| Boksburg Commando | |
|---|---|
 Boksburg Commando emblem | |
| Founded | September 27, 1899 |
| Disbanded | February 14, 2003 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Boksburg |
Boksburg 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.
The first Boksburg Commando was originally mobilised in 1899 and moved to the Transvaal border. [1]
When the Anglo Boer war was declared this commando crossed the border and occupied Newcastle in Natal. [2]
Under Commandant A.J. Dercksen, the Commando had a combined strength of 2,013 with the Germiston and Johannesburg Commandos.
The commando fought at Sandspruit, Colenso, Hlangwane, Thukela, Pieter's Hill, Driefontein, Lang's Nek, Donkerhoek, Komati Poort, Renosterkop, Helvetia, and in North Eastern Transvaal. [3] : 12, 17
Other operations in this era include:
By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.
By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.
By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.
These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.
General C.F. Muller, a previous member of the Boksburg Commando, was one of the 1915 rebellion leaders. [5]
During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordons as well as other assistance to the local police.
As an urban unit, this commando was also tasked with protecting strategic facilities as well as quelling township riots especially during the State of Emergency in the 1980s.
This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units. [6] [7] 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. [8]
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1900 | Field General G. Gravett | nd |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
The Boer Commandos or "Kommandos" were volunteer military units of guerilla militia organized by the Boer people of South Africa. From this came the term "commando" into the English language during the Second Boer War of 1899-1902 as per Costica Andrew.
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