23 Sep Commander Van Heerden
Having heard about this road, we travelled from Ladismith to Herbertsdale along the R327 on one of our journeys from Cape Town to George, along the R62. Just before Ladismith you will come across the turn off to Herbertsdale and Mossel Bay, the R327.
This road itself is a particularly interesting drive, offering all sorts of sites. It is a gravel road and depending on the time of the year, the flowers in this Karoo area are something to behold, in this often dry and arid land.
Along the way you will come across the little town of Vanwyksdorp where I encourage you to spend time. Some way past Vanwyksdorp we came across a monument at the side of the road. It was not easy to spot, being situated high above the road.
Kommanant BM van Heerden
Hy het sy lewe hier gegee in die uitvoering van sy pligte
(Commander BM van Heerden. He gave his life here in the execution of his duties)
Naturally, I made a note, intending to learn more about this person when I have the time. The following information I received from Google, Wikipedia. It is a sad story of crime and death.
A story is told of a 37-year-old man with a long history of crime. Piet was from Ladismith and always in trouble with the law. During one of his roamings, he stole a gun and ammunition. On 22 December he broke into a farm, killing the couple in cold blood.
A search party was established, headed by Commander van Heerden. Van Heerden was the District Commander of Police at the time.
When they came across Piet Matthyse, he fired on them, killing the Commander at this very spot. Matthyse was injured and taken to prison. After a trial, Mattyse was sentenced to death. At the time, South Africa had the death penalty.
The place where Piet Matthyse was sitting when he fired the shot that killed the Commander is piled with white painted rocks and is visible from the Commander’s obelisk.
The site has become a popular geocaching site.
https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC553Q5_kommandant-s-graf
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