Durban North Commando

Durban North 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.

Durban North Commando
Durban North Commando emblem
Disbanded1994 (1994)
Country South Africa
Branch South African Army
TypeInfantry
RoleLight infantry
SizeOne battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQDurban North

History

Origin

Operations

With the SADF

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

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 10.

First Indian officer in the Commandos

Vikram Singh of Tongaat became the first Indian officer in the commandos in 1984.[3]

With the SANDF
Amalgamation and Disbandment

This unit was amalgamated with the Durban South 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.[4][5] 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.[6]

Unit Insignia
SADF era Durban North 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. http://scnc.ukzn.ac.za/doc/Periodicals/Fiat_Lux/Fiat_Lux_1980_1990s/Fiat_Lux_1988_1989_v23/Fiat_Lux_1989_v23_5_Jan/Pages_from_Fiat_Lux_1989_v23_5_Jan-3.pdf
  4. 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.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  6. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also
  • South African Commando System


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