Mark Minnie

Author and former policeman, Mark Minnie. (Photo: Facebook)

Mark Minnie: Co-author of The Lost Boys of Long Island found dead

The former policeman’s body was found in the outskirts of Port Elizabeth.

Mark Minnie

Author and former policeman, Mark Minnie. (Photo: Facebook)

Mark Minnie, the co-author of the controversial book The Lost Boys of Bird Island has been found dead, News24 reports.

The former policeman, alongside journalist Chris Steyn, had penned the book which alleged – among other explosive allegations – that a group of top-ranking National Party officials were central figures in a paedophilia ring that operated during the 1980s.

On Tuesday morning, Steyn confirmed to the publication that his co-author had indeed lost his life.

Mark Minnie found with bullet wound to the head

It’s reported that Mark Minnie body was found at a friends house in the outskirts of Port Elizabeth. Police do not suspect foul play and an inquest docket has been opened.

Police spokesperson Captain Johann Rhedeer revealed in a statement that he was found at about 21:00 on Monday night after a friend had asked about his whereabouts.

“The friend then went home and went to the deceased’s room and noticed he was not in the room. He looked for the deceased and found him lying near a bush with a gunshot wound to his head. A firearm was found next to him. At this stage no foul play is expected.”

Explosive allegations in The Lost Boys of Bird Island

The book, which hit the shelves earlier this month had caused a frenzy as it alleges that former Minister of Defence Magnus Malan, his Environmental Affairs counterpart John Willey, along with a third minister – who all served under former president PW Botha – were members of a paedophilia ring.

The third minister implicated in these allegations was not named in the book after publishers were warned against it by their legal advisors.

The book alleges that the three ministers would take black children  Bird Island, in Algoa Bay, and molest them.

Willey died in 1987 of a single gunshot wound to the head, while Malan died in 2011.

UPDATE 21 August 2020: Media24 has apologised for the publication of defamatory statements regarding Mr Barend Du Plessis in the books “The Lost Boys of Bird Island” and “Die Seuns Van Bird Island” and for the emotional harm that the publication of the books may have caused the Malan and Wiley families. Follow this link to the relevant apologies.

Media24 het verskoning aangebied vir die publikasie van lasterlike stellings aangaande Mnr Barend du Plessis in die boeke “The Lost Boys of Bird Island” en “Die Seuns van Bird Island” asook die emosionele skade wat die publikasie van die boeke vir die Malan- en Wiley-families kon veroorsaak het. Volg hierdie skakel na die relevante verskoning.