In December 1983 we were stationed at Okalongo base in Northern Namibia. It was a few weeks before we were due to finish initial National Service of 2 years. We were with B-Company, 8 SAI. On that day the platoon that van Jaarsveld was a member of was preparing to go out on patrol. They were standing outside the bases' sand walls when the RPG-7 rocket launcher another soldier was carrying, misfired and struck van Jaarsveld. He was seriously injured and died at about the same time we finished National Service. As with most of these occurances we were not told the full details surrounding his death.

I confirm this. We knew him as Jassie. I was the signaller in his platoon. 8 SAI, Platoon 1, Bravo Company, January 1982 intake. We were enroute to set up an ambush ahead of the 32 battalion sweep and everyone was carrying extra munitions and claymore mines. The incident happened outside the walls as we all lined up to load our weapons.

Jassie I will never forget you.