Hendrik Jacobus Coetsee, known as Kobie Coetsee, was a South African lawyer, National Party politician and administrator as well as a negotiator during the country's transition to universal democracy.
11 Facts About Kobie Coetsee
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In 1968, Coetsee won the Bloemfontein West seat in the House of Assembly, vacated by JJ Fouche, who became State President.
3.
On 12 October 1978, Kobie Coetsee became Deputy Minister of Defence and National Security.
4.
Kobie Coetsee reorganised National Intelligence after the Information Scandal and adjusted the national service to make sure that people would not suffer financial loss or travel unnecessarily while doing their military service.
5.
Kobie Coetsee was appointed as Minister of Justice on 7 October 1980.
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Kobie Coetsee changed the legal system by introducing the small claims court and pioneering the Matrimonial Property Act in 1984.
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Kobie Coetsee contributed to the process that made community service an alternative option to being jailed and did away with racially specific commissioners' courts.
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Kobie Coetsee was serious about legal reform and in April 1986, he asked for a legal commission to investigate the role of the courts in protecting group and individual rights, after which a report on human and group rights had to be drawn up.
9.
Kobie Coetsee walked the Indemnity Act through parliament, ensuring that those who took part in political negotiations after the unbanning of the African National Congress would receive temporary immunity.
10.
Kobie Coetsee married Helena Elizabeth Malan on 6 October 1956 and was a father of two sons and three daughters.
11.
Kobie Coetsee died of a heart attack 29 July 2000, in Bloemfontein.