Search

The article focuses on the active involvement of private security contractors (PSCs) in armed conflicts in South Africa. It recalls the growth of PSCs since the end of the Cold War due to the growth of the outsourcing of military and security functions in the sector. It also investigates the role of the PSCs in armed conflicts and examines the response of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) on the issue. However, it suggests the need for the government to properly categorized PSCs when they contact them to assist their armed forces and provide non-lethal services to prevent them from participating directly in hostilities and restrict their activities to defensive.

This article examines the regulatory framework of private security companies (PSCs) and private military companies (PMCs) in South Africa. It is stated that the private security industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in South Africa, and that private security officers outnumber public police officers by a ratio of more than three to one. A concern related to the regulation of the private security industry is noted to be the poor training and lack of supervision of private security guards.