| Unit Name: | Hay Commando |
| Allegiance: | |
| Branch: | |
| Type: | Infantry |
| Role: | Light Infantry |
| Size: | One Battalion |
| Command Structure: | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison: | Marydale, Northern Cape |
Hay 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.
As an isolated border town in the Cape Colony, Hay was allowed to protect itself from attack.[1] [2]
During the Anglo Boer War approximately 1000 commandos from this district sided with the Orange Free State and ZAR republics.[3]
During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordons as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[4] [5] 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.[6]
South Africa