TVK last Commandant:
Hendrik Johannes (Hennie) VAN RENSBURG
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Photo of Commandant Hennie van Rensburg on cover of book 'Vir Reg en Vryheid'.
Source of photo used: Die Burger-foto versameling, National Library of South Africa

According to Rodney Constantine: HJJ Hennie van Rensburg, was born 10 February 1880 on the farm Langnek, in the district of Cradock. His parents were Hendrik Jacobus Janse van Rensburg and Engela Helena Lombard. His grandfather Hendrik Johannes [and his grandfather's brother Jacobus (Koos) Johannes Janse van Rensburg] were foundation members of the Afrikanerbond in the Cape Colony. Koos was the first president of the Afrikanerbond (There is a separate article for him).

Commandant Danie Theron who established (Theron Verkenningskorps) TVK, was killed on the 4th September 1900 at Gatsrand. Malan was appointed the leader after death of Theron (5 Sep 1900), TVK (According DSAB). Malan and others then went to the Free State to support de Wet.

Danie Theron

In May 1901 commandant Wynand Malan and some of the TVK members were on a recruiting expedition in the Cape Midlands. On the Erasmus farm, Modderfontein, 15 km from Cradock, the brothers Josef Erasmus, and Caper Erasmus and Hennie van Rensburg joined them as Cape Rebels, see photo (28k). On 25 June 1901 this commando and that of commandant Smith joined forces and attacked Richmond. Van Rensburg received a wound while sheltering behind a tree. The bullet entered beside his nose and exited beneath his left ear. Fortunately the wound healed. When Malan returned to the Free State in July 1901, van Rensburg stayed behind and served under Piet van der Merwe. Van der Merwe and his men accompanied Gideon Scheepers to the Klein Karoo and the South Cape. In September 1901 van der Merwe's commando was attacked at Driefontein, Laingsburg, van der Merwe was killed in the battle. The remnant under leadership of Hennie made their way to the district of Calvinia and joined commandant Manie Maritz. Van Rensburg was promoted by Maritz to veldkornet.

They then split into five separate commandos, only Malan continued in the Cape, with the TVK under the command of Rudolph. Within a month Rudolf was badly wounded and Carel van Heerden took over the command of the TVK. Tragically while attacking Aberdeen on 18 May 1902 van Heerden was a casualty. Then the leadership of the TVK fell on Hennie van Rensburg, he thus served as the last Commandant of the TVK. With the end of the war, van Rensburg was locked up in prison at Cradock and faced the charges of nine cases of murder. Van Rensburg appealed to Smuts as advocate to assist him in his legal case, Smuts replied, I am sorry peace has been signed and all the Rebel-commandants can be prosecuted. Van Rensburg then approached General Hertzog, who immediately took up his case and on paying 4,000 pounds bond he was released from prison. It was not long before the Cape government granted pardon to all the rebels. Hertzog refused to accept any fees from van Rensburg and responded, "Wat die man vir ons volk gedaan het, kan ons nooit terugbetaal nie."

Hendrik Johannes Janse VAN RENSBURG from Langhoek (Kleinfontein), Cradock. Veld Cornet and later Commandant. Malan's and Fouche's commandos. Commandant in 1902. Boer Army List states: `Now in command of Malan's commando, estimated 52 strong. 20-22 years old. 5ft 10ins; round shouldered; thick set; brown hair and eyes; no beard; very small moustache. Was appointed Veld Cornet in place of Du Plessis. Gave orders to shoot unarmed native at Kliprug, Calvinia on 5-10-1901. Bullet scar on side of nose and out near ear (Richmond, 25-6-1901).' Escaped from Driefontein, Laingsburg on 10-9-1901, and led the remnant of the commando to the north-west Cape. Laid down arms and sentenced under Proclamation 100/1902 at Cradock on 13-6-1902.
Source: Personal correspondence David and Taffy Shearing david.taffy@pixie.co.za
http://www.sawar.co.za/

Hendrik Johannes Janse van Rensburg got married to Anetta Esterhuyzen.

It is believed that he died in 1955.

