Hermanus Jacobus Kriel (14 November 1941 – 5 July 2015) was the first Premier of the Western Cape province. He previously served as the Minister of Law and Order in the South African government under Frederik Willem de Klerk.[1] He was born in 1941 in Kakamas, Cape Province.[2][3]

Hermanus Jacobus Kriel
1st Premier of the Western Cape
In office
7 May 1994 – 11 May 1998
Preceded byPosition Established
Succeeded byGerald Morkel
Minister of Law and Order
In office
1991–1994
Preceded byAdriaan Vlok
Succeeded bySidney Mufamadi
Personal details
Born(1941-11-14)14 November 1941
Kakamas, Cape Province, South Africa (now Northern Cape)
Died5 July 2015(2015-07-05) (aged 73)
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
CitizenshipSouth African
Political partyNational
Alma materUniversity of Stellenbosch

Kriel served as premier from 11 May 1994 to 11 May 1998 as a member of the National Party. He became known for having questioned the objectivity of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and for having advocated for the return of the death penalty in South Africa.[4]

He defected to the Democratic Party in June 2000; the DP had overtaken the NP as the official opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa after the election held the year before.[5] He was however ranked unfavorably by the DP's electoral college,[6] and would instead later appear on the candidate list for the small African Christian Democratic Party.

Kriel was married to Anna-Mari (née Jooste). He died on 5 July 2015, aged 73.[7]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Premiers on the provincial thrones". Mail & Guardian. 13 May 1994.
  2. ^ Hayes, S.V., ed. (1992). Who's Who of Southern Africa. Who's Who of Southern Africa C.C. p. 465. ISBN 0-620-15974-X.
  3. ^ "O Malley Archives". Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  4. ^ "TUTU REBUKES DE KLERK AND KRIEL FOR CRITICISING THE TRC'S OBJECTIVITY". South African Press Association. 4 November 1996.
  5. ^ "Kriel joins DP as Morkel hurries home". Independent Online. 14 June 2000.
  6. ^ "Kriel spurned by W Cape DP". News24. 12 September 2000.
  7. ^ Quintal, Genevieve (6 July 2015). "De Klerk saddened by Kriel's death". News24. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
Political offices
Preceded byas Administrator of the Cape Province Premier of the Western Cape
7 May 1994 – 11 May 1998
Succeeded by