There have been, since
my posting “FEEDING THE NARRATIVE”, numerous media reports on STTEP’s work in
Nigeria.
I, on behalf of STTEP, gave
only one interview. I spoke on behalf of the company and not on behalf of the
Nigerian Army as any such an attempt would amount to a fraudulent
representation of the Nigerian Army. (By the way, I did not run to the media as
some have alluded. The media in SA began their usual campaign of condemnation and
my one interview was aimed at countering the false narrative they were so keen to
propagate to benefit Boko Haram.)
The remainder of the so-called
news reports that followed consisted of information lifted off the SOFREP
website and many reports were padded with innuendo and fabrications. Some of
the journalists even intimated that they had interviewed me when they hadn’t.
Whereas I fully understand
that some in the media need to ensure
that their misleading narrative gets as much media play as possible, it is
nevertheless a blot on the integrity and honesty of the many good journalists out there trying to make sure they report on
real happenings and not figments of their imaginations—or that of their
handlers.
I do not mind the mainstream
and social media ageing me, demoting me, spelling my name incorrectly, using a
stock photo from 1993 (I am told I looked a lot better then than I do now!), and
claiming to know my military record. However, these “forgivable errors” merely
point to a lack of very basic research. And by the way, Google is not a
research asset.
I have no intention of
trying to defend either the Nigerian Army or STTEP against fabrications and
deception as that would require a book on its own—and quite frankly, I don’t
have the time to do so. I do, however, need to point out some of the more
obvious deceptions they have tried—and continually try—to carry out:
1.
I
was a co-founder of Executive Outcomes: This lie has been
repeated ad nauseum and forms the
foundation of much of the rubbish written about EO. As it has been repeated so
often, it has now become “the truth”. Any person who claims that he founded EO
or was a co-founder (other than myself and a person who very briefly held
shares in the company in 1989/90) is a liar and that can be proven by a quick
search at the Registrar of Companies in Pretoria, South Africa. As EO was
established in 1988/9 and worked under the radar, it only came to prominence in
1993/4. There are however some who lay claim to founding or being co-founders
of EO. Basic research will prove them to be nothing other than liars. Some of
these liars have even turned their claims into a business.
2.
STTEP
was driving around in tanks in Nigeria: This remarkable comment
was made by a journalist who obviously does not know the difference between a
tank and an MRAP but who is still deemed to be a “defence journalist” and who
happens to be a suspected intelligence agent. I rest my case.
3.
STTEP
consists of white racists: Ironically, these reports attempt
to create racial tension and nothing else. I am not too sure what race has to do
with competence and effectiveness but apparently it means a lot to those
journalists. Truth is that the company has white, black and brown Africans in
its ranks, some coming from national armies and others from those who fought
national armies. Plus, many of our applicants are black which makes a mockery
of this comment—unless they too are “white racists”.
4.
EO/STTEP
have invaded in Africa in attempts to “colonise” it:
Neither EO before it nor STTEP have ever engaged in anti-government actions—anywhere.
Some ex-EO men were recruited (several years after EO closed its doors) by a
man who (still) puts himself out to be a co-founder of EO (a blatant lie) and he
misled them regarding a coup attempt that failed. The initial comments
regarding EO “invading” countries was however written by a well-known foreign intelligence
asset, despite EO being invited there by the legitimate government to assist
them. Besides, how do Africans colonise
Africa especially when invited there by the government of the day? The
stupidity of this comment boggles the mind.
5.
I
lied to men regarding medical and CASEVAC procedures:
This comment by an internet troll claims I lied to my men regarding medical and
CASEVAC procedures and options and left wounded men to die. Ironically, as an
ex-SADF transport officer who was never part of either EO or STTEP, this troll also
appears to know more than I do. No person in his right mind would want to work
for a company that treats its employees in such a manner, yet we are
overwhelmed with applications… Or is this lie being bandied about for another
reason?
6.
