The World News AM
Saturday, May 17, 2025
  • Login
  • Home
  • World
    • Asia
    • South Asia
      • Afghanistan
      • Pakistan
      • India
      • Sri Lanka
    • Central Asia
      • Azerbaijan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Russia
      • Tajikistan
      • Turkmenistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • East Asia
      • China
      • Japan
      • South Korea
    • SouthEastAsia
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Africa
      • Ethiopia
      • Ghana
      • Libya
      • Zimbabwe
    • Europe
      • France
      • Italy
      • Germany
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Turkiye
      • Ukraine
      • United Kingdom
    • North America
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Mexico
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zeland
  • Gulf
    • UAE
    • Iran
    • Kuwait
    • Oman
    • Qatar
    • Bahrain
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World
    • Asia
    • South Asia
      • Afghanistan
      • Pakistan
      • India
      • Sri Lanka
    • Central Asia
      • Azerbaijan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Russia
      • Tajikistan
      • Turkmenistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • East Asia
      • China
      • Japan
      • South Korea
    • SouthEastAsia
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Africa
      • Ethiopia
      • Ghana
      • Libya
      • Zimbabwe
    • Europe
      • France
      • Italy
      • Germany
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Turkiye
      • Ukraine
      • United Kingdom
    • North America
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Mexico
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zeland
  • Gulf
    • UAE
    • Iran
    • Kuwait
    • Oman
    • Qatar
    • Bahrain
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
The World News AM
No Result
View All Result
Home Africa

South Africa: Al-Qaeda releases hostage Gerco van Deventer after six years says Gift of the Givers

WNAM: by WNAM:
December 18, 2023
in Africa
0
South Africa: Al-Qaeda releases hostage Gerco van Deventer after six years says Gift of the Givers
0
SHARES
19
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

(WNAM Monitoring): Non-profit organisation Gift of the Givers on Sunday announced the release of South African Gerco van Deventer, who was taken hostage in Libya six years ago.

After being taken hostage, he was sold to Al-Qaeda.

“He was sold to the group in Mali in 2018 and finally released unconditionally yesterday,” said Gift of the Givers founder and director Imtiaz Sooliman on Sunday.

His release comes after six years and one month, making him the longest-held South African hostage in captivity, said Sooliman.

News24 reached out to officials in the international relations department regarding the release. Their comment will be added once received.

Gift of the Givers, at the request of Van Deventer’s family, became involved in negotiations in 2018 and made contact with Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM).

Sooliman said JNIM had dealt with the release of Stephen McGown, Johan Gustafsson and Christo Bothma, and had connected many negotiators from various countries on behalf of hostages.

Sooliman said the initial request for Van Deventer was $3 million. Over time, he added, this was negotiated down to $500 000.

“The family could not afford the ransom, there was no benefactor… the company that Gerco had just commenced work for could not assist. Gift of the Givers does not pay ransom, but acts as a facilitator on behalf of distraught families wanting to bring home their loved ones,” Sooliman said.

Following years of pleading, Gift of the Givers received a call on Saturday to inform them that Van Deventer was released – and was in Algeria.

“He could not be released through Mali, because of the current new war between the Mali military and the Tuaregs. The man from Mauritania had requested a release via the Mauritania State Security, but they refused,” Sooliman said.

Eventually, they chose Algeria.

Sooliman said SA’s State Security Agency confirmed on Saturday that Algerian State Security had called to inform them that Van Deventer had been freed. He was in hospital for a health review.

“We await the next step on his health and arrangements to bring him home to be reunited with wife, Shereen, and son, Asher. It has been six years of prayer, patience and hope. May Gerco return home soon, safely.”

ShareTweetShare
WNAM:

WNAM:

Related Posts

Nigeria becomes BRICS partner country

Nigeria becomes BRICS partner country

by WNAM:
January 18, 2025
0

WNAM REPORT: Brazil, which currently holds the rotating presidency of BRICS, announced that Nigeria acquired the status of the group’s...

Egypt to host special session on Palestine, Lebanon at D-8 summit: Foreign minister

Egypt to host special session on Palestine, Lebanon at D-8 summit: Foreign minister

by WNAM:
December 19, 2024
0

WNAM REPORT: The summit of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), which is set to be chaired by...

Somalia, Ethiopia thank Türkiye for its efforts to resolve dispute

Somalia, Ethiopia thank Türkiye for its efforts to resolve dispute

by WNAM:
December 12, 2024
0

WNAM REPORT: Somalia and Ethiopia expressed their gratitude to Türkiye on Wednesday for its efforts in resolving a nearly year-old...

UK, South Africa to strengthen trade ties

UK, South Africa to strengthen trade ties

by WNAM:
November 6, 2024
0

WNAM REPORT: South Africa and Britain said Tuesday they will work on strengthening trade ties during a meeting in Cape...

NAM countries condemn Israeli aggression against Iran

NAM countries condemn Israeli aggression against Iran

by WNAM:
November 5, 2024
0

WNAM REPORT: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has censured the Zionist regime for its aggression against Iran, declaring the recent attack...

Next Post
Ukrainian forces lose up to 100 servicemen in  last 24 hours

Ukrainian forces lose up to 100 servicemen in last 24 hours

Turkmenistan and Japan Intend to Establish Direct Air Links

Turkmenistan and Japan Intend to Establish Direct Air Links

  • Home
  • World
  • Gulf
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

© 2023 The World News AM - Develope and maintain by Skyhost.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World
    • Asia
    • South Asia
      • Afghanistan
      • Pakistan
      • India
      • Sri Lanka
    • Central Asia
      • Azerbaijan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Russia
      • Tajikistan
      • Turkmenistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • East Asia
      • China
      • Japan
      • South Korea
    • SouthEastAsia
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Africa
      • Ethiopia
      • Ghana
      • Libya
      • Zimbabwe
    • Europe
      • France
      • Italy
      • Germany
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Turkiye
      • Ukraine
      • United Kingdom
    • North America
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Mexico
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zeland
  • Gulf
    • UAE
    • Iran
    • Kuwait
    • Oman
    • Qatar
    • Bahrain
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

© 2023 The World News AM - Develope and maintain by Skyhost.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In