Amatola 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 Colony Frontier Wars The Ngqika Rebellion On 31 December 1877 martial law was proclaimed in the districts of Komgha and Stutterheim and on 3 January 1878 the Burgher Act was published which enabled government to call out burgher commandos.152-637-1-PB.pdf
Operations With the Cape Colony
With the UDF
With the SADF During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordons as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
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. 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.
Unit Insignia
Leadership
References
See also South African Commando System