A field cornet (Afrikaans: veldkornet) is a term formerly used in South Africa for either a local government official or a military officer.Originally, the term was used for a civilian official in a local government district (drostdy) of the Cape Colony, acting as and invested with the authority of a military officer and empowered to act as a magistrate. The field cornet was subject to the landdrost of the district and acted as his representative.