence. From the sounds of it, his actions probably saved the lives of his fellow contractors on that day, and yet he is currently being jerked around by a pathetic justice system in Afghanistan.

     So what can we do?  First, pass this around to everyone.  Second, write to the British Embassy in Kabul and let them know how you feel.  South Africa does not have diplomatic representation in Afghanistan, and the British government has agreed to help.  I say write the US Embassy as well, because what is going on with this man is just plain wrong. Thanks to Cassie for giving me the heads up on this. -Matt

Facebook for British Embassy in Kabul here.

Facebook for Philip Young here

Address: British Embassy, 15th Street Roundabout, Wazir Akbar Khan,PO Box: 334 Kabul, Afghanistan

Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday  08:30  to 16:30

Telephone:  (93)  (0) 700 102 000 (Switchboard)

Fax:  (93)  (0) 700 102 250  (Management)

E-mail: BritishEmbassy.Kabul@fco.gov.uk

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phil young 4Call To Action: Free South African Security Contractor Philip Young From Afghan Prison!!!

SA man gets longer sentence

2010-06-18

Erika Gibson, Beeld

Pretoria – A South African man who appealed against his five-year prison sentence in Afghanistan was given even worse news when his imprisonment was extended to 16 years.Security specialist Philip Young was devastated by the news, his brother Pat Young said.”My brother is dismayed, angry and frustrated.”

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Iraq: The Forgotten Four–South Africans Kidnapped In 2006 But Families Still Wait

May 10

Posted by Matt in Industry Talk, Iraq, Kidnap And Ransom, South Africa | 3 Comments

     Pierre Durant, her brother-in-law, believes that he is the only person still actively looking for the men, who were seized at a rogue police checkpoint in the north east of the Iraqi capital on December 10, 2006. He has travelled to Iraq eight times to hunt for clues and to attempt to put pressure on the authorities to investigate the case. At one point in the past year he managed to speak to his brother on a mobile phone, raising hopes of a resolution, but the trail has since run cold.

    Mr Durant, 42, and other close relatives of the four hostages contacted by The Times, appealed to the kidnappers to show mercy. “We as a family are not looking for justice or retribution,” Mr Durant said. “If these guys are alive then we want to negotiate for their release. If they’ve been killed then I just want their bodies back so we can try to get on with our lives.”

*****

   I was working as a security contractor with a different company back then when this happened, and at the time there were numerous kidnappings of contractors going on. Crescent Security was another company that was impacted by this type of assault.  The one thing that all of us thought about while running the roads back then was ‘Don’t trust anyone (Iraqi police officers or soldiers)’. Because at the time, the enemy was playing like they were cops or soldiers and doing all sorts of things under that cover. I still don’t trust any of these guys, and that is the reality of war zone work.

    The same thing is playing out in Afghanistan, with the Taliban or extremists dressing up like cops or soldiers and using that as a cover to get in close to their targets or use it like camouflage in a forest of chaos they create during the assault. Nothing new in the history of warfare, and today’s enemies are carrying on the tradition. It is the enemy’s version of pseudo operations, and it works.

   My other point I wanted to make is the good work and sacrifice that South Africans have given in this war.  I should certainly hope that if any leaders in the DoS or DoD is reading this, that your involvement in trying to secure the release of these men, would be much appreciated.  Contractors are the ones that put their lives on the line for you and your equipment, the least you can do is show some humanity and compassion and use some resources to find these guys and secure their release.

    Bravo to Pierre for keeping up the search and not giving up. My heart goes out to the family and friends, and I certainly hope this ends well and these men get released. -Matt

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HOSTAGES 1C 585x350 714907aIraq: The Forgotten Four South Africans Kidnapped In 2006 But Families Still Wait

Three years on, and no ransom demands have been made for Hardus Greef, left, Johann Enslin and their colleagues.

The forgotten four: kidnapped in 2006 but families still wait

May 7, 2010

Deborah Haynes

No one knows whether they are dead or alive. The families of four South African men kidnapped in Baghdad in 2006 are desperate for news of their loved ones — but fear that their plight has been forgotten, at home and in Iraq.

Unlike the case of the recently freed British hostage Peter Moore and his four guards — three died and one is missing — no one has claimed responsibility for the South African hostage taking.

No video has emerged and no ransom or political demands have been made. Instead, the families of Andre Durant, Johann Enslin, Callie Scheepers and Hardus Greef, all security guards, have endured 3½ years of unanswered questions and silence.

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