Insele Commando

Insele Commando
Insele Commando
	Insele Commando insignia
Disbanded	February 14, 2003 (22 years ago)
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	Empangeni
Motto(s)	Protegimus (Protect)

Insele 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

Origins

Originally named Empangeni/Richards Bay Commando.

Operations

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

The unit was renamed Insele Commando on 2 March 1981.

Its headquarters was located at Empangeni.

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.^[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]

Unit Insignia

Leadership

References

^ van Stade, Col L B (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF. Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
^ "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.