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Hartbeesfontein Commando

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Hartbeesfontein Commando
Hartbeesfontein Commando emblem
Active1954-2006
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 30
Garrison/HQHartbeesfontein

Hartbeesfontein 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

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Origin

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Operations

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With the SADF

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The unit resorted under the command of Group 30.

During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordons as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

With the SANDF

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Disbandment
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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

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SADF era Hartebeespoort Commando insignia
SADF era Hartebeespoort Commando insignia

Leadership

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Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
1954 Commandant G.B. Du Plessis 1964
1964 Commandant C.W. De Klerk Swanepoel 1971
1980 Commandant J.A. Pretorius 1990
1990 Lt Colonel F.J.S. De Klerk 1995
1995 Lt Colonel J.P. Hamman 2002
2002 Lt Colonel J. Lemmer 2006
From Regimental Sergeants Major To

References

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  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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  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

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