By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Image: Facebook/Paramedics Plea.
South African paramedic Gerco van Deventer, who was abducted in Libya more than six years ago, spent Christmas at home with his family.
Gerco was kidnapped a week after he arrived in Libya in November 2017. He had taken up a six-week contract as an on-site medical practitioner for a Libyan security company.
A week after he arrived in Libya, he was kidnapped alongside three other people and, eight months later, he was moved to Mali.
Last week the Gift of the Givers announced van Deventer’ unconditional release, saying he was the longest held South African hostage in captivity.
The humanitarian aid organisation acts as a facilitator on behalf of distraught families wanting to bring home their loved one’s.
In a statement, Van Deventer’s family confirmed the safe return of the paramedic, who has spent “the last few days reconnecting”.
Gerco has been receiving the necessary medical support and is in good health and spirits,” the statement read.
The family expressed gratitude to the Algerian government in securing his release.
“We are also grateful for the role played by South Africa’s State Security Agency [SSA] in facilitating Gerco’s release and safe return to South Africa.”
“We acknowledge the efforts played by several NGOs and specifically the Gift of the Givers, for all their efforts in trying to secure Gerco’s release,” the statement further reads.
They further confirmed that a press conference would be held soon.
“We will in the coming weeks be advising of details pertaining to an open media conference. We humbly request that as a family we be given the necessary space and privacy to allow us to heal. Once again, a big heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us in this time.”
Gift of the Givers made several attempts to negotiate for Van Deventer’s release but the Al-Qaeda group had initially requested $3m (R55.4m) for his release which was eventually negotiated down to $500,000 (R9.23m).