South African medic held captive returns home
The Gift of the Givers says it’s secured the release of South African paramedic, Gerco Van Deventer, who was taken hostage in Libya six years ago.
The humanitarian group says he’s currently receiving treatment in hospital in Algeria.
Founder, Imtiaz Sooliman says they’ve been involved in the negotiations for his release for years.
Van Deventer became the longest-held South African hostage after he was taken captive and sold to a group with links to Al-Qaeda in Mali in 2018.
Sooliman says his family approached them for assistance that same year.
"Our state of security in South Africa calls for the Algerian state security to say they have taken him to hospital for a health check up.
"We now await the next step between Algeria and South Africa to have him home to his wife, mother and son who have been waiting for him patiently."
