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 | South Africa South Africa |
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 |