| Unit Name: | Senekal Commando |
| Dates: | 1900 - 2003 |
| Allegiance: |
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| Branch: | |
| Type: | Infantry |
| Role: | Light Infantry |
| Size: | One Battalion |
| Command Structure: | South African Infantry CorpsArmy Territorial Reserve, Group 36 |
| Garrison: | Senekal |
Senekal Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation and the South African Territorial Reserve.
This unit started as a subunit of the Winburg Commando around 1900.
After the battle of Paardekraal, the Senekal Commando joined up with General de Wet. On 4 April 1900, they defeated a British column near Mostertshoek. This was followed by a siege of Brabant`s Horse at Jammersberg.
The last major battle was at Biddulphsberg on 29 May 1900, when this commando took positions in the mountains between Senekal and Ficksburg.
By 1902, all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.
By 1912, however, previous Commando members could join shooting associations.
By 1940, such commandos were controlled by the National Reserve of Volunteers.
These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.
In this era, the commando was utilised primarily for area force protection.
This unit fell under the command of Group 36.
This 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]
South Africa