Wepener Commando
Wepener 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.
| Wepener Commando | |
|---|---|
 Wepener Commando emblem | |
| Disbanded | March 14, 2003 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Wepener |
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History
Origin
This commando was named in honour of Commandant Louw Wepener, a boer leader from the Basotho wars.[1][2]
During the Anglo Boer War
The commando was involved in the Anglo Boer War most notable being:
- the battle of Biddulphberg in 1900.[3]
With the UDF
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.
With the SADF
During this era, the commando was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
The unit was also used for border protection with Lesotho.
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.[4][5] 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.[6]
Unit Insignia
Leadership
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1900 | Commandant Paul Roux | nd |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
References
- "Kommandant Louw Wepener (1812 – 1865)" (PDF). Historia Junior (in Afrikaans). Historiese Genootskap van Suid-Afrika. 36: 3–6. November 1965. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- "Comdt Louw Wepener (53) is killed in combat during an attack on Moshesh at Thaba Bosigo in the Free State". South African History Online.
- "The Battle of Biddulphsberg". Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.