Bethal Commando

Bethal 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.

Bethal Commando
Bethel Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Zuid Afrikaanse Republic Union of South Africa  Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Bethal

History

Origin

The Bethal Commando was originally established as a commando of the South African Republic (Transvaal)

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

The commando fought in the Second Boer War and was led by Commandant H.F. Grobler; it had an initial strength of 737. It fought at:

• Sandspruit,
• Talana,
• Ladysmith,
• Hlangwane,
• Donkerhoek, in South Eastern Transvaal, and
• Bergendal.[1]

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly used for rural area force protection, police assistance and stock theft control.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 12.

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.[2][3] 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.[4]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Bethel Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership

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

References

1. Hall, Darrell (1999). The Hall Handbook of the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press. pp. 12, 17. ISBN 9780869809495.
2. Col L B van Stade (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
3. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
4. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

• South African Commando System