Vereeniging Commando

Vereeniging 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.

Vereeniging Commando
Activec. 1921–2006
Disbanded29 September 2006
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 17
Garrison/HQVereeniging
Motto(s)ENSE ET ARATRO Serving in War and Peace (Afrikaans: Dien in Oorlog en Vrede)

History

Origin

The Vereeniging Commando was formed in 1921 as a Shooting Commando and its first Commander was Lt Col Karel Rood.

Operations

With the UDF

The Shooting Commando received its official status as a Commando in 1957 and in 1961 received its first Citizen Force members.

With the SADF

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

Freedom of Entry

The Commando received the Freedom of Entry to the city of Vereeniging on 14 February 1976.

National Colours

On 16 August 1991, the commanding officer Cmdt J.C. Kruger, accepted the award of National Colours on behalf of the unit.

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]

On Friday 29 September 2006 Vereeniging Commando finally closed its doors when Lt Col J.C. Zelie handed the VMB keys over to the Department of Public Works.

Insignia
Insignia
  • Cravat
  • Flash
  • Tupper Flashes
  • Lanyard
  • Stable Belt
  • Unit Flag

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
1991 Col (Dr) M. Milani 2006
From Commanding Officers To
1921 Lt Col K. Rood 1929
1929 Lt Col E. Rood 1939
1939 Lt Col E.S. Rood 1946
1946 Cmdt J.J. Marais 1948
August 1949 Cmdt F.H.V. Lamont November 1949
1950 Cmdt G. de Bruyn-Nel 1967
1967 Cmdt F.P. van Niekerk 1977
1977 Cmdt W.A. de Klerk 1981
1981 Cmdt J.P. Arnold 1985
1985 Cmdt T.C. Pieterse 1989
1989 Cmdt J.C. Kruger 1994
1994 Cmdt B.M. Steyn 1997
1997 Lt Col J.C. Zelie 2006
From Regimental Sergeants Major To
1967 WO1 D.B. Oliver 1976
1977 WO1 W.A. Bobbert 1982
1982 WO1 M.L. van Stratten 1989
1989 WO1 P.F. Strachan 1991
1991 WO1 E. Jonker 1994
1994 WO1 D.J. Labuschagne 2006

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.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  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

  • South African Commando System


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