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Durban South Commando

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Durban South Commando
Durban South Commando emblem
Active1949-1994
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQDurban

Durban South 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

Origins

Defunct Rifle Association

This unit originated from one the defunct rifle associations established in 1949 and was re-designated a commando unit.

Operations

With the SADF

During the State of Emergency in the 1980s, this commando was tasked with protecting strategic facilities around Mobeni, Jacobs and Montclair. The unit was primarily tasked in quelling township riots.[1][2]

The unit also sent modular platoons to South West Africa as well as patrolled the Northern Natal Border.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 10 and shared the Monastery building in Montclair with Regiment Congella.

The unit received its colours on 29 June 1991.

With the SANDF

Amalgamation and Disbandment

This unit was amalgamated with the Durban North Commando in 1994.

The amalgamated unit along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[3][4] 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.[5]

Unit insignia

SADF era Durban South Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
From Regimental Sergeants Major To

References

  1. ^ https://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/state-emergency-south-africa-1960-and-1980s
  2. ^ https://www.csvr.org.za/publications/1566-war-and-resistance
  3. ^ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  5. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also


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