Piet Retief Commando

Piet Retief Commando
Piet Retief Commando emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army   South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ	Piet Retief, Mpumalanga

Piet Retief 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.

History

Origin

This Commando has its origins prior to the Anglo Boer War protecting the community of Piet Retief from incursions from Swaziland.

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

Defence of the ZAR border February 1900: The task of defending the eastern line became the responsibility of General Lucas Meyer, with the Vryheid, Utrecht, Swaziland, Piet Retief, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp and Middelburg commandos under his command.

With the SADF

During this era the unit was mainly used for area force protection, cordon and searches, as well as stock theft control assistance to the local police.

The unit resorted under the command of Group 12. ^[1]

With the SANDF

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. ^{[2] [3]} 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. ^{[4] [5]}

Leadership

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonel	To
From	Officer Commanding	To
c. 1900	Cmdt Engelbrecht	c.
c.	Cmdt Kohlmeyer	c.
c.	Cmdt Hinze	c.
c.	Cmdt Labushagne	c.
c.	Cmdt Pretorius	c.
c.	Cmdt Meulke	c.
c.	Cmdt Johannes	c.
c.	Maj Bruwer	c.
c.	Maj van Wyk	c.
c.	Lt Col Trebel	c.

See also

• South Africa portal

• South African Commando System

References

1. Volker, Walter (2012). Piet Retief Commando, the story of a border commando 1880-2007.
2. Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
3. "About the Commando system" . Retrieved 17 January 2008.
4. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'" . Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
5. "Ten Years Since the Closure of Piet Retief Commando". Mpumalanga News - Excelsior. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2021.