[citation needed] During the Anglo Boer war this commando was known to have been commanded by a general at three different times.

Heidelberg Commando served in the Natal Campaign and took part in the Battles of Modderspruit, Colenso, Platrand and Spioenkop.

The Commando was sent to assist the Free Staters at Paardeberg where General Piet Cronje and his laager was trapped.

The objectives 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 commando was mainly tasked with area force protection, search and cordones and stock theft control assistance to the local police.

[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.