South Africa is investigating reports its nationals have been hired to train a force for Guinea's military junta, Government said, pointing to fears of violence in the world's top bauxite exporter.

Speculation has grown that junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara has enlisted foreign military trainers in the face of intense international pressure after a September 28 massacre of opposition supporters increased calls for his resignation.

Diplomatic and security sources have said the mercenaries were South African, while other groups have said the trainers appeared to be of Ukrainian or Israeli origin. There has been no official confirmation yet of the nationality of those involved.

"We've heard both true and false leads when it comes to these allegations about mercenaries of South African origin," said Ayanda Ntsaluba, International Relations and Co-operation Director General.

Presidential polls

South African law prohibits citizens from fighting for a foreign force without permission from the Government. Ntsaluba said the military junta seemed to be preparing for a reaction from Guineans if Camara chooses to stand for presidential polls, which are due to take place in January.

"The logic of the argument is that that military leadership indeed is determined to avail itself for the presidential elections and also anticipates that there is going to be a reaction from civil society," Ntsaluba added.

Camara initially vowed not to stand in polls, which he first promised to hold in 2009. But, the timetable has since slipped and he has not ruled out standing for election, despite calls for his resignation and probes into the September 28 killings.

A January poll now appears less likely and Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore has made little progress in mediating between the junta and the opposition, adding to fears of unrest.

A security source in West Africa confirmed reports that dozens of South Africans were running a training camp 100 km southeast of Conakry, towards the border with Sierra Leone.

Last month, Brussels-based International Crisis Group think tank reported that "white expatriates, whom residents believed to be Ukrainian" were training militia in the region.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had also received reports of foreigners training fighters in the southeast. – Reuters