Brakpan Commando
Brakpan Commando emblem
Founded 1922 (104 years ago) (1922)
Disbanded February 14, 2003 (23 years ago) (2003-02-14)
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
  • 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
Garrison/HQ Brakpan, Gauteng

Brakpan 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

This unit was established in 1922 during the Rand Revolt as a rebel commando under "General" R.B. Waterston to help the striking miners.[1]: 123 

Operations

Rebel Commando

During the revolt, this commando massacred 8 opposing mine officials and special constables. The leader at that time, John Garsworthy[2] was sentenced to death but this was later commuted.

With the UDF

The commando that had started as a communist rebel movement was eventually incorporated as a normal commando of the Union Defence Force.[3]

With the SADF

During the SADF period, this unit resorted under Group 16 in Marievale.

During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordons as well as other assistance to the local police.

As an urban unit, this commando was also tasked with protecting strategic facilities as well as quelling township riots especially during the State of Emergency in the 1980s.

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.[4][5] 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.[6]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Brakpan Commando insignia
SADF era Brakpan Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
1982 Lt Col A. W. Nel 2002
2002 Lt Col R.N. Steele 2005
From Regimental Sergeant Major To
2002 WO1 L. Brooke MMM JCD nd
2002 WO1 A.B. Boone MMM JCD 2004

See also

  • South African Commando System

References

  1. ^ Van der Poel, Jean (2007). "Selections from the Smuts Papers: Volume 5, September 1919-November 1934". In Hancock, William Keith (ed.). Volume 5 of Selections from the Smuts Papers (reprint, annotated ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521033688.
  2. ^ "Rand Rebellion 1922". South African History Online. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  3. ^ "OCTOBER 2007 newsletter - Cape Town - South African Military History Society - Title page". samilitaryhistory.org. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  4. ^ van Stade, Col L B (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  5. ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  6. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.