Venda Defence Force:
All
* Balkie/Emblem does not exist or is unconfirmed
There are currently 6 Unit(s) in this selection
Air Wing of the Venda Defence Force
The Air Wing of the Venda Defence Force boasted two BK 117 helicopters, one Alloutte lll, one CASA 212 and a Cessna Citation for government use. Lt. col. Esterhuizen headed the Air Wing which was based at Two Battalion.
Military Headquarters of the Venda Defence Force
The Military Headquarters of the Venda Defence Force was at Sibasa and based on the SADF five-legged staff system with personnel, logistics, operations/training, finance, intelligence. The heads of all five staff divisions and the commander of the headquarters unit were seconded SADF officers.
One Battalion, “Manenu”
One Battalion, “Manenu”, had about 400 men in total, with 3 companies, and a support company which had, amongst other armaments, 81 mm mortars and machine guns as well as an anti-tank platoon. The Battalion was equipped with Buffel mine-protected vehicles and structured and trained for counter-insurgency duties, including area protection. It also acted in support of the police.
Two Battalion, “Maunavhathu”
Two Battalion, “Maunavhathu”, had about 600 men replete with a support company and a larger medical and technical support element. It was structured and trained for counter-insurgency duties, including area protection, and also acted in support of the police.
Venda Defence Force*
The VDF was formally established separately from the National Force on 27 September 1982 when 112 Battalion in Madimbo (which fell outside the Venda territory) was disbanded within the SADF and re-established in the form of One Venda Battalion at Manenu. At that stage the battalion consisted of three companies and was essentially a light infantry battalion. Two Venda Battalion was established 1985/86. This battalion was initially housed in temporary quarters until appropriate permanent bases were completed in 1986-7.
Vuwani Military Base
Vuwani Military Base of the Venda Defence Force