News 24
South African mercenaries might soon join Angolan soldiers in helping Ivory Coast government troops subdue rebel forces in this west African country.
Reliable intelligence sources say a recruitment attempt in South Africa is already well under way in signing up between 30 and 40 well-trained mercenaries for "VIP protection" in the Ivory Coast.
The soldiers must apparently have a thorough knowledge of water operations and evacuations, as well as helicopter training.
In exchange, they will earn good money.
The first of these soldiers will allegedly leave for Ivory Coast this week.
The contract is allegedly being endorsed by the Ivory Coast government and supported by French financing.
French soldiers are already in the country to help stabilise the situation.
The South African soldiers must apparently also have a thorough knowledge of Ivory Coast and neigbouring countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Scores of South Africans were involved in these countries during the past couple of years. The United Nations (UN) confirmed in a report two years ago that South Africans were training Liberian and Sierra Leonean troops. Karl Alberts was identified at the time as a helicopter pilot flying for the Liberian army.
About 200 Angolese troops arrived in Ivory Coast last week to assist President Laurent Gbabgo.
Henri Boshoff, military analyst at the Institute of Security Studies, says he knows about "local plans for operations in Ivory Coast".
"South Africa has promised to assist Ivory Coast, but the government's ability to get involved is severely limited.
"At the same time, Gbagbo, when confronted about the Angolans in his country, defended their presence by saying it was completely within his rights to hire foreign soldiers as he saw fit and when necessary.
"South African mercenaries are involved in many African conflicts. It will therefore not be unusual to soon come across a swift reaction unit in the Ivory Coast," Boshoff said.
The Act on Foreign Military Aid stipulates that South Africans taking part in other countries' conflicts may be prosecuted.
Since this law came into effect about three years ago, mercenaries have continued with their activities in foreign countries as "security guards". No-one has yet been charged in terms of the act.
Foreign affairs spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota said on Tuesday afternoon that the department was investigating the matter.
More details will be made available in due course.