Potgietersrus Commando Explained

Unit Name:Potgietersrus Commando
Allegiance:
Branch:
    Type:Infantry
    Role:Light Infantry
    Size:One Battalion
    Command Structure:South African Infantry Corps
    Army Territorial Reserve
    Garrison:Potgietersrus

    Potgietersrus 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

    Origin

    This unit has its origins with Geysers commando around 1914, although residents of the area have been members of other commandos since 1854, such as the Zoutpansberg Commando.

    Operations

    with the UDF

    This commando was active during the 1914 Rebellion and was known as the Potgietersus Commando as early as 1925.

    With the SADF

    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 resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 14.

    With the SANDF

    Amalgamation

    This unit eventually amalgamated with the Springbokvlaktes Commando but retained its name around 1997.

    Disbandment

    This combined unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1] [2] 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.[3]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge . 5 March 2015 . 1997 . Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF . Institute for Security Studies . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160316204323/https://issafrica.org/pubs/asr/6no2/vanstade.html . 16 March 2016 .
    2. Web site: About the Commando system. 17 January 2008.
    3. Web site: de Lange. Deon. South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'. Cape Argus. 5 March 2015. subscription .