Durban South Commando
| Durban South Commando | |
|---|---|
 Durban South Commando emblem | |
| Active | 1949-1994 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Durban |
Durban South Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
History[edit]
Origins[edit]
Defunct Rifle Association[edit]
This unit originated from one of the defunct rifle associations established in 1949 and was re-designated a commando unit.
Operations[edit]
With the SADF[edit]
During the State of Emergency in the 1980s, this commando was tasked with protecting strategic facilities around Mobeni, Jacobs and Montclair. The unit was primarily tasked in quelling township riots.[1][2]
The unit also sent modular platoons to South West Africa as well as patrolled the Northern Natal Border.
The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 10 and shared the Monastery building in Montclair with Regiment Congella.
The unit received its colours on 29 June 1991.
With the SANDF[edit]
Amalgamation and Disbandment[edit]
This unit was amalgamated with the Durban North Commando in 1994.
The amalgamated unit along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[3][4] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[5]
Unit insignia[edit]
Leadership[edit]
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
References[edit]
- ^ "States of Emergency in South Africa: the 1960s and 1980s | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012.
- ^ "War and Resistance". www.csvr.org.za. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017.
- ^ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also[edit]
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