Eschel Rhoodie

Eschel Mostert Rhoodie (11 July 1933 – 17 July 1993) was a South African civil servant, public relations officer and spin doctor most famous as being one of the key players in the 1978–79 Information Scandal, also known as "Infogate" or "Muldergate". He served as the Secretary of the Department of Information between 1972 and 1977, while Connie Mulder was Minister of the department.

Early life

He was born on 11 July 1933 in Caledon, Cape Province, Union of South Africa. He earned a PhD from the University of Pretoria. His thesis was a study of "penal systems in the British Commonwealth".

By 1979, Rhoodie was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to six years in prison. The sentence was later reversed by the appeals court in Bloemfontein. Rhoodie and his wife, Katie, left for the United States in 1982.

His book, The Real Information Scandal, which was published in October 1983, contained sweeping allegations of big-name involvement in secret information projects, involving military alliances with Israel and the election of Ronald Reagan as US president.

Life in the US

Rhoodie moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he "ran a consulting business for South Africans seeking to move to the United States".

Personal life and death

Rhoodie was married to Catherine Bondesio; they had a son, Eschel Rhoodie Jr., and a daughter, Anna-Marie Kern. They resided in Smyrna, Georgia near Atlanta. He died of a heart attack while playing tennis on 17 July 1993 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 60 years old.

Selected works