Vereeniging Commando
| Vereeniging Commando | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | c. 1921–2006 |
| Disbanded | 29 September 2006 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 17 |
| Garrison/HQ | Vereeniging |
| Motto(s) | ENSE ET ARATRO Serving in War and Peace (Afrikaans: Dien in Oorlog en Vrede) |
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.
History
[edit]Origin
[edit]The Vereeniging Commando was formed in 1921 as a Shooting Commando and its first Commander was Lt Col Karel Rood.
Operations
[edit]With the UDF
[edit]The Shooting Commando received its official status as a Commando in 1957 and in 1961 received its first Citizen Force members.
With the SADF
[edit]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
[edit]The Commando received the Freedom of Entry to the city of Vereeniging on 14 February 1976.
National Colours
[edit]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
[edit]Disbandment
[edit]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
[edit]-
Cravat -
Flash -
Tupper Flashes -
Lanyard -
Stable Belt -
Unit Flag
Leadership
[edit]| 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
[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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