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Cop Under Cover: My life in the shadows with drug lords, robbers and smugglers
In the 1990s deep-cover police agent RS536 took on the Durban underworld as part of a new organised crime intelligence unit. He rubbed shoulders with drug lords, smugglers and corrupt cops, and was instrumental in busting an international drug ring and foiling a bank heist, among many other dangerous engagements.
But then, as the country’s new democracy birthed a struggle between the old and the new guard in the South African Police Service, his identity and his life came under threat. In this action-packed account, Johann van Loggerenberg describes how, as a young policeman, he worked closely with the investigative team of the Goldstone Commission to uncover the ‘third force’ – apartheid security forces that supplied weapons to the Inkatha Freedom Party to destabilise the country.
He also delves into how and why, at the height of state capture at the South African Revenue Service in 2014, he was falsely accused of being an apartheid spy, a lie that persists up to today. Here, finally, is the truth behind the deep-cover police agent RS536.
But then, as the country’s new democracy birthed a struggle between the old and the new guard in the South African Police Service, his identity and his life came under threat. In this action-packed account, Johann van Loggerenberg describes how, as a young policeman, he worked closely with the investigative team of the Goldstone Commission to uncover the ‘third force’ – apartheid security forces that supplied weapons to the Inkatha Freedom Party to destabilise the country.
He also delves into how and why, at the height of state capture at the South African Revenue Service in 2014, he was falsely accused of being an apartheid spy, a lie that persists up to today. Here, finally, is the truth behind the deep-cover police agent RS536.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2020
26 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 25, 2025
Wow. What Johann van Loggenberg had to endure and achieved before the age of 30 is incredible, being in the police force and going under cover, specifically the drug under world and having to deal with hectic criminals, some of whom were also in the police force. What is incredibly sad is the lack of support and trauma counselling provided. No acclimatisation given when he returned to normal life.
Gys de Villiers narrated the book well.
Gys de Villiers narrated the book well.
May 7, 2021
Wow wow and wow
The general public will never understand the taxation on a persons life being undercover for all this time. Johan lost a lifetime with his family, time that you cam never make
To you Johan van Loggelenberg,,, well done and tank you
The general public will never understand the taxation on a persons life being undercover for all this time. Johan lost a lifetime with his family, time that you cam never make
To you Johan van Loggelenberg,,, well done and tank you
October 31, 2021
Wow ! This book is amazing ! It reads like fiction but it’s not - I could not put it down. JVL has really outdone himself in the writing of this book and his life in itself. I read “Rogue” twice - but I think I will be reading this book many times over. Brilliant! I’m such a fan😁
October 4, 2020
An honest write
It’s a fairly good written book. I was expecting more around the SARS issues, hence my disappointment. But it did give sight to 5he person Johan is.
It’s a fairly good written book. I was expecting more around the SARS issues, hence my disappointment. But it did give sight to 5he person Johan is.
October 8, 2020
I was hooked, the work done by people like Johann is amazing. Sacrificing all those years in your life to go undercover for the greater good is an amazing feat, thank you.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews