TSH/NAMM/0091

The success of Koevoet was due to the fact that they used trackers from the local population. About a quarter of the Koevoet trackers were ex-PLAN terrorists. The bust commemorates, founder and commander of Koevoet, Lieutenant-General “Sterkhans” Dreyer who in 1979, when the counter-insurgency war on the Angolan/Namibian border was going badly for South Africa and Swapo was gaining the upper hand, decided to establish an elite unit based on the old Rhodesian Selous Scouts and Portuguese Flechas.
The memory of Dreyer and Koevoet is conflicted as reflected by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report: “South Africa increasingly relied on Koevoet, a newly formed special police counter-insurgency unit, which became notorious for its human rights abuses during its pursuit operations.” (TRC, 64) Koevoet also received international recognition: “At one stage there was an international outcry when a Namibian newspaper published graphic photographs of dead insurgents draped over the spare wheels of Casspirs coming back from an operation.” 
The bust as well as the Koevoet Wall of Remembrance, which is the location of Dreyer's bust serves as reminder unto themselves, them being Koevoet and Dreyer himself as there is a feeling of neglect: “As controversial as they were at the time of working, however, the Koevoet soldiers have today drifted into obscurity.” References 
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, Vol. 2 (Cape Town: Juta, 1998).Potgieter, D.W. ‘Koevoet Veterans: “We Don’t Give a Damn for Other People’s Wars”,’ Daily Maverick, 8 April 2013.