Senekal Commando
| Senekal Commando | |
|---|---|
| File:SADF era Senekal Commando emblem.jpg Senekal Commando emblem | |
| Active | 1900 - 2003 |
| Disbanded | March 14, 2003 |
| Country | File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 36 |
| Garrison/HQ | Senekal |
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Senekal Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation and the South African Territorial Reserve.
History
Origin
This unit started as a subunit of the Winburg Commando around 1900.
Operations
With the Orange Free State Republic
After the battle of Paardekraal, the Senekal Commando joined up with General de Wet. On 4 April 1900, they defeated a British column near Mostertshoek. This was followed by a siege of Brabant`s Horse at Jammersberg. The last major battle was at Biddulphsberg on 29 May 1900, when this commando took positions in the mountains between Senekal and Ficksburg.
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 controlled by the National Reserve of Volunteers. These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.
Under the SADF
In this era, the commando was utilised primarily for area force protection. This unit fell under the command of Group 36.
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
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Leadership
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1900 | Commandant A.I. de Villiers | nd |
| 1901 | Commandant S.G. Vilonel | nd |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
- Kommandant J.J. Human 1973
See also
References
- ↑ 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
