SAfrica govt says four Iraq abductees still alive

JOHHANESBURG, Dec 13 (Reuters) Four South African security workers who were kidnapped in Iraq are alive and contacts have been made with their captors, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today.

Ministry spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said the kidnappers and the company employing the workers, OSSI-Safenet security service, a sub-contractor for the US Department of Defence, had opened a channel of communication.

''Hopefully this will lead to a speedy resolution,'' he said.

''We are certain they are alive.'' Mamoepa said he did not know who the kidnappers were.

A variety of groups have carried out kidnappings in Iraq, including criminal gangs who sometimes sell their victims on to members of Islamic militant groups such as al Qaeda if their ransom demands are not met.

About 2,000 South Africans, many trained as soldiers in the apartheid-era military force, are believed to be working in the security sector in Iraq. Several have been killed there.

More than 200 foreigners and thousands of Iraqis have been kidnapped since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

At least 60 foreign hostages have been reported executed by their captors.

REUTERS PDM KN2132