Zola Dabula

Lieutenant General Zola Dabula (born 1956)[1] is a South African military officer, who served as the Surgeon General of the South African Military Health Service.[2]

Zola Wiseman Songo Dabula
Lieutenant General Dabula assuming office
Born (1956-10-20) October 20, 1956
AllegianceSouth Africa
Service/branchSouth African Military Health Service
RankLieutenant General
Commands held
  • South African Military Health Service

Early life

Zola Wiseman Songo Dabula was born in the former homeland of the Transkei in 1956. Having graduated from the University of Natal medical school, at the time reserved for black students, he returned to Umtata where he became involved in underground ANC structures. This led to his arrest, during which he shared a cell with an American priest Fr. Casimir Paulsen, both enduring torture at the hands of the apartheid regime.[3]

Military career

With the dawn of democracy in South Africa Dabula integrated into the newly formed South African National Defence Force where he served in various roles, ultimately being appointed Surgeon General in 2019.[4]

As executive head of the SANDF Presidential Medical Unit, Dr. Dabula oversaw the healthcare of President Nelson Mandela.[5]

Controversy

Lieutenant General Dabula was summoned to parliament to explain his role in the illegal importation by the South African Department of Defence of the Cuban produced drug interferon, which was being considered as a potential prophylactic against COVID-19.[6]

References
  1. Mahlokwane, James (15 November 2019). "New health chief welcomed at parade". Pretoria News. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. "New chiefs of SA Army, Joint Operations, SAMHS announced". Defence Web. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  3. "US Priest freed from Transkei tells of torture". NY Times. 20 March 1987.
  4. "Meet South Africa's New Surgeon General". www.enca.com. 20 November 2019.
  5. "Madiba Goes Home". www.timeslive.co.za. 23 May 2011.
  6. "More Questions than Answers on Cuban COVID-19 Drug". Defence Web. 18 February 2021.


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