Hernus Kriel

Hermanus Jacobus Kriel
Premier of the Western Cape
In office 1994–1998
Succeeded by	Gerald Morkel
Minister of Law and Order
In office 1991–1994
Preceded by	Adriaan Vlok
Succeeded by	Sidney Mufamadi
Personal details
Born	14 November 1941 Kakamas, Northern Cape
Died	5 July 2015 (aged 73) Panorama, Cape Town, Western Cape
Political party	National Party
Alma mater	University of Stellenbosch

Hermanus Jacobus Kriel (14 November 1941 – 5 July 2015) was the first Premier of the Western Cape province. He previously served as the Minister of Law and Order in the South African government under Frederik Willem de Klerk.^[1] He was born in 1941 in Kakamas, Northern Cape.^[2][3]

Kriel served as premier from May 11, 1994 to May 11, 1998 as a member of the National Party. He became known for having questioned the objectivity of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission^[4] and for having advocated for the return of the death penalty.

He defected to the Democratic Party in june 2000; the DP had overtaken the NP as the official opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa after the election held the year before.^[5] He was however ranked unfavorably by the DP's electoral college,^[6] and would instead later appear on the candidate list for the small African Christian Democratic Party.

Kriel was married to Anna-Mari (née Jooste). He died on 5 July 2015, aged 73.^[7]

References

1. "Premiers on the provincial thrones". Mail & Guardian. 13 May 1994.
2. Hayes, S.V (ed) (1992). Who's Who of Southern Africa. Who's Who of Southern Africa C.C. p. 465. ISBN 0-620-15974-X.
3. "O Malley Archives". Retrieved January 29, 2013.
4. "TUTU REBUKES DE KLERK AND KRIEL FOR CRITICISING THE TRC'S OBJECTIVITY". South African Press Association. 4 November 1996.
5. "Kriel joins DP as Morkel hurries home". Independent Online. 14 June 2000.
6. "Kriel spurned by W Cape DP". News24. 12 September 2000.
7. Quintal, Genevieve (6 July 2015). "De Klerk saddened by Kriel's death". News24. Retrieved 6 July 2015.