Renier Coetzee

Brigadier-General Renier (Cojack) Coetzee SM PS MMM was a General Officer in the South African Army from the recces.

Brigadier General

Renier Johannes Coetzee

SM PS MMM
Nickname(s)Doibi, CoJack
Born1961 (age 61–62)
Allegiance South Africa
Service/branch South African Army
Years of service–2021
RankBrigadier General
Unit5 Special Forces Regiment
Commands held
AwardsSouthern Cross Medal SM iPhrothiya yeSiliva PS Military Merit Medal MMM Pro Patria Medal ' Southern Africa Medal ' General Service Medal (South Africa) ' Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal) ' Unitas (Unity) Medal ' Mandela Commemoration Medal ' Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' SA Special Forces Operator's Badge Free Fall Paratrooper

Military career

Gen. Coetzee served in 32 Battalion and then in the South African Special Forces, for a long time as the Chief of Staff of the South African Special Forces Brigade. He commanded 5 Special Forces Regiment (formerly 5 Reconnaissance Regiment) from 1998-2003,[1] and served in the Mavinga area during Operations Moduler, Packer and Hooper.[1] From mid-1987 to mid-1988, he was stationed at divisional headquarters, north-west of Mavinga in Angola.[1][2]: 194  He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2014 and was appointed as Director Doctrine and Policy.

Col. Coetzee was embroiled in a controversy about the use of body armour (bullet proof vests) by SANDF soldiers in the Central African Republic during the Battle of Bangui.[3][4] He has spoken as an expert on the utilisation of the SANDF Special Forces as a force multiplier in the SADC region.[5] GOC SA Army Training Formation until his retirement.

Awards and decorations

Medals

Gen Coetzee has been awarded:[6][7][8][9][10]

Proficiency and qualification badges

Gen Coetzee qualified for the following:

SA Special Forces Operator's Badge
(Qualification)
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath
Free Fall Paratrooper
(Qualification)
Advanced, Freefall
Black on Thatch beige
Small Black wings

Notes
  1. Portuguese: Medalha do Pacificador

References
  1. "Anton Ackerman informs judge of withdraw from trial until he is reimbursed by Justice Department". FXI.org.za. Freedom of Expression Institute. 28 August 2000. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. Polack, Peter (13 December 2013). The Last Hot Battle of the Cold War: South Africa vs. Cuba in the Angolan Civil War (illustrated ed.). Casemate Publishers. ISBN 9781612001951. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  3. "SANDF distances itself from vest comments". IOL News. SAPA. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  4. Taunyane, Omogolo (26 July 2013). "CAR soldier unveils the truth". ENCA. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  5. Martin, Guy (26 July 2013). "Special forces a force multiplier for SADC military interventions – expert". DefenceWeb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  6. Helfrich, Kim (5 March 2014). "SANDF medals and decorations". DefenceWeb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  7. SANDF Armed Forces Day Parade, 21 February 2014 - Decoration and Medal Recipients, Battle of Bangui
  8. Martin, Guy (24 February 2014). "Zuma awards medals to Battle of Bangui soldiers in celebration of Armed Forces Day". DefenceWeb. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  9. DefenceWeb Book Review: The Battle in Bangui: The untold inside story. By Helmoed Romer Heitman (Accessed 3 May 2015)
  10. Tia Mysoa - 'The Battle in Bangui: The untold inside story' – Truth or Propaganda? (Accessed 3 May 2015)


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