Al Qaeda finally released Gerco van Deventer after holding him hostage for six years and one month.
Also read: Thousands gather during iftar in support of WC hostage
Non-profit Gift of the Givers announced that Van Deventer was released unconditionally yesterday, making him the longest-held South African hostage in captivity.
The organisation became involved at the request of the family in 2018. They contacted Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), whom they dealt with for the release of Stephen McGown, Johan Gustafsson, and Christo Bothma, and through which they connected several negotiators from various countries on behalf of multiple hostages.
While the initial ransom request for Van Deventer was $3 million, Gift of the Givers negotiated the amount down to $500 000.
‘The family could not afford the ransom, there was no benefactor, [and] the company that Gerco had just commenced work for could not assist,’ says Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
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‘Having no ransom to pay for Gerco and no further leverage, negotiations stalled and eventually with COVID-19 went cold completely until January 2023 when one of our intermediary contacts in Mali requested us to restart the process.
‘We had nothing new to offer. Nevertheless, we tried again. In Ramadan of this year, we requested unconditional, ransom-free release as hearts are generally softened during the Fasting period. Letters from religious leaders were forwarded to support our request. We tried again during the period of Hajj (pilgrimage), a very significant time.’
The organisation offered assistance during the aftermath of the Morocco Earthquake. This drew a response from the captors (who have links to Morocco), and Gift of the Givers received an indirect message of appreciation via intermediaries. ‘We used that moment to request unconditional release once again.’
‘Then with our intervention in Gaza, one of the chief intermediaries in Mali with whom we have [had] a relationship since 2015 requested the video messages from the family, the public and the private ones.’
He says the request came on 16 November, several hours after Ahmed Abbasi, the head of the Gift of the Givers office in Gaza was killed by Israeli Occupation Forces after returning from morning prayer.
‘We are not sure if this had any relevance. On 5 December we received a call from someone in Mauritania who said they [were] working on the release. We don’t know the person, [and] have never had contact with him previously.’
Then, late last night, Sooliman says the organisation received a call from one of their intermediaries who said that Van Deventer has been released into Algeria. ‘He could not be released through Mali, apparently because of the current new war between the Mali military and the Tuaregs.’
According to Sooliman, the man from Mauritania had requested a release via the Mauritania State Security. However, this request was denied. ‘South African State Security confirmed last night that Algerian State Security called to inform them that Gerco is freed, is with them and taken to hospital for a health review.’
He says the organisation is now waiting to hear about Van Deventer’s state of health, and arrangements to bring him home to his wife Shereen and his son Asher. ‘It has been six agonising years of prayer, patience, and hope. May Gerco return home soon, safely.’
Also read:
Gift of the Givers lands in Mali to negotiate release of WC hostage
Picture: @Mzahem_Alsaloum / Twitter
