Brakpan Commando

Brakpan Commando
Brakpan Commando emblem
Founded	1922 (1922)
Disbanded	February 14, 2003 (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.

Operations

Rebel Commando

During the revolt, this commando massacred 8 opposing mine officials and special constables. The leader at that time, John Garsworthy 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.

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. 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.

Unit 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