Derrick Mgwebi

Lieutenant General Derrick Mbuyiselo Mgwebi SD SM MMM
As head of Monusco
Born	1956 (age 68–69)
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	1978–2018
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	Force Commander United Nations Stabilization Mission in DR Congo Chief Joint Operations Chief of Human Resources, SANDF Chief Director Force Preparation, SA Army Force Commander United Nations Operation in Burundi in 2004 Force Commander African Mission in Burundi GOC SA Army Infantry Fmn GOC Mpumalanga Command
Awards
Spouse(s)	Busisiwe (wife)

Lieutenant General Derrick Mgwebi SD SM MMM (born 1956)[1] is a South African military commander, serving as Director of the Joint Operations Division.

Military career

He served as Commander of the United Nations Operation in Burundi in 2004.[1] He also served as General Officer Commanding, Mpumalanga Command, after which he was appointed General Officer Commanding South African Army Infantry Formation.[2] Before taking over at Joint Operations he was the Chief of Human Resources for the SANDF.[3]

He was Force Commander of the United Nations MONUSCO mission to the DRC from December 2015 to January 2018.[4]

Appointed amaXhosa King

Gen Mgwebi has been at the centre of controversy about the royal succession of the Xhosa King. He was appointed to the position for three months while internal negotiations have taken place to make a final decision.[5]

Awards and decorations

• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Military Rule Medal
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Mandela Commemoration Medal (Gold)
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (30 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Faithful Service Medal (10 Years)
• Transkei Defence Force Medal
• African Union Medal (Intervention in Burundi)
• United Nations Medal (MONUSCO - DRC (Numeral 1))

Proficiency and Qualification badges

Proficiency badges

SA Special Forces Operator's Badge (Qualification) Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath

Paratrooper Basic (Qualification) Basic, Static Line Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Small Black wings

References

1. "Major General Derrick Mgwebi, ONUB Force Commander". United Nations. 12 July 2004. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
2. "Directory of Senior Public Service Managers". Government Communication. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
3. "Outgoing Chief Human Resources Lieutenant General Derrick Mgwebi to hand over command to Lieutenant General Michael Nkabinde". Department of Defence. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
4. UN Press (29 December 2015). "Secretary-General Appoints Lieutenant General Derrick Mbuyiselo Mgwebi of South Africa Commander, UN Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo". press.un.org. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
5. Ngcukana, Lubabalo. "Former SANDF General Mgwebi appointed as amaXhosa king". City Press. Retrieved 14 April 2023.

Government offices
Preceded by Tsepe Motumi	A/Director General Military Veterans Affairs 2018–2020	Succeeded by Irene Mpolweni
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz	Force Commander MONUSCO 2016–2018	Succeeded by Lt Gen Martins Filho
Military offices
Preceded by Themba Matanzima	Chief of Joint Operations 2011–2016	Succeeded by Duma Mdutyana
	Chief of Human Resources 2007–2011	Succeeded by Themba Nkabinde
Preceded by Paul Ramahlo	Chief Director Force Preparation Jan 2007–Aug 2007	Succeeded by Vusi Masondo
Preceded by Established	GOC Joint Operational Headquarters 2003–2004	Succeeded by Barney Hlatswayo
Preceded by Established	GOC SA Army Infantry Fmn 1999–2002	Succeeded by Themba Nkabinde
Preceded by Deon Ferreira	GOC Mpumalanga Command 1997–1999	Succeeded by Disbanded