Neha Patil (Editor)

Ciskei Defence Force

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Founded
  
1981

Military age
  
18-49

Disbanded
  
April 1994

Ciskei Defence Force

Service branches
  
1st and 2nd Battalion Air 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:

  • Logistic Depot: including general equipment, uniforms, daily maintenance, rations, fuel, etc.
  • Maintenance and Construction Unit
  • Training Centre.

    • One Ciskei Battalion

    The battalion consisted of 900 men and were stationed at Bhisho; it consisted of:

  • 3 companies of which 2 had Mamba mine-protected vehicles
  • a small support company
  • a large Light Workshop Troop and signals workshops which served the whole of the CDF

    • Two Ciskei Battalion

    The battalion consisted of 700 men and was stationed at Keiskammahoek; it consisted of:

  • 3 companies with Mamba mine-protected vehicles
  • a small support company.

    • Air Wing

    Situated at Bisho Airport a.k.a. Bulembu; it consisted of:

  • two Skyvan light transport aircraft for paratroopers and general air transport
  • three MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 helicopters
  • three light fixed wing aircraft for communication flights, etc. (Cessna 150)
  • two Islander for personnel and freight transport
  • Piper Cub

    • 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:

  • Independence Medal (Ciskei), introduced in 1981
  • Ciskei Defence Medal, introduced in 1988

    • 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.

    References

    Ciskei Defence Force Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA