Public hearings on a new Mercenaries bill

There are to be public hearings on a new Mercenaries bill which is aimed at tidying up the present law and at closing various loopholes which have allowed South Africans to take part in overseas military action. Reports states that the hearings by Parliament's committee on defence will take place next week. The present law, which has been in effect or some years, has resulted in very few prosecutions, and has by no means stopped South African police and soldiers from going to Iraq and acting as security guards there. Cabinet approved the idea of stiffening up the current Act last September.