Vereeniging Commando

Vereeniging Commando
Active	c. 1921–2006
Disbanded	29 September 2006
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Union Defence Force 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, Group 17
Garrison/HQ	Vereeniging
Mottos	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

Origin

The Vereeniging Commando was formed in 1921 as a Shooting Commando and its first Commander was Lt Col Karel Rood.

Operations

With the UDF

The Shooting Commando received its official status as a Commando in 1957 and in 1961 received its first Citizen Force members.

With the SADF

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

The Commando received the Freedom of Entry to the city of Vereeniging on 14 February 1976.

National Colours

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

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]

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

Insignia

• 
  Cravat
• 
  Flash
• 
  Tupper Flashes
• 
  Lanyard
• 
  Stable Belt
• 
  Unit Flag

Leadership

Leadership

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

1. 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.
2. "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
3. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

• South African Commando System

• South Africa portal