UNIFORMS
The original uniform of Koevoet in 1979 was the SA Police Camouflage uniform worn by members of the South African Police deployed on counter-insurgency duty in the operational area. Whilst out on patrol members would wear a mixture of uniform that suited the conditions, as it was the policy of the SA Police to issue a member with only two camouflage long sleeve shirts, two long trousers, an jacket, scarf and bush hat or cap with a police badge that was sown onto the cap or bush hat. The mixed uniforms worn by members of Koevoet in the field ranged from Rhodesian camouflage to SAP issued “Howard” green t-shirts and denim shorts. Some members would have their long camouflage trousers shortened. The footwear was the original SA Police leather boot, but was later replaced with khaki Israeli Scout boots.
Headgear was the official SA Police camouflage cap or bush hat, but members on patrol started wearing what a mixture of caps. A favourite was a cap based on the Portuguese swallow tail camoe cap, but made from Cuban camoe. These caps were made to order by Owambo females working at the Koevoet base at Ongwediva, and they had a roaring trade. Some members especially the Owambo trackers preferred wearing the SA Police camouflage beret which was rather scarce.
Maj. Gen. Dreyer preferred wearing his Rhodesian camouflage cap with his SA Police camouflage uniform.
After the establishment of the Southwest African Police (SWAPOL) in 1981, Koevoet members of SWAPOL and the Owambo trackers were issued with the SWAPOL camouflage uniform and SWAPOL followed the same SAP policy regarding the issue of these uniforms. This uniform was also a hit with the SAP members of Koevoet, and soon everybody ensured that they had at least one full set of SWAPOL camoe. This added to the mixture of uniform worn by members of Koevoet in the veldt.
With the international politics as it was, the Koevoet Unit was placed under the control of the SWA Police and was officially referred to as SWAPOL-TIN. Koevoet HQ decided that the Koevoet unit should be issued with their own unique uniform and by the end of 1984 members of Koevoet were issued with the unique Koevoet green uniform. In the beginning this was not a popular choice of uniform. The uniform came out in long and short sleeve shirts and trousers as well as anti-infrared uniforms and green canvas boots. Headgear consisted out of Green Beret with a metal or cloth SWAPOL badge, or a green bush hat or cap with the cloth SWAPOL badge. For the winter green balaclavas were issued to members of Koevoet.
With the implementation of UN Resolution 435 and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement at the end of 1988, Koevoet was deployed into normal policing and the members of Koevoet wore the grey SWAPOL field uniform and rank insignia when on patrol. The headgear consisted of a grey SWAPOL cap or bush at with a cloth SWAPOL badge. Members who were qualified by the SWAPOL Task Force also wore the black SWAPOL Beret with their grey uniform.
