The South African Defence Force's (SADF) 31st Battalion was disbanded at a public ceremony in the Cape Province. This Battalion was composed primarily of the San (Bushmen) battalion who had been deployed in South African townships and who fought in the war in Namibia. President F. W. 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. The Battalion allegedly dispersed trained killers. The 1,000 soldiers were to be transferred to other units in the Northern Cape and would help patrol the Namibian border. The 31st Bushman Battalion was relocated, along with 32 Battalion, in South Africa.
eventREF E-0148983Verified
Event record
SADF's 31 Battallion is disbanded
- Updated
- 22 Aug 2019
South African History Online. (2019, August 22). SADF's 31 Battallion is disbanded. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148983
South African History Online (2019) 'SADF's 31 Battallion is disbanded', South African History Online, 22 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148983 (Accessed: 8 October 2026).
South African History Online, SADF's 31 Battallion is disbanded [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148983, (accessed 8 October 2026).
"SADF's 31 Battallion is disbanded." South African History Online, 22 Aug. 2019, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148983. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "SADF's 31 Battallion is disbanded." South African History Online. August 22, 2019. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0148983.
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