Cachet Commando

Cachet Commando
Cachet Commando emblem
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQPotchefstroom University

Cachet 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.

History[edit]

Origin[edit]

This commando was named in honour of Professor Jan Lion Cachet, whose students at Burgersdorp seminary rebelled and joined the Boer Forces.[1][2]

Operations[edit]

With the SADF[edit]

During this era, the commando was mainly tasked with area force protection, search and cordones and stock theft control assistance to the local police.

With the SANDF[edit]

Disbandment[edit]

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[3][4] 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.[5]

Unit Insignia[edit]

SADF era Cachet Commando insignia
SADF era Cachet Commando insignia

Leadership[edit]

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

References[edit]

  1. ^ "21 September 1912 | Prof. J.L. Cachet oorlede". 22 September 2018.
  2. ^ Jooste, G. Webster, R. Innocent Blood, Executions during the Anglo Boer War, Spearhead 2002 pp 45
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  5. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also[edit]