Your guide to Heidelberg Gauteng
#Police Barracks
Heritage Blue Plaque #Nr 38
POLICE BARRACKS - Cnr of Marais and Voortrekker Streets
What is the story here?
These barracks was built after the Anglo Boer War to house the men of the “South African Constabulary” (S.A.C.) who had a base here in Heidelberg. They were camped out on the Old Heidelberg Golf Course which is where the suburb of “Overkruin” is now. Interestingly they established the shooting range which is still being used by the army to this day. (Although I hear that the steel frames of the targets have been stolen)
The previous building that was on this property was the “Transvaal Hotel” which was demolished to make way for the Police Barracks.
The South African Constabulary (S.A.C) was very active in Heidelberg during and after the Anglo Boer War. The S.A.C was a paramilitary force set up in 1900 under British Army control to police areas captured from the two independent Boer Republics namely that of Transvaal and Orange Free State during the war.
Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, Commander in chief of the Imperial forces in South Africa, issued Proclamation 24 which founded the S.A.C. The first Inspector-General was Major-General Robert Baden-Powell, later the founder of the worldwide Scout Movement. After the war ended in 1902 the Transvaal Police was established. The S.A.C. policed the rural areas while the Transvaal Police policed the towns. The S.A.C. eventually disbanded in 1908.
After the Union of South Africa in 1910, the South African Police was formed in 1913 and with the establishment of the “New South Africa” was renamed the “South African Police Services”.
There are a number of graves of the S.A.C found in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery. The last grave is that of Constable ES Waters who died on May 23, 1906.
The original S.A.C camp site is situated where Overkruin is today. Currently the building is used by the Heidelberg Police as their base. Parts of the building has been used as a mortuary and hospital. Part of an episode of “Trompie” was also filmed at the back.
At one time, Sybrand van der Spuy’s grandfather was the Commander of the Police Station.
The Bell in front of the “Police Station” was used as a curfew bell. During the 2nd Anglo-Boer War the British used the bell from the “Heidelberg Public School” as the curfew bell. This could be the very same bell.
