Pongola Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army and was based in the town of Pongola. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

Pongola Commando
Pongola Commando emblem
DisbandedFebruary 14, 2003 (21 years ago) (2003-02-14)
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQPongola

History

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Origin

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This unit was created by merging the Pongola Company of the Piet Retief Commando with the North Coast Commando on 17 October 1970.[1]

Operations

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With the SADF

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Under the SADF, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

During severe Tropical Storm Domoina in 1984, the unit provided civil protection support through establishing a communication network, by distributing much needed food and emergency supplies, and a range of other civil defence measures.[1]

With the SANDF

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Disbandment
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This unit, along with all other Commando units, was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki.[2][3] A variety of reasons were given for the Commando system to be phased out between 2003 and 2008. This included "the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[4]

Unit Insignia

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SADF era Pongola Commando insignia

Leadership

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Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
1970 Comdt N.J. Robertse 1978
1978 Comdt J. Bezuidenhout 1980
August 1980 Comdt L.J.S. Changuion SM DTM March 1985
1985 Comdt C. Rudolph 1989
1989 Comdt D. Barnard ?
From Regimental Sergeants Major To


The unit's commanding officers listed above generally held the rank of commandant.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Els, Paul (14 October 2007). "Pongola Commando". War in Angola. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ^ van Stade, Col L B (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF. Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  3. ^ "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  4. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

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