Ciskei Defence Force
The Ciskei Defence Force (CDF) was established during March 1981 from the 141 Battalion of the South African Defence Force (SADF). It was the defence force of Ciskei, a bantustan that was controlled by the apartheid regime of South Africa. The CDF functioned as part of the 21 Battalion based near Lenasia, outside Johannesburg.[1] OverviewIn 1993 the total troop count of the CDF was 2,000. The defence expenditure for Ciskei for 1991/2 was R76,883,000 and for the period of 1993/94 it was R99,910,000.[1] Organisation and structureAccording to Jakkie Cilliers, the CDF consisted of the following: HeadquartersOriginally located at Jong'umsobomvu (outside King William's Town), however, in 1993 the CDF's headquarters moved to the Parliament Buildings in Bhisho. Jong'umsobomvu retained the following:[1]
One Ciskei BattalionThe battalion consisted of 900 men and were stationed at Bhisho;[1] it consisted of:
Two Ciskei BattalionThe battalion consisted of 700 men and was stationed at Keiskammahoek;[1] it consisted of:
Air WingSituated at Bisho Airport a.k.a. Bulembu;[1] it consisted of:
There was a special forces/parachute company stationed at Bulembu, the core of a possible future parachute regiment. The Ciskei military band was also stationed at Bulembo and fell under the Air Wing for administrative purposes.[1] AuxiliaryThe CDF's auxiliary according to Jakkie Cilliers [1] consisted of, quote: "The CDF had semi-permanent company bases at Alice and Kama/Whittlesea. There are also Auxiliary Services for which the CDF provided training and certain administrative functions. These Services are tasked with the protection of chiefs and headmen. These forces are controlled by structures within the Council of State. There is also a decentralised medical and signals element. Ranks
EquipmentThe CDF was equipped for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations. The CDF had one 25 pounder field gun for ceremonial purposes and used R4/R5 assault rifles. The 7,62 mm Light Machine Gun issued was the SS-77. Other armaments included the 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and 7,62 mm Browning. Vehicles included Mambas, Buffels, Samil 20, seven ton Isuzu trucks and 4x4 vehicles."[1] Insignia MedalsThese were the medals awarded by the Ciskei authorities, primarily to members of the CDF:
DisbandmentWith the end of Apartheid in 1994 in South Africa, the former defence forces of the Bantustans were incorporated into the newly formed South African National Defence Force. FlagThe Flag of Ciskei was located in the canton on a green background. On the green a large golden eagle clasped a lightning bolt.[2] NotesReferences
Further reading
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