Ciskei Defence Force

The Ciskei Defence Force (CDF) was established during March 1981 from the 141 Battalion of the South African Defence Force (SADF). It was the defence force of Ciskei, a bantustan that was controlled by the apartheid regime of South Africa. The CDF functioned as part of the 21 Battalion based near Lenasia, outside Johannesburg.[1]

Ciskei Defence Force
Flag of the CDF
Founded1981
DisbandedApril 1994
Service branchesOne Ciskei Battalion
Two Ciskei Battalion
Air Wing
HeadquartersJong'umsobomvu (outside King Williams Town)
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefBrigadier General Oupa Gqozo
Personnel
Military age18–49
Deployed personnel2,000 (1993)
Expenditures
BudgetR99,910,000
Related articles
HistoryMilitary history of South Africa
RanksMilitary ranks of Ciskei

Overview

In 1993 the total troop count of the CDF was 2,000. The defence expenditure for Ciskei for 1991/2 was R76,883,000 and for the period of 1993/94 it was R99,910,000.[1]

Organisation and structure

According to Jakkie Cilliers, the CDF consisted of the following:

Headquarters

Originally located at Jong'umsobomvu (outside King William's Town), however, in 1993 the CDF's headquarters moved to the Parliament Buildings in Bhisho. Jong'umsobomvu retained the following:[1]

  • Logistic Depot: including general equipment, uniforms, daily maintenance, rations, fuel, etc.
  • Maintenance and Construction Unit
  • Training Centre.

One Ciskei Battalion

The battalion consisted of 900 men and were stationed at Bhisho;[1] it consisted of:

  • 3 companies of which 2 had Mamba mine-protected vehicles
  • a small support company
  • a large Light Workshop Troop and signals workshops which served the whole of the CDF

Two Ciskei Battalion

The battalion consisted of 700 men and was stationed at Keiskammahoek;[1] it consisted of:

  • 3 companies with Mamba mine-protected vehicles
  • a small support company.

Air Wing

Situated at Bisho Airport a.k.a. Bulembu;[1] it consisted of:

There was a special forces/parachute company stationed at Bulembu, the core of a possible future parachute regiment. The Ciskei military band was also stationed at Bulembo and fell under the Air Wing for administrative purposes.[1]

Auxiliary

The CDF's auxiliary according to Jakkie Cilliers [1] consisted of, quote:

"The CDF had semi-permanent company bases at Alice and Kama/Whittlesea. There are also Auxiliary Services for which the CDF provided training and certain administrative functions. These Services are tasked with the protection of chiefs and headmen. These forces are controlled by structures within the Council of State. There is also a decentralised medical and signals element.

Ranks
Main article: Comparative military ranks of apartheid states in southern Africa
Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Ciskei Army[1]
Lieutenant general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Other
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Ciskei Army[1]
 No insignia
Chief warrant officer Warrant officer Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private

Equipment

The CDF was equipped for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations. The CDF had one 25 pounder field gun for ceremonial purposes and used R4/R5 assault rifles. The 7,62 mm Light Machine Gun issued was the SS-77. Other armaments included the 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and 7,62 mm Browning.

Vehicles included Mambas, Buffels, Samil 20, seven ton Isuzu trucks and 4x4 vehicles."[1]

Insignia
Ciskei Defence Force insignia

Medals

These were the medals awarded by the Ciskei authorities, primarily to members of the CDF:

Disbandment

With the end of Apartheid in 1994 in South Africa, the former defence forces of the Bantustans were incorporated into the newly formed South African National Defence Force.

Flag

The Flag of Ciskei was located in the canton on a green background. On the green a large golden eagle clasped a lightning bolt.[2]

Notes
  1. Introduced in 1988
  2. Introduced in 1981

References
  1. Cilliers, Jakkie (1993). "An Overview of the Armed Forces of the TBVC Countries". South African Defence Review (13). Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
  2. "Ciskei (South African homeland)". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 26 August 2021.

Further reading
  • Gavin Cawthra and Martin Navias: The Ciskei Defence Force. Jane's Intelligence Review, February 1993, 94-96.
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