Siphiwe Nyanda
| Siphiwe Nyanda SSA SBS CLS DMG MMS MMM | |
|---|---|
 Siphiwe Nyanda, c. 1996 | |
| Nickname(s) | Ghebuza[1]:14 |
| Born |
22 May 1950 Soweto |
| Allegiance |
 South Africa |
| Service/branch | South African Army |
| Years of service | 1994 – 2005[1] |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Chief of the South African National Defence Force |
| Awards |
|
| Relations | Sheila Nyanda neé Mathabe (Wife) |
| Other work | Minister of Communications |
General Siphiwe Nyanda SSA SBS CLS DMG MMS MMM (born 1950)[2] is a South African politician, former Minister of Communications from 2009 – 2010 and South African military commander.
Military career
He joined Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress, in 1974, and served as a field 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.
Maj Gen 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), Deputy Chief of the SANDF (1997 – 1998), and Chief of the SANDF (1998 – 2005).[1]:14-15
Awards and decorations
In 1999 General Nyanda was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa (Gold)[3]
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Star of South Africa (SSA)
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Merit Medal in Silver (MMS)
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Military Merit Medal (MMM)
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Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 30 Year Clasp)
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Legion of Merit (LOM) (Commander - USA)
-
Légion d'honneur (Commander degree - France) -
Commander of the Order of Military Merit (Brazil) - International Council of Military Sports Order of Merit - Officer
Performance as Communications Minister
Nyanda was a controversial figure throughout the 18 months that he was minister of communications. Dubbed the “minister of luxury” by South Africa’s Mail & Guardian, Nyanda was alleged to have spent hundreds of thousands of rands living in a luxurious Cape Town hotel throughout his tenure because he was unhappy with the ministerial house appointed to him.[4]
At the same time as the allegations surrounding his living arrangements came to light, Nyanda’s private business was under scrutiny. A company, in which Nyanada’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. Amongst its numerous clients were several parastatals, including Transnet Freight Rail, 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 ZAR55million, 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 ministry director general Mamodupi Mohlala. It was reported that in July 2010, on the day that Nyanda axed Mohlala, she had reported tender irregularities worth ZAR70 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, labeling them “false, spurious and malicious”.[9] However, shortly after the story regarding the removal of Mohlala came out, Nyanda was removed from his position in the Ministry of Communications.[10] Despite the numerous suggestions of political impropriety, Nyanda was subsequently appointed as a parliamentary counselor to President Jacob Zuma, a position he holds today.[11]
See also
- List of South African military chiefs
- South African Army
- South African National Defence Force
- Siphiwe Mvuyane
External links
References
- 1 2 3 Mofokeng, Maj Gen Mohato Dan (June 2005). "Farewell to a determined military leader with a clear vision" (PDF). SA Soldier (RSA Department of Defence) 12 (6): 14–16. ISSN 1609-5014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ "Gen Siphiwe Nyandapublisher=Sabinet Online". Sabinet Law.
- ↑ http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/recipients/1999.htm
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Siphiwe Nyanda reminds me why we're doing this". South African corruption project. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010.
- ↑ Basson, Adriaan (29 January 2010). "Nyanda Inc makes millions from govt". Mail & Guardian.
- ↑ "Transnet: Gama is out". Mail & Guardian. 29 June 2010.
- ↑ "Nyanda fumes at allegations over corruption". Mail & Guardian. 17 October 2010l.
- ↑ "Nyanda lashes out 'false, malicious' report". Mail & Guardian. 15 July 2010.
- ↑ Pillay, Verashni; Webb, Boyd (31 October 2010). "Zuma replaces seven ministers in reshuffle". Mail & Guardian.
- ↑ "Nyanda to be Zuma's Parliamentary counsellor". Mail & Guardian. 25 November 2010.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Manto Tshabalala-Msimang (Acting) |
Minister of Communications 2009 – 2010 |
Succeeded by Roy Padayachie |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by Gen Georg Meiring |
Chief of the SANDF 1998 – 2005 |
Succeeded by Gen Godfrey Ngwenya |
| New title New Post |
Deputy Chief of the SANDF 1997 – 1998 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Vacant Title last held by Pierre Steyn in 1993 |
Chief of Defence Force Staff 1994 – 1996 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Chris Hani |
Chief of Staff Umkhonto weSizwe 1992 – 1994 |
Integrated into SANDF |
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