South African Constabulary

The South African Constabulary (SAC) between 1900 – 1908 was a military organisation disguised as a police force. The aim of this force was to have it take over after the South African War, in order to instill peace in the country. The British did not fully recognise the SAC as an army wing, regardless of the fact that it took on some military roles during its existence.

South African Constabulary
Country	South Africa
Type	Army Police
Decorations	Victorian Cross

Major-General Robert Baden-Powell, the first Inspector General of the South African Constabulary.

Establishment

The South African Constabulary (SAC) was a para-military police force raised by the British army during the South African War, also known as the Anglo-Boer War. The SAC was established in September 1900 after the siege of Mafikeng, and the intention was to take over from British troops once peace had been enforced in the Transvaal and the Orange River colonies. However, the war continued for longer than had been envisaged and the SAC became involved in combat rather than policing. On 22 October 1900, Lord Roberts issued a proclamation known as Proclamation 24 which gave rise to the SAC. At first, the force was organised in four divisions, with each being commanded by a colonel and one assistant. Three of the divisions were in the Transvaal and one in the Orange River Colony. Each division was subdivided into troops of 100 men, each commanded by a captain and lieutenant.

Operations

The first inspector general of the force was Major-General Robert Baden-Powell {1857-1941) who, earlier in the war, had been in command of British forces at the Siege of Mafeking. He was famous for his exceptional ability to organise the force from scratch in a short space of time. He managed to recruit a force from the two British colonies the Cape and Natal, which had at this time formed part of a united South Africa. Baden-Powel also recruited men from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Ceylon, England and Ireland. From the time the force was raised until the end of the war it was not able to undertake police duties, but was employed as a military force under the commander-in-chief, and was constantly engaged in field operations and on blockhouse lines. The SAC had a medical corporal for each troop of 100 men, whose function was first aid. There was a doctor allocated to any area where a number of troops might be stationed. South African Constabulary hospitals were established at each divisional headquarters. As the force gradually dispersed over the country in small detachments, it was necessary, as district surgeons and local civil hospitals were non-existent, to establish small South African Constabulary hospitals in the Districts.

End of War

Since the aim of the SAC was to instil peace after the war; soon after it had ended, orders were issued for the various troops to take up their positions in the different colonies as soon as they possibly could. In this way a network of posts and patrols was established in a very short space of time. With the SAC patrolling in every direction, including the Portuguese and Tongaland frontiers, they also visited all the farms at least once a week. By the beginning of August 1902, 28 districts, 64 sub-districts and 210 stations across South Africa, were occupied and the force had over 10 000 men. In November 1902, peace was restored and the size of the force was subsequently reduced to 6 000 men. In 1903, further reductions took place and 5 000 Europeans in the force were estimated. In 1905 – 1906, the number was again reduced to 4 000 men. During that period, a commission of enquiry was appointed which was to look into the administration and organisation of the force. The commission divided the force into two divisions in Transvaal and Orange River Colony – regarding police work. Titles were also changed from military characters to police; for example, captains became inspectors and lieutenants became sub-inspectors. During 1907-1908, further reductions were implemented. By May 1908, the force stood at 1 742 Europeans (1 068 from Transvaal and 674 from Orange River Colony). Baden-Powel also designed the uniform of the SAC which was less formal than that of the army. He also established scouting for boys and used the very same uniform, with khakhi shirt, shorts, a scarf and a broad-brimmed hat. The colours of the Scout emblem were gold and green, which were also used in the Transvaal.

Many members of the SAC made South Africa their permanent home. Records of these men are held at the National Archives of South Africa – giving comprehensive information including the physical description of the men, their date and place of birth, marital status, occupation, religion, and name and address of next of kin, including a list of promotions and transfers. The South African Constabulary was disbanded on 2 June 1908.

External links

• http://angloboerwarmuseum.com/Boer70zz8_poussette.html
• www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/boer/southafricaconstabulary_e.shtml
• www.angloboerwar.com/units/sac.htm
• www.angloboerwar.com/forces/army_canada.htm
• www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/boer/strathconahorse_e.shtml
• http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol121kk.html
• http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol155rw.html