Pieter van der Westhuizen
Pieter van der Westhuizen (born 24 December 1937)[1] was a South African Army officer who served as the Chief of Staff Intelligence from 1978 - 1985 and later Secretary of the State Security Council.
Pieter Willem van der Westhuizen SSAS SM | |
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Born | 24 December 1937 Colesberg, Northern Cape |
Allegiance | |
Service/ | South African Army |
Years of service | 1959-1985 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands held |
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Awards |
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Other work | Ambassador to Chile |
Background
He joined the South African Army as Lieutenant in 1959 and would later serve as a troop commander at the 1 Special Service Battalion and later as company commander at 2 South African Infantry Battalion.[2] In 1964 he was appointed to the Infantry School as an instructor.[2] By 1968, he was appointed as a staff officer at the Directorate of Military Intelligence.[2] He completed the French Command & Staff Course in the sixties and was appointed the Commandant Army College in 1974.[2]
He commanded Northern Transvaal Command before becoming a Director of Collection at Directorate Military Intelligence in 1976.[2] He was appointed Chief of Staff Intelligence in June 1978.[1] He held that position until 1985 before becoming the Secretary of the State Security Council until 1988.[3]:Chp2
Awards and Decorations
Star of South Africa (SSA) Southern Cross Medal (SM) Military Merit Medal (MMM) Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years) Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years) Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years)
References
- Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
- Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912-1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 93.
- O'Brien, Kevin A. (2011). The South African Intelligence Services: From Apartheid to Democracy, 1948-2005. Studies in Intelligence Series. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-84061-0.
Diplomatic posts | ||
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Preceded by Michal Muller |
Ambassador to Chile 1988 – 1990 |
Succeeded by Leon Malan Brand |
Government offices | ||
Preceded by Andre van Deventer |
Secretary of the State Security Council 1985 – 1988 |
Succeeded by Charles Lloyd |
Military offices | ||
Preceded by Acting from 1978 - 1980 |
Chief of Staff Intelligence 1981 – 1985 |
Succeeded by Andries Putter |
Preceded by Phil Pretorius |
OC Northern Transvaal 1975 – 1976 |
Succeeded by Boytjie Viviers |