Joffel van der Westhuizen
Lieutenant General Christoffel Pierre "Joffel" van der Westhuizen (Born 7 February 1942) is a South African Army general from the artillery, who served as Chief of Staff Intelligence for the Defence Force from 1991 – 1994.
Christoffel Pierre van der Westhuizen | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Christoffel Pierre van der Westhuizen |
| Nickname(s) | Joffel |
| Born | 7 February 1942 Kroonstad, Orange Free State |
| Allegiance | South Africa South Africa |
| Service/ | South African Army |
| Years of service | 1961–1994 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | 14 Field Regiment |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | Border War |
| Awards | |
| Other work | Author |
Military career
He served in the artillery as a junior officer at 14 Field Regiment and as Adjutant at the School of Artillery. Chief Instructor Gunnery from 1971-1972. Second in Command 4 Field Regiment in 1973. OC 14 Field Regiment from 1974 which he led throughout Operation Savannah. Senior staff officer at Army Headquarters from 1976-1981 while seconded to ARMSCOR. Director Artillery during 1982. As a brigadier, he served as the OC Eastern Province Command in 1983 – 1987.[1] GOC Witwatersrand Command in 1987 - 1990. He served as Deputy Chief of the Army in 1990 until he was appointed to the Military Intelligence Division in 1991 as the Chief of Staff Intelligence, a post he held until 1994. He went on early retirement in 1994.
Awards and decorations
- Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
- Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
- Military Merit Medal (MMM)
- Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) (with Cunene Clasp) [lower-alpha 1]
- General Service Medal (South Africa)
- Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
- Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
- Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
- Order of the Cloud and Banner (4th Grade - with Special Cravat) (ORB)
| Master Gunner: 22 | |
|---|---|
| Major Christoffel Pierre 'Joffel' van der Westhuizen[lower-alpha 2] | |
| Year: 1971 | |
| ←21: Unknown |
Major J.P. 'Jaap' du Rand :23→ |
Notes
- Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.
- Post occupied when award was made: Chief Instructor Gunnery
References
- "Chapter 5: The Homelands from 1960 - 1990" (PDF). Truth and Reconciliation report. Vol. 2. p. 442.