116 Battalion

116 Battalion was a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.

116 Battalion
116 Battalion emblem
Active1986–1999
Country South Africa
Branch South African Army
TypeMotorised infantry
Part ofSouth African Army Infantry Corps
Garrison/HQMessina
Motto(s)Re Batho Batee Together we are one
EquipmentBuffel APC, Samil 20
Insignia
Company level insignia
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar

History

Origin of the black battalions

By the late 1970s the South African government had abandoned its opposition to arming black soldiers.[1]

By early 1979, the government approved a plan to form a number of regional African battalions, each with a particular ethnic identity, which would serve under regional SADF commands.

116 Battalion was raised in 1986 as an original platoon of only 14 men but expanded quickly. The first personnel consisted of former Rhodesian soldiers who had moved to South Africa and were mustered by the Intelligence Corps. The Battalion was then based in Messina.

64 Tsonga soldiers from 113 Battalion was also integrated in the newly formed Battalion. Recruitment was also done from the Lebowa Homeland to finally bring the Battalion up to strength.

Location of the 100 Battalions in relation to their respective homelands

Higher Command

116 Battalion initially resorted under Far North Command and finally with the Soutpansberg Military Area.[2]

Special Service Companies for Quick Reaction

116 Battalion, similar to the SWATF approach, also activated an immediate reaction force (Special Service Company) to deal with any attack and was primarily infantry company strength and fully motorised.

116 Battalion 907 Special Service Company

907 Special Service Company was formed from 116 Battalion's Bravo Company at Spence Shaft in 1986. 907 SSC was based at Madimbo and deployed on Buffels but converted to Cassspirs later.

Disbandment

116 Battalion was disbanded around 1999 as its main function of border control had been issued to the South African Police Service at that stage.

SADF 116 SAI Commemorative medallion

Insignia
SADF 116 SA Battalion complete insignia

Notes

    Peled, A. A question of Loyalty Military Manpower Policy in Multiethinic States, Cornell University Press, 1998, ISBN 0-8014-3239-1 Chapter 2: South Africa: From Exclusion to Inclusion

    References
    1. "Truth Commission - Special Report - TRC Final Report - Volume 2, Section 1, Chapter". sabctrc.saha.org.za. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
    2. http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/18829/dissertation_Matloa_AO.pdf;sequence=1
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