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Lieutenant General Pierre Derksen Steyn (born 25 November 1942, Swellendam) is a retired South African Air Force officer who served as Chief of the Defence Staff and Secretary for Defence.
He graduated from the Military Academy in 1964, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour. He served as SAAF Chief of Air Staff Operations from 1987–1988, SADF Chief of Staff Personnel (1989–1992) and in 1992 was appointed Chief of Defence Force Staff. While in this position President F.W. de Klerk asked him to investigate the workings of the military intelligence structures prior to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. This became known as the Steyn Report.
Steyn handed his report to De Klerk and the following day, De Klerk issued a statement saying that six top-ranking officials had been placed on compulsory early retirement and sixteen on compulsory leave pending further investigation. This became known as the “Night of the Generals”.
He was appointed Secretary for Defence by in August 1994 but resigned in 1998.
Awards and Decorations
