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116 Battalion was a motorised infantry unit of the
907 Special Service Company was formed from 116 Battalion's Bravo Company at Spence Shaft in 1986. 907 SSC was based at Madimbo and deployed on Buffels but converted to Cassspirs later.
South African Army
The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Service. ...
.
History
Origin of the black battalions
By the late 1970s the South African government had abandoned its opposition to arming black soldiers. By early 1979, the government approved a plan to form a number of regional African battalions, each with a particular ethnic identity, which would serve under regional SADF commands. 116 Battalion was raised in 1986 as an original platoon of only 14 men but expanded quickly. The first personnel consisted of former Rhodesian soldiers who had moved to South Africa and were mustered by the Intelligence Corps. The Battalion was then based in Messina. 64 Tsonga soldiers from113 Battalion
113 Battalion was a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
History Origin of the black battalions
By the late 1970s the South African government had abandoned its opposition to arming black soldiers.
In early 1979, the government ap ...
was also integrated in the newly formed Battalion. Recruitment was also done from the Lebowa Homeland to finally bring the Battalion up to strength.
Higher Command
116 Battalion initially resorted under Far North Command and finally with theSoutpansberg Military Area
The Soutpansberg Military Area (SMA) Headquarters was situated in Messina in the Northern Province of South Africa. The size of the area for which the SMA was responsible for was approximately .
History
After the independence of Zimbabwe and it ...
.
Special Service Companies for Quick Reaction
116 Battalion, similar to theSWATF
The South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) was an auxiliary arm of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and comprised the armed forces of South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1977 to 1989. It emerged as a product of South Africa's politic ...
approach, also activated an immediate reaction force (Special Service Company) to deal with any attack and was primarily infantry company strength and fully motorised.
907 Special Service Company was formed from 116 Battalion's Bravo Company at Spence Shaft in 1986. 907 SSC was based at Madimbo and deployed on Buffels but converted to Cassspirs later.
Disbandment
116 Battalion was disbanded around 1999 as its main function of border control had been issued to the South African Police Service at that stage.
Insignia
Notes
Peled, A. A question of Loyalty Military Manpower Policy in Multiethinic States, Cornell University Press, 1998, Chapter 2: South Africa: From Exclusion to InclusionReferences
{{SA Army Units Infantry battalions of South Africa Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War Military units and formations established in 1986 Military units and formations disestablished in 1999