Source: "Oorlogsavonture van Genl. Wynand Malan" by H.J.C. Pieterse, (Nasionale pers, 1941)
Note he is wrongly referred to as N.J van Rensburg. He was Hennie. This photo must have
been taken some time after the war, he looks older in this photo.

The Verkenners
There were a number of verkernnerskorps that the Boers had. There was the Theron Verkennerskorps also known as TVK of kmdt. Danie Theron, it came out of the Wielrijders rapportgangerscorps. They even built bicycles for eight riders that would travel on the railway lines. This was an effective way of travelling quickly and silently. Then there was the Jack Hindon and Henri Slegtkamp verkennerskorps.

Sources:
H.J.C. Pieterse, "Oorlogsavonture van Genl. Wynand Malan", (Nasionale pers in 1941)
(eds) M van Bart and L Scholtz, Vir Vryheid en vir Gereg
http://www.rapidttp.co.za/milhist/vol073am.html

In the book by Pieterse, there is a reference to General Wynand Malan and Hennie van Rensburg (in it he makes reference that Hennie later became a Senator, maybe he was Senator HMJ van Rensburg. There is a photo of him at Depot INEG Bloemfontein Reference FT1740).

Taffy Shearing, `Commandant Gideon Scheepers and the Search for his Grave' gives the following list of van Rensburgs:
1. E van Rensburg
2. Jan BL van Rensburg. Elandskloof, Aberdeen, 22 years old. Joined Scheepers' commando on 10 May 1901. Sentenced to death for engaging wiht the military forces of the enemy, attempted murder, marauding and arson. Pleaded guilty to treason only. Evidence was led that he took part in a fight at Oudeplaas where he wore a bandoleer and carried a rifle. A British officer was killed there. He said the Boers occupied a hill behind the Oudeplaas homestead, shot from the koppie and killed the officer. Sharwood gave evidence that the prisoner helped to burn down houses in Murraysburg, where he also stole Police boots. Executed by shooting (by the Coldstream Guards) at Semelspoort Hoogte in Graaff-Reinet on 19 Aug 1901.
3. M van Rensburg
4. Nicholaas Janse van Rensburg. Hartebeeskuil, Willowmore. Joined Scheepers' commando about January 1901. Laid down arms and sentenced under proclamation 100/1902 at Hope Town.

Other Documents to be consulted
VAB Biblioteek Tydskrif Die Huisgenoot. Deel 23; 12 Mei 1939; no. 894. Remarks Weekblad; Nasionale Pers. Summary + Evert Dommisse: Bakenlaagte nogeens. + DH van Zyl: Die Griekwas. + JA Smith: Hereniging van kommandomaats. "Kommandant Malan met sy T.V.K." (Theron Verkennings Kommando).

VAB Source Biblioteek Die Huisgenoot. Deel 24; 23 Febr. 1940; no. 935. Weekblad; Nasionale Pers. Summary + Genl. W Malan: 'n Guerrilla-leier vertel. XXIX. 'n Wedloop om lewe en dood. T.V.K. (Theron Verkennings Kommando) se derde kommandant word ernstig gewond.

TAB Source MHG Vol No 1952/58 VAN RENSBURG, HENDRIK JOHANNES. Starting 1955 Ending 1955

VAB Source PRG Vol No 1/7, 443/15 CRIMINAL: REBEL PRISONER: HENDRIK JOHANNES JANSE VAN RENSBURG. HIGH TREASON. Starting 1915 Ending 1915

VAB Source HG Vol No 4/1/2/1/116, 1426/1915 SUPREME COURT. CRIMINAL RECORDS. CRIMINAL CASES. PETITION: HENDRIK JOHANNES JANSE VAN RENSBURG. Starting 1915 Ending 1915 Remarks Review case.

VAB Source MHG System 02 Ref 41316 JANSE VAN RENSBURG, HENDRIK JOHANNES. EGGENOTE ANNA PETRONELLA (GEBORE ESTEHUIZEN). Starting 1947 Ending 1947

KAB Source MOOC Vol No 6/9/11981, Ref 95/45 JANSE VAN RENSBURG, ANNA PETRONELLA MARIA. ESTATE PAPERS. Starting 1945 Ending 1945

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