South African Mirror
  • Home
  • Justitia
    • Donations - Foundation for Equality before the Law
    • Membership Application - Foundation for Equality before the Law
    • Press Releases >
      • Press Release 08 June 2022
      • Press Release 14 April 2020
      • Media Statement 02 December 2019
      • Press Release 12 April 2018
      • Press Release 12 June 2017
      • Press Release 12 May 2017
      • Press Release 27 April 2016
      • Press Release 22 May 2015
    • Persverklarings >
      • Persverklaring 14 April 2020
      • Persverklaring 26 Januarie 2020
      • Persverklaring 02 Desember 2019
      • Persverklaring 12 April 2018
      • Persverklaring 18 Julie 2017
      • Persverklaring 12 Junie 2017
      • Persverklaring 12 Mei 2017
      • Persverklaring 30 April 2016
      • Persverklaring 22 Mei 2015
    • The Conflict of the Past
    • The audi alteram partem rule
    • Church Street Bomb Incident
  • Benevolence
    • Generaalsklub' Nuus
    • Boodskappe vir Oordenking
    • Jaarlikse Byeenkomste >
      • Byeenkoms 2019
      • Byeenkoms 2018
      • Skaapbraai 2017
  • Nongqai
    • Historical Background
    • Nongqai Latest Editions
    • Previous Editions >
      • 2022 Nongqai Editions
    • Special Editions 2020
    • Special Editions 2019
    • Special Editions 2018-2015
    • History of SERVAMUS
  • Historical
    • Publications
    • Historical Documents
    • History of the Former South African Police >
      • Articles of Historical Significance
    • Police Commissioners
    • Mounted Police
    • SA Police Medals
    • Police Memorials and Buildings
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

On the Trail of Criminals

A.J. Hoffmann
On the Trail of Criminals - A.J. Hoffmann
As translated from the original Afrikaans and published in 1948
​These stories derive from the journal of a former detective Andries Johannes Hoffmann (born c1871 –died c1953). 

Forward

On the Trail of Criminals - AJ Hoffmann
​​It is necessary to contextualize this remarkable historical account of a life of a Policeman in the Union of South Africa for the reader of today. It is necessary so that words like ‘native’, ‘coloured’. ‘kaffer’, maid’, ‘kraal’ and ‘shambok’; used liberally within the text are read in the context of the popular expression freely used in the society and the era they were a part of.

Detective Hoffmann KPM [1] has provided us a wealth of colourful and informative information about life in the Union of South Africa and about Johannesburg in particular at its formative and often turbulent journey when the term ‘Wild-West’ may have been an apt description.

Imagine being left in charge of the family farmstead at the tender age of 17 and then the worst possible hailstorm arrives and wipes out all livestock, crops and equipment leaving the family homeless. Imagine arriving on the Rand as a young man of around 22 when Johannesburg was little more than a smoky mining camp of shanty buildings, dusty markets and dirt roads occupied by a concoction of bandits, thugs, bootleggers and prostitutes. Watching it develop into a fully-fledged international city but not before enduring a civil war, bloody industrial action and severe economic depression. An aspiring farmer and craftsman of transport wagons, Hoffmann was thrust in desperation into the often lonely life of law and order enforcement. His command of native languages, deep appreciation of local cultures along with a good level of physical fitness, a sound work-ethic along with the patience of a saint served him well.

The lure of gold and fast riches attracts the most interesting and also the vilest of humanity. Mix in the racial and cultural melting-pot that is Johannesburg and add a generous sprinkling of superstition and quackery and you have a recipe for beautiful chaos. Despite all this Hoffmann sets an amazing example of professionalism, restraint and honour in the face of enormous danger. His empathy and respect for his victims and for the plight of the poor is evident throughout his story.

We can learn from this and we can hope not to make the same mistakes again.

André Hoffmann (Grandson)

[1] ​Kings Police Medal for Gallantry


FORMER SAP MEMBERS BENEVOLENCE TRUST
SHARE THIS PAGE
HISTORICAL
SEARCH THIS WEBSITE
EXPLORE CATEGORIES
Equality before the Law
Equality before the Law
Former SAP Members Benevolence Trust
Former SAP Members Benevolence Trust
Publications
Publications
NONGQAI - Your national security history magazine without malice.
Free monthly publications
Former SA Police: 1913 to 1994
QUICK LINKS
Press Releases - Equality before the Law
Persverklarings - Gelykheid voor die Reg
Publications / Publikasies
Nongqai Magazine Latest Editions
Historical Documents
Police Commissioners
Police Memorials and Buildings
South African Mirror - Logo
South African Mirror
DISCLAIMER
CONTACT US
UPLOAD FILES
www.samirror.com

Website by Elsden Design Services
  • Home
  • Justitia
    • Donations - Foundation for Equality before the Law
    • Membership Application - Foundation for Equality before the Law
    • Press Releases >
      • Press Release 08 June 2022
      • Press Release 14 April 2020
      • Media Statement 02 December 2019
      • Press Release 12 April 2018
      • Press Release 12 June 2017
      • Press Release 12 May 2017
      • Press Release 27 April 2016
      • Press Release 22 May 2015
    • Persverklarings >
      • Persverklaring 14 April 2020
      • Persverklaring 26 Januarie 2020
      • Persverklaring 02 Desember 2019
      • Persverklaring 12 April 2018
      • Persverklaring 18 Julie 2017
      • Persverklaring 12 Junie 2017
      • Persverklaring 12 Mei 2017
      • Persverklaring 30 April 2016
      • Persverklaring 22 Mei 2015
    • The Conflict of the Past
    • The audi alteram partem rule
    • Church Street Bomb Incident
  • Benevolence
    • Generaalsklub' Nuus
    • Boodskappe vir Oordenking
    • Jaarlikse Byeenkomste >
      • Byeenkoms 2019
      • Byeenkoms 2018
      • Skaapbraai 2017
  • Nongqai
    • Historical Background
    • Nongqai Latest Editions
    • Previous Editions >
      • 2022 Nongqai Editions
    • Special Editions 2020
    • Special Editions 2019
    • Special Editions 2018-2015
    • History of SERVAMUS
  • Historical
    • Publications
    • Historical Documents
    • History of the Former South African Police >
      • Articles of Historical Significance
    • Police Commissioners
    • Mounted Police
    • SA Police Medals
    • Police Memorials and Buildings
  • About Us
  • Contact Us