'SA must take lead in stopping mercenaries'

[dArKeR]

South Africa had a moral duty to take the lead in stamping out mercenary activities around the world, members of parliament heard this week.

At a meeting of the joint standing committee on defence it was disclosed that South Africa, Britain and the United States were the primary suppliers of private military companies and mercenaries.

Democratic Alliance MP Raenette Taljaard, who investigated mercenary activity and conflict in Africa during a three-month fellowship at Yale University last year, said it was estimated that around 90 private military companies operated in about 110 countries and had an annual turnover of $100-billion.

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