Who Set Fire to the Dumps

[Clive Symes]

We all remember the Dumps behind the town, a genuine gem, all the stuff you could find.

But does anyone remember when these were set on fire ?? Or who did it.

I remember seeing oil drums exploding & shooting up into the air.

[Michele Alexander (Voden)]

I can only remember when someone tried to blow the petrol station up, think it was during the school holidays whilst I was in High School so would've been between 1988-1993. Could be wrong on the date, seem to have lost track of the time over the years!

[Clive Symes]

Hi Michelle, there was a bomb planted between the Petrol dispensers at Jowells, round about 1988-89. It went off killing the person planting it.
My brother John was working for security at the time & was one of the security chaps that had to stand guard over the body until the forensics team & other security force members arrived to investigate.
Even know if you know where to look you can see stains on the walls under the paint.

I was remembering that in the late 50's early 60's there was a tar pit & old oil stored in the dumps & these went up in flames with a number of oil drums exploding as kids we rushed out onto the back road and watshed the display.

[bobbysmith]

hi clive,please correct me if im wrong,can you rember david pieterson,he was involved in a big accident with uncle jimmy okwells landrover at the juction of 5th or 6th ave,resulting in david nearly looseing his leg,as i remember all you boys with bikes were the talk of the town,david with his twin yamaha,red in colour,you with youre black honda,ian buchannon ,god rest his soul,with his honda,the freemantle boys,tony and peter ,with their yammies,the town was suddenly awash with you teenagers and bikes,i used to lay in bed and knew each and every bike that went by the house,just by the noise it made,happy memories bud.ps,can you remember my dog called sandy,little twat used to chase parked cars,i often saw you and ian on youre bikes trying to skop  my dog. ,take good care bud,bobby

[Michael Alexander]

I remember somebody setting fire to all those black tyres in the dumps in the late 70's. The wind was blowing from the south as usual and this huge Iraq style black cloud hung over the town for the entire day....

As for the Petrol station bomber, I found out last year who actually drove that bomber to the petrol station and got to hear " The Other" side of the story......

:-[

[Clive Symes]

Bobby I remember Dave very well, still visited him in Hospital in Cape Town, he was badly Hurt.

Mike I also remember the tyres going up & the smoke from that lot.

The dumps were always a resource to us kids, its amazing what was dumped.

Mike, anything you can divulge or does it need to be offline ??

[Bev Burchell]

hmmmm now I still have photos of the actual bomber .... after the event!!!
Lets start hearing some bids :)

[Michael Alexander]

mmmmh! So do I .......

[barb (Fry)]

You are a tease, aren't you both of you.....
spill the whole story came on.  We're family remember.

[Bev Burchell]

Barbara I couldnt possibly send the photos to Mike ... they are extremely graphic and hey I say remember ..... someone loved him and maybe still does!

stay well

[Michael Alexander]

Bev, are you talking about the bomber or me?   ;D

[Bev Burchell]

Definately the bomber!!  I don't think I remember you.... I know I bumped into ... a Mrs Fry recently at Blue Route... but it was quite embarrassing cause I heard her talking and recognised her voice... went up to her and said "you are from Oranjemund"... I couldnt mistake the voice..... but never got her name!!  We chatted for about an hour about the old days but I still don't know who I was talking to ...she was short with white hair ... can you help me with a name? 

[Clive Symes]

Bev, thanks, I remember the photos well.

Barbara, beleive Bev when she saya they are graphic, it was not a pleasant site, ( Part of Oranjemunds history now)

Bev, if you are ever at the Petrol station & know where to look, some of the stains were still visable through the paint years & years later. ( and may still be)

[Sara Lane]

Why would you have pictures of the bomber AFTER the event?!?!?! ???

Its weird though how interesting we all find that, even knowing that they are graphic, i'd still like to see them!

S

[Michael Alexander]

Aaagh! well ! give a piece here, give   a piece there.....   ;)