| Griqualand East Commando | |
|---|---|
 Griqualand East Commando Emblem | |
| Active | 1953- |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Kokstad · Cedarville |
Griqualand East Commando was alight infantryregiment of theSouth African Army. It formed part of theSouth African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
Griqualand East Commando can trace its origin to a Defence Rifle Association formed by a Captain Woods of theCape Mounted Rifles around 1884. Its primary aim was for the farming community to be able to defend themselves against hostile tribes that stole their cattle.
By 1948, the Griqualand East Rifle Association was formed to manage local area defence. In 1953, Mount Currie Rifle Association in Kokstad amalgamated with the Grqiualand East Rifle Association which saw the formation of the Commando inKokstad.
By 1984 however the commando moved toCedarville as a disused school had become available for accommodation.
Griqualand East Commando was responsible for the magisterial district of Mount Currie.
The commando was under the command of Natal Command from 1930 to 1950 but then placed under Eastern Province Command, this situation reverted again in 1960 due to the establishment of the Transkei.
The Freedom of the town of Kokstad was granted to the commando in 1993.
This unit, along with all otherCommando units was disbanded after a decision by South African PresidentThabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1][2] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to theMinister of Safety and SecurityCharles Nqakula.[3]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) | ThisSouth African military article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |