Johannesburg verwerp sy eerste polisiehoof.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Toe die regering van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek in 1887 die eerste polisiehoof vir Johannesburg aanstel, het die keuse op A.J.G. de la Rey geval. Sy dienste aan die staat tydens die gebeure in Stellaland het hom volgens die owerheid geskik gemaak om wet en orde in die ontluikende gemeenskap te handhaaf. Vir Johannesburgers was De la Rey egter onaanvaarbaar omdat hy na bewering skuldig was aan kriminele dade wat glo uit gewelddadige neigings in sy geaardheid sou spruit. Sy aanstelling is gevolglik tel wille van die rus en vrede in die Goudstad teruggetrek - 'n stap wat tot die voordeel van alle betrokkenes gestrek het.

• Summary: In 1887 the government of the Transvaal Republic appointed its first police chief for Johannesburg. The choice fell upon A.J.G. de la Rey whose services to the state during the Stellaland disturbances made him, according to the government, the most suitable person to maintain law and order in a developing community like Johannesburg. The people of this new town, however, found De la Rey unacceptable because he was allegedly guilty of criminal acts resulting from violent tendencies in his character. The withdrawal of his appointment as head of the police, for the sake of peace in the Golden City, was therefore beneficial to all those concerned.