The Lions Head Commando was one of several 'urban commandos' which were established in 1962, when the Army's focus was on internal security.
Operations
With the SADF
During this era, the unit was mainly involved in area force protection, cordon and search operations assisting the local police and stock theft control.
The unit was organised under Group 1 Headquarters at Youngsfield part of Western Province Command.
With the SANDF
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.[1][2] 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 SecurityCharles Nqakula.[3]
Unit Insignia
SADF era Lions Head insignia
Note : the flash captioned "Lion's Head Commando shoulder flash Type 2" was designed and approved, and prototypes were made, but it was never worn.
Leadership
References
^Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)