Bothaville Commando
Bothaville Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQBothaville

Bothaville 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 Orange Free State Republic

Bothaville commando was established as an active Boer Commando unit during the Second Boer War.

With the UDF

With the SADF

During this era the Commando was mainly tasked with area force protection, cordones and searches as well as stock theft control in assistance of the rural police.

The unit resorted under the command of Group 34.

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]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Bothaville Commando insignia
SADF era Bothaville Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also


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