The objective was to defeat striking commandos at a steel factory and then move into the rest of the town.

The attack on the steel factory was supported by artillery fire from two positions, which contributed to the striker commandos being dislodged.

[3] During this era, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordons as well as other assistance to the local police.

As an urban unit, this commando was also tasked with protecting strategic facilities as well as quelling township riots especially during the State of Emergency in the 1980s.

[4][5] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.