Johannes Geldenhuys

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General

Johannes Geldenhuys

General
Commands heldChief of the South African Defence Force (1985–90)
Chief of the Army (1980–85)
South West Africa Territorial Force (1980)
South West Africa Command (1977–80)
Battles/warsSouth African Border War
AwardsStar of South Africa SSAG Southern Cross Decoration SD South African Police Star for Outstanding Service SOE Southern Cross Medal SM Military Merit Medal MMM Pro Patria Medal ' Southern Africa Medal ' General Service Medal (South Africa) ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Permanent Force Good Service Medal ' Order of Prince Henry GCIH Order Military Merit ' Unknown award ' Order of the Cloud and Banner ORB Military Merit ' Order of Military Merit '

SSA SD SOE SM MMM (5 February 1935 – 10 September 2018)[1] was a South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1985 to 1990.[2][3]

Early life

Geldenhuys was born in

Bethlehem, Orange Free State.[4]
: 1 

Military career

He joined the army on 4 January 1954 as a candidate officer.

general and assumed the position of Chief of the South African Defence Force on 31 October 1985. In this role, he took part in negotiations that brought the Border War to an end in 1989, after 23 years of fighting.[3]

The post-Apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that when Geldenhuys and General Ian Gleeson were informed that the SADF and Security Branch had assassinated Dr Fabian Ribeiro and his wife Florence Ribeiro on 1 December 1986 they failed to pass this information onto the Attorney-General or the police. The commission concluded that they both "acted in an obstructive way for which they are legally responsible". As part of the Commission's hearings it was alleged that Geldenhuys had also authorised the use of SADF special forces personnel to support the Security Branch's operations within South Africa; he denied having done so.[7]

Death

Geldenhuys died on 10 September 2018 due to the effects of Alzheimer's disease.[4]: 1 [5]: 18  He was survived by his wife Marié, daughters Anna-Marié and Lollie, and son Bruwer. Another son, Martin, predeceased him.[4]: 1 

Medals and decorations

Notes

  1. ^ Portuguese: Grã-Cruz - The star bears the inscription Portuguese: Talant de bien faire

References

  1. ^ Kolberg, Kristy (10 September 2018). "RETIRED DEFENCE FORCE LEADER DIES". George Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b "5 February 1935: General Jannie Geldenhuys is born". SA History.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Senior (High Office) Officers / Offisiere". SADF Info. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  4. ^ a b c van der Walt, Sarel (11 September 2018). "Geldenhuys se vredesrol geloof". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j van der Walt, Sarel (15 September 2018). "Nag, my generaal". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
  6. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X
    .
  7. ^ Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1998). "Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report. Volume Two" (PDF). Pretoria: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. pp. 266–267.

Further reading

Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the South African Defence Force
1985–1990 		Succeeded by
Chief of the Army
1980–1985
Preceded by
GOC South West Africa Territorial Force

1977–1980 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Officer Commanding South West Africa Command
1973–1974 		Succeeded by
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