The Disbandment of the Apartheid SADF 31 Battalion
On 7 March 1993, the apartheid South African Defence Force’s (SADF) 31 Battalion was disbanded at a public ceremony in the Cape Province. About 1 000 soldiers were transferred to other units in the Northern Cape to help patrol the Namibian border. This Battalion was composed primarily of the San tribes (namely the Khwe and !Xun, the Baraquenas from Cuando-Cubango region of Angola and the Vasquelas from the Southern regions of Angola and north-eastern Namibia) who had been deployed in South African townships and who fought in the war in Namibia.
Apartheid President FW de Klerk announced that it would be disbanded as part of the efforts to end violence in South Africa, as they were allegedly involved in vigilante activities across the country, since the Battalion consisted of highly trained killers. However, when questioned about the motive behind the disbandment, the Deputy Chief of the apartheid South African Army, Major General Bertie Botha, insisted that there were no political reasons behind the move, but it was intended as a cost cutting exercise, since there were massive cuts in the military budget. According to General Botha, there was no longer a need for distinct Special Forces units, and the priority for the future were Rapid Deployment Units to emphasise South Africa’s position as a regional power and provide the ability to project power when and where necessary.
31 Battalion was formed by Colonel Delvi
