Cately Commando

{{Infobox military unit

|unit_name= Gately Commando

|image=SADF era Cately Commando emblem.jpg

|image_size=160px

|caption=Gately Commando emblem

|dates=

|country= {{ZAF}}

|allegiance={{plainlist|

{{flag|South Africa|1928|name=Republic of South Africa}}
{{flag|South Africa|1994|name=Republic of South Africa}}

}}

|branch={{plainlist|

{{army|South Africa|1981}}
{{army|South Africa|1994}}

}}

|type= Infantry

|role= Light Infantry

|size= One Battalion

|command_structure=South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 8

|garrison= Gately Suburb East London, South Africa

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Gately 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

=Origin=

This commando was established in East London on 29 February 1984. Its headquarters was situated in Cately street.

=Operations=

==With the SADF==

During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the local police.

The unit resorted under the command of Group 8.

==With the SANDF==

===Amalgamation and final Disbandment===

The unit was later disbanded and its personnel were amalgamated with the East London Commando.

Eventually this new unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.{{cite web|url=http://www.issafrica.org/Pubs/ASR/6No2/VanStade.html |title=Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge |access-date=5 March 2015 |year=1997 |author=Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316204323/https://issafrica.org/pubs/asr/6no2/vanstade.html |archive-date=16 March 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/rural_safety/eng/pages/no2e.htm |title=About the Commando system |access-date=2008-01-17 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206150052/http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/rural_safety/eng/pages/no2e.htm |archive-date=2007-12-06 }} 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.{{cite web|last1=de Lange|first1=Deon|title=South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200805290408.html|work=Cape Argus|access-date=5 March 2015|url-access=subscription }}

Unit Insignia

File:SADF era Gately Commando insignia.jpg