Koppies Commando

Koppies Commando
Koppies Commando emblem
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, Group 24
Garrison/HQ	Koppies

Koppies 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

With the SADF

During this era, this commando was mainly used for area force protection, cordones and search as well as assisting the police in stock theft control.^{[citation needed]}

The resorted under the command of Group 24.^{[citation needed]}

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

SADF era Koppies Commando insignia

Leadership

See also

• South Africa portal

• South African Commando System

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.