Theunissen Commando Explained

Unit Name:Theunissen Commando
Allegiance:
Branch:
    Type:Infantry
    Role:Light Infantry
    Size:One Battalion
    Command Structure:South African Infantry Corps
    Army Territorial Reserve, Group 34
    Garrison:Theunissen

    Theunissen 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

    With the SADF

    During this era, the commando was mainly used for rural area force protection as well as cordones and search operations, and assisting the local police in stock theft control.

    The unit resorted under Group 34 at that stage.

    With the SANDF

    Disbandment

    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]

    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. 2008-01-17.
    3. Web site: de Lange. Deon. South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'. Cape Argus. 5 March 2015. subscription .