Hay Commando

Hay 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.

Origin
As an isolated border town in the Cape Colony, Hay was allowed to protect itself from attack.

Republican Rebels
During the Anglo Boer War approximately 1000 commandos from this district sided with the Orange Free State and ZAR republics.

With the SADF
During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordons as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

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. 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.