FF+ founder, military leader Constand Viljoen dies
The former apartheid-era defence force leader and co-founder of the Freedom Front, General Constand Viljoen, has passed away.
Viljoen died on Friday at the age 86 on his farm in Mpumalanga.
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald confirmed the news, saying he died of natural causes and in the presence of close family.
In his prime, Viljoen served as a commander of the South African Defence Force (SADF).
Viljoen, who was chief of the army during the so-called Bush or Angolan War in the 1970s, rose to become chief of the defence force under then President PW Botha.
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Groenewald says Viljoen had some trouble adapting from leading the military to heading up a political party.
“But in the Freedom Front Plus he took what he leant in the military, such as strategy, planning, execution of a plan, he was able to apply very effectively within party politics.
“The democratic way in which the party functions wasn’t always easy for him. He was used to giving orders in the military, and all the generals will jump to attention, but it didn’t work the same way in politics.”
Groenewald says Viljoen nevertheless made a huge contribution, especially in the beginning.
“He provided strong leadership within the party at the start and was able to establish a culture of discipline in the party.”
The details of his funeral are yet to be confirmed.