Pietersburg Commando

Pietersburg Commando
Pietersburg Commando
	Pietersburg 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, Group 14
Garrison/HQ	Pietersburg

Pietersburg 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.

History

Origin

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

During the Anglo Boer War, a commando from Pietersburg used harassing tactics to tie up British allies in the Bechuanaland protectorate. The Ngwato Tswana people were allied to the British. The Boer commando sided with Chief Kgama's son Sekhoma causing dissension. This caused the chief to use his forces at home and tied down around 3000 Tswana men in Bechuanland that could have been used in the Transvaal.^[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.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

The unit resorted under the command of Group 14.

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.

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 Pietersburg Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonels	To
XXX	XXX	XXX
From	Commanding Officers	To
1996	Colonel Ferdi van Rooyen^[5]	2003
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To
XXX	XXX MMM JCD	XXX

References

^ Warwick, P. Black people and the south African war 1899-1902, Cambridge university press 1983 pp44
^ 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.
^ "End of an era for Col van Rooyen". 13 June 2018.