Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Vereeniging Commando

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Active
  
c. 1921–2006

Type
  
Infantry

Country
  
South Africa

Role
  
Light Infantry

Vereeniging Commando

Allegiance
  
Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa

Branch
  
South African Army  South African Army

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.

Contents

Formation

The Vereeniging Commando was formed in 1921 as a Shooting Commando and its first Commander was Lt Col Karel Rood. The Shooting Commando received its official status as a Commando in 1957 and in 1961 received its first Citizen Force members.

Freedom of Entry

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

National Colours

On the 16 August 1991, the commanding officer Cmdt J.C. Kruger, accepted the award of National Colours on behalf of the unit.

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. 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.

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.

References

Vereeniging Commando Wikipedia