Hoopstad 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.
| Hoopstad Commando | |
|---|---|
 Hoopstad Commando emblem | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 24 |
| Garrison/HQ | Hoopstad |
History
editOrigin
editWith the Orange Free State Republic
editThis commando was raised in the Anglo Boer War and was used in several opening engagements such as the Battle of Belmont in November 1899.
With the UDF
editBy 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
editThe unit was mainly used in this era for area force protection, cordones and searches as well as assisting the rural police in stock theft control.
The unit resorted under the command of Group 24.
With the SANDF
editDisbandment
editThis unit, along with all other Commando units, was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to dissolve 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
edit
Leadership
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) |
References
edit- ^ 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". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also
edit
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