The SAAF Forum

Does anybody here know what unit the helmeted guy in the black and brown is from?

The unit is identified on the shoulder badge, unfortunately not visible, but the way he is dressed suggests Public Order Policing a.k.a. "Riot Squad".

From the little I can see definitely Task Force. Green jersey and camo uniform. This is the only unit in SAPS authorised to wear camo dress.

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There's no such thing as a good or bad gun. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a very dangerous thing. A gun in the hands of a good person is no danger to anyone except the bad guy.

It seems the Counter Assault Team of the Presidential Protection Unit now also wears camo. As seen at Parliament during the student march:

Members of the SAPS Presidential Protection Service are permitted to wear camouflage uniforms. I've seen photos of the deputy president's protection detail wearing a type of brown camouflage pattern and the Counter Assault Team with a grey urban scheme, which appears to be the one seen in the photo from Parliament.

Both schemes are unique to the PPS.

The PPS badge consists of a surrounding ring with the words 'Presidential Protection Service (or Unit, I can't tell) - South African Police Service', within which is a motif of three interlocking coats of arms with what appear to be spears reaching out between them, surround and protecting what looks like a protea.

Does anyone know the definitive answer about the distinction between the Presidential Protection Unit and Presidential Protection Service?

Darren, RtD et al:

Has the SAPS PPU Counter Assault Team changed its name? John Stupart over at Daily Maverick and other media are referring to them as SAPS PPU Alpha Group.

No, the Counter Assault Team remains active. However, the camouflage that officer is wearing is in line with that worn by the SAPS PPU close protection teams, not the urban grey scheme usually worn by the CAT.

We know that the various close protection units of the SAPS are named Alpha, Bravo, etc according to who is being protected, so this is likely to be accurate.

This is news to me. Never knew there were tactical Presidential Protection units, I thought they were STF and for some reason had changed their camo.

When were they formed and what are their primary duties?

That camouflage looks similar to that of the old Railway Police.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

I speak under correction, but my understanding is that they've been around for quite some time, as has the organisation into Alpha, Bravo, etc groups.

STF's camo remains the one they've always had, but these camo patterns for the PPS/PPU close protection teams and the CAT are fairly recent.


I agree, it does look like a scheme developed from the old SARP camo pattern.

Maybe someone discovered a stock of the fabric somewhere and decided to re-use it. I've seen "recycled" Rhodesian army cammo, often with an additional colour "overprinted" being used for civvy clothing for paintball and hunting.

It's possible, but it's not quite an exact match to anything I've seen before.