| Modderfontein Commando | |
|---|---|
 Modderfontein Industrial Commando emblem | |
| Founded | 1969 |
| 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 | Modderfontein, Johannesburg |
Modderfontein 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.
Modderfontein Commandos were tasked with the protection of the Modderfontein Dynamite Factory, South Africa's biggest manufacturer of explosives.
In 1969, the Modderfontein Dynamite Factory was placed under the protection of the Republic Defence Force (SADF).[ clarification needed ][ sentence fragment ] Before that era, the factory was protected by a unit of the National Volunteer Battalion (NVB) that was made up of "keymen" and other volunteers. In 1946 the NVB units were retired.
Modderfontein Commando was initially formed as an urban commando unit but was restructured in the early 1980s into an industrial commando unit tasked with protecting the complex at Modderfontein. Specialized personnel allocated to the commando was largely drawn from men working for AECI who had a military commitment.[ citation needed ]
The Commando was structured into a headquarter with four companies.[ citation needed ]
This unit, along with all other Commando units, were disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki. [1] [2] According to the Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, [3] the Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era."
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