for Savimbi
Tangeni Amupadhi
A former Civil Co-operation Bureau (CCB) agent named as the ring-leader in the theft of arms from military bases is now said to be organising mercenaries for Unita.
Johan Niemoller, said to be the leader of Die Volk, whose members allegedly stole weapons from two military bases in the Free State, is reportedly recruiting mercenaries in Europe to fight for Unita.
Police have confirmed they are investigating whether the stolen arms, the bulk of which have since been recovered, were destined for Angola. Two of the accused have apparently fled to Unita areas.
Information reaching the Mail & Guardian indicate that South African citizens are now using Brazzaville, the Congolese capital, as a supply base for Unita. They are reportedly supplying weapons and other logistical material, such as spare parts, from South Africa and other parts of the world.
The Angolan government has also been mentioned as using mercenaries. A former director of the Executive Outcomes has allegedly obtained a major contract with the Angolan government to supply technical expertise in the training of pilots. The activities of the man is believed to extend to the training of soldiers.
An observer noted: “There are still a lot of mercenaries in Angola, but there is no clear proof.”
A senior South African intelligence official confirmed that Niemoller’s name was among those cropping up in investigations into sources of supply for Unita in Angola.
The illicit supply of weaponry was “a matter which continues to get the attention of the intelligence services”. He said the legislation was now in place to act against unauthorised military assistance to foreign states and movements.
“There are investigations in the pipeline which will result in prosecutions in the not too distant future,” he said.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say Hutu militias are on the rampage and may have been the culprits in last week’s massacre, which was largely blamed on Unita.