Cape Town – South African humanitarian agency Gift of the Givers is reportedly awaiting word from the State Security Agency on the return of SA paramedic Gerco van Deventer, who was released by al-Qaeda after being held captive in Libya for six years.
Van Deventer is currently in Algeria, recovering in a hospital, and the lack of updated information is attributed to possible reasons such as receiving psychological support and making travel arrangements for his return.
According to EWN, Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said that the organisation is patiently awaiting an update on Deventer from South African authorities.
He said that intermediaries who negotiated for his release confirmed he is in good health.
The family has requested privacy as they anticipate his return.
The 47-year-old husband and father of two was kidnapped in Libya on 3 November 2017 on his way to a power plant construction site about 1 000km south of the capital Tripoli.
Three other Turkish engineers seized at the same time were freed seven months later, but Van Deventer remained in captivity and was moved to Mali.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
