Rouxville Commando

Rouxville Commando
Rouxville Commando
Active	1899-2003
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Orange Free State Republic; Union of South Africa; 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	Rouxville, Free State

Rouxville 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

With the Orange Free State Republic

Rouxville Commando was with General de Wet during the battle of Sanna's Post outside Bloemfontein when seven guns and 117 wagons were captured from the British.

See: Battle of Sanna's Post

With the UDF

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.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly involved in area force protection, cordones and search operations assisting the local police and stock theft control.

With the SANDF

Amalgamation

By 1997, Rouxville Commando amalgamated with Zastron Commando.

Disbandment

This combined unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.^[1]^[2] 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.^[3]

Leadership

Leadership
From	Honorary Colonels	To
From	Commanding Officers	To
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To

Commandant J.H. Olivier 1899
Commandant P.H. Kritzinger 1900

References

^ 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.