((Infobox officeholder | name = Gabriel Ramushwana | image = | office1 = 3rd Head of State of Venda | term_start1 = 5 April 1990 | term_end1 = 25 January 1994 | predecessor1 = Frank Ravele | successor1 = Tshamano Ramabulana[1] | birth_name = Gabriel Ramushwana | birth_date = 1 July 1941 | birth_place = Musina, Formerly known as Messina, [[Transvaal] Now known as Limpopo Province | death_date = 12 January 2015 (aged 73)[2] | death_place = Thaba Tshwane Military Hospital, Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa[3] | party = ANC (Military)[4] ))
Gabriel Ramushwana (1 July 1941 – 12 January 2015) was a head of state of the Bantustan of Venda.
He joined the SAP in Welkom as a Constable in 1960 and was seconded to the SADF 112 Infantry Battalion as a Warrant Officer in 1973. After being rushed[citation needed] through SADF OCS, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant and a Company 2 i/c[a] in 112 Infantry Battalion in 1977. Promoted to Captain in 1980 and made Battalion Intelligence Officer. He was made the CO of the 1 Venda Battalion in 1981, and the deputy commanding officer of the Venda Defence Force in 1984.[5]
On 8 February 1994, he was made Major-General of the National Peacekeeping Force.[6]: 18
On 5 April 1990, he led the overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Frank Ravele and established a military government.[7]
Ramushwana died on 12 January 2015 at the age of 73.[2]