Georg Meiring

General Georg Meiring SSA, SD, SM, MMM (born 18 October 1939)[2] was a South African military commander. He served as Chief of the Army (1990–93) and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1993–98).

Georg Lodewyk Meiring
Born	18 October 1939[1] Ladybrand, Orange Free State Province, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Years of service	1962–1998
Rank	General
Commands held	Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1993–98) Chief of the Army (1990–93) Far North Command (1987–89) South West African Territorial Force (1983–87)
Battles/wars	South African Border War
Awards	Star of South Africa Southern Cross Decoration Southern Cross Medal Military Merit Medal

Military career

After obtaining a Master of Science in Physics from the University of the Orange Free State, Meiring joined the South African Army as a signals officer in 1962 and, in 1980, became Director of Signals of the South African Army.

Meiring served as Deputy Chief of the Army from 1982 to 1983 and as General Officer Commanding (GOC) South West Africa Territorial Force from 1983 to 1987. He was later GOC Far North Command,[3]^:99 Deputy Chief of the Army again, Chief of the Army from 1990 to 1993, the last Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1993 to 1994, and the first Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 1994 to 1998.

Controversy

In February 1998, Meiring, in his capacity as the head of defence of South Africa had provided an intelligence report to President Nelson Mandela on an organisation by the name of "Front African People's Liberation Army". This report implicated many important government dignitaries on conspiracy to assassinate the president, murder judges, occupy parliament and broadcasting stations and cause mayhem in general.[4] Later, after it was investigated by a judge, the report was claimed to be fabricated.[4][5]

Awards and decorations

In 1998, Meiring was awarded the Star of South Africa, Gold.[6] He also received the Order of the Cloud and Banner 4th class from Taiwan.[7]

• Star of South Africa (SSA)
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Southern Cross Medal (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• Southern Africa Medal
• General Service Medal
• Unitas Medal
• Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years)
• Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years)
• Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years)
• Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Yellow Grand Cordon (3rd Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)
• Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Special Cravat (4th Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)

References

1. "BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN PERSONALITIES in alphabetical order". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
2. O’Malley, Padraig. "Meiring, Georg: The O'Malley Archives". Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
3. Roherty, James Michael (1992). State Security in South Africa: Civil-military Relations Under P.W. Botha. New York: M.E. Sharpe, Inc. ISBN 0-87332-877-9. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
4. Hamann, Hilton (2001). Days of the Generals: The untold story of South Africa's apartheid-era military generals. Cape Town: Zebra Press. ISBN 1-86872-340-2. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
5. "It is Time to start Afresh". timeslive.co.za. Sunday Times. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012.
6. "About Government – National Orders". Archived from the original on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
7. Hayes, S.V., ed. (1994). Who's Who of Southern Africa 1994/1995. Who's Who of Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. p. 385. ISBN 0-9583902-1-5.