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Operation Kerslig
Operation Kerslig
Operation Kerslig (aka Candle Light) was a South African Defence Force special forces raid on an oil refinery
outside Luanda, Angola. The raid took place on 30 November 1981 by members of the 1 Reconnaissance Regiment.
12.1 Background
The Petrangol refinery was built in 1958 and supplied Angola with petrol, diesel, and jet fuel. The refinery was
attacked around 1am on 30 November, with damage sustained to fuel tanks and pipelines while the refinery complex
itself incurred no damage.[1] Angolan and western oil officials claimed that if the attack had been successful, the city
of Luanda would have taken damage from the explosion and the release of poison chemicals.[1] Jonas Savimbi, leader
of UNITA, initially claimed responsibility for the attack by a small assault team firing RPG’s.[2] By the 1 December,
Angolan officials presented evidence to Western diplomats that the attack had been carried out by South African
“mercenaries”. It appears that a SADF special forces member, Captain AJP de Kock, was killed when demolition
explosives he was laying, prematurely exploded.[3] This ended the operation, with the special forces team fleeing
without the objective being completed.[1] His remains, the mines, weapons and other sabotage equipment that was
left behind were presented to the world’s media.[1]
12.2 Aftermath
The Belgium operator of the refinery reckoned the damage to the refinery would be repaired in two months.[1] Kundi
Paiama, Angola’s Minister of State Security was demoted after the raid due to security lapses.[4] The raid was ac-
knowledged as a South African special forces operation during the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Com-
mission.[5]
12.3 References
[1] “Attack in Angola Risked Cloud Of Poison Gas”. New York Times. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
[2] “Angolan Rebel Leader Reports Refinery Raid”. New York Times. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
[3] “Unofficial SADF Roll of Honour”. War in Angola. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
[4] “Angolan Aide Demoted Over Raid on Refinery”. New York Times. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
[5] “SABC Truth Commission Special Report”. SABC. Retrieved 8 February 2014.