Home Shiraaz Mohamed: Kidnapped SA journalist “returns home”

Shiraaz Mohamed: Kidnapped SA journalist “returns home”

Reports emerging on Friday morning claim that Shiraaz Mohamed has landed safely in South Africa, almost three years after going missing near the Turkish-Syrian border.

Who is Shiraaz Mohamed?

Mohamed was awaiting coordination between South Africa’s government and Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency to fly him home, after it was revealed he had escaped captivity in December. There has been no official confirmation from DIRCO, but Reuters have reported that the journalist is now back in Mzansi.

Shiraaz Mohamed is a photojournalist from our shores. His trip to the Middle East with Gift of the Givers ended in acrimony after he was captured by a Syrian terrorist group in April 2017. It is believed that Mohamed, along with two drivers, was on his way back to the Turkish border when he was captured by the terrorists.

According to Gift of the Givers’ founder, Dr Imitiaz Sooliman, Shiraaz Mohamed accompanied the non-profit organisation on his own accord and was never encouraged to join them. The two drivers that were captured with Mohamed were immediately released, but the South African photojournalist was kept as a bargaining tool.

DIRCO to confirm a safe return

In April 2019, a proof-of-life video was released by his captors. In the clip, an unknown gunman is seen behind him as he pleads for his release and calls on his family and the international community to intervene in securing his release. His kidnappers had wanted a reported $1.5 million (about R21.7-million) ransom to secure his safe return home. The group have since failed to secure a penny following the escape.

We are expecting a statement from DIRCO at some point in the next few days.



No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
ads
Powered by Blogger.