The story of a young Middelburger who went to Ukraine at the age of 22 to fight against Russia has opened old wounds.
There was an overwhelming response from readers and especially members of the former security forces who were involved in actions against ‘terrorists’, not only on the border of the then South West Africa (Namibia), but also Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).
Their identities are being protected for obvious reasons.

War is very cruel

There was even one former army officer who bitterly said that the touching story was not true.
A former security policeman, who also appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said, “War is very cruel. I had a taste of it. I also heard my wounded comrades moaning and calling for help.”
Like the young soldier who went to fight in Ukraine, there are stories of hardship and death.
“I was very young. I was involved in a very big battle with terrorists in Rhodesia, during which I was wounded. I lost the hearing in my right ear as a result of a hand grenade exploding very close to me. Fortunately, I survived.”

We protected our country

A former army officer said, “I was 19 when I was in a confrontation and possibly killed a person. I did not receive any psychological counselling. We protected our country and were heroes. Today, after the despicable actions of F. W. de Klerk and Pik Botha, we are seen as criminals. I witnessed 15 terrorists murdering nuns after they were raped. You will not understand what it did to me.”
A former police officer told what the Soweto riots did to him.
“I still experience certain smells today; it immediately takes me back to that time. I was barely 18 years old. I accept that what he experienced there will stay with him for the rest of his life. Hope he is getting counselling.”

A member of parliament responded with, “This is very bad, you can hardly believe it.”
Another reader wrote, “The soldier has been through a lot. I had to read the story a few times to take it all in and make sense of it.”

The horror of the war in Ukraine

• The Middelburg sportsman went to Ukraine at the age of 22, where he was trained for six months to use highly sophisticated weaponry and face the Russians in trenches. He was shot in the arm but continued to fight and was injured during a Russian drone attack.
Unlike the international force where most foreigners serve, he participated in battles with the Ukrainian army and was involved in several suicide missions.
He was trained as a sniper, infantry soldier, to fight in trenches, and as an explosives expert.
He shared the horror of the war in Ukraine with the Middelburg Observer over the past two weeks.
He returned to South Africa after two years and is working again in Middelburg.
He does not receive psychological counselling but lives out his life in his sport.
His identity is being withheld.

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