Siphiwe Nyanda

Last updated

General
Siphiwe Nyanda
SSA SBS CLS DMG MMS MMM
In office
2009–2010
Years of service1974–2005
Rank General
Unit SA Army College
Commands
Battles/wars Matola Raid
Military awards Ribbon Star for Bravery in Silver.png Ribbon Conspicuous Leadership Star.png Ribbon - Decoration for Merit in Gold.png Ribbon - Merit Medal in Silver.png Ribbon - Military Merit Medal (South Africa).png Ribbon - Operational Medal for Southern Africa.png Ribbon - South Africa Service Medal.png Ribbon - Unitas Medal.gif Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif Ribbon - Service Medal in Silver.png Ribbon - Service Medal in Bronze.png US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png BRA Ordem do Merito Militar Comendador.png CISM Order of Merit - Officer.png Merit of Santos-Dumont Medal (Brazil).png Medalha do Pacificador.png Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg

General Siphiwe Nyanda SSA SBS CLS DMG MMS MMM (born 1950) [1] is a former South African military commander and politician. He was a member of uMkhonto we Sizwe and served as Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 1998 to 2005, Minister of Communications from 2009 to 2010 and was appointment as a board member of Denel in May 2018.

Contents

Military career

Nyanda joined Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress, in 1974, and served as a guerilla commander during the liberation struggle against the South African government in the 1980s. He was appointed MK Chief of Staff in 1992, and served on the Transitional Executive Council which oversaw the change of government in 1994.

Lieutenant General Nyanda became part of the South African National Defence Force, into which MK was incorporated in 1994, and served successively as Chief of Defence Force Staff (1994–1996), General Officer Commanding Gauteng Command (1996–1997), He completed the Senior Command and Staff Duties Course in 1996. Deputy Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1997–1998), and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1998–2005). [2] : 14–15 

Awards and decorations

In 1999, Nyanda was awarded the Star of South Africa, Gold. [3]

Civilian

Military

Foreign

Performance as Communications Minister

Nyanda was a controversial figure throughout the 18 months that he was minister of communications. Dubbed the "minister of comfort" by South Africa's Mail & Guardian, he was residing in a Cape Town hotel throughout his tenure because he was unhappy with the ministerial house allocated to him. [4]

A company, in which Nyanda's family owned 45%, called GNS Risk Management Services (subsequently renamed Abalozi Security Risk Advisory Services) was accused of impropriety in a tender process in March 2010 due to rogue lawyers. Amongst its numerous clients were several companies, including Transnet CC, passenger train company Metrorail, state bus company Autopax, and the Gauteng Provincial Government. [5]

It later emerged that Transnet Freight Rail had been involved in the awarding of tenders without following the correct procedures. Amongst the tenders that were questioned was one security contract valued at ZAR 55 million, awarded to GNS Risk Management Services. [6] Transnet's CEO, Siyabonga Gama, was dismissed when the allegations came to light. However, Nyanda was not reprimanded. [7]

In October 2010, Nyanda came under fire for the suspension of communications director general Mamodupi Mohlala. It was reported that in July 2010, on the day that Nyanda axed Mohlala, she had reported tender irregularities worth ZAR 70 million to the police for a fraud investigation and had reportedly called for disciplinary action against several senior civil servants. [8]

Nyanda fervently denied the allegations calling them "false, spurious and malicious". [9] However, shortly after the story regarding the removal of Mohlala came out, Nyanda was removed from his position as Minister of Communications. [10] Despite the numerous suggestions of political impropriety, Nyanda was subsequently appointed as a parliamentary counselor to ex-President Jacob Zuma. [11] [ when? ]

Notes

  1. ↑ French: Légion d'honneur - Commandeur
  2. ↑ Portuguese: Medalha do Pacificador

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References

  1. ↑ "Gen Siphiwe Nyanda". Sabinet Law. Sabinet Online.
  2. ↑ Mofokeng, Maj Gen Mohato Dan (June 2005). "Farewell to a determined military leader with a clear vision" (PDF). SA Soldier. 12 (6). RSA Department of Defence: 14–16. ISSN   1609-5014 . Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "About Government - National Orders". Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Mapiloko, Jackie; Underhill, Glynnis (12 March 2010). "When in Cape Town Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda lives a five-star life at the city's top hotels – courtesy of the taxpayer". Mail & Guardian.
  5. ↑ "Siphiwe Nyanda reminds me why we're doing this". South African corruption project. Archived from the original on 4 August 2010.
  6. ↑ Basson, Adriaan (29 January 2010). "Nyanda Inc makes millions from govt". Mail & Guardian.
  7. ↑ "Transnet: Gama is out". Mail & Guardian. 29 June 2010.
  8. ↑ "Nyanda fumes at allegations over corruption". Mail & Guardian. 17 October 2010l.
  9. ↑ "Nyanda lashes out 'false, malicious' report". Mail & Guardian. 15 July 2010.
  10. ↑ Pillay, Verashni; Webb, Boyd (31 October 2010). "Zuma replaces seven ministers in reshuffle". Mail & Guardian.
  11. ↑ "Nyanda to be Zuma's Parliamentary counsellor". Mail & Guardian. 25 November 2010.
Diplomatic posts
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