/ 18 December 2006

Negotiations under way to free SA men in Iraq

Negotiations to secure the return of four South Africans abducted in Iraq are continuing, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

”Negotiations are continuing, the situation is complex and very delicate … we have to leave it at that … we cannot elaborate,” said spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.

The four men were snatched at a roadblock in northern Baghdad a week ago.

They are all employed by Safenet Security Services, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands and contracted to the United States Department of Defence.

The names of the missing men have not been made public. Sources said two of the men are believed to be from Cape Town, one from Durban and one from Orkney. – Sapa