Boksburg Commando was a

light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...

regiment of the

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. ...

. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origin

The first Boksburg Commando was originally mobilised in 1899 and moved to the Transvaal border.

Operations

With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

When the Anglo Boer war was declared this commando crossed the border and occupied Newcastle in Natal. Under Commandant A.J. Dercksen, the Commando had a combined strength of 2,013 with the Germiston and Johannesburg Commandos. The commando fought at Sandspruit, Colenso, Hlangwane, Thukela, Pieter's Hill,

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, Lang's Nek, Donkerhoek, Komati Poort, Renosterkop, Helvetia, and in North Eastern Transvaal. Other operations in this era include: * Battle of Elandslaagte (1899) * Derailing of an armoured train near Colenso and capture of

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* Battle of Colenso (1899) * Battle of Spion Kop (1900) * Battle of Bergendal (1900)

Under the Union Defence Force

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

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

=Rebellion Leaders

= General C.F. Muller, a previous member of the Boksburg Commando, was one of the 1915 rebellion leaders.

Under the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordons as well as other assistance to the local police. As an urban unit, this commando was also tasked with protecting strategic facilities as well as quelling township riots especially during the State of Emergency in the 1980s.

Under 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 Charles Nqakula (born 13 September 1942) is a South African politician who served as Minister of Defence from September 2008 to 2009. He also served as Minister for Safety and Security from May 2002 to September 2008. Nqakula is married to fo ...

Unit Insignia

SADF era insignia