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Ciskei Defence Force

January 20, 2023

The Ciskei Defence Force (CDF) was established during March 1981 from the 141 Battalion of the South African Defence Force (SADF). It was the defence force of Ciskei, a bantustan that was controlled by the apartheid regime of South Africa. The CDF functioned as part of the 21 Battalion based near Lenasia, outside Johannesburg.[1]

Ciskei Defence Force
Flag of the CDF
Founded1981
DisbandedApril 1994
Service branches1st and 2nd Battalion
Air wing
HeadquartersJong'umsobomvu, outside King Williams Town
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefBrigadier General Oupa Gqozo
Personnel
Military age18-49
Deployed personnel2000 (1993)
Expenditures
BudgetR99 910 000 (1993)
Related articles
HistoryMilitary history of South Africa

Overview

In 1993 the total troop count of the CDF was 2000. The defence expenditure for Ciskei for 1991/2 was R76,883,000 and for the period of 1993/94 it was R99,910,000.[1]

Organisation and structure

According to Jakkie Cilliers, the CDF consisted of the following:

Defence Headquarters

Originally located at Jong'umsobomvu (outside King William's Town), however, in 1993 the CDF's headquarters moved to the Parliament Buildings in Bhisho. Jong'umsobomvu retained the following:[1]

  • Logistic Depot: including general equipment, uniforms, daily maintenance, rations, fuel, etc.
  • Maintenance and Construction Unit
  • Training Centre.

One Ciskei Battalion

The battalion consisted of 900 men and were stationed at Bhisho;[1] it consisted of:

  • 3 companies of which 2 had Mamba mine-protected vehicles
  • a small support company
  • a large Light Workshop Troop and signals workshops which served the whole of the CDF

Two Ciskei Battalion

The battalion consisted of 700 men and was stationed at Keiskammahoek;[1] it consisted of:

  • 3 companies with Mamba mine-protected vehicles
  • a small support company.

Air Wing

Situated at Bisho Airport a.k.a. Bulembu;[1] it consisted of:

There was a special forces/parachute company stationed at Bulembu, the core of a possible future parachute regiment. The Ciskei military band was also stationed at Bulembo and fell under the Air Wing for administrative purposes.[1]

Auxiliary

The CDF's auxiliary according to Jakkie Cilliers [1] consisted of, quote:

"The CDF had semi-permanent company bases at Alice and Kama/Whittlesea. There are also Auxiliary Services for which the CDF provided training and certain administrative functions. These Services are tasked with the protection of chiefs and headmen. These forces are controlled by structures within the Council of State. There is also a decentralised medical and signals element.

Ranks

Officers
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
  Ciskei Army[1]
                
Lieutenant general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Other
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
  Ciskei Army[1]
             No insignia
Chief warrant officer Warrant officer Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private

Equipment

The CDF was equipped for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations. The CDF had one 25 pounder field gun for ceremonial purposes and used R4/R5 assault rifles. The 7,62 mm Light Machine Gun issued was the SS-77. Other armaments included the 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and 7,62 mm Browning.

Vehicles included Mambas, Buffels, Samil 20, seven ton Isuzu trucks and 4x4 vehicles."[1]

Insignia

 
Ciskei Defence Force insignia

Medals

There were two medals awarded for service to the members of the CDF namely:

Disbandment

With the end of Apartheid in 1994 in South Africa, the former defence forces of the Bantustans were incorporated into the newly formed South African National Defence Force.

Flag

The Flag of Ciskei was located in the canton on a green background. On the green a large golden eagle clasped a lightning bolt.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cilliers, Jakkie (1993). . South African Defence Review (13). Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Ciskei (South African homeland)". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 2021-08-26.

Further reading

  • Gavin Cawthra and Martin Navias: The Ciskei Defence Force. Jane's Intelligence Review, February 1993, 94-96.

