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.
| Potgietersrus Commando | |
|---|---|
 Potgietersrus Commando emblem | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Potgietersrus |
History edit
Origin edit
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 edit
with the UDF edit
This commando was active during the 1914 Rebellion and was known as the Potgietersus Commando as early as 1925.
With the SADF edit
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 edit
Amalgamation edit
This unit eventually amalgamated with the Springbokvlaktes Commando but retained its name around 1997.
Disbandment edit
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]
Unit Insignia edit
Leadership edit
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) |
References edit
- ^ 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) - ^ "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also edit
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