Gabriel Ramushwana

Gabriel Ramushwana (1 July 1941 – 12 January 2015) was a head of state of the Bantustan of Venda. He joined the SAP in Welkom as a Constable in 1960 and was seconded to the SADF 112 Infantry Battalion as a Warrant Officer in 1973. After being rushed through SADF OCS, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant and a Company 2 i/c in 112 Infantry Battalion in 1977. Promoted to Captain in 1980 and made Battalion Intelligence Officer. He was made the CO of the 1 Venda Battalion in 1981, and the deputy commanding officer of the Venda Defence Force in 1984. On 5 April 1990, he led the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Frank Ravele and established a military government. Ramushwana died on 12 January 2015 at the age of 73.