| Pongola Commando | |
|---|---|
 Pongola Commando emblem | |
| Disbanded | February 14, 2003 (22 years ago) (2003-02-14) |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Pongola |
Pongola Commando was alight infantryregiment of theSouth African Army and was based in the town ofPongola. It formed part of theSouth African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
This unit was created by merging the Pongola Company of the Piet Retief Commando with the North Coast Commando on 17 October 1970.[1]
Under the SADF, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
During severeTropical Storm Domoina in 1984, the unit provided civil protection support through establishing a communication network, by distributing much needed food and emergency supplies, and a range of othercivil defence measures.[1][2]
This unit, along with all otherCommando units, was phased out between 2003 and 2008 following a decision by South African PresidentThabo Mbeki.[3][4] According to the thenMinister of Safety and Security,Charles Nqakula, the decision formed part of a national process to abolish the commando system and to establish new structures for local security.[5]
The unit's insignia features a barrel or vat, a design inspired by the town's name, which is derived from the uPhongolo River, itself named after the isiZulu word for barrel, vat, trough, or cask.[6][7]
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1970 | Comdt N.J. Robertse | 1978 |
| 1978 | Comdt J. Bezuidenhout | 1980 |
| August 1980 | ComdtJhr. L.J.S. ChanguionSM DTM | March 1985 |
| 1985 | Comdt C. Rudolph | 1989 |
| 1989 | Comdt D. Barnard | ? |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
The unit's commanding officers listed above generally held the rank ofcommandant.[1]
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