| Country: | Angola |
| Details of Formation: | In 1983 Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of Angola, signed a decree approving the statutes of the People’s Vigilante Brigades as well as the creation of a national Department of the People’s Vigilante Brigades under the Ministry of Provincial Coordination. |
| Details of Termination: | In 1986, many members of the People’s Vigilante Brigades deserted to join UNITA rebels, but others stayed loyal. The PGM is last mentioned in 1989. |
| Purpose: | Upon foundation, the purpose was stated to be the defence of the country and public property against rebels and criminals. The group should also ensure public order and enforce law by detecting and preventing criminal behaviour. Other purposes were to gather intelligence and to conduct surveillance and security patrols. The BPV operated defensive, with only some of its members being armed, and many others providing various public and social services. |
| Organisation: | The PGM is organised under the national Department of the People’s Vigilante Brigades under the Ministry of Provincial Coordination. The group’s functioning was assumed, ensured and defined by this ministry and by provincial, municipal, communal and district commissioners. The commanders reported directly to the president. The BPV, which was partly regarded as the urban counterpart of the Directorate of People's Defense and Territorial Troops, operated in smaller sub-units consisting of up to 100 members. |
| Weapons and Training: | Only some of the BPV units were armed. |
| Size: | Estimations of the number of PGM members in 1987 range between 800,000 and 1,5 million. |
| Reason for Membership: | Officially, the group consisted of Angolan citizens who are willing to contribute voluntarily to the PGM’s purpose. Women made up one third of the members. On the one hand, soldiers of the FAPLA were integrated into the BPV and on the other hand, the BPV was regarded as a recruitment pool for FAPLA. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | Members of this PGM posed as UNITA rebels and raped women and stole property in that disguise. |
| Other Information: | The group is also known as popular vigilante brigades or by the acronym BPV (brigadas populares de vigilancia). |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |