Non Fiction BSA Police Specific

The British South Africa Police force is steeped in the history of then Rhodesia and much has been written about the force over the years by historians, adventurers and a good number of former members themselves. This page attempts to bring to you a bibliography of works which make reference to the British South Africa Police.

The Webmaster's grateful thanks is extended to the active members of the BSAP History group (See Discussion Groups) who put this list together and the group's moderator Geoff Quick who allowed this list to be published on these pages for your benefit.

Please note that the new history, Blue and Old Gold, in now in distribution

JONES, Geraint BSA Police 9270/110767; Served 1974 to 1980
Landsong
Urungwe, 2006
ISBN: 0-9553231-0-X
In Africa things don't always go according to plan - particularly when politics, witchcraft and war intervene. Set in an era of political turmoil and change, the story that weaves itself around Jairos Mapfumo's life is one of courage and dignity; of despair, compromise and surrender. A gifted village boy is discovered by a schoolteacher and a priest who groom him for success in the emerging modern Africa; but fate has different plans for Jairos Mapfumo. A small tragedy in his home village, a flurry in the winds of change sweeping across Africa and the malice of unseen agents conspire to rob Jairos of his brilliant future. This is a story of human circumstance in an Africa beset with massive countervailing forces. It follows the fortunes of a talented young man as he is challenged by the maelstrom events of the end of the colonial era, the tantalising progression that governs the process of human, the petty politics of village life, to witness his final confrontation with the fragile thing that is life on the beautiful but benighted continent. 'Landsong' is a uniquely African story that gifts the reader with imagery and insights, carefully and sensitively crafted by a writer shose love of Africa radiates from every page.

MACASKILL, Glenn ; BSA Police: BSA Police 6538; Served 1961 to 1980
Crime Lords
Sunninghill: Crest Publishing 2007
ISBN: 0-620-36471-8 “Anyone who enjoys a conspiracy theory will get a kick out of this book…my curiosity was aroused by the suggestion of corrupt links between criminals and police…Macaskill avoids the paranoia pitfall, weaving a cogent plot filled with credible characters.” Norman Sheppard, Johannesburg CITIZEN newspaper 7th December 2006.
“Glenn Macaskill’s Crime Lords reads like the front page of most South African newspapers…it is very fast-paced and keeps the leader glued as the author tackles the world of crime syndicates operating in Southern Africa…Crime Lords will take you into places you don’t want to believe exist, showing you the seedier side of our society.” Andrew Beet, Pretoria News 25th June 2007.
“Your story has all the hallmarks of a best seller…gripping and such a page-turner…could not put it down…commend you on the educational value of the text…unusual for a novel of this genre…detailed insight that you give of the methods, the thinking, the organization and the commitment of the people in the police…everybody here and abroad should read it.” Wim Ahlers, Author.

WARE, John William BSA Police 4200; Served 1947 to 1950
The Curve of the Tusk(click to buy)
Indepenpress Publishers Limited, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-906710-24-8
Tony Frame, ex soldier-turned mounted police officer, is called upon to head up the desperate search deep in the African bush for a missing plane. But alarm bells start to ring with the discovery that an extra passenger was on board the small aircraft – unlicensed to travel. To add to the mystery, Frame discovers a cigarette case containing four precious, flawless emeralds. And just who are the two so-called journalists that have followed him to a remote island where he is sent by his boss to recover from his near-death experience with malaria? The Curve of the Tusk – not just a thrilling read but a taste of the stunning African wildlife and how man has cruelly wiped his smears across it.

BSA Police dog handler
The BSA Police Dog Section was first a part of the CID.