title: Derrick Mgwebi
text: # Derrick Mgwebi
  
  Lieutenant General Derrick Mgwebi SD SM MMM (born 1956) is a South African military commander, serving as Director of the Joint Operations Division.
  
  ## Military career
  
  He served as Commander of the United Nations Operation in Burundi in 2004. He also served as General Officer Commanding, Mpumalanga Command, after which he was appointed General Officer Commanding South African Army Infantry Formation. Before taking over at Joint Operations he was the Chief of Human Resources for the SANDF.
  
  He was Force Commander of the United Nations MONUSCO mission to the DRC from December 2015 to January 2018.
  
  ## Appointed amaXhosa King
  
  Gen Mgwebi has been at the centre of controversy about the royal succession of the Xhosa King. He was appointed to the position for three months while internal negotiations have taken place to make a final decision.
  
  ## Awards and decorations
  
  * Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
  * Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
  * Military Merit Medal (MMM)
  * General Service Medal (South Africa)
  * Military Rule Medal
  * Unitas (Unity) Medal
  * Mandela Commemoration Medal (Gold)
  * Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (30 Year Clasp)
  * Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
  * Faithful Service Medal (10 Years)
  * Transkei Defence Force Medal
  * African Union Medal (Intervention in Burundi)
  * United Nations Medal (MONUSCO - DRC (Numeral 1))
  
  ## Proficiency and Qualification badges
  
  SA Special Forces Operator's Badge (Qualification) :
  
  * Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath
  
  Paratrooper Basic (Qualification) :
  
  * Basic, Static Line Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Small Black wings
  