January 20, 2023
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The Ciskei Defence Force CDF was established during March 1981 from the 141 Battalion of the South African Defence Force SADF It was the defence force of Ciskei a bantustan that was controlled by the apartheid regime of South Africa The CDF functioned as part of the 21 Battalion based near Lenasia outside Johannesburg 1 Ciskei Defence ForceFlag of the CDFFounded1981DisbandedApril 1994Service branches1st and 2nd BattalionAir wingHeadquartersJong umsobomvu outside King Williams TownLeadershipCommander in ChiefBrigadier General Oupa GqozoPersonnelMilitary age18 49Deployed personnel2000 1993 ExpendituresBudgetR99 910 000 1993 Related articlesHistoryMilitary history of South Africa Contents 1 Overview 2 Organisation and structure 2 1 Defence Headquarters 2 2 One Ciskei Battalion 2 3 Two Ciskei Battalion 2 4 Air Wing 2 5 Auxiliary 3 Ranks 4 Equipment 5 Insignia 6 Medals 7 Disbandment 8 Flag 9 References 10 Further readingOverview EditIn 1993 the total troop count of the CDF was 2000 The defence expenditure for Ciskei for 1991 2 was R76 883 000 and for the period of 1993 94 it was R99 910 000 1 Organisation and structure EditAccording to Jakkie Cilliers the CDF consisted of the following Defence Headquarters Edit Originally located at Jong umsobomvu outside King William s Town however in 1993 the CDF s headquarters moved to the Parliament Buildings in Bhisho Jong umsobomvu retained the following 1 Logistic Depot including general equipment uniforms daily maintenance rations fuel etc Maintenance and Construction Unit Training Centre One Ciskei Battalion Edit The battalion consisted of 900 men and were stationed at Bhisho 1 it consisted of 3 companies of which 2 had Mamba mine protected vehicles a small support company a large Light Workshop Troop and signals workshops which served the whole of the CDFTwo Ciskei Battalion Edit The battalion consisted of 700 men and was stationed at Keiskammahoek 1 it consisted of 3 companies with Mamba mine protected vehicles a small support company Air Wing Edit Situated at Bisho Airport a k a Bulembu 1 it consisted of two Shorts Skyvan light transport aircraft for paratroopers and general air transport three MBB Kawasaki BK 117 helicopters three light fixed wing aircraft for communication flights etc Cessna 150 two Britten Norman Islanders for personnel and freight transport Piper CubThere was a special forces parachute company stationed at Bulembu the core of a possible future parachute regiment The Ciskei military band was also stationed at Bulembo and fell under the Air Wing for administrative purposes 1 Auxiliary Edit The CDF s auxiliary according to Jakkie Cilliers 1 consisted of quote The CDF had semi permanent company bases at Alice and Kama Whittlesea There are also Auxiliary Services for which the CDF provided training and certain administrative functions These Services are tasked with the protection of chiefs and headmen These forces are controlled by structures within the Council of State There is also a decentralised medical and signals element Ranks EditOfficersRank group General flag officers Field senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet Ciskei Army 1 vte Lieutenant general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenantOtherRank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted Ciskei Army 1 vte No insigniaChief warrant officer Warrant officer Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal PrivateEquipment EditThe CDF was equipped for counter insurgency COIN operations The CDF had one 25 pounder field gun for ceremonial purposes and used R4 R5 assault rifles The 7 62 mm Light Machine Gun issued was the SS 77 Other armaments included the 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher 60 mm and 81 mm mortars and 7 62 mm Browning Vehicles included Mambas Buffels Samil 20 seven ton Isuzu trucks and 4x4 vehicles 1 Insignia Edit Ciskei Defence Force insigniaMedals EditThere were two medals awarded for service to the members of the CDF namely Independence Medal Ciskei introduced in 1981 Ciskei Defence Medal introduced in 1988Disbandment EditWith the end of Apartheid in 1994 in South Africa the former defence forces of the Bantustans were incorporated into the newly formed South African National Defence Force Flag EditThe Flag of Ciskei was located in the canton on a green background On the green a large golden eagle clasped a lightning bolt 2 References Edit a b c d e f g h i j k Cilliers Jakkie 1993 An Overview of the Armed Forces of the TBVC Countries South African Defence Review 13 Archived from the original on 24 June 2016 Ciskei South African homeland www crwflags com Retrieved 2021 08 26 Further reading EditGavin Cawthra and Martin Navias The Ciskei Defence Force Jane s Intelligence Review February 1993 94 96 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ciskei Defence Force amp oldid 1088564424, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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