I
alone was responsible for the training and deployment of 72 Mobile Force in
Nigeria: The journo who wrote this has no clue about
something known as “team work”. I lay claim to nothing and all credit for the
training must be given to the STTEP leader group and training team who achieved
a remarkable result in a very short space of time with very little equipment
and under extremely difficult and trying conditions.
7.
I
sit in my office and expect the men to do what I won’t do:
There are those who know me and then obviously many who do not. Suffice to say,
I will never ask anyone to do something I am either unwilling or afraid to do. Many
who have worked with me can attest to that.
8.
I
recently gave a lecture in Europe on STTEP’s tactics in Nigeria:
This comment was the result of a poor deduction made by someone who read my
blog entry on the RDDC. The journalist who wrote that comment also hinted that he
had actually interviewed me—he hadn’t.
9. We trained the Nigerian Army (NA)
in “relentless pursuit”: This comment was way off mark.
Relentless pursuit is an element of exploitation and not an operational
approach on its own. Another journalist then went on to claim that STTEP was
using Boko Haram’s tactics against them!
10.
STTEP
only consists of ex “apartheid-era” soldiers: Shame, but
something must be said to create the perception that we are white racists who
harbour the politics of a previous government. Of course, whatever can be said
to create racial tensions must be said. And of course, no mention is made of
the many black Africans who wish to join STTEP as that would totally upset the
narrative. And by the way, many who work with us are not ex “apartheid-era”
soldiers.
11.
STTEP
gets paid for its work: This shocking revelation has
truly exposed us as getting paid for our services. The journalist who wrote
this obviously works for free. Yes, we do get paid but we get paid a LOT less
than foreign PMCs who operate in Africa will multi-million dollar budgets,
funded by foreign governments. In this instance, we were a sub-contractor and
had no room for any negotiations regarding payment. STTEP has done contracts
where it worked for zero-profit to support those who needed help but of course,
that must never be mentioned.
12.
STTEP
is a threat to Africa’s security and stability:
It appears that working to ensure an end to conflict, as quickly as possible,
constitutes a threat to Africa’s national security and stability. I suspect this
comment is made because STTEP is actually seen as a threat to numerous nefarious
foreign agendas and interests, not to mention some NGO’s who thrive on conflict
as it fuels their income.
13.
STTEP
has claimed the credit for Boko Haram’s losses: Unlike those who make false claims, STTEP
will NEVER take credit for something it didn’t do. This pithy comment is merely
aimed at trying to discredit the Nigerian Army and attempt to create antagonism
between the NA and the company. False claims that STTEP rescued hostages in Sambisa
forest is another falsehood as that was done by the NA.
14.
STTEP
engaged in a “secret” war in Nigeria: This sensationalist
comment apparently expects the Nigerian Army to send early warning to the enemy
that they are about to launch an attack. Maybe the journalist felt that “secret”
would add a sinister twist to his story. Or maybe he felt that the Nigerian
Army were “playing dirty” by not telling the enemy what their intentions were?
15.
STTEP
engaged in a “dark war” against Boko Haram: I am not too
sure what a “dark war” is. Perhaps the foreign news editor who came up with
this comment could enlighten me what it actually means. Or maybe his “sources”
that never existed would know what he meant.
16.
STTEP
is part of the “Executive Outcomes Group”: The so-called
“EO Group” (http://www.eogroup.biz) are conmen
who are trying to use a defunct company’s name and reputation to gain contracts—albeit
under false pretences. Despite being (telephonically) confronted over this
fraudulent business practice, they still persist in their deception. Maybe the
media should talk to them as they claim—on their website—they have “10 000
employees working in 70 countries”.
I suppose I could go on and on…but my ramblings will merely become boring—even to myself. Besides, it gives the media the opportunity to say I ramble on and on…
Perhaps now the many decent
and honourable journalists will understand our suspicion talking to them. They
have been tainted by their very unethical, unprofessional and unscrupulous
colleagues who continually abuse their positions to feed a false agenda and narrative—and
who, apart from their salaries, most often get paid by their shadow paymasters
as well.
Does that make me
hateful of the media?
No, only very cautious
as trust is not given unconditionally, it is earned.
