Johannesburg East 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 Johannesburg East Defence Association was raised on 4 November 1924 under Government Gazette 24/1064 with its headquarters in Johan Rissik School in

Troyeville Troyeville is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a small suburb found on the eastern edge of the Johannesburg central business district (CBD), with the suburbs of New Doornfontein, Bertrams and Lorentzville to the north, Fairview to ...

Operations

With the UDF

By 1950 the association was renamed as the Johannesburg East Commando.

With the SADF

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 18. 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.

=Commando to Regiment

= In 1979 however the unit was renamed the Johannesburg South Commando and by 1983, the unit finally renamed again as the Johannesburg South Regiment. SADF era Regiment Johannesburg South commemorative letter

SADF era Regiment Johannesburg South commemorative letter

The regiment developed into an urban counter insurgency unit, but was also involved in border duty. This was the only regiment under the command of Group 18 HQ.

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 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

The units symbol was a black stallion reminiscent of the horse commandos of the Boer armies. The gold background symbolised the gold mining industry of the area.

Leadership

* Cmdt. Johannes Petrus Frederik Kirsten -1966 * Cmdt. Adriaan Jacobus Viljoen 1966 - 1976 * Cmdt G.J. Gees 1985-