Renier Coetzee

Updated on Oct 12, 2024

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Nickname(s) Doibi Rank Brigadier-General Service/branch South African Army		Allegiance South Africa Other name Doibi Commands held 1 Parachute Battalion

Awards Southern Cross Medal (SM) iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS) (Silver Protea) Military Merit Medal (MMM)

Brigadier-General Renier Johannes (Doibi) Coetzee SM PS MMM is a General Officer in the South African Army.

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 Unit) at one stage, and served in the Mavinga area during Operations Moduler, Packer and Hooper. From mid-1987 to mid-1988, he was stationed at divisional headquarters, north-west of Mavinga in Angola. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2014.

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. He has spoken as an expert on the utilisation of the SANDF Special Forces as a force multiplier in the SADC region.