Founded 1981 Military age 18-49 | Disbanded April 1994 | |
 | ||
Service branches 1st and 2nd BattalionAir wing Headquarters Jong'umsobomvu, outside King Williams Town Commander-in-Chief Brigadier General Oupa Gqozo | ||
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 the Republic of Ciskei, an independent bantustan during the Apartheid era of South Africa. It functioned as part of the 21 Battalion based near Lenasia, outside Johannesburg.
Contents
Overview
In 1993 the total troop count of the CDF was 2000. The defence expenditure for Ciskei for 1991/2 was R76,883,000 and for the period of 1993/94 it was R99,910,000.
Organisation and structure
According to Dr Jakkie Cilliers the CDF consisted of the following:
Defence Headquarters
Originally 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:
One Ciskei Battalion
The battalion consisted of 900 men and were stationed at Bhisho; it consisted of:
Two Ciskei Battalion
The battalion consisted of 700 men and was stationed at Keiskammahoek; it consisted of:
Air Wing
Situated at Bisho Airport a.k.a. Bulembu; 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.
Auxiliary
The CDF's auxiliary according to Dr Jakkie Cilliers 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.
Equipment
The CDF is equipped for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations. The CDF has one 88 mm field gun for ceremonial purposes and uses R4/R5 assault rifles. The 7,62 mm Light Machine Gun issued is the SS-77. Other armaments include the 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and 7,62 mm Browning.
Vehicles include Mambas, Buffels, Samil 20, seven ton Isuzu trucks and 4x4 vehicles."
Medals
There were two medals awarded for service to the members of the CDF namely:
Disbandment
With 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.
Flag
The Flag of Ciskei is located in the canton on a green background. On the green a large golden eagle clasps a lightning bolt.