He was a loner and played country music. He was a knife man. He left snakes in his guitar to frighten others. His mother stayed in Durban when we were on the border. He was with TRANSPORT. He had not many friends but he and I were like glue. We often were in conversation with an individual called PAPPAS PAPBEK, he had no teeth just false teeth.

My name is Gary Laubscher; I was one of the millions of white males that waisted 2 years of our lives during the "call up" era. (1981-1983). I was originally called up to Voortrekkerhoogte and enlisted into the "Tiffy" corps. After 4 weeks the other company's came around asking who would like to volunteer for Recce, Police or Intelligence. I saw this as a gap to escape this base as my hand was held high everyday, as so much rank was about. I joined up with Intelligence and did my basics, also attending 11 Commando in Kimberley. ( 1981).

After this we were drafted to bases and I found myself in Kimberly at a neighbour called Maintenance. Here I was drafted to the border, my destination was SECTOR 70. Here I stayed from 1981-1983.

It was here that I met an individual who became a good friend. I knew him as "Amigo". We spent 2 years together, he was deployed as a driver, our base was called M'Patcha. This is near Rundu, Fort ( Recce) Doppies, and Katima Mulilo. We spend time together and he even taught me to drive, we used to take a bread truck once a week on a road from M'Patcha to Katima (30 kilos) to get bread for the base etc.

During the day we had different job descriptions but weekends and after hours we stuck like glue.

One night our camp was targeted from over the airport and I was in a bungalow sleeping, my bomb doors were open. Amigo pulled me from the bed and a few minutes later my area received a solid hit. Today I want to say thank you for what he he did and also shake his hand. I think about Amigo everyday wondering what he is up to 22 years later. In our tent/bungalow we had Pappas, Du Toit and another individual called Nippy. Maybe that will help.

If anybody could shed some light on him, his name was Anthony. Maybe you recognise his face. It will mean a great deal to me. This photo is of Amigo, taken in M'Patcha in 1983.

Gary Laubscher

Phone; 0824853885

www.africanpredator.com

Published: 8th November 2005.

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