Pongola Commando

Pongola Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army and was based in the town of Pongola. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

Origin
This unit was created by merging the Pongola Company of the Piet Retief Commando with the North Coast Commando on 17 October 1970.

With the SADF
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 severe Tropical 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 other civil defence measures.

Disbandment
This unit, along with all other Commando units, was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki. A variety of reasons were given for the Commando system to be phased out between 2003 and 2008. This included "the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.

Leadership
The unit's commanding officers listed above generally held the rank of commandant.