Griqualand-East Commando

Griqualand East Commando
Griqualand East Commando Emblem
Active 1953-
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
Role Light Infantry
Size One Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ Kokstad · Cedarville

Griqualand East 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

Griqualand East Commando can trace its origin to a Defence Rifle Association formed by a Captain Woods of the Cape Mounted Rifles around 1884. Its primary aim was for the farming community to be able to defend themselves against hostile tribes that stole their cattle.

By 1948 the Griqualand East Rifle Association was formed to manage local area defence. In 1953, Mount Currie Rifle Association in Kokstad amalgamated with the Grqiualand East Rifle Association which saw the formation of the Commando in Kokstad.

By 1984 however the commando moved to Cedarville as a disused school had become available for accommodation.

Area of Responsibility

Griqualand East Commando was responsible for the magisterial district of Mount Currie.

Higher Headquarters

The commando was under the command of Natal Command from 1930 to 1950 but then placed under Eastern Province Command, this situation reverted again in 1960 due to the establishment of the Transkei.

Freedom of Entry

The Freedom of the town of Kokstad was granted to the commando in 1993.

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

Leadership

  • Cmdt A.L.A. Maartins 1952-1972
  • Cmdt J.H. Venter 1973-1977
  • Cmdt S.A. Ponder 1977-1981
  • Lt Col D.W. Schoeman 1982-

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 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  3. ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015. (Subscription required (help)).

See also


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.