Johannes Geldenhuys
General Johannes Geldenhuys General | |
---|---|
Commands held | Chief 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/wars | South African Border War |
Awards |
Early life
Geldenhuys was born in
Military career
He joined the army on 4 January 1954 as a candidate officer.
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
- Star of South Africa (Gold) (SSAG)
- Southern Cross Decoration (SD) [5]: 19
- South African Police Star for Outstanding Service (SOE)
- Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM) [5]: 19
- Military Merit Medal (MMM)
- Pro Patria Medal
- Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years)) [5]: 19
- Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years)) [5]: 19
- Permanent Force Good Service Medal
- Order of Prince Henry (Grand Cross) (GCIH) [a] (Portugal) , Knight[5]: 19
- Order Military Merit (Grand Cross) (Paraguay)
- Order of the Cloud and Banner (2nd Grade - with Grand Cordon) (ORB) (Taiwan)
- Military Merit (Grand Star) (Chile)
- Order of Military Merit (Grand Officer II) (Brazil)
Notes
- ^ Portuguese: Grã-Cruz - The star bears the inscription Portuguese: Talant de bien faire
References
- ^ Kolberg, Kristy (10 September 2018). "RETIRED DEFENCE FORCE LEADER DIES". George Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Senior (High Office) Officers / Offisiere". SADF Info. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- ^ a b c van der Walt, Sarel (11 September 2018). "Geldenhuys se vredesrol geloof". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j van der Walt, Sarel (15 September 2018). "Nag, my generaal". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
- ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
- ^ 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
- Geldenhuys, Jannie (2009). At the Front: A General's Account of South Africa's Border War. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jonathan Ball Publishers SA. ISBN 978-1-86842-331-6.
- Cadman, Mike. "General Jannie Geldenhuys - Missing Voices Project" (PDF).