Wepener Commando Explained
| Unit Name: | Wepener Commando |
| Allegiance: | |
| Branch: | |
| Type: | Infantry |
| Role: | Light Infantry |
| Size: | One Battalion |
| Command Structure: | South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison: | Wepener |
Wepener 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 commando was named in honour of Commandant Louw Wepener, a boer leader from the Basotho wars.[1] [2]
Operations
With the Orange Free State Republic
During the Anglo Boer War
The commando was involved in the Anglo Boer War most notable being:
With the UDF
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 under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.
These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.
With the SADF
During this era, the commando was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
The unit was also used for border protection with Lesotho.
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.[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]
See also
- South African Commando System
Notes and References
- Kommandant Louw Wepener (18121865). 3–6 . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141011020928/http://www.afrikanergeskiedenis.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Louw-Wepener.pdf . 11 October 2014 . dead. Historia Junior. 36. November 1965. Historiese Genootskap van Suid-Afrika . af.
- Web site: Comdt Louw Wepener (53) is killed in combat during an attack on Moshesh at Thaba Bosigo in the Free State. . South African History Online .
- Web site: The Battle of Biddulphsberg. 8 January 2019 . 8 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190108201138/http://www.biddulphsberg.com/anglo-boer-war-bull-anglo-boere-oorlog.html . dead .
- 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 . 16 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160316204323/https://issafrica.org/pubs/asr/6no2/vanstade.html . dead .
- Web site: About the Commando system. 2008-01-17. 6 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071206150052/http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/rural_safety/eng/pages/no2e.htm. dead.
- Web site: de Lange. Deon. South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'. Cape Argus. 5 March 2015. subscription .
South Africa