Apartheid-era law and order minister Adriaan Vlok does not believe that former defence minister Magnus Malan could have been part of a paedophile ring during the 1980s.
He described the allegations made against Malan‚ and other top National Party politicians‚ in the book The Lost Boys of Bird Island‚ as shocking.
“It is really very shocking for me. As far as I can remember‚ in the past none of these allegations came across my table‚ during that time‚” Vlok said in an interview with CapeTalk on Friday.
The book‚ written by former policeman Mark Minnie – who was found dead on Monday – and former journalist Chris Steyn‚ makes bombshell allegations about the abuse of boys and subsequent attempts to cover up the scandal.
“I know Magnus and I cannot believe these allegations against him‚” Vlok said.
He pointed out that Malan was guarded by protectors most of the time and was sceptical that they would have kept such an abhorrent thing secret.
He recalled Malan‚ now dead‚ as having been an introvert who was honest and a person of “high character”.
“He was a wonderful person. As far as I remember him, he was not a guy attracted to men and to children.
“He was an introvert‚ he was not outgoing but he was open.
“As far as I can remember him‚ he was always honest with me.
“I can remember him as a person of high character. He was a soldier.”
Vlok did say‚ however‚ it was important for the allegations to be properly investigated and that if there were victims‚ they should step forward with evidence so they could find closure.
Minnie, 58, was found dead on Monday night at a friend’s Theescombe smallholding outside Port Elizabeth with a gunshot wound to his head.
The gun found lying next to Minnie’s body is believed to belong to his friend and former colleague, Brent Barnes, who is also the owner of the smallholding where Minnie died.
A suicide note was discovered at the scene.
A top forensic sleuth is in Port Elizabeth to investigate Minnie’s mysterious death.
Dr David Klatzow arrived in the city on Thursday night at the request of Minnie’s family.
He has worked on high-profile cases, including the death of MK operative Ashley Kriel, and the assisted suicide of mining magnate Brett Kebble.
– TimesLIVE
No way Magnus was a paedophile, says Vlok
‘Shocked’ apartheid-era police head describes former defence minister as ‘a wonderful person of high character’
Image: Sunday Times
Apartheid-era law and order minister Adriaan Vlok does not believe that former defence minister Magnus Malan could have been part of a paedophile ring during the 1980s.
He described the allegations made against Malan‚ and other top National Party politicians‚ in the book The Lost Boys of Bird Island‚ as shocking.
“It is really very shocking for me. As far as I can remember‚ in the past none of these allegations came across my table‚ during that time‚” Vlok said in an interview with CapeTalk on Friday.
The book‚ written by former policeman Mark Minnie – who was found dead on Monday – and former journalist Chris Steyn‚ makes bombshell allegations about the abuse of boys and subsequent attempts to cover up the scandal.
“I know Magnus and I cannot believe these allegations against him‚” Vlok said.
He pointed out that Malan was guarded by protectors most of the time and was sceptical that they would have kept such an abhorrent thing secret.
He recalled Malan‚ now dead‚ as having been an introvert who was honest and a person of “high character”.
“He was a wonderful person. As far as I remember him, he was not a guy attracted to men and to children.
“He was an introvert‚ he was not outgoing but he was open.
“As far as I can remember him‚ he was always honest with me.
“I can remember him as a person of high character. He was a soldier.”
Vlok did say‚ however‚ it was important for the allegations to be properly investigated and that if there were victims‚ they should step forward with evidence so they could find closure.
Minnie, 58, was found dead on Monday night at a friend’s Theescombe smallholding outside Port Elizabeth with a gunshot wound to his head.
The gun found lying next to Minnie’s body is believed to belong to his friend and former colleague, Brent Barnes, who is also the owner of the smallholding where Minnie died.
A suicide note was discovered at the scene.
A top forensic sleuth is in Port Elizabeth to investigate Minnie’s mysterious death.
Dr David Klatzow arrived in the city on Thursday night at the request of Minnie’s family.
He has worked on high-profile cases, including the death of MK operative Ashley Kriel, and the assisted suicide of mining magnate Brett Kebble.
– TimesLIVE
Related Articles
The Lost Boys of Bird Island a chilling reminder of apartheid days
Top forensic sleuth to investigate Mark Minnie's death
Cops guarded on Bird Island abuse case
Suicide note found on scene where The Lost Boys of Bird Island author Mark Minnie died
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Latest Videos
Most Read
Your Weekend
Your Weekend
Your Weekend
Your Weekend
Your Weekend